Marriott Residences Salgados Resort

Really good. The pools were lovely and warm - perhaps helped by the copper-ish looking tiles. On the photos I was put off by them but when there they look fine. We were never crowded at the pool. There were so many pools and of different depths. Never had a problem getting a lounger no matter the time of day. Felt less crowded than some other resorts as guests not crammed around same few pools.

Our first suite had a broken air conditioner so they moved us to a newer block where luckily there was a cancellation. Our two bedroom suite with kitchen had a washing machine and dish washer. Fully stocked kitchen with pots etc although always had to ask for tea towels. Rooms were quite new and fresh, clean.

Many thanks to the kind lady managing the breakfast buffet who went out of her way to help with nut free food for my child with a nut allergy helping with food selection. At first I was in despair over labelling, also on poolside food to order via app as it didn’t seem accurate. Then we realised they were labelling food as containing nuts while in the UK it would be called “may contain” if it wasn’t an ingredient. So there seemed very few nut free foods. Each morning she gave my daughter a plate of food to take with us (even after she had found some safe food in the buffet) that was nut free. Pancakes and cake. (Pancakes because at buffet they were close to a nut-containing food). It is a rarity that she can ever risk a cake - so that was big for her. I would have liked some wrapped ice lollies by the pool - there is a delicious Portuguese brand that would go down well, not just the scoop-out ice creams which are all risky for cross contamination allergy-wise. Shuttle train to the beach at many times during the day. Buffet dinner at the same place as breakfast was varied and delicious. Customer relations/concierge was very helpful. Resort felt quiet and relaxed apart from breakfast time buffet although it was fully booked. I would happily go there again.

We stayed in block 4 in a beautiful renovated 1 bed apartment with large balcony. Perfect for our needs with 2 small children. Housekeeping was ok, a few annoyances but in general fine.

Pools are great, plenty of options, no wars over sun-beds, more than enough to go around and we made use of the kids pool with slides in the resort next door.

Reception team I found were not helpful, check in was rushed, incorrect information was given to us, poor communication regarding any of the facilities on site and in its sister hotel next door, basic directions etc.

Reception building is a let down also and doubles as “Bar”. No wow factor, very basic!

We booked on a half board basis, breakfast buffet was super, loads to choose from and staff were friendly and accommodating every day. Dinner buffet was good too, lots of choice but food always lukewarm.

We experienced problems checking in for dinner, our room number was often left off the list and phone calls were needed by staff to reception to confirm our package, however the In Season staff handled the situation well and got to know us over the 10 days.

All items purchased on site included a 10% service fee, everything from kids ice cream to drinks to lunch etc. this I felt was excessive for the standard of this resort.

Some on site facilities also need major works. Included are some photos from the children’s play area. Marriott needs to do better here!

Ending on this note: Potential for a great resort but needs more work!

We arrived at the hotel at 11:00am yesterday and after approximately 30 minutes of trying to check in, we were told the "systems weren't operating properly" and we couldn't be checked in and we'd have to come back later. This was honestly the worst check in at any Marriott I've stayed in this year - I've had 70 nights in Marriott's year to date. We were also told the usual line that "our room would be prioritised" and because I'm a Platinum Elite member, I stupidly thought this would be true. We contacted the staff throughout the day to find out if the room was ready and at 16.10 - which was past the check-in time, we visited reception to ask if the room was ready. The incompetent reception staff gave us multiple reasons why it wasn't ready as well as multiple different times to expect to wait for the room to become available. Eventually, we spoke to the "guest experience" rep when told us that the room was unsatisfactory cleaned because the previous guests had left it a less than acceptable state. He then offered us a drink voucher for each evening which, if you don't drink, is pointless and actually quite offensive. So this was refused and needless to say, we were offered nothing else as a replacement gesture.

The day after checking in (today), we found what looks like blood stains on the tissue box in the bathroom which, after hearing that the previous guests had left the room in less than adequate condition raised huge concerns. When I raised this through the automated chat I was told that the hotel would contact me as a matter of urgency. Needless to say it hasn't been treated as urgent and, at the time of writing this, almost 7 hours after initiating the chat, I still haven't been contacted by any of the hotel staff. We've also noticed that the grouting around the pool tiles has marked multiple swimsuits - one shown in the photos. I bought the kids new swimsuits to come on holiday which have now been essentially ruined. Overall, the hotel has souch potential but has been so disappointing from a.gueat experience perspective. Wish I'd booked a better Marriott as there are plenty to choose from in this area. My advice is to pay a little more and stay somewhere better.