Oriental Hotel

1 reader found this review helpful

We stayed at this hotel for a week at the end of april and were very pleased with the level of service (especially the restaurant staff), cleanliness and appearence of the hotel.
After speakng to our rep it seems we were given a large/better room than expected, we put this down to the hotel being pretty much empty (still early in the season) and wanting to attract us back, maybe? We had quite a large balcony which only really lacked some loungers to make it perfect, easily enough space for a couple. Room had twin beds (which were confortable), kitchenette and a very nice bathroom. Couple of comfortable chairs next to a tv made up a small living room area.
Hotel is attractive with lots of tiling on floors and partly on walls. Hall and corridor lighting illuminates automatically when you enter which was a nice touch. Entrance hall is attractive and the hotel has a nice fountain with some greenery in the centre.
Only ate in the restaurant for breakfast but there was plenty of choice. Variety of breads/sliced meat/cheese/jams/yoghurt pots/fresh juices/sliced fruit/teas/coffee/cereals. Also, there were heated containers for scrambled egg/sausages/bacon/tomato/mushrooms if you fancied something warm. There are items available at extra cost (no idea why) but we certainly didn't need them. Staff were quite impressive in their brilliant white outfits!
For sun lovers the gardens are pretty much perfect, plenty of space and not the usual rubbish white plastic furniture to laze on.
Access to the beach is down 58 (yes we counted them) steps that are a bit steep and uneven but made from cemented in blocks/rocks, so are sturdy. There is a handrail to hold.
General area info. Turn left out of the hotel and along Praia Da Rocha and you'll find bars/some shops and decent enough restaurants. We loved Adri's which was well presented and staff very pleasent. Turn right and head down to the marina (actually described as Portimao marina) where you'll find more expensive places. Food fabulous here, but enjoyed the food everywhere to be honest! If you like the spicy piri-piri the chicken is usually on the bone, if you prefer breast, please tell them when you order!
To sum up, loved the hotel, beautiful beach, nice enough immediate area, worth a visit to Alvor and Portimao (walk to Alvor in about an hour, use taxi for Portimao - only a few euros)

4 star? Thompson is deluded if this is a hotel of quality. The Oriental hotel is tired and is suffering from serious disrepair and in need of a complete makeover. If you have kids or are with someone elderly watch out for the stairs that link the hotel to the beach. The stairs zigzag their way down a rock face that is over grown and dangerous. The food was incredibly poor. Breakfast consisted of tined fruit, stale bread and cakes plus coffee from a machine that tasted of dirty water. Finally and worst of all was the location. The hotel is situated amongst residential tower blocks plus a terrace café open till eleven. Authentic Portugal was nowhere to be seen, This was a holiday from hell.

very nice hotel,..nice food, very quiet, polite service
not geared to children
ideal for over 45's and older couples
swimming pool is in th shade early morning but heats up late afternoon
interior of hotel is done in a Morrocan style
evening entertainment sparse
I prefer an English breakfast but they tend to serve food catering to German-French-local tastes
evening meal is not bad,..although the best place to eat is at Hotel Jupiter some 100 yards away
or at the resturant called Dockside,..fabulous steaks

Excellent Location, close to main centre with its numerous bars and restaurants. Hotel public areas well maintained and look good, however the rooms are in need of serious refurbishment.
Very few facilities available in hotel. The poolside refreshment area was closed and the main bar did not open until 16:00 hrs. Staff surly to the point of rudeness, went out of their way to do nothing for you, which was contrary to the locals outwith the hotel who were welcoming and friendly.
Would certainly recommend this area but not this hotel. Not worth the 4T Luxurious rating from Thomson.