Club Praia Da Rocha Apartments

Just got back from a fantastic week at Praia Da Rocha, staying at Club Praia Da Rocha.
I must admit that after reading various reviews of the hotel myself and my boyfriend prepared for the worst.
Glad to say no problem at all, lovely and large apartment on the 8th floor - cleaned 4 times, towels changed twice and beds not changed in the week we were there.
Yes, the lifts had a mind of their own, yes we did have to hire nearly everything, toaster, safe key, sun beds at a euro a day but the holiday only cost us £398 total with flights from Manchester so we couldn’t complain.
If anyone is thinking of going in September when the prices are cheaper and the place is not so busy, do it!!
The weather was gorgeous and hot all week, not a cloud in the sky.
The resort itself has something for everyone, quite bars, loud bars and about 10 Irish bars, loads of fantastic places to eat.
We had a hire car so for shopping we went to the larger supermarkets, the hotel shop is really expensive I think it cost us about £1.90 for a 2 litre bottle of R Whites Lemonade!!
If you want culture and history go to Silves or Lagos, very beautiful and full of character.
Slide and Splash is also a great day out, it cost us 13 euros each for the day and numerous slides to keep you entertained.
For a boat trip we went on the Pirate Ship that lasts approx. 3 hours and takes you round the coast and then into the caves in smaller boats.
The beach is gorgeous - the sunbeds cost us 4.50 euro each per day, too be honest it is better value if you by a lilo on the first day of your holiday, it will save you a euro a day by the pool and 4.50 on the beach.
All in all it was a fantastic holiday, but I don’t think we would have enjoyed it so much in the height of the season probably a bit too busy.
Suitable for couples, families and anyone who wants to spend relaxing days by the pool or on the beach then spend the evening eating and drinking.
Possibly for people looking for culture and a more quieter nightlife, this holiday might not be suitable.

Weather was great but the hotel was very basic and didn’t even supply a kettle or toaster and the shower was terrible, which is quite an important thing. Would not recommend the hotel but certainly would the resort.
No problems at all with the tour company, we opted to make our own way from the airport to the hotel, it cost about 60euros but between three of us we found it be well worthwhile as we did not spend hours in a coach and got checked in at the hotel immediately.
Lots of beach weather sports to do which is fun, nightlife is fun too, not mad busy like the Balearics and a very heavy Irish and Dutch contingent.

This accommodation should be renamed Club Hire De Rocha as all you do is pay for the hire of nearly everything in the hotel, ie sun beds, toasters, kettles, fans, TV. etc.
So please budget for all these extras. The rooms were in need of an update as there was not enough power points (2) and the shower system was out of the ark. Linen in our room was changed once a week(not 2 as promised).the lifts were a nightmare with a mind of there own.
The actual resort was s0 so with a lack of decent restaurants and if I had wanted to go to Eire to meet the Irish I would have gone to Dublin (it would have been cheaper) P.S. to get a sunbed in the morning here is the method of guaranteeing you get one.
Step1 rise at 7:45 am. 2. Go to reception and purchase tickets for said beds and parasol(1 euro per item per day) 3. Stand in queue till 9 a.m. When these will be supplied on receipt of said ticket. 4. These beds are now yours till officially 7p.m. (unofficially they start collecting them at 4p.m.) The club has a supermarket, newsagents, and film processing shop attached to the complex and as you would expect these are a tad more expensive than the one round the corner.
All in the entire beach is excellent with stunning views and water sports. the people are friendly and sincere with just the occasional dealer trying to sell you drugs. Please do not be put off with this review as it’s only my experience it’s a lovely resort and country just consider another hotel. Cheers.

