WJ Tested: Real Bellavista Hotel and Spa Review

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View of Albufeira from Real Bellavista Hotel

WJ Tested: Real Bellavista Hotel and Spa Review
Awesome 4-Star Accommodation on the Algarve in Portugal!

To the Brits and Europeans, hopping on a short flight for a weekend or week-long getaway on Portugal’s sunny southern coast (the Algarve) is second nature, while for us North Americans it is a bit of a long haul. But we shared a common desire to tiptoe along the gold sand beaches and experience the white-washed towns and villages we had heard so much about in this area of Portugal. With this in mind, we chose Albufeira as our base for our three nights on the Algarve; and the 195-room, 4-star Real Bellavista Hotel and Spa turned out to be the perfect fit for our particular stay.

After a 3-hour train journey from Lisbon, we arrived at Albufeira’s train station (8 km from the town center). From there a 20-minute bus ride to the bus station put us within .5 km of Real Bellavista Hotel. In fact, we could see the hotel’s neon sign as soon as we exited the bus. Rather than hop in a cab for such a short distance (we also love to really test out our luggage wheels) we asked a friendly local to point us in the right direction for walking to the hotel. After a safe and pleasant walk through a residential neighborhood, we entered the hotel lobby within 12-minutes of setting off from the bus station.

Arrival
Upon entering the bright, marble hotel lobby we encountered two extremely friendly and efficient front desk staff. We were quickly checked-in, offered maps, informed of the shuttle bus schedule to town (about a 20-minute stroll to the old town) and informed of the breakfast buffet hours. Our room keys were presented and we were pointed in the direction of the elevators to take to access our hotel room. We were immediately impressed by the lobby cleanliness and enthusiastic staff – indeed we were off to a good start.

Guest Room at Real Bellavista Hotel

Guest Room
Our spacious, comfortable and spotlessly clean suite featured a balcony (complete with table and two chairs) with views of the neighboring residential-area, and in the distance we could spot the ocean. The well-lit suite featured: a desk; TV; bar fridge (that we could use for our own items); in-room safe (available for an extra fee); bathrobes; slippers; twin beds (that we found rather firm); sitting area with a small table and two chairs; sofa (could be used as an additional bed); marble bathroom with bathtub/shower; bidet; hairdryer; Pascal Morabito of Paris amenities – shampoo, body gel, moisturizer, bar soap, shower cap.

Guest Room Bathroom at Real Bellavista Hotel

Notes:
– Internet is available in the guest room and throughout other areas of the hotel for an extra fee.
– The only complaint we had about our particular hotel suite was the odor of funky drains coming from the floor drain in the bathroom. This was quickly remedied by placing the trash can over it.

Amenities/Services
The hotel offers the Real Spa Health Club with sauna, Hamam (Turkish bath), selection of massages and spa treatments, gym and a heated indoor pool. Cozinha do Real is the main restaurant and features national and international cuisine. Bar do Real serves up cocktails, beer and wine and Happy Hour can be enjoyed here from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The outdoor pool is not heated, but is large and there are plenty of lounge chairs for hotel guests to enjoy.

If golf is to your liking, make an appointment at The Algarve Golf Academy (free shuttle from hotel) and spend time at the driving range, putting green or take a lesson from the resident pro. The Algarve has plenty of golf courses and the hotel reception can also arrange tee times throughout the region.

Car rental is another service available, and for families with kids there is a Kids Club (ages 4 – 12, open seasonally) – check with the hotel for details.

The hot and cold breakfast buffet is extensive, well prepared and offers plenty of variety. A free shuttle bus service (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) is available for guest use to the shopping areas and beach (1 km away). Guests that enjoy spa treatments may also book treatments at sister hotel, Grande Real Santa Eulalia Resort & Hotel Spa.

Albufeira Town and Beach on Portugal’s Algarve

Recommended Stay
The Real Bellavista is a non-smoking hotel (part of the Hoteis Real Portugal group) situated in a quiet area of Albufeira. We prefer the quiet location as we can visit the noisy and busy old town and not be in the midst of hustle and bustle all the time. For those like us, who love to walk everywhere, the hotel is within a few minutes of bars, restaurants and cafes and a further 10-minute stroll will land guests in the main shopping area with a large grocery store (taxis are readily available and inexpensive). A variety of options are available to guests when booking their stay at Real Bellavista: hotel room only; B&B; half-board.

WJ suggests a B&B booking for those that enjoy a hearty breakfast, as it is nice to be able to try various restaurants, cafes and bars in the area at other times of the day. This is a hotel that WJ hopes to stay at again in the not too distant future.

If You Go:
Getting There – Train schedules in Portugal.

Real Bellavista Hotel and Spa Contact Information
Address: Av. do Estadio – PO BOX 2445
Albufeira, Portugal 8200 – 127
Email: [email protected]
Real Bellavista Hotel and Spa Website

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