Aparthotel Oporto Alves da Veiga

How you perceive this hotel all depends on your age and what you are used to and so to some, this could be excellent and to others, not so much. I've given it an average score and hope it is reasonable given my personal expectations . First impression, from outside, is not good; especially if arriving late at night. The hotel is on a run down street and has a single, large, old, door with a small illuminated sign over it. Entry is via a coded lock with gets you into a foyer with no reception, except there is a reception, "hidden" a floor below. Checking in is swift enough and you can either walk up the wide, creeking, wooden stairs or take the elevator. Rooms are large and well appointed with large French windows that either open up to the street or the garden. There is a kitchen area, full cooking facilities, full sized fridge, bathroom or two depending on room option and a tv that may or may not work. They turn on but one tv worked very well, whereas another didn't. (I stayed in two different rooms on two different occasions). Air conditioning in single bedroom didn't work well at all but double bedroom aircon was fine. Bathrooms were good sized, clean and well maintained. What I didn't like was that the rooms were sparsely furnished and felt bare. Younger travellers would not care but anyone used to more creature comforts of more regular hotels might expect more. Noise from people arriving late at night was apparent. Talking on the stairs echoed as did the creeking of the stairs. If you have anyone above you, expect to hear every step they make and every slide or drag of chair across the floor. I was woken up at 4.45 am by people above packing for an early flight out. Pool area is a lovely, albeit small garden area and pool itself too small to accommodate more than 4 people at a time and you'd want to know those other 3 people too. Garden and pool get busy and there isn't enough seating for all. Staff are all polite enough although some hints of attitude crept in unnecessarily at reception which I certainly wouldn't have accepted or expected in a better quality hotel. There is no complaint here just letting people know that some answers to basic questions weren't missed and I let them slide. Just be careful not to try to get the better of your customers with subtle belittling answers, even if said with a smile on your face..... Location is on a low end street and certainly lowers the experience but there are plenty of places to eat and buy snacks in the local area and a very short walk away. It's not far to walk to main shopping areas but a slight hike to main tourist attractions and in the heat, could be further than wanted. I didn't have a bad stay at all. I'd certainly highly recommend it to anyone between 18 and 40 but older travellers might want a different experience but only they'll know that. For what it is, it is very good, clean and well priced. I'd not stay again due to location, noise at night and small pool. Plenty of superb reviews here so take a good read through for a comprehensive over-view.

Fabulous place to stay. The apartment was very clean, spacious and comfortable. Working air-conditioning throughout the apartment and there was lots of natural light. There were also basic cooking facilities but we did not use these. Beds were very comfortable. The staff were very lovely too. The pool area was beautiful but sadly the weather was too cold for us to use. Great location!