Faro is such a brilliant destination for people wanting to explore the Algarve and the endless beaches of the country, that have been so popular with tourists for so many years. Faro was my first trip to Portugal, and if you're looking for a hotel, then
Hotel Faro is the perfect place to get all the experience of the city that you'll need. Take a little look at why it was the ideal spot for your first time in the Algarve! Portugal is brimming with tourists, but that doesn't take away from its authenticity.
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| View from Hotel Faro Rooftop |
Situated just next door to the beautiful old town, Hotel Faro is a brilliant location for a spot of historical sightseeing, and plenty of restaurants to taste some fine Portuguese cuisine. A fabulous location, right on the marina and most places within walking distance. The hotel itself has a rooftop restaurant, and pool, where you can go for breakfast, and soak up the views with your morning coffee, or have an exquisite dinner on an evening and watch the sunset over the marina. The staff are incredibly hospitable and friendly, from booking tours, to asking advice about the local amenities, they are very helpful. The hotel has such a fresh modern feel to it.
The Rooms
The rooms boast clean white walls with a gorgeous marble effect in the bathroom and a shower and bath which is always handy. The hotel rooms are a good size, and are very clean and there are two large windows which let in a lot of light. Our room was down the side street, and on the evenings, the street sounds and people can be heard below but this of course has nothing to do with the hotel, but ask for a higher room or a front view if you're quite particular about any kind of noise.
The rooms aren't carpeted which is always good during those summer months and there is a wide and easy to select choice of TV channels, including some film channels which are lovely to relax with at the end of a long day. There are tea options, peppermint (really necessary for me), and breakfast teas, but no coffee, but you can always nip to the local shops to pick up your necessities. There are no balconies in the rooms, but I didn't feel this was any negative, there are plenty of outside places to sit and relax in the marina area.
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View from the room (first floor)
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Room details, white and cool blues
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| The bathroom, marble effect and complete with shower & bath |
The Restaurant
The Ria Formosa restaurant is the ultimate in elegance and class. The decor is incredibly chic and the food is delicious. For breakfast, the fruit in Portugal is a must. Definitely start out with a fruit salad, and taste a couple of traditional delights. There is something for everyone, including non- dairy milk. Having your breakfast up here is such a treat, and a perfect way to start your day.
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Breakfast view
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Dinner was especially magical, with class and such Instagram worthy photo spots, it boasts panoramic views and you can either opt for dinner Al Fresco, or stay in the cool indoors and watch the sunset from inside, no matter where you sit, you will always have a fabulous view. Try and have a meal in here if you come to stay, with a glass of wine and relax the evening away.
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Ria Formosa Restaurant
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| Rooftop views - Faro by sunset |
Amenities
The hotel also has a beach house, over at the Praia de Faro, an area with plenty of restaurants, shops and of course the coveted beaches. The hotel offers a free shuttle service to and from the beach house which is perfect including beach towels that you can pick up at reception. You would normally have to catch the bus from the station and pay a fee of 2.50 euros each way but this shuttle is comfy and takes you straight to the beach house, where you can either eat, hire sun loungers on the beach (
15 euros for the whole day) or sit upstairs and relax on their terrace (
for Hotel Faro residents only). The area is very popular with tourists but it shouldn't be difficult to find your perfect spot on the beach and enjoy the sea - the sea is usually very cold even through summer, it tends to only rise to around 15 degrees but it is very cooling and you easily get used to it.
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| Hotel Faro beach club - private upper terrace |
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Hotel Faro beach club - sun loungers on the beach
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Beach at Praia de Faro
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The hotel's swimming pool is very chilled, overlooking the lovely views and a few sun loungers. It is much quieter on the evenings and that is when I think the most special also. Nothing nicer than doing some gentle exercise on a warm evening, when the sun isn't at its hottest. The hotel offers a spa, and also a gym which is brilliant if you love keeping fit whilst you're away from home.
With Hotel Faro being one of the most popular hotels in the city, you can really have the best of all worlds. If you want to know more about Faro click on the photo for my latest blog on visiting the area as a whole and why this makes a lovely first trip for first time travellers to Portugal.
*I was a guest at Hotel Faro but all views and opinions are my own.
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