Luna Miramar

I can honestly say from some of the reviews I do not recognise the description of this hotel. Returned home last week after a 5 night stay all inclusive at this hotel. I do not know how anyone can say the breakfast was lacking. The hot and cold choices were extensive and the quality first class - including bacon,sausage, pancakes and eggs fried,boiled or scrambled, a big choice of cold meat, cheeses, fruit, cereals, bread and rolls to die for. Even a choice of butter type - salted or unsalted. Lunch and Dinner I found equally good with an excellent and different variation at every meal. I must have been lucky compared to other reports as I had a lovely room with large balcony and bathroom and shower always with hot water. The air con worked perfectly. Our room was spotless and the reception staff were very helpful at all times. Someone mentioned only seeing 1 person in reception. I can honestly say I regularly saw 2 staff on duty here. There was even a British paper daily in reception. My only negative observation was that often there was only 1 person serving at the snack bar and a queue would form and the tables were not cleared regularly. I never had any problem locating a sunbed. Perhaps more small tables between the sunbeds would be an asset. A tip for those not wanting to walk up the hill. Directly opposite the hotel reception is the multi storey car park for the supermarket. The lifts are on the right hand side as you go in. This takes you up to the supermarket and the road at the top of the hill. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We liked the location as it was only 5-10 minutes walk from the seafront and the Old Town and only a few minutes from shops and the bus stop. There are many 4* and 5*hotels I have stayed in which I would not return to but this is not one of them .

We drove from Spain to Albufiera for a 4 day all inclusive break, we live in Spain so we do not want to sunbathe, we like to use the gym, sauna, jucuzzi etc to relax, and need good entertainment at the hotel. When we arrived the hotel it looked really nice inside, the room was big with its own lounge, kitchen, and amenities. Unfortunately, the gym had 3 machines! When we asked why no machines, as the picture advertised had a lot, they told us they were being mended. The girl then said people on holiday do not go to the gym, how rude I told her that is why we booked a hotel with a gym! We then had dinner which was a lot of choice but the quality was terrible, the salad was the best bet, and breakfast. When we went to the bar there was a queue of 10 people no seats and only one barwoman and everyone is all inclusive, I went and complained in reception and he made a phone call and within 10 mins there were 3 barstaff and more chairs. Whilst I was at reception I also mentioned that I was not Happy with the gym, he then said we can use the one at the sister hotel 15 mins walk which is the one in the photos. We used this everyday, it was bigger but the gym opens at 8.30am but the staff start at 10am, so they are no lights on in the changing rooms, and the sauna, and Turkish bath are not turned on till then, so you have to time it right in the gym to get in the sauna when it's hot. The pool and jucuzzi area was nice and we were the only ones in there, and bigger than the other hotel. The pool area was small and there was no atmosphere or music, the snacks were OK, but the girl behind the bar needs to get another job, she made you feel guilty when you asked for a drink, and was the same in the bar upstairs, my husband asked for a pint and she said she can not serve a pint, so he had 2 halves, seems a bit silly to do that. Other people in the queue also mentioned that they felt bad asking for anything with the girl, like it was too much trouble, she should take training off Bruno, he collected glasses as well as served, was Happy and accommodating. The entertainment was a joke, bingo, music quiz, etc there should be music to dance after this, we booked here to stay in the hotel and relax , not go out for entertainment. Due to all of this, we left a day early, we did not care to go to the bar for a Drink with no music, no smiling barstaff, bad food, and bad entertainment, although you could not fault the entertainment staff.

