Albufeira Sol Hotel and Spa

Just got back today after 2 weeks at the Albufeira Sol Hotel & Spa and before I start the review we are booking again for next year!! From the moment we entered the hotel the reception staff were friendly and very very helpful with one of the best arrivals check in that we have ever had. It was very thorough with loads of information. We arrived on an early flight so had to put our cases in a locked room and had to wait for our room to be ready. Whilst waiting we had full access to the hotel amenities but if you are on an early flight be aware that your room might not be available until about 3pm so have some shorts etc in your hand luggage. The hotel was spotlessly clean as was the location and every place that we visited on the Algarve. We got told at Faro airport when we arrived that our resort had no Jet2 rep so we have to use the app for information etc, but we discovered on our second week that there is a rep who visits 5/7 days a week from 9-10. We were on the 5th floor (top floor) and the room was amazing. The bathroom had a large walk in shower, toilet and basin, a small kitchen area with fridge, microwave, kettle and hob, a living room with a sofa and table and chairs and a large bedroom. The room had a/c and a TV with some English channels and a Hollywood channel playing back to back films. The restaurant was a good size and all off the staff were chatty and very friendly. The food was very good with a vegetarian option at most meals and plenty of choice for all ages. Again the restaurant was spotlessly clean like the entire hotel inside and out. The outside pool area was a good size with plenty of sun beds and big umbrellas. The area was kept very clean by a small number of staff and a special mention must go to Alessandro, the Cuban gentleman who made it his mission to get to know the guests and was a very friendly person who worked very long hours keeping the pool area and the pool clean and useable. The hotel runs its own shuttle bus to Albufeira old town 6 days a week and runs every hour. One big tip that we were given and is very much doing is to get the Uber app on your phone before leaving the UK. We used Uber for all of our trips and the longest that we had to wait was 5 minutes and they are so cheap compared to the local taxis and there are so many of them. We would highly recommend doing the cave and dolphin boat trip but done book it as a package, but go through your rep and book the X Ride boat trip and get an Uber to Albufeira marina then walk back to the old town (15 mins) and get the hotel shuttle bus back. This saved my wife and I about 40 euros compared to booking the package (transport there and back and the boat trip). Can not comment on the Spa as we did not use it, but we didn’t here anything negative about it. The New Town, or the “Strip” was only a 10 minute walk from the hotel but we didn’t here any noise. There is a big Aldi only 5 mins walk from the hotel and a Spar shop just 1 min away. Would highly recommend the Gipsy market at Quarteira on a Wednesday morning. We read some very mixed reviews about this hotel before we went but it was one of the best holidays that we have had and will be booking again for next year.

We stayed 7 nights all inclusive in October 2026. Rooms and hotel very clean, food fairly good although some dishes cold on occasions but generally nice selection if a little repetitive. Pool area clean but loud day time entertainment distracting if you want peace! We felt the hotels evening entertainment mediocre and the bar area lacked atmosphere. All inclusive drinks confusing 🫤 staff inconsistent with rules so was very much dependent on who was serving. All inclusive drink availability ended at 11.00 pm which was disappointing. We were not aware of the 150 euro security deposit payable on arrival so this alongside tourist tax was a surprise. A facial was booked at the spa which cost €70 for 60 mins - the facial did not start until over 20 mins into the booked session and finished after approximately 40 mins. It felt very rushed and not a relaxing experience which was an expensive mistake. On a positive note, we had we had a meal at the a La carte restaurant on site. The food was beautiful and staff lovely and helpful -so overall a mixed experience of this hotel but on the whole an enjoyable stay. Weather was perfect!! 👌