“Super hotel in a super location”

The hotel staff at Vila Petra were all extremely friendly and helpful. We were allowed to check-in to our room 2 hours early and on our day of departure they let us check out 2 hours later as we were on an evening flight home. Although we stayed on a room only basis, we ate in the hotel's restaurant a few times as the food was tasty, the service was good and overall it was good value for money. The hotel bar is also comfortable and reasaonably-priced. The indoor pool was warm enough for us (you must wear a swimming cap when you use it though) and the outdoor pools were well maintained. The location of the hotel is really handy - close enough for the main strip and the beach is only 10-15 mins walk away. There is a free hotel shuttle-bus that goes to the beach if you didn't want to walk. Once we were in the hotel at night we never heard any noise from the strip although it wasn't the height of the season when we were there. If I had to criticise something, it would be that they should give more towels in the room.

“Almost the perfect rest cure”

We found the Hotel room to be very well appointed. We did self catering and only used the Hotel restaurant twice. The food was excellent and we are tempted to do half-board next time! The weather was mixed in early March and the outdoor pool was not an option. Although there was a small indoor pool we did not use it in favour of walks on the beach - hotel transport provided. We particularly enjoyed the big screen television, with DVD player, and the satellite channels that were available free of charge. The minimarket attached to the Hotel was adequate and we did not really need to go to the big supermarket downtown. The Hotel was close enough to "The Strip" and buses and taxis, without being in the centre of the "tourist hoards" area. Beware the Beachside snack bars! We suspect they gave us acute gastro enteritis, which delayed our return trip by two days.

“Fantastic base”

We found the apartments within the hotel very pleasing. They were kept spotless and the cleaning ladies came in every day to clean and change the towels. The apartment was very roomy and had all the equipment you might need. It even has a full sized oven and hob and a dishwasher. A dvd player was in the room so it might be a good idea to pack a couple of dvd's just in case you have children and they want to be kept occupied while in the apartment or if you get a rainy day. We were not too keen on the strip but from the hotel it is only around 5 euros for a taxi to the old town. There is also a mini mart attached to the hotel where you can get all your eccentials, the soft bread rolls were great for breakfast on the balcony. I would recommend this hotel to anyone and I would certainly stay there again if I visit Albufeira in the future. I only wish it was nearer to the old town, that is the only negative comment I have.