"Ourahotel" is an aparthotel, that is, rooms there with a kitchen and simplified (against ordinary hotels) cleaning. Garbage is taken out daily, towels are changed twice a week, linen is changed and a full cleaning is done once a week. The hotel consists of two buildings - a large T-shaped with five residential floors and a small one with six residential floors.
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"Ourahotel" is an aparthotel, that is, rooms there with a kitchen and simplified (against ordinary hotels) cleaning. Garbage is taken out daily, towels are changed twice a week, linen is changed and a full cleaning is done once a week.
The hotel consists of two buildings - a large T-shaped with five residential floors and a small one with six residential floors. The little one was just undergoing a major overhaul. The upper floors of both buildings are attic.
Usually for hotels, a sore point is parking. There is no such problem here: its own two-level car park (lower level under the small building).
The inner territory is large and green, square in plan. The central place is occupied by a very well-designed large pool (one corner is reserved for a children's paddling pool). There is also a restaurant (aka pool bar). Actually, this is the only place in the hotel where you can eat fully. Works from 10:00 to 24:00.
It is a family business - probably, the restaurateur either rents a place from the hotel or holds a contract. In fact, the restaurant does not differ from similar small establishments in the city - cozy, welcoming and inexpensive. As such, there is no menu here: tell what you want - the owner will offer what to eat. In the showcase-refrigerator samples of freshly caught fish. There is also a bar in the lobby of the large building, but no visitors have ever been seen there.
The staff is all Portuguese. Courteous and very attentive.
There is no animation at all. It is not available at the surrounding hotels either. And that's a plus. Therefore, in general, Albufiera is quiet and pleasant. Excluding, of course, a few special tourist streets. Anyone who is bored can take a walk to the surrounding taverns, where drunken Britons light up all night.
The room (studio for two) is large and actually two-room - the bedroom with the kitchen is separated by a serious partition from the dining room with a loggia.
True, in the bedroom there is one bedside table for two beds. But in the dining room - a sliding sofa. The decoration of the room and the furniture are very stylish, obviously made to order. Remotes from the TV and Conder - on bail. The TV has several Portuguese channels, Andalusian, German, French, a couple of British and CNN. There are no Russian channels. The bathroom, as elsewhere, is combined, equipped with a bath, toilet, bidet and hairdryer. In the wardrobe there is a safe (a lock with a key is available for a fee), an iron and an ironing board. For the first time, it turned out that there were more coat hangers than rags that needed them brought with them!
Directly from the hotel there is a free bus to the beach (allowed by hotel card). But he does not go to the nearest beach, but a little further - there is a little more civilized, but there is less space, and more people.
You can order a cheap transfer to Faro Airport (45 km) - 31 euros (for 1-4 people). Taxi on arrival cost 58 euros. Drive - 25-50 min.
depending on the situation.
Contingent: Portuguese - 80 percent, the rest - Poles, British and Germans. There are no Russians at all.
In general, the hotel, although large, is cozy and comfortable. It clearly surpasses its three stars. The positioned category is "ON". But the same is true for a number of neighboring hotels, which simultaneously indicate 4 stars. Probably three stars because of the "simplified" restaurant.
The location is extremely convenient - although not in the middle of Albufiera, but the impression that you are in the center of everything you need. Walk to the beach 15-20 min. (almost in a straight line). And what is important, the same amount back! But a little uphill. To the main tourist street with various shops and restaurants / bars important for tourists - 5 minutes. The locals call it The Strip or English Street, although the real name is avenida Sa Carniero. Two minutes behind it is a circus for a bullfighting tent - from time to time they arrange a Spanish bullfight there (not a single bull is killed at the same time).
Right across the intersection opposite the entrance to the hotel is a large supermarket (literally 1 min walk). On the way to the beach in 3-4 min. supermarket "Spar", and after 4-5 minutes. - a large ceramics shop (both the usual tourist knick-knacks and author's works from different regions of Portugal). Only this ceramic store is difficult to find - it is behind the crossroads, it has no signs. But further down its street (rua Almeida Garret) there are some very interesting restaurants. On the other side of the hotel in 7-10 minutes. walk a full-fledged shopping center on three floors with the largest supermarket in the city. Immediately behind it is the administrative center of Albufiera. Half an hour walk to the old city. In principle, it’s a bit far, but in fact two or three visits will be enough - the old city is very small and you can see everything in an hour and a half, and restaurants and shops are expensive there to go there specially.
