The Albufeira Jardim 1 and 2 Apartment complex is extremely large and is spread over a huge area. The complex is also very steep and it is rare to get an apartment that doesn’t require you to climb a number of steps to reach it.
For this reason, this Albufeira holidays resort it is not recommended for people with mobility problems or children that need to be carried. Saying that it is still a popular place for cheap holidays in Albufeira, and if you’re comfortable with steps, then you should enjoy staying at the Albufeira Jardim Apartments.
Location
The Albufeira Jardim is located on the West side of the town, about 15-20 minutes from the Old Town in one direction and the beach in the other. Both the town and the beach are downhill which means quite a steep walk back to the apartments. There is a good local taxi service however and occasional public transport to make these Albufeira holidays less strenuous. The hotel also provides a complementary bus service to the Old Town.
Hotel Facilities
The Albufeira Jardim 1 and 2 Apartments offer many of the facilities that you would expect from cheap holidays in Albufeira. The complex is surrounded by pleasant gardens with three tennis courts and great views of the ocean. There are multiple swimming pools available, two of which are heated for Albufeira holidays during the winter months, and there is a pool bar for drinks and snacks. Both of the large pools have a sun terrace with loungers and each has great views of the ocean.
Albufeira holidays at the Albufeira Jardim 1 and 2 Apartments also offer evening entertainment in the form of karaoke, a bar, two restaurants and a coffee bar. The reception area in both apartment complexes is manned 24 hours and there is free parking for hire cars. Just down the road from the complex you can find a supermarket and newsagents plus a large laundrette.
Unfortunately there is not much in the way of children’s entertainment on these cheap holidays in Albufeira however the Old Town has plenty of children’s attractions and is only a 15 minute walk from the hotel.
Room Facilities
There are nearly 300 apartments on this Albufeira holidays hotel complex however most of them do require you to climb steps to reach them. Once there though, the apartments are simple yet clean and quite spacious. The apartments range from studios through to 2 bedroom apartments with basic kitchen facilities. The living area is comfortable and is equipped with a TV however there is an additional charge to use it. Each apartment has a balcony or terrace, en-suite bathroom facilities and a kitchen with basic cooking utensils.
Reviews of the rooms at this Albufeira holidays hotel range from good to bad. Most say however that the rooms are very clean and that the maid service is great – with fresh towels and sheets three to four times a week. The main criticism is that you have to pay a charge for the TV but this isn’t unusual on cheap holidays in Albufeira.
Bars and Restaurants
The Albufeira Jardim 1 Apartment complex has two restaurants and a bar that can be used by guests staying in either of the two apartment complexes. The food is said to be very good and relatively inexpensive. Plus there is a choice of menu between the two restaurants. Alternatively there is a coffee bar for snacks or the nearby supermarket if you prefer to cook yourself. People spending their Albufeira holidays at the hotel often walk down to the Old Town though and sample the traditional cafes and restaurants there.
Overall Assessment
The Albufeira Jardim 1 and 2 Apartments are suitable for some people but not others because of the steepness of the complex. Even the town and beach are downhill although there are ways of getting back uphill without walking. The hotel is close to the town and its amenities which makes it a popular place for many people when booking their Albufeira holidays.
The facilities on the complex are good with multiple swimming pools, tennis courts and a games room being available. There are two nice restaurants and a coffee bar for relaxing in before dinner. The children’s entertainment is not great but with the Old Town being so close this isn’t usually a problem. The apartments are clean and tidy although some say they aren’t as well equipped as they would have liked – plus you have to pay for the TV.
Good Points, Large balcony with sunbeds,No disturbance at night, Pool area good,didn’t wake up to towels on sunbeds first thing in the morning,Beds were comfortable,Restaurant reasonably priced and Staff friendly.
Bad Points, Decor needed to be updated badly and cheeeful pictures need to replace the ones on the walls,the bathroom had drab brown/tan tiles which are awful,the room was very dark,the only mirror was in bathroom,so to blow dry hair was impossible,a full length mirror is needed near a plug,and though there were a few lights in the main room it was dull.
Having returned from these apartments on 21st May 2010. We arrived, checked in, given our key, a map on were our apartment was and told a mini bus would take us to our apartment. When asked why we needed a mini bus the receptionist informed us that the apartment was at the very back of the complex.This is a very large complex, up a hill/alot of stairs and the apartment blocks do not have any lifts.
As I have mobility problems, I asked if we could have a room on a low level. After explaining that “I know a low level was not requested when it was originaly booked” and “When it was booked I didn’t know I would be having another opp” “There was also no mention that the apartments don’t have lifts and the amount of stairs and hills to climb to get to the rooms on the website” the receptionist reluctantly gave us a lower level apartment, without the spectacular view we would have had!! The apartments are very basic and our beds were the couches!! Around the pool, we needed to check the sun beds, a number of them are broken and dangerous.The matresses that you hire for the beds,are full of holes and spiders!! The showers at the pool did not work. Most of the staff at the pool bar were friendly enough they just didn’t know what was on their menu. Rather than check they would say “We don’t do them”!! There must be limited hot water for the apartments if you want a shower late(ish) 6-7pm, there wasn’t any!! The water was ok of a morning as long as you were quick. Over all the apartments are not all they say they are, the web site lists irons and ironing boards. They don’t do ironing boards and the irons were all hired out. There wasn’t many people there either. They must only have one for hire so would recommend taking your own.Luckily we never spent to much time in the apartment or by the pool but at least the cleaners gave fresh towels each day. If you have mobility problems these apartments are not for you, even on a low level, as to go in to the centre is very hilly.