Jupiter Hotel

2 readers found this review helpful

Last year (2010) my wife and I spend 4 weeks (yes 4 weeks) in the Jupiter Hotel. We found the food was good, the staff were helpful, and the best of all was the music by the pool every evening. This is the best dancing scene for the not-so-young in Praia Da Rocha, and the proof is the number of people passing by who come in and dance.
Martin & Carmel Gleeson. Ireland.

My wife and I (golden oldies) are back after a 7 night stay at the Jupiter. Our previous visit was some 40 years ago and the generally we thought the hotel is still first class. We booked directly with the hotel and found that the room, the service, the facilities all excellent.
The staff were more than obliging . The breakfasts were exceptional and for the price (13 euro) the table d'hote dinner more than adequate

2 readers found this review helpful

just arrived back from a weeks stay in the jupiter hotel... The Staff were great the hotel clean and the beds comfortable.. the storage left a lot to be desired the wardrobe doors kept catching on the coat hangers as they were obviosly not built to take them. there were only 3 small drawers in the wardrobe no others were available so if we had been staying for more than a week we would have been struggling even more than we were... the food was not as expected in a 4 star hotel.... we finished up eating out more than half of the week... sorry the food so let them down.. we have been to so many hotels even 3 star hotels food is much better than this hotel.. will not go back to this hotel unless for room only which would suit us fine and would advise people to look elswhere if they want everything included.. the entertainment certainly left a lot to be desired... sorry not one to normally put my points of veiw on show but this time it seems it should be stated for all to see

1 reader found this review helpful

My husband and I have just enjoyed a long weekend with two other couples, staying at The Jupiter Hotel. The hotel was basic, but very clean. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. We enjoyed a very good buffet breakfast, which set us up for the day.
There is not a huge amount to do in Praia Da Rocha, but if you want sun, sea and sand, it was perfect. I could imagine that later in the season it would become rather busy.
Portimao is a short bus ride away and the bus system easy to follow.

3 readers found this review helpful

After several months of planning a holiday and really looking forward to enjoying the delights of Portugaul our first mistake was to book into this hotel. All the signs were that it should have been good but almost on every level it failed to come up to expectations.
A room with a balcony was expected and repeat visits to the travel agents assured us this was arranged but on arrival not only was it not arranged there was also no chance of it and it seems that this was a well known problmes since during the course of our holiday it seemed to happen on an almost daily basis to unsuspecting new arrivals. Complaints to teh Thomas Cook rep fell on deaf ears and in reality I know why because it did happen on an almost daily basis she had to develop a thick skin to sustain the ire of seriously dissappointed travellors. The hotel just dismissed all complaints and said it was the fault of the tour operators
Next the food - if you wanted a la carte then you could get it but we thought we would look at the buffet the first evening both being very tired after a long day but what was on offer looked very unattractive and a number of those on half board recommend strongly we didn't bother as they themselves despite having paid choose to go out and eat.
That said locally loads of really nice resturatants, Titanic, Atlantis and although not quite to the same standard the Bacchus bar was good food and certainly much cheaper drinks.
The pool in the hotel was ok but far too few sunloungers available and every one we looked at were in fact broken underneath and for those a liitle on the larger size this was a source of real concern.
The live entertainment every night - was infact the same person playing the same music catering for the same local dancing population every night . Quite nice to watch and listen to once or twice but every night for 14 nights wore a bit thin. Sadly with my travel companion being disabled we were limitted and since she smoked and we had no balconey we had little choice but be subjected to this night after night.
Pria de Rocha is lovely hotel Jupiter was not.

