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Well, where to start? We had an early flight and arrived around midday, but the room wasn't ready, so we were advised to hang around the pool bar for 2 hours. First and foremost, before even getting a key or seeing a room, we were asked to pay the tourist tax (28 Euros for 7 nights). Apparently it is up to the hotel when to charge this, but Real Bellavista wanted it upfront. After sitting at the pool bar and spending another 20 Euros on a club sandwich and two soft drinks, we could get into a room. 4th floor and beside the lifts. At first, I thought I wouldn't survive there with lift noises etc., but they didn't have another room available till the next day anyway (apparently). Although the hotel only seemed to be half full at the most. We wandered around a bit and the pool areas were actually nice and clean, the garden looked appealing, there were outdoor game facilities and indoor entertainment, arcade games, pinball machine etc. The outdoor area turned out to be one of the hotel's best assets, in fact. There were enough loungers, the pool was clean, it wasn't too busy. 

*The room*
This turned out to be OK despite the non-view (looking out over a large plastic roof on to the forecourt - a tiny sea view in the distance, though). The next day we were shown another room option on the 1st floor if we still wanted to change, but we declined this as it was in a really dark corridor, the room itself was dark and felt like a dungeon. 

*Awkward kettle, not much tea or coffee, no mini bar*
In our room, the kettle was tiny and leaking when one wanted to pour water out of it. The cord was short - as mentioned in other reviews. There was only one set of teabags supplied on arrival, which was never refreshed. The fridge worked OK. It was supposed to be a mini bar, but it wasn't stocked. 

*Expensive safe*
There was a safe, however, it would have cost 3.50 Euros per night. The shower was OK, but it was over the bath - OK for us, but maybe not for elderly people or people with mobility issues. The mattresses seemed relatively new but were very very soft and squishy, perhaps memory foam, but a bit weird to have foam in the hot conditions. 

*Not much cleaning*
The cleaners were OK, they were keen to change towels, but didn't change the sheets or sweep the floor. I once left a note in Portuguese, asking for the sheets to be changed, which they then did. 

*Limited TV*
The TV had about 400 channels but only Sky News and EuroNews in English. On arrival, only a selection of 5 channels was available (someone's customised list perhaps?), and we had to reprogram the channel list in order to have a wider choice - which turned out to be limited anyway. 

*No phone all week!*
There was a phone - it didn't work. When reporting it to reception, first they said it would be fixed. The next day - on enquiry - we were told they were aware of the problem and it could not be fixed for our room, so no phone all week. After complaining, we were given 2 complimentary Jägermeister shots. (Wow!) 

*No hot water for almost a whole day!*
One morning, I went to the shower as per usual, but there was no hot water. This was supposed to come back by lunchtime, but didn't till about 7pm. 

*Poolside bar and restaurant*
The staff at the poolside bar were generally nice, but there were exceptions (grumpy). Bar food was OK. Drinks not super cheap but OK. Service quite fast. We ate here several times at lunchtime/in the afternoon. 

The restaurant, however, had a lot of shortcomings. We had booked half board. Breakfast was acceptable, the buffet was sufficient but not ample and there were never any variations. Sometimes stale bread in the morning. Chemical juices. Very salty cold meats. Nice croissants. 
Evening meals - not a buffet (which we had anticipated), but a la carte. We were presented with the same menu EVERY NIGHT. After a few days this was very limited and became very boring. I ended up having pumpkin soup as the starter every night. Fish (sea bass) was fresh on the first night, when I had it again a few days later, it was dry and shrivelled. Also there was an element of being "second-class customers" because of the half board - for example we weren't allowed to have certain options from the menu (no salmon, only sea bass and perch allowed). The worst was the time one had to spend in the restaurant every night - waiting to be served. Long periods between courses. Had to ask for butter all the time and it took 30 minutes to arrive - soup had gone cold by then. They also often brought salad with raw onions despite specifying EVERY NIGHT we couldn't eat them. And some other faux-pas. They pretty much always got the bill wrong (had to pay separately for drinks, of course). You also generally had to pay as you went along, couldn't have a tab and pay on check-out. Not a problem, but tedious when you had to wait for the bill for ages and then it arrived with mistakes on. Very annoying dinner procedure every night. We also didn't think the quality of the food was fantastic. We had paid quite a bit extra for half board and are used to better standards based on previous trips on the same level. 

