As soon as we got to Vivenda Miranda we thought we were on a honeymoon again (albeit 30 years later). It's the kind of place where everyone of all ages walks around holding hands. It's very small and intimate, very personalized, never feels crowded. We spent three delightful nights, enjoyed three very fine dinners, found the breakfast buffet very satisfying, and were generally very pleased with the friendly and helpful staff at all levels. Although only a five minute or so (5-7 euros) taxi ride from Lagos, you feel like you're totally away from the busy world. It's August, and the Algarve is jammed with surfers, beach goers, retireds, vacationers from all over Europe and some from the U.S., but Vivenda Miranda was an oasis. The broad view of the ocean is beautiful and grounds are as well. From the beginning we were impressed with the service, even when making reservations by e-mail and writing back and forth for help with such things as whether to rent a car, arranging a departure transfer to the airport in Faro, etc. In person, everyone was just as helpful. Our deluxe room (117) was large, immaculate and very comfortable having just been redecorated. But to be complete and completely honest, I have to conclude with a few negatives which -- although I don't think they will keep us from returning should we have the chance -- should require some attention from the hotel management (which apparently does read Trip Advisor and comments on the reviews). First, the lighting in parts of the room is terrible. You can't see the clothes in the closet and couldn't tell if you were putting on a black, brown or blue shirt, and opening the safe absolutely requires using a flashlight. Please, management, some simple track lighting would solve the problem. Then there's the matter of air conditioning, which in response to prior reviews, management insists is present throughout the resort. Well, it must be magic air conditioning which works without any vents in the ceiling, walls or floor, because I couldn't find any, and there certainly isn't any thermostat in the room. But in fact, in the Algarve, the weather is beautiful (appaently almost year 'round), so air conditioning shouldn't really be necessary since the wall of our room was all glass doors which could be opened -- but PLEASE why isn't there a ceiling fan??? an essential item in most tropical resorts. For the cost of a day or two's rental of the room, a ceiling fan could be installed and make the room very comfortable in most conditions. A few words are also in order about the shower: a large attractive tiled shower, but no shelf for personal toiletries and only a single dispenser of a (to me, sickly sweet) bath gel. And a grab bar would be a good idea given that it's a tile floor. And after the first day the maids took away the bath mat and never replaced it so we tracked wet feet across the wood floor. A last word about the toiletries: skimpy and poor for a high-class resort; one tiny piece of Motel 6 type soap and a couple of pedestrian shampoos and creams. Loosen up, guys, and put out a nice spread of toiletries more fitting to the top drawer resort this is supposed to be. (And please don't tell me I should have complained to housekeeping; that's not my job when I'm your guest.) So, dear reader, you can tell we really must have been impressed with this place to give them four stars with this list of negatives -- and you'll be right. If these issues don't deter you, please do go and enjoy this potentially world-class resort in a really beautiful part of the world. And if management makes a few tiny upgrades, it could truly merit five stars.

We popped along to this stunning hotel for an afternoon cocktail. We were sat out in the beautifully landscaped gardens with incredible views of the beach and clear blue of the Atlantic. It was a wonderfully peaceful place (and would be perfect for a wedding!). There was a good selection of cocktails, which were well made and delicious. Wonderful afternoon with good attentive service.

Sitting on a cliff with gorgeous views we found this hotel very relaxing. Our room in the new building was spacious with tons of closet space, large bathroom, and a nice terrace to relax after a day of sightseeing. The breakfast was included and provided a large variety of choices. This included eggs to your order. The young woman at the reception desk was welcoming and helpful with any concerns. A five min walk to a beach and a 5 min cab drive to town. I would recommend this hotel if you are looking for some R&R.

Didn't stay but went for lunch on Sunday 12th Feb 2012.
Only ones there! (6 of us) Waiter got pre- lunch drinks order wrong. Then he missed a starter for one of our friends. He was adamant she hadn't ordered it which we all know she had! She asked him for a 'soup' dish instead. He offered her consomme which she declined! We then waited over an hour for the 6 mains which were minimal and either overcooked or undercooked.
Altogether very,very disappointing as we had expected so much from this venue following all the hype.
My main of monkfish would hardly have fed a baby and at €27 was hardly cheap. We spend a lot of time in Portugal and have eaten in all levels of restaurants but this has to be one of the most over-rated ever! When my husband paid the bill they said his credit card wouldn't work so he tried another which supposedly didn't work either! They wanted cash only! We used the same card in another restaurant half an hour later for coffee etc and it worked perfectly.

Don't know what's going on there but it isn't good.

Carnegie. Luz, Portugal.