Real Marina Hotel & Spa

We were on a 6 day bike ride along the coast of Southern Portugal and we stayed in this hotel one night. We were very happy to arrive after a long day of riding. The hotel is located by the water and a close walk to the old city. Lots of restaurant and shopping options in the area. The room was a nice size with a balcony and view of the water. They have a nice Spa and Sauna available. We wish we could have stayed more than one night.

This hotel is classed as a 5 star (both by the hotel itself and Jet2 Holidays) but it certainly is not. Without sounding pretentious, we stay in no less than 5 star if possible when we travel - so I have plenty of experience. It seems that this hotel only gains its 5 star status because of its location (which is amazing - see my points below) but it does not meet 5 stars for many other reasons. We stayed in the standard Marina View room. There is good and bad, so to summarise: Bad: * Very stark reception upon arrival - not even a vase of fresh flowers at reception to make it feel less ‘corporate’. Just a few non-description plants around the area. No welcome drink or fresh wipe. Felt like I was going to a business meeting rather than a relaxing holiday. This extends to the rooms, no artwork at all on the walls, nothing to take away that stark environment (and I don’t mean minimal, I mean corporate stark bare walls). * No cushions on the sunbeds! Seriously, I lasted a hour and I was numb as they were strong mesh and pretty uncomfortable. Any 5 star hotel would at least have mattresses on the sunbeds (as the other Real hotels we’ve been to have them). * Terrible WiFi on the upper floors. We stayed on the 4th Floor and it was dire - yet on the ground floor/bar/breakfast room no problem. * No UK channel on the TV - yes I hear you say well who wants to watch TV on holiday? But when it’s bad weather and you want to catch up then at least BBC should be available? I like to watch UK tv whilst getting ready to go out, it was a smart TV so capable of ‘cast’ from my IPad of IPhone anything I had downloaded at home (or using my VPN to watch live) however due to the horrendous WiFi the TV kept failing to cast due to poor signal. Very annoying. - no tissues in the room - empty minibar (you had to pre-order it to be filled with your choice - no manicure treatments at the spa - no fresh juice (carton orange juice) at breakfast - no turn down service Small points maybe, but these points make a 5 start stay. Everyone should get fresh juice at breakfast in a country that has an abundance of fresh fruit! * No ice machine - a big issue for me I’m afraid. Not even an ice bucket in the room so you could get your own from a supermarket and keep it from melting for a good few hours. Good Points: * decent breakfast options (apart from the juice) and great coffee from the Nespresso machine * very friendly and helpful staff * fabulously clean throughout including rooms * lots of storage in the rooms, well planned and large bathroom * nice toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body cream, hand wash) * super comfy bed and fresh soft linen * fantastic location overlooking the marina and Ria Formosa national park As said, this was NOT a 5 star hotel despite the 5 star cost (this hotel is not a cheap holiday!). It’s a pretty tired hotel that needs to be updated not just on the property side, but the little touches that we love on holiday. Won’t be staying again at this hotel I’m afraid.

Overall a good standard of hotel. Room was big and airy, so was the bathroom. Location is great for the Marina and lots of bars and restaurants but not a lot else to do in Alhao as the hotel is not actually in Faro. Use Uber to get to airport, taxi price was 30 euro it was 13 for Uber. Train from Faro is only two stops and only 2.5 euros per person each way, hotel was about a mile from train station. The spa is not top notch, one steam room one sauna, neither of which were large.. the indoor pool was being renovated at the time too.

Second visit to this lovely hotel. Sea facing rooms are well worth the upgrade. Breakfast had a good choice. The pool was perfect to sit around and the staff friendly and helpful. The lunch menu was limited but had good quality food. We ate out every night as the hotel is perfectly placed to explore the mainly good restaurants in Olhao. This is the perfect venue for a mini-break and we will return again.