We were pleasantly surprised on reaching this allocated on arrival hotel. When the rep told us our destination I almost went back into the airport and got flights back home.
We had seen this hotel on the "holidays from hell" program not once but twice but the rep told us that he lived in the hotel and it wasn’t that bad. He was right it is quite comfortable & clean. We had a one bed apt with a view over the pool. TV. in the room is free with cosmos, other tour operator guests pay 50 euro for the remote control and get 10 back on checkout. Breakfast is scrambled or boiled eggs and frankfurters never a fried egg. Cereals and continental, croissants etc. Fresh bread & rolls baked on the premises.
Dinner is mainly one fish dish & one or two meat dishes, nothing to write home about. but edible. Nice choice of sweets.
A nice touch is that the wine and beer(excellent quality) in the dining room is free. Nothing much to see or do in the resort but stunning beaches and a cheery night life. There is a pretty little town, Portimao, a one euro ride away on the bus from outside the hotel, or 20 min. Walk along the coast road. Don’t buy cigs from blokes who sidle up to you in the street and whisper "15 euros, very cheap" they are conmen.
We enjoyed this holiday & would certainly return to this hotel.

(Holiday Party- 2Adults -2 Children) Apartments are in a fantastic location, room we had was clean and spacious.
There is a kiddies disco and entertainment shows which are fantastic but I have to say man that does karaoke does not like children and man in video bar is very rude.
The reception staff were lovely and very helpful and the 3 girls and boy which do the shows and disco are brilliant. Resort its self is brilliant . THUMBS UP !!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND this hotel and resort the beach is just gorgeous. :-) :-) :-)

Just come back from club Praia Da Rocha.
The apartment was on the 11 floor and have to say I would rate this place with only 1 star, not very clean at all, you have to fill the bath via the shower, most doors would not close, towels were worn out and grey, had to get a glass from the bar after buying a coke as the maid or rep would not give me one, went to a local cafe and the owner said your not staying at the ZOO (that says a lot about the place).
We did not eat there but others who did said the food was very poor, they charge for chars around the pool + save key + remote for TV.
I was told that the place in mid summer holds 6.000 .
It took two half hours from the airport as we dropped off every where on the way.
As for Praia Da Rocha ,very nice first class beach step to get down to but worth it, good places to eat and very nice.
No the places to stay if I went again are hotel oriental 4 star and the hotel Algarve casino 5 star both on the sea front top hotels
Good place to eat is Adris on the main street good prices nice staff went back many times 3 course meal 4.9 euro.

I come back from Praia Da Rocha on 24th July and had a really good time.
The reception staff weren’t very happy but the lifeguards were very nice and I enjoyed speaking to them on a number of occasions.
I’m 16 and went with my family including my mum and dad and little brother. We stayed in the block 2 apartments and were self catering, which was probably a better option for this hotel as I heard of the disgusting food that they offered there. But there is an exception because the coffee shop had reasonable food when sitting around the pool.
Be aware of the amount of people who usually sit around the pool sometimes there can be not many places to sit and the sun beds have to be paid for and you usually have to be up by half 8 if u want to get one.
The bars and restaurants are really nice just got to look around for the best ones. "Nicho" is good for teenagers and the "Red Lion" is good for English people to visit. There are a lot of Irish bars in Praia Da Rocha and a lot of Irish people, which isn’t that much of a bad thing.
I made friends with some very nice Irish boys (Martin who I wish I still kept in touch with) amongst others (Moses, Smiley, etc). Had a good laugh with them, pity we didn’t keep in touch.
There are some gypsy stalls just around the corner from the hotel and they sell some lovely cheap skirts and jeans for 10 euros (bargain)!
If you need any questions answered i'm happy to help!

Apartments were ok but rather dated. The location is good, 5 min walk from the beach, however it is situated next to a dual carriageway. In fact, the road runs in between the hotel buildings. Therefore not so good for children.
The room were clean and comfortable. The main problem is the lifts, quicker to take the stairs even if you are on the eighth floor!
Praia da Rocha is a brilliant resort, close to the water parks, aqua zoo and shopping centre. The beach is long and clean.
Very enjoyable holiday, but wouldn’t rush back to club Praia Da Rocha.