Aqua Pedra dos Bicos Design Beach Hotel — Hotel in Albufeira

We stayed on a half-board basis. The hotel was clean and quiet. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the strip, and there’s a beach nearby, though it’s a bit tricky to access. We didn’t use the pool as it didn’t seem to be heated (we visited in April).

You have the option to skip room cleaning in exchange for a voucher (I believe it was €5) to use in the hotel’s restaurants. The receptionist didn’t explain this well—we just saw it on the welcome paper they gave us. We chose not to opt in since we preferred having our room cleaned daily. Besides, there are plenty of places to eat outside during lunchtime.

Room: The room was okay. It had air conditioning and a balcony. We couldn’t hear any road noise from inside, which was great. There was a Nespresso capsule coffee machine, and they provided two capsules per day. If you run out, you can easily buy more at Aldi or Intermarché nearby. There was also a Smeg kettle—maybe that’s part of the “designer” touch.

There was a minibar, but the items weren’t complimentary, so be cautious. The bathroom had a high bathtub, which might be difficult to get in and out of, especially for those with mobility issues. The sink wasn’t very practical due to its round design. The shower pressure was also a bit weak compared to other hotels we’ve stayed in.

Entertainment: There was only one form of entertainment during our stay: a man singing while playing the piano. Aside from that, the hotel was very quiet. They had a TV in the entertainment area showing some sports, but that was it. If you’re looking for a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, this hotel fits the bill. However, we were expecting more entertainment, perhaps nightly live music. It might have been quiet because it wasn’t peak season.

Food: Breakfast was okay. There were two coffee machines, both working well, and they served pastel de nata every morning, which we enjoyed. You could get water, juice, and even sparkling wine. Dinner, however, was underwhelming. The selection was very limited, and there seemed to be more vegetarian dishes than meat options—honestly, it was one of the oddest dinner selections we’ve seen.

Desserts were limited but surprisingly delicious. Be aware that you’re not allowed to bring your own drinks to dinner. A bottle of water costs €3, and a soda is about €4. Overall, you’d probably have a better dining experience outside the hotel than paying for the half-board option. There were a lot of empty tables at dinner, which felt unusual compared to other hotels where dining areas are typically busy.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 This hotel is best suited for people who want a very quiet and relaxing stay. While the place is clean and modern, it felt a bit soulless due to the lack of atmosphere. The staff didn’t come across as particularly warm or welcoming, especially compared to other hotels we’ve stayed at. I wasn’t expecting a party hotel, but I was hoping for more entertainment and amenities to enjoy within the hotel itself. If you’re after lively evenings, a variety of food, or a more engaging vibe, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.

Pros: • Modern and clean • Close to the strip

Cons: • Limited food options • Minimal entertainment • Staff not very welcoming • Small...

Aqua Pedra dos Bicos Design Hotel – A Fantastic Stay!

We absolutely loved our stay at this hotel!

Every member of staff from reception to housekeeping to the restaurant was incredibly friendly, helpful, and welcoming. They made us feel right at home throughout our five-night stay, and the service consistently exceeded our expectations.

The hotel is in a great location. There’s a supermarket nearby for essentials, and the beach is just an 8–10 minute walk away. There, you can rent sunbeds or simply bring your own towel and chill on the sand, which we preferred. While the pool area is a little small, that wasn’t an issue for us, as we spent most of our time exploring or at the beach.

The ‘new town’ or ‘strip’ is just around the corner, so the area outside the hotel has a lively, party-like atmosphere. However, inside the hotel, it’s a completely different story, very relaxed and civilised. The ‘old town’ is a 15-minute Uber ride away, costing roughly £3.50 per trip—so cheap! The Uber system works really well, with taxis arriving within one or two minutes of ordering. We went to the old town for dinner on three of our five nights.

Our room was modern and well-designed, featuring high ceilings, blackout curtains, soundproof walls, a SMEG kettle, and a very comfortable bed. The only minor downside was the limited surface space and lack of drawers, which meant we had to live out of our suitcases. We were initially given a ground-floor room, but since we had booked a premium option, we asked to move. The staff were very accommodating and relocated us to a third-floor room with a stunning sea view. We spent part of every evening enjoying it from our balcony.

The Wi-Fi in the hotel was also excellent—free, fast, and reliable throughout our stay.

The hotel helped make my boyfriend’s 30th birthday really special. I had been in contact with Liliana from Guest Relations before our trip to inform her of our celebrations, and she went above and beyond. The room was decorated with a personalised card using a message I’d provided, along with a delicious red velvet cake, a candle, balloon, and a bottle of prosecco.

We also appreciated the hotel’s green initiative, which allows guests to skip daily room cleaning in exchange for drink tokens to use at the bar. It’s a clever and sustainable approach that I wish more hotels offered. We were happy to take part and enjoy a couple of complimentary drinks!

The breakfast was excellent, with a wide range of options including a full English, pastries, cheeses, cereals, yoghurts, and fresh fruit. We also tried the hotel’s buffet dinner one night and were impressed by the variety and quality, especially given the relatively small size of the restaurant.

One practical note: there is a tourist/city tax of €2 per person per night, payable on arrival.

Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would absolutely recommend Aqua Pedra dos Bicos...

I don’t have unreasonable expectations and travel regularly. I was really excited for our holiday to Aqua Pedra dos Bicos, but for the price charged, the hotel fell far short of the standards I’ve experienced elsewhere for much less money.||Food & Drink| • Food is acceptable and generally of good quality, but very limited in choice for a hotel of this size.| • Drinks are extortionately priced (€4 for a can of cola or lemonade in the lobby), which feels exploitative to paying guests.| • I appreciated the option to decline room cleaning in exchange for food vouchers — one of the few thoughtful touches.||Facilities & Amenities| • The pool is surrounded by guest rooms, far too small for the number of people, and freezing cold (23°C in September — everyone commented on it).| • WiFi constantly disconnected, leaving me unknowingly using mobile data.| • Flies were a constant nuisance in the pool area. The pool is surrounded by grass which is watered; meaning mud gets onto your feet and into the pool etc | • The large lobby space comes at the expense of guest rooms, which have very little storage. Every couple we spoke to raised this same issue.||Rooms & Comfort| • Quiet at night, but basic faults spoiled the stay:| • Bathroom sink had no plug, making shaving or washing impossible.| • Bath had a plug, but could only be filled with the shower head. | • Shower pressure was dreadful.| • Beds were two singles pushed together, so any attempt to be close to my partner meant falling into the gap.| • Balcony clothes rail was broken — only fixed after reporting it three times.| • Pool towels are charged at €3 each, and when housekeeping removed ours, reception initially tried to charge €6 to replace them. This is ridiculous and mean-spirited for paying guests.||Service| • Staff were polite but indifferent. No one checked in to see if things were satisfactory or if we needed anything.| • Reported problems (toilet flush running all night, broken balcony rail) were only dealt with after the third complaint.| • The hotel advertises itself as adults-only and “no groups,” yet it tolerated a huge, loud group who were disruptive, messy, and unpleasant. Nothing was done despite the impact on other guests.||Location| • The hotel is modern and clean, with easy access to the beach, restaurants, and the infamous Strip.| • However, it is in a very British and lively area, which may appeal to some but is not what I would have chosen had I known.||⸻||Overall|None of these issues in isolation would have ruined our holiday, but together they created a constant stream of disappointment. Every time I thought the hotel couldn’t let us down further, it did.||For the price being charged, guests should expect far better service, amenities, and overall quality. Most other couples we spoke to also said they were disappointed, so I am genuinely curious how the hotel has attracted such strongly...