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- Pestana Dom Joao II Hotel and Beach Resort
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Pestana Dom Joao II Hotel and Beach Resort
Portugal, Europe
Alvor
Overlooking Alvor Beach, one of the best beaches of the Algarve and extending for several kilometres, this contemporary style hotel is situated in a privileged location close to the Alvor Estuary, a major nature protection area for birds. The centre of Alvor is within a 10-minute walk, Portimão, the largest city in West Algarve, is 7 km away. In the city, guests will find themselves in a place of many cafes and restaurants. Faro International Airport is at a distance of 74 km. The hotel offers modern guest rooms with air conditioning, cable TV, mini bar, safe, telephone, hair dryer and bath amenities. Guests can dine at the on-site restaurant with a wide selection of international and local dishes. There are also bars where to relax with live music and variety of drinks. To relax after the day with sauna, Turkish bath and indoor pool or magic spa and massages are well-served to the needs of all guests.
Facilities
- 24-hour reception
- Mobile phone coverage
- Wired Internet
- Wi-fi
- Room service
- Laundry service*
- Launderette*
- Multilingual staff
- Air conditioning in public areas
- Lift access
- *Some facilities may incur an additional fee
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
The Local Area
The centre of Alvor is within a 10-minute walk, Portimão, the largest city in West Algarve, is 7 km away. In the city, guests will find themselves in a place of many cafes and restaurants. Faro International Airport is at a distance of 74 km.
Tripadvisor Reviews
4.0 Very Good3,557 reviews
Excellent
46%
Very Good
33%
Average
14%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Summer Vacation
Fantastic experience at Pestana Dom Joao Golf Resort
Would Never Stay Here Again!
Would Never Stay Here Again
This was one of the most disappointing hotel stays we’ve had. Apart from the excellent beachfront location, there is very little to recommend this hotel.
The entire property feels old, tired and badly in need of refurbishment. Our room overlooked the car park, which was a huge disappointment and certainly not what we’d hoped for. The communal areas were uncomfortably hot because there was no effective air conditioning, making it unpleasant to spend any time outside the room.
Another frustration was that nobody informed us the tap water is perfectly safe to drink, so like many visitors we unnecessarily bought bottled water throughout our stay. It would take only a simple note in the room or a mention at check-in to avoid this.
We were also surprised to find that a 10% service charge was added to everything. We were only told that this could be removed if we asked before the bill was produced. That policy should be made much clearer from the outset so guests can make an informed choice rather than discovering it afterwards.
For a hotel carrying the Pestana name, the standard was well below expectations. It feels like the hotel has been left behind while many others in the Algarve have been modernised. The facilities are dated, and the overall atmosphere lacks the quality you would expect from a four-star resort.
What makes this even more frustrating is that the hotel manager regularly replies to reviews, thanking guests for their feedback and saying comments will be taken on board. However, after reading reviews going back several years, the same complaints about outdated rooms, lack of refurbishment and inadequate air conditioning continue to appear time and again. It gives the impression that the concerns are acknowledged, but very little changes.
There are far better hotels in Alvor offering more modern accommodation and a much better overall experience for similar money.
We would never stay here again and would not recommend it.
Unfortunately won’t be returning
Had fantastic stay yet again at Dom Joao,been many times over the past 15 years .always been our first choice hotel in alvor ,great grounds plenty sunbeds ,loved the indoor pool,rooms clean .plenty choice at breakfast,however just found out that after refurbishment it’s going to be half board only,there is no way we will be going there for our evening meal every night ,one of the best things about alvor is the lovely restaurants to go out into alvor for an evening meal,I won’t be surprised if many others like myself will book elsewhere ,very disappointed at this horrendous decision
Review by Dianerichard2024 Blyth, United Kingdom
My opinion
Breakfast wasn't 4 star. We booked through Tui,no rep at the hotel so just dumped. A long walk into town so either bus or taxi. Air conditioning in our room was rubish,just sweating all night,no air-conditioning anywhere in the hotel.
Staff nice ,rooms clean but need refurbishment, nice grounds and pool. Wouldn't go back as not for me and expensive.
Review by Pat B Chorley, United Kingdom
The dinnertime food needs to improve
As a chef and food writer I don't write about my Jet2 hotel vacation unless they are exceptional or need some work, unfortunately this was the latter.
First let's talk about the positives: The location of hotel could not be better, right on the beach with very attractive landscaped gardens with plenty of shade under trees if you had enough sun. The local buses stop right out side the hotel giving you options of places you can explore, or you can walk along the lengthy boardwalk over the beach and sand dunes into the lively village of Alvor, where you find a good selection of shops and restaurants. The hotel's own beach side cafe was also a useful place to get a drink or a lunchtime meal, which was cooked on site.
The hotel staff are friendly and wish to be helpful. The breakfast is excellent with plenty of choice and during breakfast the staff are efficient and well managed.
Now to the things that need work. If a hotel states its gym is air-conditioned then as a guest I expect it to be working. Both myself and other guests pointed this out but no one fixed the air-conditioning during our 10 day out. The larger of the outdoor swimming pool was bad need of a clean. I only used it once and was off put by the greasy tide-mark that was present on the tiles at the water mark. During our 10 day stay I never saw any cleaning or filtration going on in the pool.
Evening meals both the quality and choice were very disappointing compared to other package hotel given the price we paid. The buffets were poorly manage (not topped up or stirred to refresh the appearance of the food. As a chef who has a broad experience of hotel and restaurants around the world, I know the difference a well managed hot buffet can make to the taste, appearance and even the food cost.
During our 10 day stay there I saw waste, poor quality and poor management of the ingredients, I definately think the Exec chef needs to train his staff better.
