Name: Salgados Palace
Price range: from £0pp (7 nights includes flights and transfers)

Select Room & Board Basis | Mercury Holidays

Product Details

Pool

The main reason I have scored this resort low is due to the quality of the food. I learnt a hard lesson on this trip that 5* was awarded due to number of amenities rather than quality of amenities. I would rate Salgados Palace a 2/3* for quality which is a big drop when you are expecting 5*. The advertising is misleading as it puts "luxury" hotel however this is referring to the spa which is a payable amenity. The buffet area was extremely busy during peak times and the quality of the food was not appetising. It was apparent that low cost food had been used. The staff in this area were also not attentive or very helpful. Due to the quality of the food, my partner and I ate most of our lunches and dinners outside of the resort which led to a considerable additional cost we didn't anticipate spending as we had purchased all inclusive. We did make a complaint to the hotel. I was expected to be offered a free meal as a GOGW due to our experience of the food and how disappointed we were however we were not offered this. Please note, we had dinner at the hotel's Moonlight restaurant (payable a la carte restaurant) one evening, the food was amazing, so were the staff and the view of sunset was incredible. It was such a shame the staff were not as attentive in other areas of the hotel resort, mainly the all in one buffet area.

My partner and I were put off by the swimming area when we arrived due to the loudness of the music and how busy it was. This atmosphere may be preferable for some but adding it in the review in case this is an important factor to choosing a resort. Once the peak period was over the pool areas did slightly calm and it was fairly enjoyable.

Beach location - The beach is one of the best I have seen and been on. There were plenty of parasols to rent should you wish to have one. The beach also felt very safe. It was a 15 minute walk from the hotel and it was a lovely walk.

Spa - This was lovely to use. It was 10 EURO each but this isn't a lot when considering how much this would cost in the UK. 

Appearance and upkeep of Hotel - The appearance was quite tired. eg scuffs on furniture, Personally, this isn't an important factor, but again if you are expecting 5* quality, the general appearance wouldn't be 

There were some positives however overall I would never consider returning to the resort, it felt more family orientated rather than couples however the main reason was the quality of the food and staff in the buffet area.

Setting your "5 STAR" Expectations

We’ve stayed in a couple of Tui blue couples only hotels in the last couple of years and always been impressed. We booked this one through tui and stupidly expected the same. 
First impressions are good. A large modern looking building and you walk into a really impressive huge hall type lobby. Modern furniture, light and airy. Reception staff were polite but almost robotic and that sums up the staff throughout the resort - no one makes conversation or smiles or asks about your stay. 
Our room was on the ground floor, we walked along the darkest dingiest corridor ever to reach it. Again first impressions the room looked lovely but the lighting in there was poor and the bed was two singles pushed together and held by a sheet. The beds were uncomfortable with soft pillows - by night 4 we were both struggling with back and neck ache. View from the balcony was an empty swimming pool and a lot of trees - again no natural light.  Room did get serviced daily. 
The food was poor - standard euro catering but the dining room noisy, crowded and chaotic. Our one permitted visit to the moonlight a la carte (lovely views) was a break from this rugby scrum but the food mediocre. Service was poor up here and our dining companions all had very young children still roaming around at 9pm. Whilst this resort is not advertised as adult only, there was not one single area that was adult only and I have no issue with family holidays but  would’ve been nice to enjoy a drink without young children running about late at night. 
The nine hole bar area - again you’re permitted one visit during your stay (heaven help you if you try and eat there and you’ve not booked even though it was half empty most days!) and the food again is mediocre. It then turns into a snack bar at 4pm and offers a good choice of food - why not have this open to everyone from 12pm as a lunch option? It’s like they are trying to have exclusive areas but somewhere that serves lunch on plastic plates? Doesn’t cut it! 
All in all disappointing. Place was full of young families. Staff unengaging. Food unimaginative. Dark and unappealing room. And not cheap. Definately will not be returning and would not recommend to couples - family resort for sure. One of the only perks was the shuttle service to the local beach which was free and a nice break from the hotel.

Rated 5* - this is 3* at best

I completely agree with Hellie72! Everything is exactly as our party of four adults also feel. The noise in the ‘canteen’ was totally  unacceptable as was the children running around, the quality of the food was inconsistent. Yes it’s a family hotel, we have stayed in plenty of these but this was the worst experience we have ever had. As for the all inclusive plus, that’s a joke! Self-service in a 5* hotel with paper cups for coffee? One visit token to the Moonlight restaurant was well appreciated, pity this wasn’t every night! 
The pool bar/food should be accessible to all and not just a one pre booked visit token! 
The rooms were well maintained but being on the bottom floor made it dingy especially  on the balcony plus renovation work could be heard from the apartment block opposite the hotel. 
So the 5 stars are really a puzzle to how they were achieved. We have stayed in better 3/4 stars! Yes it’s very convenient for golfing, the course is a definite but that’s just about it! There’s so much space at this hotel that could be utilised more and maybe give adults a space to sit and relax too?

