Alvor Baia Resort Hotel

A mixed experience staff are very good and rooms are cleaned to a high standard, Food is very repetitive as it’s all Buffett style it’s needs to have the benefit of a few more restaurants doing themed nights to vary it

Entertainment needs a decent budget where they have different acts every night we had the same local dancers twice in a week

All inclusive just the 2 bars you can use - Pool Bar and downstairs by the restaurant

There is a bar by the reception which serves premium drinks you can’t use that you have to pay which is strange falling short in some areas of a 4 star level which can be improved

We visited for 7 nights as a family of 2 adults, a 4 year old 1 year old. The hotels location is great. Old town Alvor is a 15 minute walk with a supermarket and lots of restaurants, bars and shops to browse. The beach is beautiful and easy to access using the hotels free shuttle.

Rooms - We were pleasantly surprised by the size of the room and were glad to have a separate living area and generous sized balcony so didn’t have to creep around once the kids were asleep. The child’s bed is in the living area but 3 of us slept comfortably in the main bed, although it is just 2 twin beds pushed together. Air conditioning worked well and with 2 room keys we could leave it running in the day so the room was always cool. There was a lot of storage however very few hangers so we were glad to have packed a clothes steamer. The bath towels are very small which felt a little less luxurious for the feel of the hotel. Our room had a fridge, microwave, sink and 2 ring hob which we found really useful with 2 young children however no kettle. The rooms were cleaned daily.

Food - We stayed on an all inclusive basis and found the food to be of an okay standard. The kids options were repetitive and felt as though not much thought went into it. We really enjoyed the chicken doner that was on offer daily at lunch. Evening meals were the biggest let down out of all the food but we didn’t go hungry and everything was fresh and hot, I’d say this comes down to personal preference. All inclusive ice creams are only available during the PM snack time which was a big disappointment for us and the first experience like this we’ve had staying all inclusive.

Entertainment - There are activities happening throughout the day. Quizzes, water aerobics, darts and pool games, we didn’t take part but many did. We also didn’t make use of the kids club so can’t comment. The children’s ‘disco’ was good depending on the people hosting, some were much less enthusiastic than others and I felt for the very short time it was on a lot of the crew could have made more of an effort. Over all the entertainment is very much as you’d expect for a resort hotel, nothing out of the ordinary. The park was a highlight for us, mostly shaded at all times of the day so a great way to keep the kids out of the sun without confining them to a sunbed. The pools are great and always beds available any time of the day for our entire stay which was mid June.

Over all we were really happy with our stay and would return. We paid £1800 for a package holiday which in my opinion was fantastic value. If you’re looking to book I would suggest £3000 for a week as a family of 4 would be the maximum to get what you pay for during term time.

This was a very average all inclusive resort. Staff are welcoming and friendly, working hard. Rooms spacious and beds comfortable. Hotel lacked warmth, white wall corridors- felt very clinical. Food- below average. Very little choice compared to other AI resorts. Extremely bland, no flavour. 2 dining restaurants, one for adults only and other one for those with children. We were in the one with kids. Not a pleasent experience- the room is echoes so much- its so loud and not a great dining experience. Staff banging and scraping plates. No one comes to ask for your drinks- you have to get everything yourself. After the 2nd day we started eating dinner out. Plus side is Uber is soo cheap! Snack bars- only available at certain times a day (not ALL inclusive then?!) On level -1. Annoying if you are pool side and have to go down. The bar on ground 0 you have to pay for.

Pool side was okay- enough beds. You can get towels for 20€ each deposit. Can only change every 4 days otherwise have to pay. Room service- room was cleaned but basic- didnt clean glasses etc once during the week.

Evening entertainment was poor. Normally resorts put on shows etc. Mini disco followed by loud usual music.. YMCA etc.

Free shuttle to Alvor beach was a plus!

Would I return? Sadly not.