The Patio Suite Hotel

We are a couple in our mid twenties looking for a relaxing summer holiday, yet this hotel was full of families with young children so we realised this was not the place for us. Negatives:

• The hotel is located on a busy road (the only road to get to the beach) which our room and balcony overlooked, making them extremely noisy. We raised this with reception who seemed reluctant to help. They told us they could move us to an alternative room on the other side of the hotel (overlooking a car park) if we came back in an hour. However they then told us the room was suddenly no longer available... We wanted to enjoy our holiday so we did not complain any further, having already spoken to reception twice.
• Both pools are very small. The north pool is located on the junction with the road to the beach so there is constant traffic noise and sometimes smell of fumes. To access the north pool, you have to either leave the hotel and go via the road, or up to the next floor of the hotel and around and down. The south pool is very small and dominated by the building. There are also not enough deck chairs and the ones that are there are very disorganised. Finally, there is a tiny kids pool, but this is mostly for babies and all the other kids are running and diving into the main pool making it difficult for us to enjoy both the pool and sitting around without getting splashed.
• Reception staff were generally unhelpful. In addition to the noisy bedroom complaints, the other member of staff we dealt with was in relation to the shuttle bus to the beach. We needed a return bus from Felesia beach so we asked where to pick up the bus to get back to the hotel but she gave very vague instructions and only showed us a small google image of a bar by a road (ie no names provided) which resulted in us not being able to find the bus as felesia beach is huge, and we had to get an uber back. Finally, when we checked out for our private transfer to the airport we got to reception early but the receptionist and driver said we were late and he nearly left which was crazy as we were at 5am. They also did not ask if we had had a good stay, and hardly said a word when we left.
• Toilet seat was loose in apartment and tap was loose/wonky, and there were cracked tiles. Feels like the hotel put all their money into the restaurant and everything else is suffering.

Positives

• Apartment was spacious with kitchen, dining table and sofa. Bed was made up every day by cleaning staff
• Restaurant had upmarket feel unlike many other all inclusive restaurants. Food was varied enough and suitable for vegetarians. Food was also well labelled including allergies. Waiting staff were generally friendly and attentive, and offered wine and sangria as well as cold water
• Beaches nearby are gorgeous and highly recommend prioritising the beaches over the hotel pools
• Good selection of cocktails available

Overall would recommend to families but not to young couples who would rather an adults only hotel.

Pool near the evening entertainment is deep in the middle- this isn’t mentioned or very clearly signposted. Most guests weren’t aware and found out when they entered the pool and found the dip. A few of the staff were patronising and insulting. Rooms were big, but very loud- our room was near the lift and we could hear guests throughout the night. Food over priced and not great. Entertainment was poor- although this added to comedy value. This hotel is about a 10€ uber to Albufeira- we weren’t bothered by this as didn’t want to be on the strip. There were quite a few disappointed younger groups who thought this hotel was walking distance from the strip. Kids club is aimed at toddlers. Activities were frisbee- in a very small area, archery, catch, bravely making. Kids club was very small and our son wasn’t interested.
Not enough sunbeds, although plenty of space for more. They are reserved early and nobody checks to remove towels. Be prepared for plastic glasses, they only serve in glasses in the main restaurant. Rooms have had a refurb on a budget. Clean, but could do with a deep clean, bathroom had a lot of mould. Sofa bed had a very thin mattress.

We stayed here for 9 nights, the rooms are spacious and very clean, the food in the restaurant was great I couldn't fault it! The free shuttle to the beach was great we used that a lot! Would definatly recommend this hotel and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back.