Sao Rafael Suite Hotel

Based on the reviews of this hotel I had read on this site I decided to book a weeks stay for my wife myself and our ten month old boy. On arrival you would be forgiven for thinking the hotel had only been open for a few months due to the modern decor and immaculate cleanliness throughout. The staff are exceptionally polite and extremely helpful and all spoke excellent English (which was a blessing as my learn basic Portuguese in one day cd was sadly lacking, or more likely it was me that was sadly lacking). Breakfast is included in the... more

Returned from here on Monday 23rd Oct after a weeks stay in the hotel. Facilities are excellent, the hotel is very beautiful, and modern. As we were honeymooners we got a room upgrade on arrival, the room was fantastic. The staff were friendly and helpful from the first moment we arrived until when we left. Hotel is in a lovely exclusive area, not too busy area but a short trip away from the main town. The beach which the hotel owns is also great, very clean and roomy, a short walk away, but you can get the free shuttle service to... more

My husband and I have just returned from a week in this hotel. It was a belated honeymoon. The hotel is very nicely done and very modern. But lacked the luxury you would expect from a 5 star. The staff were pleasant enough but they were few and far between when you wanted anything! We ate in the hotel on our first night and although full there were only 3 staff serving. The meal cost 84euro and was average to say the least. The local fish restaurante out shone it and was half the price! We were also not lucky with the weather... more

We have just come back from a four night stay in this hotel. We stayed in a deluxe room overlooking the pool. I have to say that I agree with some of the other comments in that it is a beautifully finished hotel. The rooms are very contemporary and simply styled in a very minimalist way. Taxis cost about 6 euros per trip into the town and you are far away from all the noise. On the downside, some of the staff were less than friendly. We ordered breakfast to our room one morning which was dreadful. Although our... more

Brilliant hotel and definitly not the norm for Albuferia, The Sao rafeal is ten minutes by taxi from the old town and the hotel runs a free shuttle service to the town 3 or 4 times a day and to their own private beach on the hour (during season) The rooms are very contemporary and beautifully styled, with a small kitchen area and luxury bathrooms. The facilities are great two huge pools, a spa, small gym and great food in both the pool bar and restaraunts. I will definitly stay here again as it is away from the noisy town area... more

My sister and I stayed at the Sao Rafael Suite Hotel for 7 nights in late July, early August 2006. We had booked a double deluxe room but on arrival were upgraded to a family suite! This was huge with three bathrooms, two bedrooms and living areas. The suite was spotless and very well equipped. Room cleaning/towel changing/evening turndown were all done daily and efficiently. The pool area and surrounding gardens were also spotless and well maintained and the padded sunloungers were a real bonus along with the lovely big fluffy towels... more

Stayed in this hotel for three nights in mid July. On arrival my husband and I found the staff extremely cooperative and welcoming. Very professional service provided. The hotel website very much lives up to the descriptions. The rooms are huge with an en-suite bedroom, a large living /dining area and a second bathroom (all ultra modern). An added attraction (which we didn't realise in advance) was the fact that both the living area and the bedroom have separate fairly large balcony areas. Flat screen t.v. in living/dining room and... more

Spent a very nice 10 days at the Sao Rafael in July 06. The hotel was very, very clean, pools were great and the beach (very nice sandy cove ) was only 10 mins walk. The sunbed and towels service at both pool and beach was very very welcome. Breakfast was very good particularly if you go at 8.30 (quiet) and not 10 (busy)! Only downside of this hotel was that there were not many places within walking distance to go and eat in the evening. Got a taxi into Albufiera a couple of nights but didn't particularly like it. A bit "resorty" and a bit... more

Stayed at the CS Rafael for a week in June and had a perfext holiday. The hotel is stunning and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The room was spotless though sometimes the maid turned up late on the afternoon. The food was good and the breakfast was excellent. There are so many fruit juices to choose from in the morning! There are 2 large pools though on eof them was out of use during our stay due to some sort of concert which annoyed me a bit but there was pleanty of room the other one and there was never any mad scramble... more

Spent a week there during the half term holiday with kids (7 & 10 years old). Good hotel with helpful staff. Two outdoor pools always had space. Good indoor pool which was not crowded, probably because weather was good and everybody was out. Plenty of towels etc. Only had breakfast at the hotel, good and plenty but at the end of the week may feel a little repetitive. Beach is a 10 minute walk when you use the little gate opposite the 2nd outdoor pool (need yout room key for this gate) - there is hotel shuttle but only hourly. You get free... more