1 reader found this review helpful

We have just returned from our holiday in The Jupiter Hotel. It was nice to get away and the room was fine, clean but there isn't much room for storage and moving around was a bit cramped but not too bad. The TV is not free and you have to pay daily if you want any proper channels. We didn't watch anything but some might have wanted to.
The food was acceptable but very repetative and the way the food area is arranged is all over the place in that you have to go from one part to another to get various items you might want to eat. To get to the pools, you had to get up early to place your towels on the beds. I thought only the Germans did this but believe me, I saw the British doing it as well. Very sad people!!! My one complaint about the pool area's, was that there were no umbrella's and anyone with fair skin (Such as myself)would have no where to get shade. I burn easily even with lotion but my husband was ok because he has olive skin.
It is mainly a big version of an international Butlin's but the children there appeared to be loving it. Apart from all the screamong and running around going on (very noisy). The cinema only shows old cartoon films for the children, and where the adult areas are, I didn't find out.
The town is quite a walk away even when you get the bus that is laid on for people to go to the beach. To gwet to the local shops is about 20 mins from the stop and for anyone not able to walk far or in a wheelchair, it is quite long going.
I think the hotel is made to sound better than it is, but with a three star rating that is about right. If we went there again ,it would be to take our grand children but as you have to pay to go on the swan boats and extras, I don't know whether it would be cost affective in the end.

4 readers found this review helpful

Myself and my sister have just arrived back from a week in The Hotel Jupiter and could not have asked for more. Rooms are basic but they are absolutely spotless. Maid service is everyday with fresh towels and the mini bar stocked daily. Prices are very decent for mini bar. 1 euro for bottles of water or coke, 2 euros for bottles of local beer.
Hotel is greatly situated on main strip with variety of restaurants and bars. Chinese, Indian, Portugeuse and Irish are all on the main strip. Chinese was very good, great menu available.
One thing I would advise is definitely try Adris on the main strip, we ate there 4 nights out of the 7. Food was amazing and the staff were fantastic. Could not do enough for you. Night spots are busy but not a hassle. Reps only offer vouchers for drinks, special offers etc not pushy at all for you to come into their clubs or pubs.

First resort we have felt totally safe within, didn't see an ounce of trouble, so anyone with teenagers going on first holiday, this place is recommended.
Beach was fantastic and spotless, loungers are available for 5 euros per day with choice of parasol or shade.
Only downside is the men selling watches, sunnies, bracelets etc as your sunbathing but don't let that put you off as they do not cause you any hassle. If your not interested in buying anything they are more than happy to move on.
All in all had a fantastic time and would recommend Hotel Jupiter to friends and family. Area is totally flat (with exeption of access to beach about 20-25 steps down)anyone with push chairs or walking difficulties Praia da Rocha is ideal.

Hotel was nice and looks the part from the outside and as you walk in through the main entrance. The rooms are, however, quite basic.
Be prepared to pay 10 euros extra per night for a balcony at the side of the building and 15 euros extra a night for one at the front of the hotel. The rooms at the back are opposite a hotel where there is ongoing work and have no balcony.
Food wasn't bad, though not a great deal of choice if you're a vegetarian.
Sauna and spa are an extra 10 euros a go which i thought was a bit harsh for a four star.
Other than that all was fine, and am not criticising the place drastically, though i wouldn't go back there, and would probably say it was more 3 than 4 star.
Also be warned that praia da roche is a very commercial place and so if you are looking for a quiet holiday, and to experience the real portugal, thenI woudl opt for the unspoilt fishing village of Alvor a few km up the coast and stay in a hotel there, as the place has real character.

