Santana de Cambas Vacations from $839

A beautifully situated and well appointed boutique hotel graced with courteous, efficient, multilingual staff. The pool and decking is framed with magnificent Mediterranean pines and rosemary. Gym is well equipped and the breakfast buffet abundant. Bedlinen is the finest, softest most silken cotton and the pillows provide a sweet slumber. Clientele in July was a mix of Portuguese ( a good sign when you stay in a country that its own people choose it) and some English, Irish and Italians. Guests were mostly well behaved.

We had a hassle on check in based on number in our party even though the room could easily accommodate us. The beds were hard and we didn’t get our queen bed. Towels weren’t the cleanest. Pool area was nice. Villa space was great as was the view

Tucked away in a peaceful corner of a lively tourist area, this resort strikes the perfect balance — welcoming for children without being overwhelmingly kid-focused, ensuring adults can truly unwind.

I liked having the adult only pool area.

Ok I know this is a 3 star hotel but the beds and pillows are the worse I have ever experienced at any hotel. Hard bed and the thinnest pillows ever. We upgraded to “all inclusive” but only breakfast was included at this hotel. Even though they have a snack bar with drinks and snacks available, we were told we’d have to pay or take a shuttle to one of there 4 other hotels in the area to eat or drink. Ridiculous policy. The staff were all great and the property is well maintained however everything is very old and in need of renovations.