We had a nice 4 night stay at Luna Miramar: me, my wife and 13 year-old grandson. It was our first time in Portugal. The booking was changed at the last minute because of the Monarch airline collapse, but we were very pleased with the the Hotel. It was clean and the staff very helpful. One black mark, however: the receptionist who booked our excursion on the boat trip told us the wrong information about pickup point, so we saw our bus sail past us. Fortunately, on returning to the hotel, the receptionist on duty then phoned and organised transport for us to the quay where we were still in loads of time for the boat trip. The pool is big, and it's deep almost everywhere, so you need to be a swimmer to venture in. The water was 24C which was fine if you keep moving (the weather was not that great: it hotted up on the day we left). The adjoining children's pool is great for kids. The steps leading down need a handrail. They could be very slippery. There were plenty of loungers around the pool (also notices requesting not to "reserve" them). But then it was the week before the British half term break so the hotel was not full. For us the mail drawback of the poolside was that smoking was permitted, which was not very pleasant. The pool snack bar attendant was kept busy, especially with the fast food snacks which many people (e.g. our grandson who is as thin as a rake) seemed to want between meals. The indoor pool is very disappointing, squashed in a low basement (don't hit your head on the beams). The water is warm but all very shallow so no good for proper swimming. The jacuzzi was nice. Our grandson was disappointed in the gym. We had full board which included all meals. The food was very good on the whole, just one or two dishes that disappointed. There was always a choice of several things (probably not very inspiring if you are a vegetarian). The wine was quite satisfactory, the draught beer excellent. One small thing puzzled us: why did we have to ask for milk whenever we got a cup of tea? Aren't they used to the British? They could just have a small jug of milk by the machine (there is one at breakfast by the cereals). The hotel is situated on a hilly road, so not good for disabilities. It is about 20 minutes walk into the centre (400 yards down to the main road, 5 minutes along main road and then down to the seafront and along to the escalator). We went on two excursions: the boat trip Caves and Coastlines (fantastic), a full-day trip inland (very interesting), and on the third day we walked along the beach, paddling along the sea edge. Fellow guests with children gave very good reports of Zoomarine. If you want just a 10/20 minute stroll before supper turn right out of reception and right again downhill and just before you think you're falling off the edge of the cliff there is a newly constructed walkway which takes you through some nice vegetation and a fenced-off pond. A group of beautiful Iberian azure-winged magpies were going to roost when I went.

I’m the first to shout about a hotel or restaurant when it’s good so I think it’s only right to tell about an establishment that falls short of the mark. In May 2017 I decided to take my wife for a week away as a couple, a big step considering we have 2 teenage children and this was our first holiday without them. We had previously stayed at this hotel under the old ownership when it was a self catering hotel and had been very happy so we jumped at the chance to visit again only this time under new ownership it was only all inclusive. We were delighted with the deal we received until we arrived at the hotel, on our first evening we found we could only have beer or 4 pre set cocktails from a list of over 30 (shocked) as was I as I mistakingly believed all inclusive was all inclusive!! That’s not the case at this hotel, not only that but if you want food from the pool bar again you can have 3-4 items from a menu of approx 20 items, the laughable part is that they could be serving burgers in the restaurant but to get one from the pool bar your expected to pay. Please trust me when I say if you want a memorable vacation in the Algarve then find yourself an alternative hotel to stay at.