We booked a triple room, and there was only 2 single beds in our room when we arrived, so had to go back down to reception to try to get another bed in the room. The room was small for a double, so we couldnt see how they were going to squeeze in another! but they managed it!
The reception staff we found were a mixed bag. Not very helpful in the main though. They never told us about any of the services or trips from the hotel, even though we asked! We tried to book a car through reception too, and it was like we had asked them to build the car for us....rather than just hire it!
The room was clean, as was the hotel in general. Towels were changed every day, but the sheets were changed once in the week we were there. Lucky there was air con in the rooms...yuck. The entrance lobby was impressive, and the hotel is in an excellent position. The resort itself is quite small, and doesnt extend much beyond the beach front, though it is pretty and mostly you can find enough to do. the hotel is literally RIGHT in front of the beach, though there is a little bank to walk down. You'd struggle a little bit maybe if you were disabled.
We found the breakfasts ok....yes they were not steaming hot, and yes the bacon/sausages are not as you'd get from an English supermarket...but live with it, its not England. There was a good selection of stuff to eat. More than you'd eat at home anyway.
The restauraunt is big and clean, and the waiters are polite. Wine and beer was expensive in the restaurant though.
We were half board, and to be honest the evening meals were pretty bad. We expected a buffet and its a set menu..if your vegetarian, dont go half board! If you have kids, and they are at all picky (for instance if they wont eat cold braised leeks in Yoghurt sauce, or veal in pesto) dont go HB. There was totally no provision for kids meals, even when we asked. If there were braised pears in alcohol with ice-cream, they wouldnt even just give us the ice cream without the pears...there were generally 2 choices for starter, 3 for main and 3 for dessert. one of the mains was always a pasta dish...had a couple of good meals in the 7 nights we ate there, but only a couple..
they had a lovely BBQ night where the (buffet) food was excellent. You could eat 'a la carte' too, in the restaurant, but there was an additional charge and it was extortionate.
Pool is quite small, and the water was harsh in it...a bit salty even. couldnt stay in it for long...
Never went in the spa, it looked lovely but was expensive...will be more now with the weak pound. Lovely loo's though near the restauraunt..
The evening entertainment started late, so with our 5 year old he was too tired to stay up. Though it wasnt really up to much...ok if you liked ballroom dancing round the swimming pool..to Raul on a Bontempi..but not so good if you were under 75.
Overall, enjoyed it, can recommend it if you get a good price compared to other hotels.. though I wouldnt go again - but thats cos for me, the resort is only worth once visit in my short lifetime...careful going half board if your picky. Dont expect a lot from evening entertainment..can echo others when they say get a sea view too...we didnt but it would have been nice.

2 readers found this review helpful

On arrival at the hotel, first impressions were really good, the hotel was situated on the main strip with the beach just a few steps away. When we arrived our room wasnt ready it took 3 hours until we eventually got our room. Unfortunately we did not have a balcony as you had to pay extra which is highly recommended as the rooms are completely different the only problem is they are above where the entertainment is and due to being on the main strip would be noisy. Our room was at the back of the hotel which was quiet, the room was very clean, basic with no tea making facilities, small bathroom with shower and bath. There is a mini fridge however be careful as you pay for the drinks inside, however there is enough room for your own drinks in there. Towels were changed everyday and your room cleaned. The breakfast was horrible and i would not recommend paying for B&B the food was cold, the eggs not cooked and slimy, gristle bacon and tiny party food sausages, mushrooms like rubber, there was cereal, fruit, toast and bread buns. We ended up eating out everyday instead as they have fantastic breakfasts at the Irish bars.
The main strip was heaving with people and very busy, however beware that the pubs are dead before 10pm as most people go out then. A major shock to uss was the euro it cost £6-£7 for a pint and half of their OWN lager!! We then worked out that for an extra 50p you can get 2 pints. If your looking to go out drinking everynight make sure you have lots of money !!!! The food was reasonable and in most places cheaper than England for a main meal. I would recommend 0'Bara, Hollywood steak house as these were two great places where you got a lot for your money.
The beach near the hotel was very busy with people so close around you, we decided to venture further away from the hotel and found a quieter beach at the end of the main strip Praia du Vau. This beach was gorgeous and the best by far. All the streets are cobbled - no need to wear high heels !!!!! and it was very steep walking to the beaches lots of steps and hilly. Definately not a place if you have difficulty walking.
Overall the place was lovely, and the hotel would have been if the food was nice, ths let the hotel down, not sure its worth 4* as rooms basic, there is a spa however you have to pay and the pool is tiny.