Now about Portugal.
Albufiera.
This is the tourist center of the southernmost continental province of Portugal, the Algarve (or, as they say in the old encyclopedias, the Algarves). Until 1986 it was just a village. Now the area of the city has increased by several tens of times. The old city, i. e. the same village, is very picturesque. Located by the sea on a fairly steep slope. The two main streets are full of restaurants and bars. Many shops - and souvenir, and with clothes, and with wine. There are no historical sights there. They do not exist in the entire province either - firstly, they did not exist initially, and secondly, what was preserved was destroyed by a strong earthquake in the middle of the 18th century. Today Albufiera is what Yalta is for the Crimea. The city is green, not fussy and very pleasant. The bulk of tourists are British (by and large, they don’t go to the beaches, they sit in pubs or by hotel pools), a few Germans and Poles, very few Russians.
Although local Russians meet there - they work in shops, and in restaurants, and as drivers. I came across a store with Russian goods - kvass, cookies, canned food and much more.
The second attraction of Albufiera, besides the old town, is the beaches. Very wide (200-300 m) and with fine sand. Actually, this is typical for the whole of southern Portugal. But the sand is strewn with a lot of broken shells, so walking is unpleasant. Relatively free from shell fragments only in a strip of 3-4 m from the water. A set of an umbrella and two sun loungers costs 10 euros per day on the beach - very expensive (in Greece, for example, 5 euros, in Cyprus - 7.5). But you can buy mats (1.5-3.5 euros apiece) and sit on them. And you can even directly on the towel.
The water is noticeably colder than in the Mediterranean. In the first week I was generally "invigorating", but in the second it warmed up - as in the Crimea. Compared to neighboring Spain, the Algarve is noticeably colder - in the evening and in the morning it is even cool.
In principle, you can do without a conder. True, there are a small number of mosquitoes. There is much more greenery - not like scorched Andalusia, for example. But there are also clouds - so that there is no sun all day. It was like that for a couple of days.
By prices. Supermarkets are no different from Spanish ones, i. e. cheap. Cloths are a little more expensive. Restaurants are also more expensive, but cheaper, for example, Maltese.
The Portuguese themselves are pleasant friendly people. Very self sufficient. They are noticeably different from the Spaniards. Black hair is not the most characteristic feature. A very significant part is dark blond with a noticeable reddishness. Very high, by our standards, foreheads, round eyes. They are generally low in stature. Closer to middle age, everyone gets fatter. Moreover, women already from adolescence are distinguished by noticeably thickened hips and backs - one can say that they have had cellulite since childhood and is a national trait.
Of the excursions, we went only to the westernmost cape of the Algarve - St. Vincent. With a stop in Lagos (once the center of the European slave trade and the second city of the state). One and a half small streets remained from the old Lagos, in general, not particularly remarkable. St. Vincent is picturesque enough, but not in such a way that ah! About 5-6 kilometers from this cape is the town of Sagres. Once (in the 15th century) it was the base of Portugal's maritime expansion. Now, in general, an unremarkable quite modern town.
There is a lot of wine and it is generally very good and inexpensive. Local grape varieties. The famous vino verde (“green wine”) is a white or pink version of the French Beaujolais, only several times cheaper. Almost indistinguishable in taste. Mateus (including pink) did not impress. The Andalusian Penascal is noticeably better and the price (in Spain) is the same. Ports, contrary to expectations, the Portuguese drink themselves. They call it "wine for conversation", i. e.
sip a little and for a long time.
Of the national cuisine, it should be noted arroz de mariscos - the Portuguese version of paella (prepared, unlike paella, not in a frying pan, but in a special saucepan with a lid) - and cataplana. Cataplana is similar to arroz de mariscos, only without rice, but with fish, vegetables and a lot of liquid - either soup or stew. In different versions, it also contains pork and lamb. Delicious. The advertised bacalau (stewed or some other cod) did not impress. They love cod there, although they do not catch it themselves - they import it.
