- Algarve Holidays
- Albufeira
- Grande Real Santa Eulalia Hotel and Spa

This exclusive luxury hotel is a conveniently located hotel in Albufeira, above beautiful, sandy Praia de Santa Eulália Beach. The hotel also offers a free shuttle bus into town that runs a few times per day, and there is a regular bus stop located 100 metres from the hotel, going to the lively centre of Albufeira, with its many shopping and entertainment venues; Faro Airport is 23 kilometers away from the hotel. The complex has all the peace and tranquility of an Algarve beach setting, the sense of fun that comes with a holiday in a tourist area, and the charm of a fairy tale. The complex has accommodation for all kinds of families. All rooms, suites or apartments have the amenities required for a comfortable stay, which includes appliances and comfortable furniture, as well as access to areas with balconies.
Pool toilet doors do not lock leaving guest feeling exposed & vulnerable
Ridiculous queues for breakfast with not enough seating and inadequate space to walk between tables with waiting staff and other guests bumping into chairs of seated dinners which detracted from the dining experience.
I don’t expect to be charged for sunbeds on the hotels private beach when I’ve already paid a premium price to stay at the hotel.
Drinks, Meals and snacks are overpriced when compared to other bars and restaurants just a short walk from the hotel. Had they been priced at a more reasonable rate we would have spent more within the hotel complex.
In our room the balcony sliding door was not properly sealed which created a cold draft at night and the door vibrated in the frame with the wind creating a knocking noise all night.
Our room had an adjoining door yet we had no requirement for this and did not know the occupants in the other room. We felt the adjoining door was a security / personal safety risk. It also increased noise with conversations (and other noises, sorry neighbours!) easily overhead by the other room.
It was not clear where / when entertainment was scheduled and needs to be on a large board by the main pools or on the large TV's in reception.
We paid a premium to stay at a 5* spa resort but the spa facilities are charged extra. Giving away a single complimentary Spa voucher to each guest would have been a nice gesture and may encourage some guests to then pay for further services
My wife was attacked on the balcony by 'Steven' a seagull who stole her food, knocked over her hot drink scalding her and then left. Later that afternoon he returned and defecated all over the balcony. There are a lot of birds in the resort these vermin are on tables / chairs / plates, wading in the kids pools with little attempt from staff to deter them or scare them away.
During our time by the pools a gardener started mowing the grass directly behind our sunbeds creating pollen and noise. We also were made to feel like we were an inconvenience during a sunbed and umbrella replacement which was done mid-morning after guests were already on sunbeds. It seems both activities were poorly planned and normally I’d expect these to be done before the pool opens or after it closes.
The room cleaning was of an exceptionally high standard and the staff were very attentive. It was also a lovely gesture to receive a birthday card, cake and bottle of fizz.
Stayed with my son for a week in july Room is a bit dated but was very clean The hall porter was very helpful on check in,very friendly.breakfast was absolutely packed each morning,my son arrived at 1030 one morning and the young lady at the podium pointed out the time to him,very petty for a hotel that claims five star service,food was ok,hot food cold every morning,nice fruit and pastries available.the service at the beach cafe was a huge letdown.the staff barely understand any english at all,very expensive too.the beach attendants were excellent,very polite and efficient.the staff in the bar area at night were under serious pressure each night we attended,no tab allowed during soccer matches in case you did a runner i assume,not enough staff on duty any night but the two guys working were friendly if rushed off their feet most nights.all in all not a five star experience for the cost.
My husband and I had the best time at Grande Real. We were able to relax and also able to do so much. We went Old Town, New Town, beautiful beaches with beautiful sunsets, marina in Vilamoura, a winery tour and much more. This hotel is very centrally located. We did do a spa day at the hotel, and that is the one thing this hotel needs a bit of improvement; other than that, this hotel is perfect....beautiful. They also have really good restaurants. My husband and I were very pleased and would definitely go back.
I’m a night two of staying at this hotel and I came with a lot of hopes for it to be an amazing hotel unfortunately number of issues have beenfound which I already emailed the Hotel and Management. Location is beautiful rooms are nice but cleanliness room service and stop at the pool area. Have a number of issues which need to be addressed.
Hotel refuses to allow a shortened stay even though service/food terrible and everyone unhappy. They refuse to refund a pre-paid week long stay via bookings.com. Bookings.Com currently to get a refund now but they also refusing to negotiate with them. We arrived yesterday - room air con not working, food buffet terrible and very limited, sent to hotel pizza Restuarant which was also not good. This is supposed to be a 5 star resort. Hotel corridors smell bad and bath plugs jammed so can’t shower properly. The hotel say we must rather just eat breakfast here and get an uber to another restuarant for lunch and dinner. I offered to pay one day and move elsewhere but the hotel refuse to refund and will not make any exceptions despite the poor service. I am stuck here with an upset family. This hotel is NOT 5 star!! I hope bookings.com also remove it from their listings as a 5 star resort immediately.
