Alcazar

This hotel is highly regarded for its expansive pool area with lush, well-maintained grounds, offering ample space for relaxation and enjoyment. Its signature feature is the tranquil outdoor environment, complemented by generally friendly staff and an excellent breakfast selection. The hotel caters well to diverse guests, including families seeking a comfortable stay with a dedicated children's pool, couples looking for a relaxing getaway, and solo travelers desiring a peaceful base. It also accommodates athletic groups, though their presence can sometimes impact the overall quietude. To enhance your experience, consider requesting a renovated room or one with a balcony for better views, and be mindful of potential additional charges for certain facilities.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts impressive facilities, including a large and clean outdoor pool area with plenty of sun loungers and comfortable Bali beds, providing ample space for guests to relax. There is also a dedicated children's pool, which is heated, making it ideal for families. An indoor pool and comprehensive spa facilities, featuring a sauna, jacuzzi, and Turkish bath, are available, though most guests note a significant additional charge for their use. The gym also incurs an extra fee, and some guests found its hours limited or equipment inconsistent. While Wi-Fi is generally available, some guests reported inconsistent signal strength, particularly in certain areas like the pool or far from the room door. The elevators are noted to be small.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the hotel's cleanliness, describing rooms and common areas as spotless and immaculate, with housekeeping receiving high commendation for their thoroughness and friendly service. Room comfort, however, receives mixed feedback. Many guests found their rooms spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, and a safe, often featuring pleasant balconies with sea views. Conversely, some rooms are described as dated, small, or "budget" with limited natural light from small windows and no balcony. Recurring complaints include the lack of coffee/tea facilities and complimentary water in the rooms, as well as insufficient drawers for clothing storage. While beds are generally reported as comfortable, some guests noted lumpy pillows or worn mattresses. Noise levels can vary, with some rooms being quiet and others experiencing disturbances from entertainment or other guests. Bathrooms are clean, though some feature high bathtubs that can be challenging for guests with mobility issues.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast consistently receives high praise for its variety and quality, with guests enjoying a wide selection including omelets, fruits, cereals, meats, cheeses, and fresh breads. Many consider it a highlight of their stay. Dinner, however, garners more mixed reviews; while some guests appreciate the food quality and variety, particularly the Portuguese cuisine, a significant number report that the hot food is frequently cold or lukewarm, bland, and can become repetitive over longer stays. The restaurant atmosphere is often described as busy and crowded, with tables placed closely together, and some guests find the basement location less appealing. Bar snacks are generally well-received, but guests should be aware that drinks during dinner are an additional cost.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a significant advantage, placing guests within a convenient 5 to 15-minute walk of the beach, local shops, and various restaurants and the promenade. It offers a quiet setting, sufficiently removed from the main hustle yet easily accessible to all amenities. The hotel is well-situated for exploring the region, with convenient public transport links, including train station and bus links, providing easy access to nearby towns and even Spain via ferry. Parking is available on-site, though it comes with an additional daily fee, which many guests find expensive but necessary due to limited street parking. Some guests with mobility challenges noted difficulties with stairs leading to certain rooms and the basement restaurant, despite the presence of a lift.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high commendation for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentive service. Guests frequently highlight the professionalism and welcoming demeanor of the reception staff, who are often efficient during quick check-in processes and responsive to requests. Housekeeping is widely praised for maintaining exceptional cleanliness and being very accommodating. While most interactions are positive, some guests reported isolated instances of less engaging or even rude behavior from certain restaurant staff members, particularly concerning specific policies. The bar staff are generally described as friendly and skilled. However, a recurring minor point of contention is the hotel's pool towel policy, which requires guests to keep the same towel for seven days or pay a fee for early replacement.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel occasionally hosts group bookings, such as sports teams or weekend events, which can lead to increased noise levels and crowding, particularly around the pool area, potentially impacting the tranquility for other guests. The hotel has undergone recent renovations, with some rooms featuring updated hotel decor, though other areas may still appear dated. A thoughtful detail noted by some guests is the hotel's use of a generator to maintain power during outages, ensuring guest comfort. However, guests with mobility challenges should note that some rooms and areas, including the restaurant, involve stairs, which can be inconvenient. A specific towel replacement policy is in place, where pool towels are not replaced daily without an additional charge.