In general, Portugal makes a very pleasant impression - and the climate is good, and the views, and the people. Before Spain clearly wins.
The hotel consists of two buildings - a large T-shaped with five residential floors and a small one with six residential floors. The little one was just undergoing a major overhaul. The upper floors of both buildings are attic.
Usually for hotels, a sore point is parking. There is no such problem here: its own two-level car park (lower level under the small building).
The inner territory is large and green, square in plan. The central place is occupied by a very well-designed large pool (one corner is reserved for a children's paddling pool). There is also a restaurant (aka pool bar). Actually, this is the only place in the hotel where you can eat fully. Works from 10:00 to 24:00.
It is a family business - probably, the restaurateur either rents a place from the hotel or holds a contract. In fact, the restaurant does not differ from similar small establishments in the city - cozy, welcoming and inexpensive. As such, there is no menu here: tell what you want - the owner will offer what to eat. In the showcase-refrigerator samples of freshly caught fish. There is also a bar in the lobby of the large building, but no visitors have ever been seen there.
The staff is all Portuguese. Courteous and very attentive.
There is no animation at all. It is not available at the surrounding hotels either. And that's a plus. Therefore, in general, Albufiera is quiet and pleasant. Excluding, of course, a few special tourist streets. Anyone who is bored can take a walk to the surrounding taverns, where drunken Britons light up all night.
The room (studio for two) is large and actually two-room - the bedroom with the kitchen is separated by a serious partition from the dining room with a loggia.
True, in the bedroom there is one bedside table for two beds. But in the dining room - a sliding sofa. The decoration of the room and the furniture are very stylish, obviously made to order. Remotes from the TV and Conder - on bail. The TV has several Portuguese channels, Andalusian, German, French, a couple of British and CNN. There are no Russian channels. The bathroom, as elsewhere, is combined, equipped with a bath, toilet, bidet and hairdryer. In the wardrobe there is a safe (a lock with a key is available for a fee), an iron and an ironing board. For the first time, it turned out that there were more coat hangers than rags that needed them brought with them!
Directly from the hotel there is a free bus to the beach (allowed by hotel card). But he does not go to the nearest beach, but a little further - there is a little more civilized, but there is less space, and more people.
You can order a cheap transfer to Faro Airport (45 km) - 31 euros (for 1-4 people). Taxi on arrival cost 58 euros. Drive - 25-50 min.
depending on the situation.
Contingent: Portuguese - 80 percent, the rest - Poles, British and Germans. There are no Russians at all.
In general, the hotel, although large, is cozy and comfortable. It clearly surpasses its three stars. The positioned category is "ON". But the same is true for a number of neighboring hotels, which simultaneously indicate 4 stars. Probably three stars because of the "simplified" restaurant.
The location is extremely convenient - although not in the middle of Albufiera, but the impression that you are in the center of everything you need. Walk to the beach 15-20 min. (almost in a straight line). And what is important, the same amount back! But a little uphill. To the main tourist street with various shops and restaurants / bars important for tourists - 5 minutes. The locals call it The Strip or English Street, although the real name is avenida Sa Carniero. Two minutes behind it is a circus for a bullfighting tent - from time to time they arrange a Spanish bullfight there (not a single bull is killed at the same time).
Right across the intersection opposite the entrance to the hotel is a large supermarket (literally 1 min walk). On the way to the beach in 3-4 min. supermarket "Spar", and after 4-5 minutes. - a large ceramics shop (both the usual tourist knick-knacks and author's works from different regions of Portugal). Only this ceramic store is difficult to find - it is behind the crossroads, it has no signs. But further down its street (rua Almeida Garret) there are some very interesting restaurants. On the other side of the hotel in 7-10 minutes. walk a full-fledged shopping center on three floors with the largest supermarket in the city. Immediately behind it is the administrative center of Albufiera. Half an hour walk to the old city. In principle, it’s a bit far, but in fact two or three visits will be enough - the old city is very small and you can see everything in an hour and a half, and restaurants and shops are expensive there to go there specially.