Not a 5* & not for adults without children!

Completely agree with 'Hellie72' everything that was written was spot on!!! Even down to the dismal corridors.
The one meal per stay in the Moonlight restaurant was heaven as you could actually hear yourself speak and fabulous friendly staff.
Having nowhere for adults to go and chill out without hearing constant babies or toddlers screaming would be great!  What is that all about not being able to eat at the 19th Hole restaurant! It's the Pool bar/restaurant and we should be able to choose to eat there any day not just one a week!! 
The hotel seems to go really big but such a lot of wasted space!  5 star you are not!!

Not a 5 star!

I had high expectations for the hotel, but i was a little disappointed. The rooms are nice and we had a nice view to the pools. But the hotel it's very busy, the pools were always full (but that comes with the high season I guess), but the worst it's really the meals. The food it's ok, but the service it's not good. Food everywhere (floor, tables, etc), hard to get a clean table. Maybe it would improve if they set schedules and that way they don't have 90% of the hotel going to eat at the same time. 

On the other side, the activities for the kids are great, my daughter loved the magic show, and the front desk people are great. I wanted to charge my car and even not having a slot that would fit to my schedule, they went above and beyond to find me a slot and they made it, event after I told them that it was not a problem and I could live without charging my car. That it's what I expect from a 5 star hotel.

I heard that the property it will start operating under the Marriott brand, so I expect some improvements there, and I will probably return to try it out.

Not a 5 star by far...

This sophisticated hotel is well-located in the centre of Algarve, a short walk from Salgados beach and near Salgados golf course for sport lovers. The property is also near Albufeira's quaint coastal town and a mere 30 minutes by car from Faro International Airport. Thanks to its good position and the facilities offered, this hotel is the ideal choice of accommodation both for couples and families alike. Guests can truly unwind at the upgraded guest rooms and suites available, all of them displaying elegant and cosy features. The hotel facilities include several excellent restaurants and a marvellous wellness and spa centre to find one's balance  between soul and spirit.

Europe

Malta

Holidays

Escorted Tours

Private Tours

Caribbean

Jamaica

Africa

South Africa

Multi-Centres

Indian Ocean

Seychelles

Latin America

Colombia

North America

Canada

South East Asia

Philippines

Madagascar

Vietnam

Escorted Rail Journeys

Namibia

East Asia

Taiwan

Indian Subcontinent

Bhutan

Portugal

All trip types

River Cruises

Botswana

Central Asia

Georgia

Kazakhstan

Tibet

Cambodia

Thailand

Costa Rica

Mongolia

Middle East

Dubai

Maldives

Mauritius

Kenya

Sri Lanka

Australasia

Australia

Cuba

Japan

South Korea

Cyprus

France

Indonesia

Kyrgyzstan

Czech Republic

China

Morocco

Tanzania

Peru

Brazil

Albania

Kerala

Chile

Nepal

Escorted Walking Tours

Algarve

Romania

Jordan

Borneo

Malaysia

Uzbekistan

India

Turkey

Tenerife

Madeira

Lanzarote

Benidorm

Bali

Croatia

New Zealand

Fly Drives

Mexico

Israel

Ecuador

Egypt

Netherlands

Norway

Italy

Spain

Iceland

Austria

Oman

Gozo

United Arab Emirates

Costa del Sol

Greece

Gran Canaria

Antigua

Grenada

Majorca

Saint Lucia

Abu Dhabi

Barbados

Fuerteventura

Opening Times

Mercury Holidays opening times

About Us

Contact us

Online Brochures

Order a FREE Brochure

Terms and Conditions

ABTA & ATOL

How to Book

Holiday Insurance

Airport Extras

Charities we support

Early Holiday Booking

Privacy Policy

More Info

All inclusive holidays are all about keeping things simple and stress-free. Leaving you with the sense of relaxation, knowing everything is covered and there are no extra expenses!

All-Inclusive

Pay no extra for being a solo traveller with our no single supplement special offers!

No Single Supplement & Solo Offers

Stay longer for less, with our stay 14 nights pay for 7 nights holiday deal! This offer is available with a great selection of our hotels

2nd Week Free & 14 Night Offers

Stay 21 nights pay for 14 nights! Choose one of our excellent value long stay holiday offers. Stay longer for less!

Special Offers (view all)

Trip Type

Sort by

More Info (view all)

Salgados Palace