Presidente Hotel

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We booked our flights independently and the apartment through Alpharooms. We have been to Praia Da Rocha 3 times, November 2005, May 2006, and New Year 2006/7, and wanted to stay a little out of resort, so chose the Presidente for its excellent location, half way between Praia Da Rocha and Praia Da Vau.
The Apartment Complex itself is fantastic, the apartments are bright and airy, and we had the benefit of a sea and countryside view. The apartment has everything you need for a self-catering holiday. The veranda was huge and there was 3 sets of patio doors leading out onto it - it was lovely.
Cleaners come daily, and towels are changed if left on floor! Bed linen is changed every 2 days.
It's a great location, although a bit of a walk, 20 mins, into the lively Praia Da Rocha, but a taxi is less than 4 Euros. The pool area however, was a bit of a disappointment - simply not big enough to cater for the amount of guests in high season.
The apartments are very popular with Germans and Portuguese guests, however, it did feel like we were in Dublin, as the main bulk of guests were Irish, which is great if you enjoy listening to foul language every other word! We don't! In August the pool area is open at 9am, but make sure you are there at 9am to get a sunbed - the Irish guests put their towels on beds at 9am and then disappear till at least 4pm!!
The beaches in August are crammed like sardines, and the price of sunbeds vary depending on which end of the beach you are. The bar is expensive, and snacks are highly priced for what you get. We didn't even try the restaurant because the snacks we had were awful! If you can manage the walk to the far end of the beach (by the marina) you will get 2 sunbeds and an umbrella for 5 Euros (well worth the walk) There are plenty of bar/restaurants on the beach serving great food which is good value for money.
There are plenty of good eating places in Praia Da Rocha, offering great food at good prices. A taxi into Alvor is about 6 Euros, and definitely worth a visit. We found a lovely place called Marafados serving traditional Portuguese food which we visited twice because it was so lovely.
Alfor is a more traditional Portuguese village, with a harbour and low rise apartment blocks, little streets lit up at night - what you expect from Portugal! Kids menus are rubbish - wherever you go - chicken nuggets, fish fingers, sausages, and everything comes with chips! If you're lucky some restaurants offer your children Spaghetti Bolognese!
Praia Da Rocha has some great bars - try Taffy's on the main strip - quiz nights are great fun, and if you get a chance to meet Sam, the Blonde Surfer Barman, you will have a great time! MJ's is a great little bar too, Marina is lovely and makes you feel very welcome, and the kids can play on the pool table while you enjoy a leisurely drink. Try JD's, overlooking the beach, opposite the Red Lion on the main strip. From 1pm-9pm Jasper is behind the bar - you won't meet a nicer bloke! From 9pm the volume goes up, the Portuguese young ones move in and you can't hear yourself think, but well worth a visits just to meet Jasper.
All in all, we had a great time, cos we knew we would - but definitely would not do high season again, and would not return to the Presidente again!