HI Alcoutim – Pousada de Juventude — Hotel in Alcoutim

alcoutim is a lovely town on the enchanting river guardia. we visited in february and discovered only two accommodation options - a luxury hotel (closed) and the youth hostel. took a chance on this for around 30 euros a night for 2 (forget exact figure) and thoroughly enjoyed it. the building itself is stunning in both design and location, with great views over the river to spain. also has a large and inviting - but unheated - pool. some of the rooms are in a separate block overlooking the river, which is what we had and I'd recommend. they are however fairly spartan. if like me, you're 'mature' you probably wouldn't like the pousada if it was full of school groups, but when we stayed in february it was quiet and...

I stayed in a small double with en suite bathroom. The balcony faced the river. Would have been excellent were it not for the swallows nesting on the balcony. Bird droppings everywhere.|The pool is not heated. Still nice. Looked really clean.|Breakfast ok, but I also had extra food with me (banana, croissant, nice bread).|Unfortunately, the bed was extremely hard and uncomfortable. There was no mattress topper or extra padding — just a basic box spring or metal spring mattress that offered no support or softness. I woke up with back pain and did not sleep well during my stay. |Bathroom ok, shower cubicle really tiny. |Other guests were a bit dodgy but that is the joy...

Visiting the real Algarve in October of 2014 and walking some of the Via Algarviana GR13 we stayed for four nights on a historic Dutch sailing barge moored on the Rio Guadiana. Bird watching was a constant thing for us as the birds are so close! Superb food both on board and from the local traditional menus ashore at bargain prices meaning our €'s went a long long way. The owner will pick up and drop off from Faro or Seville Airports. You need to search for http://www.skutsje.co.uk/ (he is English man) or B&B Rio Guadiana, Alcoutim or similar. Fishing and sailing etc are part of this unique low cost (eco and £) way to see what is a fabulous area with year round...