Alvor Hotels & Apartments

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"It was exactly as we expected - 5 minute walk into lovely old town where there are plenty of nice restaurants and bars. Basic apartment well maintained - we were at the back which was very quiet but no view. Nice pool at the front. long walk to beach. We stayed 4 nights which was long enough in the alvor casa but we would definitely return to Alvor itself. "

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"Having been in the hospitality business for 30 years Alvor, Portugal was just the place I needed to relax and enjoy the Algarve. I also speak very good Portuguese and so I was looking forward to the Pestana Delfim Hotel and all it had to offer. Unfortunately, that turned out to be very little. PROS: Great location close to the beach and good size ocean front suite. CONS: Many. The hotel lacks any kind of atmosphere, spirit or welcome. Sad looking grumpy staff make almost no effort to be attentive and at times make you feel a burden. I arrived after check in time to be told in a tone that reminded me of my long forgotten headmistress that my room was not ready and I should return in one hour. She then made a sly unpleasant comment in Portuguese to her staff but was deafly silent when I quickly replied in perfect Portuguese. With only one resturant in the hotel I had limited choice to eat and relax while waiting to check in. The restaurant was terribly expensive. The hotel food and service was awful, which made any UK motorway Cafe look inviting. The elevators are small without much informative guide. With five people standing shoulder to shoulder I managed to rise slowly to the 6th floor. The room was spacious but basic. Housekeeping was sparodic at best and room service was limited and such an effort the first time you dare not try it a second. Breakfast in the only hotel restaurant was a zoo at trying to find a spare seat. Then a degree in search and rescue would have helped navigate the buffet queue, yes a queue. After a much needed holiday from the breakfast experience I looked for an empty sun bed. Sadly all were taken by 9am. The pool water edge is surrounded with a large band of sharp gravel stones. Totally unthinkable in terms of comfort and logic. Maybe a non slip surface that many hotels use at poolside would have gained more respect from the hoards of complaining families. Sharp gravel stones and cold wet feet make you look like you are walking on hot coals or doing the funky chicken! I walked around the circular pool which commanded a large pool bar in the centre. Not the romantic swim up meet and greet pool bar you envisage in the photo but one that serves ice creams and slushies, coffee and more slushies all at prices that would make The Beverly Hills Hotel proud. As the pool water was comparable to the Antartic I declined a slushie. The evening buffet confirmed my suspicions about the 4 star hotel catorgory. Fruit was fruit salad from a tin. All hot bevearges are self service from vending machines. OJ is a concentrate mix. All cold meats are deli slices...all for 33 Euros per person. There is little or no hotel entertainment programme. If you have kids make your own programme, which means go to the beach, its a great beach. "

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