Hotel Sol e Mar

Hotel Sol e Mar occupies a clifftop position directly above Albufeira's old town beach, Praia dos Pescadores, placing it within metres of the beach elevator and a short stroll from the restaurants and bars of the historic centre. The location is among the most convenient for beach access of any hotel in Albufeira; guests can descend to the sand in under five minutes on foot via the cliff lift. The building is a mid-century structure that has been progressively updated while retaining its compact, unpretentious character — a notable contrast to the larger resort blocks further inland.

Room types range from standard doubles to rooms with partial or full sea-facing balconies. Sea-view rooms on the upper floors are notably good value for the panorama they deliver, looking directly across the Atlantic and down to the beach below. All rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with standard facilities including satellite television, safe and private bathroom. The property runs to around 70 rooms, giving it a more personal feel than Albufeira's large package resorts.

The rooftop pool terrace is the hotel's most celebrated feature: a heated pool surrounded by sunloungers with an unobstructed view over the old town, the beach and the open ocean. The terrace is at its finest in the late afternoon as the western light shifts. A bar adjacent to the pool serves snacks and drinks through the day.

The ground-floor restaurant serves a Portuguese and international buffet at breakfast and offers à la carte dining in the evening; the sea-facing terrace is pleasant at mealtimes. The property does not have a spa or gym. Service is friendly and attentive; the hotel's central position means guests can walk to a wide selection of independent restaurants, cafés and shops without needing transport.