So I like to think I'm a very fair reviewer so I am going to be honest about this hotel perhaps what's good and what's not. I'm hoping the hotel also reads this and takes some of my advice for the benefit of its guests. So first the hotel great location. 4 Euro taxi away from old and new town. You can walk but we had a 3 year old so prefer taxi. Big shopping centre in front of you for all your needs. A little Train stops at the top of road 5 euro return from the beach etc. My little girl enjoyed that. We were party of 6 adults and 1 child. Adults ranging from 60s 30s. So first impressions very nice. Yes the reception is lovely. Lots of money spent here which is nice but can't help thinking this would of been much better spend around pool area. Reception staff are nice and efficient but only ever 1 which to me is a bit scary security wise for them and guests. Reception often was not manned for a few moments due to this lack of staff. Lack of staff seemed to be a general problem in this hotel. Rooms are very clean. Cleaners I must say do a great job everyday Thankyou very much to them. Nice and big and yes they are basic but fine and what I expected so no issue with room. My patio door was also broken and the balcony didn't have any protective mesh over the bricks so my child could easily climb up is . ( please fix that for other families) We had virtually no balcony compared to our other 2 rooms whose balconys were nice and big and safer so wondering if perhaps they did that purposely. We kept door locked all holiday. The pool is big and my little girl loved it, we went in everyday and didn't get sick. Only issue is That didn't see it cleaned. The tiles have dark mound patches in some areas which if a hotel was bothered those little details would matter. I couldn't help think they couldn't care less or have lost the attention to detail here. Only One staff member on the little bar by pool. They have to work sooo hard on here non stop Thankyou to the young boy ( sorry didn't catch his name and new girl Katia who worked always with a smile despite bossy holiday makers ) and I just felt that 2 staff on at all times would be better for them and guests. We arrived Monday and all week was lovely and quiet and no problems with Sunbeds. Friday lots of people arrived and the place was so different. Staff struggling to cope and long queues for drinks. More staff are needed at times like this. I believe it wAs a Spanish bank holiday so many Spanish family's arrived for weekend. But no planning for this staff wise. So very long queues at pool bar and disorderly queues arguing over food etc. I felt bad for staff. I didn't have issue with this but many guests didn't like this. The Food in general was nice. Not huge variety but more than acceptable. Maybe odd theme night would be nice to make it a bit more special for your guests. Entertainment team were lovely and did there best with everyone who wants to participate. Anna and Ariana were lovley with everyone they meet, even buying my daughter a beautiful gift which was so kind. I feel they need to be given better equipment and you need to invest in them. If you are the owner please can you invest in... 1. A new dart board. The one you have is extremely embarrassing please take a look at it you will see what I mean. 2. Buy some new ping pong bats. The ones you have again and falling apart. 3. The area at the bottom where you do the activities stink to high heaven of Cat poop. Basically the local cats are treating that area like a large litter tray the. You are expecting your guests to do activities with a lovely waft of cat poop perfume. Also we went to kids fun time 9pm twice...There was no kids fun time. So please just cross it off the list if it's not on. Surely this is not that hard. And will stop disappointing children who turn up excited and dressed up to find nothing on. Another small detail you need to be clear to avoid disappointed guests. Your PA system is also awful. Invest !! Not sure why you don't use the stage downstairs would be much better than upstairs. The reptile show was just chaos. Not fair on those poor animals. Kids everywhere PA system deafening. Just mental. Although kids had a ball. We were actually out of the hotel a lot and booked this as a base. So I'll try and mention a few things we did. We ate out in evening a lot. It's Hard to mentioned all of them but We found a fab Piri piri place 5 mins down road. Gorgeous and was recommended by reception so ask them. We also went to a saxophone bar called johnny Hoopers which was great fun. Old town is wonderfully pretty and had lively fun areas and quiet traditional areas. Worth a visit day and night. We took a boat ride to caves which was brilliant and stunning. We did the 3hour one as had our child didn't want it to be to long. Was perfect. We visited Zoo marine. Fab day for everyone. Dolphins just amazing and pirate show with extremely hot pirates ha ha. My hubby was not happy. The beach is beautiful we only visited once but wow. Great for kids and just strolling. So would I go back here to this hotel? Yes I would. I have been to some wonderful places in my traveling life so have been spoilt and conscious I can't compare it. But I simply feel it needs investment in some areas and a bit of attention to detail. Hope this is useful X

This hotel is located at the foot of a steep hill with a dead end. It is NOT suitable for people with any form of disability.The hotel is opposite a shopping centre with a very busy car park.If you have a room facing onto the dead end you experience early morning noise from the supermarket deliveries and also buses park up at this location and run their ac for ages. The hotel reception staff are very poor,however the rest of the staff throughout the hotel were excellent. The rooms are clean,tidy and spacious with a large balcony. The bathrooms have very dated showers and tiling and the living area furniture is very dated but functional. Probably very modern some 20/25years ago. If I returned to this area I would probably not stay at this hotel.

2 star apartment blocks. Lack of security (doors left open, patios that can't be locked). Breakfast abismal. Pool unclean, indoor pool a serious health risk with mold and spors. Towels thrown on loungers first thing and most arrive after 2pm (some not at all). All sorts of weird bugs running around the apartments. Noise until 11pm twice a week. Not a relaxing stay for a family with 2 kids under 8. One for the chavs, the rest will need to find alternative accommodation. Apart from that the staff are friendly

a group of friends 4 couples stayed hear for 7 days ok maybe rooms are a little dated and there the negatives stop spotlessly clean every thing you need is there very friendly and helpful staff great location no problems at the pool or anywhere else easy access to the old town town by walking or taxi great shopping centre beside hotel this was my first time in Portugal and looking forward to returning to the Luna miramar many thanks to all the staff for making us all so welcome kind regards

Me & my partner have just returned from 5 days at Luna Miramar. We had a fantastic time! We had a one bedroom apartment and it had everything we needed! Yes the two single beds was a bit annoying but 2 out of the 4 nights we pulled the sofa bed out in the living room area and fell asleep watching TV which was comfy enough!Balcony overlooking the pool was nice too. Hotel was great, cleaning spot on with a beautiful reception area. No trouble getting beds around the pool but can see why it would get busy in high season! Few days I got a little bored of the buffet as we went all inclusive however other days they had some lovely choices! Had pool bar snacks on offer also. Good location about 15 mins walk to either old town or new town so went to both... just wish we had more time to discover what Albuferia has to offer! Stunning weather and great place! Would return!