Pure Formosa Concept Hotel — Hotel in Olhão

Very clean and new hotel. The carpets in the hallways were brilliant - well thought out to make wheeled suitcases easy to pull; also stylish. Bed was super comfortable, AC very effective, room was kept immaculately clean by friendly cleaning staff. Friendly staff served breakfast and in the roof top bar which was amazing, with 360degree views. Dipping pool and sun loungers were well-used; hard to get a lounger in time!Downside: some very odd management decisions. Despite description on Trip there was no cafe, no lunch or dinner and not even bar snacks! I rang on the 2nd day to ask for a bottle of water … response “Madam, this is a 3* hotel. You only get a bottle of water on your first day”!! Bizarre. I was able to buy a $0.99 bottle from the bar for €2.50!Breakfast: the ubiquitous coffee machine producing the most disgusting coffee - I tried all of them! In the end I risked tea and even the hot water had scum on it. I know I was not alone … bacon - HP sauce standing proud like a statue - no sausages, cooked tomato, fried egg etc! Pancakes and waffles - no syrup! Nice fresh bread rolls and croissants. Sliced cheese and packaged ham. Selection of cereals, orange juice and good selection of fruit. After 5 breakfasts I got fed up. WARNING - I was asked to give them my debit card to pay - she wrote down all the details! After I thought - why? I asked why - she said do they could charge me after I left if anything was missing or broken. I was assured this was legal in Portugal! I told them that was what “checkout” was for! I froze my card but I was really angry and when I have time to get a replacement I will need to cancel it! Balcony nice but only looked onto other rooms! Looking down - WHY NO GARDEN???!!! Just rooftops.I recommend a 4 hour boat trip …. Maybe 30m pleasant walk. Also hire bikes and go to the Nature Reserve - don’t miss Roman Salt Pits and...

On the positive side, the hotel boasts a beautifully curated Boho-style interior that adds a touch of charm to the ambiance. The rooftop provides a stunning panoramic view that is truly a highlight of the stay. In terms of amenities, the room is well-equipped with essentials, including a refrigerator, kettle, and ample storage space. The breakfast buffet is decent, offering a variety of fresh fruits, bread, and cereals to cater to different tastes.

However, there are some notable downsides to consider. The coffee served at the hotel, though coming from a machine with multiple options, left much to be desired in terms of flavor. Additionally, despite the hotel being relatively empty during my visit, the enforced three designated breakfast times seemed rigid and less accommodating for a leisurely vacation schedule. Another concern is the potential for noise disturbances. The thin walls make it easy to hear activities in neighboring rooms, including showers and other daily routines. This could pose a significant inconvenience, especially during peak occupancy periods. The parking situation is also worth mentioning. The hotel's private underground garage has limited spaces and comes with a steep nightly fee of 20 EUR. Fortunately, there are parking options on the street directly in front of the hotel, albeit at a cost. However, savvy guests may find free parking in the nearby side streets, which are just a short...

Booked 5 nights to “rest”…. Booked with 2 weeks to go so not much left! “Madam, this is a 3* hotel. You only get one bottle of water - on the first day”. Felt like it was built with aspirations but has not made enough. No restaurant or cafe - you must go out to eat! Bar on the top with 360degree views impressive and you can buy bottles of water for €2.50 (€.99 in nearby supermarkets). 15 minute walk along cobbled paths through tourist shops to the front - mainly harbour from where you can get a boat trip to the islands….4 hours for €20. Worth doing for interest …. Hotel is super clean and beautifully decorated. Rooms are decent sizes. I had a balcony …. But it was just a few meters from the windows of other guest rooms - I felt a bit odd sitting outside. There was an ash tray that seemed to be the main purpose of the balcony. The view was of the tops of the single storey bits …. No attempt to make it pleasant with a garden etc. breakfast was ok but bacon and no sausage , pancakes and no maple syrup. Basic. Nice fruit though. Coffee was absolutely awful out of a machine. Staff were, on the whole, lovely. Underwhelmed - expensive - but bed was comfortable, bedding immaculately clean, AC very efficient and carpets in hallway brilliant for pulling wheeled trolleys. 24 hour...