FAROL DESIGN HOTEL

We just spent a wonderful short holiday of six days at The Farol. In one word: FANTASTIC ! One of the best hotels we ever stayed at. Everything works in this place: from the restaurant to the bar, from the pool area to the room. The location is unbeatable. We will be back !!

My wife and I came for our third baby moon. It was absolutely everything we could have hoped for. Unbelievable location, views, service and it's all affordable. You won't find another hotel like this because Portugal has banned building along the ocean front. Before we got there, I said to my wife - I hope this is like "The One and the Only" hotel chain ambiance. And it was! 10 stars. We'll be back with or without kids.

This is not a 5 Star Hotel The easiest way to start this review is to do the 2 positives first. This hotel has great views out over the water and the rooms are of a high standard. That's it. The big problem with this hotel is on the sign outside, it says 5 star. This is not a 5 star hotel because of the staffing, training, management and attitude of staff. A 5 star hotel is all about the experience of the customer. In this hotel they have not trained the staff to 5 star level and the management is in the same boat. Here is just a sample of some non 5 star issues with this hotel that we saw ( management note): * Breakfast was very understaffed, one person only on floor on one day, and the staff are rushed, hassled and disinterested. Budget hotel stuff. * Same food every morning. No variety, especially with fruit. * Residents can hear the loud staff conversations. A big no no. * Junior breakfast staff, when present, were straight out of school with no 5 star training. * No breakfast menu given in one week here. * No welcome on arrival each day because of low staffing. * Tables lacking cutlery. * One salt cellar for the entire restaurant. Residents going over to other residents tables asking for THE salt celler. Faulty Towers stuff. * Due to understaffing, orders missed or left under heating lamp too long and dried out. * Wifi very variable. * Received a bar bill 3 times in the week with no pen to sign it. * Got a beer one night in the bar in a plastic glass. Asked for a real glass and was told there was none due to a function. Wouldn't happen in Butlins. * One group of 3 moved one chair in the bar and were reprimanded by a staff member and then by management. You couldn't dream it up. * Pool bar service nearly non existent and when there very slow. * You must sign for your towel at the pool, in case you might abscond with it while paying €400 pn!! I wonder would they ask Bill Gates to sign for his towel' Probably. * Bar delivery time from order to drink about 20 minutes. We left one night due to delay and saw others leave another night. If you are an alcoholic, you have been warned. * Staff attitude is not 5 star and defensive when clear poor service complained about. Front of house was ok and responsive but not friendly. My problem is if you claim you are a 5 star hotel and charge €400 per night then give a 5 star service and stop sweating the asset. The final big no no is, when a complaint was made and noted, no follow up. Toilet Report: Fine Pricing: 5 star for 3 star service Recomendations to Owner: Print this review and read it every day or sell the hotel to a 5 star specialist. Recomendations to Chef: Ensure breakfast staff deliver your food when you press the bell. Greater fruit variety for breakfast. More than just natural yogurt for breakfast. Dump the salad leaves and balsamic with fried eggs at breakfast. It's breakfast, not a tasting menu. Residents can't eat your food if they have no cutlery on the table. Go to or look at the reviews for the 5 star Grand Residentia Hotel in Maspolmas if you are interested in learning about 5 star breakfasts. We were there last month and you are light years away from that level. Tea is served in small NeEspresso cups. *** One final option. Take down the 5 star sign and put up 4 star and take €200 off your rack rate.

We had a lovely stay in this hotel, the location is brilliant - just a few minutes walk from the main Cascais tourist area and beaches (and you pass some very striking buildings on your way). The hotel itself is pretty much "in the beach" as our taxi driver said - gorgeous views over the sea, surrounded by rocky outcrops and splashing waves. The pool was immaculate and the hotel atmosphere wasn't pretentious but relaxed, despite its cool "design" demeanor. The service was friendly (particularly the concierge Joana) and calm. Breakfast was a little haphazard - perhaps a bit more clarity and direction over what was available would have been useful on the first morning. However the food was divine. Our main gripe (and reason for 4 stars) was that there was no tea and coffee in the rooms. In addition, everything "extra" (ie paid for) at the hotel was very pricey - higher than lots of hotels in more expensive countries. Worth a visit.

We stayed here for couple of nights at the best suite they have, the views from the suite is unbelievable, waking up to that view is just amazing. the outdoor area is great, the bar was just lovely. the service was great, we had booked a dinner outside the hotel and they dropped us off with the hotel car. everything was great. it is a place to stay, relax, eat and just enjoy the amazing walks and views.