On the plus side, they were OK with sending food up to our room one evening when we weren't feeling well. 

The pinball machine turned out to be faulty - tried to play but swallowed the money which we got back from reception. 

Overall, the atmosphere in the hotel is quite relaxed and the pool areas are really nice and good for a swim and chillout - not sure how this will be in July/August, though. Maybe this hotel's attitude is a bit too relaxed and should take repairs and restaurant service more seriously. 

Regarding the hotel's location, it's a bit away from the strip, but we managed to walk to the nearest commercial centre (10 minutes or less) or the old town (20 to 25 minutes - uphill on the way back, though). 10 minutes away there is a big supermarket, restaurants, McDonald's, pharmacy, doctor, souvenir shops etc. etc. The hotel also has a shuttle bus which goes a few times a day.

Kind of a nice hotel but also a bit Fawlty Towers, not 4*

Great sleep spa included other resorts charge for it! Great parking, leave your car there and take uber! Parking in town is a joke. Amazing breakfast. The resort also has a bus that takes you to town very convenient. Great steam room. Amazing ac lol very cold

Great breakfast and spa included

drinks hugely over priced €7 for a single vodka house soda for example, been short changed defintely a few times but they deny it after , food is crap zero effort, staff don’t care and none speak good English.
pool is ok and clean hotel so that’s a positive don’t pay too much for this place

Not worth paying too much

This hotel was very nice, the staff were excellent, the place was always clean & tidy, rooms very comfortable & cleaned everyday, food was very good. Great facilities,It’s in a great location & they provide a bus to take you to old town, beach etc. would definitely stay here again.

Excellent hotel

Fabulous hotel. We hadn't been back for a few years and were delighted with all the improvements.  Great check in and welcome. Room was on the 4th floor overlooking the pool. Very comfy beds. Room was serviced every day by friendly staff. We enjoyed the breakfast buffet, which had a very varied choice. We used the bus for travel to the Fisherman's beach and the sister hotel, where we spent an enjoyable day. Added touch was the lemon/cucumber water provided free daily in the lounge area.

Fabulous hotel

Combining stylish decor with modern comforts and amenities, these bright and airy rooms feature a private bathroom, free toiletries, hairdryer, air conditioning, safety deposit box, desk, telephone, Satellite TV and free Wi-Fi.

Single Room

Composed of:

A double bed or two single beds
Desk
Bathroom
 

All of the rooms are equipped with:
Air conditioning
Wi-Fi internet free of charge
hairdryer
Satellite TV
Individual safe (extra cost)
Mini-bar (upon request)
Room service from 07:00am to 11:00pm

Twin Room

The fabulous four star Real Bellavista Hotel and Spa combines the contemporary and stylish atmosphere and surroundings of a city hotel with all the facilities of the perfect sunshine holiday resort. Ideally located in a quiet area of the popular tourist resort of Albufeira, you'll be within easy walking distance of an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and bars. A courtesy bus also takes guests to the resort centre and local beaches.

##### Unwind and feel pampered at the luxurious Real Bellavista Hotel and Spa:

You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to relaxation at the Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa - this is the perfect place to leave the stresses and strains of day to day life behind.  The spa and health club on site is impressive with a range of relaxation options offered along with a stunning indoor heated pool.  

But in the sunshine soaked Algarve you'll definitely want to spend some time outside, and the outdoor pool with pool bar is the ideal place to kick off your sandals and lay back. Later on, you can enjoy some entertainment and eat in the stylish restaurant, or perhaps head into town for a vibrant evening of entertainment.  

Accommodation is modern and welcoming with all the features you would expect from a four star hotel. Twin rooms are air conditioned and have satellite television, radio, telephone and safe. Most rooms have a balcony or terrace overlooking the gardens, perfect for enjoying a cool drink and savouring the day.

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Real Bellavista Hotel and Spa

Unwind and feel pampered at the luxurious Real Bellavista Hotel and Spa: