Conrad Algarve

Easily the worst 5* (really 3*) we have been to.

+ We arrived just after 3pm for a 2 night stay. All looked good on arrival. However, beware if you book this hotel personally, not via your business account. They may well actively punish you for it. We were advised that because a person who had an American Express booked just days ago, before staying (a few days ago”) , we booked our room by phone weeks ago, they had “bumped” us out of our room and we had to wait until 5pm to check in as a result. Those with American Express need more time to check out seemingly, draw your own conclusions as to why, and what the clientele are then likely like, if they need such a late check out on rooms that are already booked. In all my years staying in very nice resorts I have never felt such levels of disregard. Unless you paid with an AMEX (very odd in Europe), you don’t matter here, that was made crystal clear. I have never paid so much to stay somewhere that didn’t want you there, and made it really obvious from the first second you arrived. The opposite of a good 5* resort. As an experience, it’s 2-3*. For context, it’s not the most expensive, in the world, but for Portugal it might be. It’s around €1k per night (1200$). If this is the service, go to Spain, stay in an Intercontinental, you will be treated properly, not like an inconvenience, like a client. You feel welcome and valued from the first second, here, you are an inconvenience if you don’t book with an AMEX, you are “less than”. I will never stay here, or in any Hilton Group hotel for my business travel or otherwise. We were in shock. We booked our room, we were requested to prepay for it, then on arrival we were advised that basically “more important” people, by virtue of the credit card they used, had taken our room and delayed our check in by 2 hours. It was really clear “you don’t matter”, only “AMEX” clients matter. The person booking was probably using business points, not paying personally. Likely not a prospect for repeat custom. A really bad business model. They offered us “credits” and platitudes but for such an expensive resort they were all but worthless in the context of a short stay. The staff were relatively polite, not overly at management level I have to say, and not overly apologetic. It was a normal issue they were wholly desensitised too so they saw it as normal. We were treated as though we should have known this was a risk here. Confused looks. It was a burden to tell us this. It really spoiled our stay here, on arrival, and I have to say I would not book again as a result. Stick to Marriott, IHG etc who treat all clients with respect, don’t pay over the odds for Hilton where they profile you on the credit card you used to book. They will punish you for it. I don’t need a AMEX, I had one 20 years ago, I need a reliable hotel. They want business travellers here only by the look of things. People making personal bookings are “less than”, or “not privileged” was the exact quote I got. It’s a resort, not really a place for financial people using points for their family stay, the custom is diverse. As an aside, the hotel is nice, not 5* in other countries but very nice. The staff and service are 3* and that is our overarching view of this place. I am here now, it’s a 3* resort client service, likely 4*+ or 5* by how it looks. But nothing could take away from how bad they make you feel checking in. If you don’t use AMEX to check in they basically treat you as though you don’t matter, you are ballast on a ship, you exist to fill the rooms AMEX paying clients don’t have, and you should be glad that they “let” you stay here until an AMEX person wants your room. Easily the worst 5* experience I have had. To be told on check in that somebody booked a few days ago, was given your prepaid room and won’t be leaving until they are ready, is the epitome of bad client service. It’s below 3*. To lose your room to a double booked customer, who only booked a few days ago is the epitome of bad service, it should be studied by the competition on how “not to behave”. I felt bad for the staff. It’s not their choice, but they are desensitised to it. Do not book here unless you are aware of this. It’s almost €1k per night and you can be treated very badly just because of the method of payment used. If you have an AMEX ( and pound the skies for a job), then go for it. It’s probably quite nice. But if you don’t, avoid this like the plague. It’s a terrible place where you are profiled and reduced on arrival regardless of the room price. Astonishing. A terrible place in truth, unbecoming of our custom. A low grade hotel masquerading as something better. We are disgusted to stay here. If we had a longer visit (we come here for 1 month every year), I would have sought a refund and moved to another hotel, which are better in many ways just because they make you feel welcome and wanted. A disgraceful service, shameful.

Wonderful, stylish relaxing break, great location and all staff service was totally excellent, professional and very hel

+ Modern, comfortable, stylish surrounding with separate adults and children’s pools

− Nothing

Nice Hotel, but the Pool Area Felt Strangely Lifeless**

+ We booked the Conrad based on the many excellent reviews online for a friends 40th and arrived with high expectations. Unfortunately, our experience didn’t quite live up to them. While the rooms are very spacious, we found the décor quite dated and corporate compared with the rest of the hotel. The tiled flooring makes the rooms feel cold and particularly echoey, and noise travels easily — I was woken each morning by footsteps from neighbouring rooms. We were also surprised by the complete lack of background music around the adults’ pool. While we appreciate a peaceful atmosphere, it felt almost eerily quiet at times, with most guests wearing headphones, very little ambience. On a positive note, we really enjoyed the Nest Bar. The cocktails were excellent and it had a lovely atmosphere. Unfortunately, our final evening ended on a disappointing note. We sat down for dinner at 9pm and ordered only a main course as we had an early flight the following morning. Our food didn’t arrive until 10:45pm — a wait of 1 hour 45 minutes, which we felt was completely unacceptable. To make matters worse the food that did arrive was very poor quality - the pork included 3 cubes of meat. Overall, there are some lovely aspects to the hotel, but given its reputation and price point, we expected a much higher standard and sadly left feeling disappointed.

Exceeds expectations every time

+ The Conrad Quinta do Lago continues to exceed our expectations. We returned for our 5th year for a family holiday and once again the food, amenities and particularly the recent upgrade to the restaurant are top class. But what sets this hotel apart are the amazing staff. Ricardo's team at the pool, including Anna, Babu, Caleb, Esther, Rafael, Lucky, and Alan went out of their way to make sure we were looked after and were always on hand to help. They provided us with sushi that was to die for each day!! Eli, Mafalda and Filipa welcomed us every morning at breakfast with smiles and chat and anticipated our every need. The bar staff were equally as attentive and welcoming, every evening we received an amazing greeting from, Ilido, Rajon, Ranjita, Collins along with Niki and Bianca. A fabulous hotel stay. We'll be back next year.

Another amazing stay at Conrad Algarve

+ This was our 4th time to stay at Conrad Algarve and it really did not disappoint. Myself and my husband stayed for 4 nights and it was amazing. The staff, each and every staff member are extra friendly and helpful. We had such a relaxing time, I did not want to leave. Thank you everyone at Conrad Algarve , cannot wait to return for a 5th time in October.

5 day treat

+ The property is excellent very modern beautiful interiors lovely bars , rooms are spacious well equipped . Bathrooms and products were beautiful Swimming pool and surrounding areas were very clean good quality loungers . Amazing members of staff throughout the hotel . Food was very good did not try Gusto .

− View from the room we were in it looked on to apartments belonging to vote I would have preferred a view of pool or the beautiful gardens