Calheiros — Restaurant in Albufeira

We booked with through Jet2 as it was advertised as a hotel in Albuferia, in reality the hotel is in Ohlos D'Agua and upon arrival there looked little about. We were dropped off at the front of the building and had to trapse round the block as the hotel reception was closed and we had to check in at the Oceanus which was next door. This left us a little waryto start with. ||||Upon entering the hotel itself we realised there was nothing to be wary of, the communal areas were very clean and could only be accessed via card entry so no one can walk in off the street, the lighting on the corridors is activated only when you walk in them so very enviro friendly. The room itself was a good size, a single bed just as you enter which could be used as a sofa, seperate bathroom with a very good shower, good size newly done out kitchen with all the gadgets you'd need, microwave, toaster etc and well equipped with knives, cooking utensil (we didn't us these), plates etc, there was a good sized table to eat off, two comft chairs , flat screen TV. The bedroom could be screened off and the only fault we had was that the pillows were on the small size and were only just bigger than cushions but there were spares, we used two so it was no problem really. The room was cleaned 6 times whilst we were there so we had no complaints.||||The pool area, we couldn't believe more people didn't use this, some days we could be there for hours before any one else joined us. The pool area was clean, plenty of sun beds and umbrellas. There is a kiddies pool, the shallow end was 1mt 10 but the deep end was very deep, 3 mt 10. There was also a small bar which opened in the afternoon, usually from about 1 until 5. Probably in high season it would be open longer hours, there was also a restuarant attached to the hotel but we didn't use this, it smelt nice and the menu looked good but we preferred to go further into the village to eat. ||||On the back of the property you can see a chinese and couple of traditional restuarants, further up the street at the back was the pharmacy and there was also a really good sandwich cafe, Nicola, which we used at dinner. There is also a supermarket nearby which seemed to be open longer hours than Tesco. ||||The village itself seemed really small but as you explore there seemed to be more bars, restuarants and different ways to get back to the hotel other than the killer hill where Friends bar is. There are some really nice restuarants in the resort, Cantil, Fratelli and the one with the yellow canopy at the back of the hotel (can't remember it's name) are really good, enjoyed Azul and Ambrosia & Nectar as well, ate there when Portugal played in the Euro's and there was a really good atmosphere. For a couple of really good bars try Pickwicks near the beach, they have some interesting pictures of how the resort used to look and Friends Bar, Ricardo is a top bloke!||||To begin with we didn't know if there would be enough bars and restuarants for us for the week but by the time we were due to leave we could have easily stayed...

We booked with through Jet2 as it was advertised as a hotel in Albuferia, in reality the hotel is in Ohlos D'Agua and upon arrival there looked little about. We were dropped off at the front of the building and had to trapse round the block as the hotel reception was closed and we had to check in at the Oceanus which was next door. This left us a little waryto start with. ||||Upon entering the hotel itself we realised there was nothing to be wary of, the communal areas were very clean and could only be accessed via card entry so no one can walk in off the street, the lighting on the corridors is activated only when you walk in them so very enviro friendly. The room itself was a good size, a single bed just as you enter which could be used as a sofa, seperate bathroom with a very good shower, good size newly done out kitchen with all the gadgets you'd need, microwave, toaster etc and well equipped with knives, cooking utensil (we didn't us these), plates etc, there was a good sized table to eat off, two comft chairs , flat screen TV. The bedroom could be screened off and the only fault we had was that the pillows were on the small size and were only just bigger than cushions but there were spares, we used two so it was no problem really. The room was cleaned 6 times whilst we were there so we had no complaints.||||The pool area, we couldn't believe more people didn't use this, some days we could be there for hours before any one else joined us. The pool area was clean, plenty of sun beds and umbrellas. There is a kiddies pool, the shallow end was 1mt 10 but the deep end was very deep, 3 mt 10. There was also a small bar which opened in the afternoon, usually from about 1 until 5. Probably in high season it would be open longer hours, there was also a restuarant attached to the hotel but we didn't use this, it smelt nice and the menu looked good but we preferred to go further into the village to eat. ||||On the back of the property you can see a chinese and couple of traditional restuarants, further up the street at the back was the pharmacy and there was also a really good sandwich cafe, Nicola, which we used at dinner. There is also a supermarket nearby which seemed to be open longer hours than Tesco. ||||The village itself seemed really small but as you explore there seemed to be more bars, restuarants and different ways to get back to the hotel other than the killer hill where Friends bar is. There are some really nice restuarants in the resort, Cantil, Fratelli and the one with the yellow canopy at the back of the hotel (can't remember it's name) are really good, enjoyed Azul and Ambrosia & Nectar as well, ate there when Portugal played in the Euro's and there was a really good atmosphere. For a couple of really good bars try Pickwicks near the beach, they have some interesting pictures of how the resort used to look and Friends Bar, Ricardo is a top bloke!||||To begin with we didn't know if there would be enough bars and restuarants for us for the week but by the time we were due to leave we could have easily stayed...

Edited 2023 (4 star)....

So I have knocked a star off the review to 4 star. There has been a change of some kind and the service has suffered as a result. The food is still very good (quality has dipped slightly but still high), and we have still been 3-4 times. The staff, however, are no longer particularly friendly or attentive. We have big waits between courses and long waits for the bill. The staff no longer have a chat or banter with you. I have not seen the lady who used to run the place and keep them in check, so I assume she has left. Still great food but no longer great service

Original review 2022 (5 star)....

This is, in my opinion, the best restaurant in olhas de agua. We have been coming here for 5+ years and it never disappoints.

The staff are always friendly and remember if you have been before. They will chat and have a laugh with you, even though it is usually very busy.

Menu wise, it's massive. There is so much choice through fish (sole, bream, tuna, swordfish, shrimp, salmon, more) and meat (steak, pork, chicken, lamb). Most is served with rice, salad and fries which oddly makes a great combo. Portion sizes are also large.

Dishes of note for us... Garlic bread Grilled shrimp Grilled ribs Mixed fish Lamb stew Cataplana Steak portugese Algarve cake

Prices range from 13 to 40 euros for main meals. With wine and 3 courses it's usually about 40 per head which I good for...