I have stayed in the Algarve on many occasions, but always at the 5 star Alvor Praia. This April I decided on a change of Hotel and booked the Algarve Casino. I originally booked a sea view room, but when a third person decided to join my sister and I, we looked at the website for prices for a suite. That was when I saw all the bad reviews and was worried, but as I had already paid for the original holiday ,I thought I was stuck. I speak Portugese fairly well, so called the Hotel direct and expressed my concerns about the reviews, but was assured that the Hotel had been re-furbished in December. I was told that I had a beautiful suite with a sea view. On arrival at the Hotel, the reception was nice, but lots of people had said that on the reviews. Luckily our suite was ready although it was only 11 am, so up we popped. What a disappointment. It was very basic with wood chip on the walls and what I can only describe as Oxfam dark brown furniture. We told the porter not to bother leaving our cases, and headed back out into a hallway so dark you could hardly see to put the key in the lock. I spoke to the manager, who told us they had other suites so she showed us more of the same, in different colours. When I asked about the supposed re furbishment I realised that they think freshening up the woodchip walls with a new coat of paint, counts as a re-furb to a 5 star hotel! I asked to see the best suite in the hotel and was taken to the Presidential suite, which was slightly better, but Columbo could have stepped out of the bathroom and said'just one more question ,sir',and not looked out of place!I told her we were going to my normal hotel for lunch,and to see if they had rooms,which is not as easy for most of their guests if they dont know the area. On arrival there my friend said, now THIS is a 5 star hotel and despite the fact the Casino called me and offered us the Presidential suite and 60 euros a night back, we checked into the Alvor Praia. How disappointing it would be to save all year for what you think is a 5 star holiday and be put there, which the taxi driver told us had been 5 star 30 years ago,but doesn't have to apply for it's rating again, ever! Do yourself a favour and pay a little bit more and book into the Alvor Praia and enjoy a TRULY 5 star vacation. 5 star my [----]!!

The best thing about this hotel is the location. It is set right on a lovely beach!

However there is not much else positive I can say! The people who worked in the hotel were arrogant and disinterested, the rooms were very dated and not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination! The prices of the drinks in the hotel are ridiculous 7 euros for a whiskey and 9 euros for a vodka, soda and lime!

Unless you are getting this hotel very cheaply I would not recommend it!

Having just arrived back from this hotel and read the recent reviews i find it hard to understand why it has been getting the bad reviews
as a couple aged 48 and 52 it suited us
we were on the second floor with a sea view and found the room to as good a standard as we have had in many 4 and 5 star hotels. the bathroom was large and had a excellent shower and was clean and functional

The room was cleaned daily very thoroughly and if you take the time to talk to the maids they will do anything you want and are very pleasant . I admit that the hotel does not offer any entertainment and there is only a piano player in the evening.

We stayed bed and breakfast ( breakfast was very good but tiny plates so just take another one for second helpings)
and I would recommend this as are there are many restaurants in the resort which offer cheap and very good meals our favourite was the abareo restaurant you walk out the hotel and go left walk up the strip on the right hand side of the road until you come to the red lion and turn down right it is 50yards down the street huge portions and they even do 1/2 portions which my wife always took as they are about the size of a normal meal.

we went to the casino one night for a meal but found it to be overpriced and average all in all we had a good holiday and the lack of children in the hotel suited us, as a base for pria da rocha there is nothing wrong with this hotel and we would use it again
information is about the resort is available across from reception at the travel company's desk and lets you know all you want

so don't be put off with the negative reviews if you have a problem let your rep or the staff at reception deal with it I would advise the sea views as the street side rooms only have a window and no balcony do some research and make sure you know what you are getting

This hotel was definitely not 5 star by any stretch of the imagination. On arriving with my husband and 7 year old son, I was pleased with the foyer and reception area. However, got room number 823, thought there were 8 floors and I would be right at the top of the hotel overlooking the sea and boardwalk below. This was not the case. Led to what could only be described as a dungeon, 2 floors below ground level, into a dark, dated and musty room. Not pleased at all. Refused to stay there and carried cases back up to reception. Transferred to room 310, supposed to be junior suite. All it had extra was a small room with single sofa bed, side table and dirty patio doors leading onto tiny balcony. Room smaller than original dungeon room, but much brighter and fantastic view.
Room very dated, dark brown furniture, old dark bed covers, not what I expect of a 5 star hotel at all. Pleasantly surprised with breakfast the following morning though. Pastries, bread and fruit juices extremely fresh and very tasty.
Got a shock when attempted to get into 'heated' swimming pool. It was freezing!!! In my opinion it wasn't heated at all. Also very salty! And along with all the dead insects floating about, it wasn't a pleasant swim!
If you do decide to go go this hotel, take a hairdryer (the one in the bathroom is hopeless), kettle and iron. Tea and coffee making facilities are not provided and neither is an iron or ironing board. Hotel wanted 2 Euros to iron shirt and 10 Euros for pot of tea! Another thing I had never experienced in a 5 star hotel before.
There are no kids club or evening activities/entertainment provided. If my son hadn't met a little friend, he would have gone stir crazy with total boredom.
All in all, more like 3 starl and I would not book up to go back to this particular hotel.