Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve

We spent a week at Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve with our son on an All Inclusive package in one of the sea-facing rooms.

The hotel enjoys a beautiful location with stunning views over the beach, and throughout our stay we found it to be spotlessly clean. The housekeeping team clearly takes great pride in maintaining both the rooms and the public areas.

One of the highlights of our holiday was the food and beverage experience. The staff were consistently friendly, attentive and genuinely helpful, and the buffet chefs frequently offered to prepare special dishes for us, which was a lovely touch.

Breakfast offered everything you would expect from a high-quality buffet—freshly cooked eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, an extensive selection of breads, cold meats, cheeses, cereals and fresh fruit. What really stood out, however, was the impressive range of healthy “superfoods” available, including turmeric, ginger, chia seeds, moringa and psyllium husk. It was an unexpected feature that we really appreciated.

Lunch and dinner were equally impressive, with an excellent variety of fresh seafood and meats each day. During our stay we enjoyed lobster, octopus, large prawns, langoustines and many other beautifully prepared dishes. The food was consistently fresh, varied and of a very high standard.

As part of the All Inclusive package we also dined in the à la carte restaurant. The prawn starter was outstanding—fresh, generous in size and absolutely delicious.

There was also plenty happening around the hotel throughout the day and evening, with a good programme of activities and entertainment.

During the World Cup, the hotel made a real effort by screening the matches in one of the conference rooms, with waiters serving drinks and snacks throughout. Watching football in a dark conference room via projector felt a little unusual, but the effort the hotel made to create a viewing experience for guests was genuinely appreciated.

Overall, we had a wonderful holiday. However, there were a few areas where we felt a hotel carrying the Iberostar brand could improve.

Firstly, on arrival after a hot summer journey from the airport, we were welcomed with the choice of either wine or water. As we were beginning our All Inclusive holiday, we politely asked if we could have both a glass of wine and some water, only to be told it had to be one or the other. It felt unnecessarily mean-spirited and wasn’t the warm first impression you would expect from a five-star hotel.

Secondly, the reception area felt rather neglected. Many of the plants looked dry and drooping throughout our stay, and I even found myself mentioning to reception that they could do with watering. It is a small detail, but first impressions matter, and it gave the entrance a slightly unloved feel.

Finally, our room change experience was disappointing. On arrival we asked whether there might be another room available within the same category but with a better sea view. Reception kindly agreed to check the following day and advised us not to unpack, asking us to return after breakfast.

When we returned the next morning, we were told that a room would be allocated at 2 pm, but despite asking several times whether they could simply tell us which room it would be, we were told this wasn’t possible. At 2 pm we were offered a room with a noticeably poorer sea view than the one we already occupied. We therefore chose to remain in our original room. Had the room number simply been shared earlier, we could have made an informed decision, unpacked and enjoyed our holiday without spending the day waiting. It felt like an unnecessary inconvenience.

These criticisms are relatively minor in the context of what was otherwise a very enjoyable stay. The location is superb, the food is among the best we have experienced at an All Inclusive resort, the hotel is immaculately clean and the staff—particularly those in the restaurants and bars—were excellent. With a little more attention to guest experience at reception, this hotel could easily become truly exceptional.

We would happily return.

Having visited Algarve for 25 years and solely to Iberostar Lagos since 2019 we have seen everything Algarve has to offer. That's why my title says what it does.

During these 7 years Iberostar Lagos even helped is to get married in Lagos and surprise thoughtful gifts made it really special.

This year our arrival was greeted, by Anna, as though old friends were meeting again. I cant believe she instantly recognised us 12 months later. This carried on throughout the hotel in the bar and restaurant staff recognised us instantly and welcomed us, again, like old friends. Special recognition must go to Stefan.

I had a minor criticism last year.

This year the food had gone back to its usual fantastic quality. Hot meat dishes with distinctive Portugues/Algarvian tastes were delicious particularly what was described as pork cheeks - fantastic. Breakfast was, as usual, delicious with lots of tasty choices.

Sadly it seems we won't be returning next year. We aren't ones to sit by the beach/pool all day and have covered probably everything there is to see in Algarve.

We will however take with us fond memories of Iberostar Lagos. More importantly our memories of the top class staff and service will serve as a standard against which all others will be measured. We will genuinely miss you all.

If anyone reads this review in my opinion if you are visiting Lagos you should go here - there is nowhere better.

I hope my Portuguese is up to standard so....

Muito obrigado por tudo o que fizeram por nós durante as nossas estadias. Sentiremos muita falta de toda a equipe e do hotel.