Now about Portugal.
Albufiera.
This is the tourist center of the southernmost continental province of Portugal, the Algarve (or, as they say in the old encyclopedias, the Algarves). Until 1986 it was just a village. Now the area of the city has increased by several tens of times. The old city, i. e. the same village, is very picturesque. Located by the sea on a fairly steep slope. The two main streets are full of restaurants and bars. Many shops - and souvenir, and with clothes, and with wine. There are no historical sights there. They do not exist in the entire province either - firstly, they did not exist initially, and secondly, what was preserved was destroyed by a strong earthquake in the middle of the 18th century. Today Albufiera is what Yalta is for the Crimea. The city is green, not fussy and very pleasant. The bulk of tourists are British (by and large, they don’t go to the beaches, they sit in pubs or by hotel pools), a few Germans and Poles, very few Russians.
Although local Russians meet there - they work in shops, and in restaurants, and as drivers. I came across a store with Russian goods - kvass, cookies, canned food and much more.
The second attraction of Albufiera, besides the old town, is the beaches. Very wide (200-300 m) and with fine sand. Actually, this is typical for the whole of southern Portugal. But the sand is strewn with a lot of broken shells, so walking is unpleasant. Relatively free from shell fragments only in a strip of 3-4 m from the water. A set of an umbrella and two sun loungers costs 10 euros per day on the beach - very expensive (in Greece, for example, 5 euros, in Cyprus - 7.5). But you can buy mats (1.5-3.5 euros apiece) and sit on them. And you can even directly on the towel.
The water is noticeably colder than in the Mediterranean. In the first week I was generally "invigorating", but in the second it warmed up - as in the Crimea. Compared to neighboring Spain, the Algarve is noticeably colder - in the evening and in the morning it is even cool.
In principle, you can do without a conder. True, there are a small number of mosquitoes. There is much more greenery - not like scorched Andalusia, for example. But there are also clouds - so that there is no sun all day. It was like that for a couple of days.
By prices. Supermarkets are no different from Spanish ones, i. e. cheap. Cloths are a little more expensive. Restaurants are also more expensive, but cheaper, for example, Maltese.
The Portuguese themselves are pleasant friendly people. Very self sufficient. They are noticeably different from the Spaniards. Black hair is not the most characteristic feature. A very significant part is dark blond with a noticeable reddishness. Very high, by our standards, foreheads, round eyes. They are generally low in stature. Closer to middle age, everyone gets fatter. Moreover, women already from adolescence are distinguished by noticeably thickened hips and backs - one can say that they have had cellulite since childhood and is a national trait.
Of the excursions, we went only to the westernmost cape of the Algarve - St. Vincent. With a stop in Lagos (once the center of the European slave trade and the second city of the state). One and a half small streets remained from the old Lagos, in general, not particularly remarkable. St. Vincent is picturesque enough, but not in such a way that ah! About 5-6 kilometers from this cape is the town of Sagres. Once (in the 15th century) it was the base of Portugal's maritime expansion. Now, in general, an unremarkable quite modern town.
There is a lot of wine and it is generally very good and inexpensive. Local grape varieties. The famous vino verde (“green wine”) is a white or pink version of the French Beaujolais, only several times cheaper. Almost indistinguishable in taste. Mateus (including pink) did not impress. The Andalusian Penascal is noticeably better and the price (in Spain) is the same. Ports, contrary to expectations, the Portuguese drink themselves. They call it "wine for conversation", i. e.
sip a little and for a long time.
Of the national cuisine, it should be noted arroz de mariscos - the Portuguese version of paella (prepared, unlike paella, not in a frying pan, but in a special saucepan with a lid) - and cataplana. Cataplana is similar to arroz de mariscos, only without rice, but with fish, vegetables and a lot of liquid - either soup or stew. In different versions, it also contains pork and lamb. Delicious. The advertised bacalau (stewed or some other cod) did not impress. They love cod there, although they do not catch it themselves - they import it.
In general, Portugal makes a very pleasant impression - and the climate is good, and the views, and the people. Before Spain clearly wins.
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