SÃO RAFAEL SUITES

We're just starting our second week at this hotel and if the second week is as good as the first we'll leave happy. There was 22 of our wedding guests staying here last week and everybody had an amazing time. We arrived at different times over last weekend and although some rooms were ready early we had to wait for ours until 4pm (ish). We we're given wrist bands so we could go for lunch and enjoy a couple of drinks. When our room was ready we got taken there and shown where everything was and asked if we were happy before our luggage was brought up. We have a lovely suite with 2 balconies, 2 bathrooms and small kitchen (not that it's been used) and surprisingly plenty of wardrobe space. When we returned to our room later the first evening we had a bottle of fizz and chocolate coated strawberries left for us which was lovely. The staff are pretty amazing, always ready to help and sort out any problems quickly. We had two issues with the room, the door onto the balcony didn't lock and the bathroom light started flickering - after reporting these to reception, maintenance sorted immediately. The food is plentiful and there are several meat/fish options as well as salads, cheese and good old chips for the Brits. Drinks - I saw a review recently about serving non branded drinks, this happens in most AI hotels and the drinks we had (mainly gin/Bacardi) were spot on and depending on who served you very strong. There are a lot of golfers use this hotel but to be honest they weren't a problem, they enjoyed a few beers at night but who doesn't when they're on holiday. The pools are lovely but cold and there are plenty of Sunbeds. Haven't used the spa yet but this looks lovely. Wifi is very hit and miss on rooms but ok in reception/bar

Having read other people's reviews and taking into account the excellent value for money on an all inclusive golf break, my expectations of Sao Rafael Suites were somewhat low. I can't tell you how pleasantly surprised I was with all aspects of this hotel. An impressive building inside and out, tastefully furnished, impeccably clean and staffed by friendly and professional people. Good quality food beautifully presented and an array of beer, wines and spirits available freely. Location wise, you are a stroll away from the Albufeira old town with restaurants and bars or if you're looking for something a bit livelier a 10€ cab ride from the main strip for a night to remember!! I can't recommend the Sao Rafael Suites more highly than by saying I would return for a holiday with my wife - yes, that good!

Just got back and sobering up after a hoot of a golfing trip. The food is buffet style and plenty of choices for everyone ... happy days. The all inclusive drinks are good - Super Bock on draft and plenty of spirits to go at ... some branded spirits are chargeable, but fair doo's on that. Definitely golf orientated hotel ... this may be the time of year (May) so could be different in mid-summer. Staff are great and everything runs very well. Rooms are large and well kept with good balconies and free safe. Would I go with the kids ... probably not, if May is like the rest of the months. Overall, a cracking stay and nothing to quibble about at all ... If you're the OCD type who wants everything spot on with a refined sophistication, then maybe pay double somewhere else ... I'm just saying.

Just returned from this hotel for a weeks Golf,party of 10 golfers booked through Your Golf Travel. Everything went perfect regard Flights,Transports and Golf. When we arrived the hotel looked just like it did in the brochure and check in was fast by nice friendly staff. The hotel did seem a little away from the strips but only 10 mins in Taxi for around 7€. The strips are full of bars and restaurants and just like strips you would find anywhere in Europe. To be honest the Hotel was fine except three small complaints which might seem petty but was a little annoying. Pillows were far to soft felt like I had no pillow. There wasn't a soft seating area outside found all the outside seating rather uncomfortable due to being marble. The worst thing and one I will never understand...Drink. We were all inclusive but could only have drink off the bottom shelf which was full off the cheapest spirits you could find in Portugal. Bacardi / Smirnoff you had to pay 6€ per drink. A bottle of Bacardi in shop across road cost 14€ per litre. Why do a lot of hotels do this' You pay good money for a weeks holiday and they serve you the cheapest of drink possible. Next trip we will make sure it's international drinks or won't be booking. Hotel was full of British golfers so no excuse to serve local rubbish drinks. Apart from that it was a good golfing trip and Salgados,Morgado and Alamos were great courses and a real challenge. Staff at courses not very friendly especially the Caddie masters. Buggy ice boxes were empty and when we asked for ice was told " Not my job" that happened at two different courses. Overall a pleasant surprise weeks Golf but will not be rushing back. We have been spoiled by Hotels in Belek Turkey and are finding it difficult (probably impossible) to find anything to compare. Open top bus trip 18€ takes around 2 1/2 hours and pretty boring as spends most of it time negotiating very narrow streets and seems to visit every hotel in the area. B. Smith Scotland

Hi just a few lines about the hotel . The check in staff very helpful, I had room 102 very large balcony with sun loungers, small table and chairs, it said we had tea and coffee making facilities, but no kettle, one phone call to reception and they promptly provided one . The room had what you need including a free safe . The food was very nice and had a varied choice. I was glad to see the local beer Super Bock on draught unlike some other hotels in the area . All the staff very professional and polite, can't wait until next year for our golf break Obligado Sao rafael suites..!!!!