Conrad Algarve Review
After two nights in Lisbon, I drove with my mom down to the Algarve. I had an expiring Hilton free night so booked the first night in the region at the Conrad. I had previously stayed at the Conrad Seoul, a business oriented hotel. The Conrad Algarve, opened in 2012, is much more of a resort property.
Location
The Conrad Algarve is located just west of Faro. The location may be the property’s biggest liability; it isn’t on the ocean, nor does it have views of the water. There is a beach about 10 minutes (with a free shuttle), but being so close it is too bad it isn’t located on land with at least a view of the ocean.
There is a small shopping center across the street from the property. As you approach the hotel, there are apartments built on either side of the driveway. However, all the units are sitting empty due to developer bankruptcy. Consider them very expensive driveway decorations for now.
Check In
We arrived around 7:00pm and had no wait to check in. The staff member offered us water and sat us down to explain the property and Diamond amenities. All of the suites are only a King Bed, and as I had requested two beds, there were no upgrades at the property beyond the Deluxe Twin Room with Pool View. Still, I was assigned a room on the top floor with a nice view of the pool and valley below.
Some photos of the lobby/common space atrium:
As a Diamond at the property, in addition to the standard Diamond amenities (upgrade, free breakfast), you are entitled to:
- Complimentary bottle of wine when purchasing dinner at one of the restaurants
- Tea or cocktail experience
- Free access to the onsite spa (usually €15 per person)
Valet parking appears to be free for everyone.
Room
We were assigned room 632 on the top floor overlooking the pool. As you enter, a long hallway leads directly into the main portion of the room.
In addition to the twin beds, there is a lounge chair at the foot of the beds and am arm chair by the windows. In front of the beds is a table with two chairs and TV (with stocked minibar underneath).
A Nespresso machine (included) is on the bar with the TV.
As a Diamond, a bottle of wine was also waiting for us.
A large balcony is accessible through sliding glass doors.
Bathroom
The large bathroom is located directly off the side of the bed. A large sliding wall panel can be closed to separate the bathroom form the rest of the room.
A large soaking tub with TV and chandelier is to the right while double vanity is to the left.
The second section that can be closed off with a frosted glass sliding door includes toilet, bidet, and shower that has both a rain shower head and handheld wand.
Robes are provided and towels hang on a warming rack. The wall of the shower is actually a frosted glass panel to the hall entry.
The bath products are all Shanghai Tang, which I believe is standard for Conrad properties.
Restaurants
The main restaurant is Louro, located on floor 2 and down the grand staircase in the lobby. It is where the breakfast buffet (included for Gold and Diamond members) is offered. The breakfast had a ton of options. In addition to the buffet, egg dishes ordered off the menu were included.
Orange juice was fresh squeezed; you could get it directly from the machine if you wanted.
For dinner, we ate at the more casual Lago Lounge that offers an extensive menu. The service was wonderful, despite my order being mixed up in translation. After we showed interest in the wine, our waiter offered us a tasting of the various Venho Verde wines the bar offers.
The most upscale restaurant on property is Gusto, which I did not try.
Pool & Spa
There are three pools in addition to the pool in the spa. The main infinity pool is heated and closest to the lobby. The sprawling Dado pool, beyond the infinity pool, is more resort like with space to relax. The third pool is indoor and open all year.
The spa, located on the left in the photo above, has it’s own outdoor pool as well.
The inside portion is a heated jacuzzi with various jets that can be turned on and off as desired.
In addition to the jacuzza is a cold plunge pool, heated stone beds, sauna, steam room, and experience showers (multiple jets that switch between hot and cold). With the exception of the locker room, the entire spa is all gender so make sure to bring a swim suit.
There is also a salon and five treatment rooms for massages. Each also has an outdoor space for outdoor massages.
Directly above the spa is the gym with standard workout equipment.
Overall
In addition to the beautiful room and facilities, the service was very good. There were a lot of families staying at the property and a kids club is on site. The biggest negative of the property is the lack of ocean view and access. What the property is able to provide and control, the property does very well.