I've just come back from the Paraiso, and also stayed on the 4th floor. You can just about see the sea, but I wouldn't call it a "sea-view". It's a good 15 minutes or so walk to the beach. I would recommend car hire as there are some great beaches around the area. You will enjoy the Paraiso, it's a great hotel (the apartments are massive and worth the upgrade).

Robby

We've just returned from a week here. If anyone has any questions do ask..I've also posted our review as I know how much I appreciated reading other's reviews.
Best regards
helen

I was a little surprised at some of your low scores, but that's obviously how you found it. The only niggly negative for me was the drinks could be pricey, buts it's 4* and the same as the rest really, and the "Happy Hour" was excellent . Staff wise though, no problems, I found them quite laid back and helpful.
I was there in February and couldn't fault it, it's a great hotel. The Modelo is a Godsend, with a great food court underneath. I would recommend care hire in Albufeira as it is quite hilly, so walking does take a little longer on average.
Glad you enjoyed the hotel though.

Robby

Reading the review I am pleased that Helen would be more likely to go S/C than All Inc next time.

I don't just make it up you know!

I wouldn't do A/I there as well. There's too much to do in Albufeira to go A/I. In fact I would only do it on a S/C basis, a great base.

Robby

I would never do A/I anywhere in the Algarve as you can eat out so cheaply and have such a great choice of places to eat!
Part of the fun is trying out different places too!
Pat

Hi

A big group of us are looking at going here next year the main consensus is that if we go AI it would be better for the kids etc.
But I am not a lover of the AI drinks you get with this package.
What do you all think?
I suppose those that want to can go SC in the same hotel.
I also like going to different resturants.
mrsfusspot what do you of the hotel is the entertaiment good of an evening.
Is it far to walk to the eateries?

Thanks

Hi Tony - it is quite a hike to teh strip 20 mins + and the old town but there are some places to eat nearby ..have a look at the map I posted and you'll get an idea of what is nearby . (taxi was never more than 4 euros )
The only problem is that the drinks / snacks / lunch will all add up if you don't go AI , I know what kids are like ,drinks + icecream etc so I have to say that if you can get a good deal - then do go AI . Then you still have the choice to go out as we did .
We paid £350 each AI for 1 week over Easter in an apartment to sleep 4 so I thought that was quite good . We did eat out on a couple of occasions and did buy some wine in the hotel restaurant . There is a happy hour 6-7 , 2 for 1 drinks . But AI drinks were not the international brands and my hiusband asked for stronger drinks and still coudln't taste the vodka / gin etc
The entertainment was okay when they were external (parrot show etc) but if you like a pub singer then it' s not for you . The internal team were a lovely bunch of poeple and really funny as individuals and did try really hard but they were really amaturish..which is what they are let's face i

Hi mrsfusspot

I have some more questions if you don't mind.
It looks as I will be booking for 29 people on monday for next year.
Some including myself are think of doing SC.
Can you remember how much say for a pint of international beer or a short was?
Can you buy just the kids AI for drinks and or meals?
Are the restaurants reasonably priced?
Is the AI food of a good standard like you would get in a restaurant?(As it is a 4* hotel)
Are the AI drinks not up to much as I have done AI before and was disappointed with the drinks?
My price will be approx £1400 cheaper to do SC than AI I think with that and maybe a bit more I can survive for two weeks!!
Are soft drinks expensive in the hotel.
Are the drinks as a whole cheaper dearer in the hotel compared to the bars etc.

hi tony
Can you remember how much say for a pint of international beer or a short was?
I think it was 3 euros but I'm sure someone may correct me .
Can you buy just the kids AI for drinks and or meals? Not sure - I'd suggest that you contact the hotel direct , maybe you shoudl do that anyway to try to get a better price ..here's the link to teh compnay website http://www.paraisodealbufeira.pt/en/index.php
Are the restaurants reasonably priced?
I'd say so ..we ate out at ta steak house in the strip and I had a gorgeous mixed meat kebab with salad & fries for 10 euros, but the cost obviously does add up if you're drinking .
Is the AI food of a good standard like you would get in a restaurant?(As it is a 4* hotel)
no it' s not as you'd get in a restaurant ,it coudln't be but it's not awful and I don't mean to give that impression, the pool bar was really fresh and offered salad & fresh baguettes as well as the normal pizza, burgers etc . Breakfast was fine and the dinner always offered choice , soup , salads some starters, cheese and lovely fruit besides a number of main courses .
Are the AI drinks not up to much as I have done AI before and was disappointed with the drinks?
I was disappointed as tehre were no cocktails offered , drank sangria a lot but the drinks weren't very strong ( that's my husband's opinion ) even when we asked for stronger drinks , the staff will give them to you . I woudl have a coffee liqueur with my cup of "Strong white coffee" again requested , husband thought beer was okay .
My price will be approx £1400 cheaper to do SC than AI I think with that and maybe a bit more I can survive for two weeks!! is that for all 29 of you ?? If it's just for your family (of 4??) then I'd say yes go sc
[i]Are soft drinks expensive in the hotel. [/b[/i]]I'd say yes again it will [b]certainly add up if you're buying for 29 people ..imagine the bar bill. However, you wil have a fridge in your apartment there's the modelo supermarket very nearby and drinks are mega cheap there.
Are the drinks as a whole cheaper dearer in the hotel compared to the bars etc. Yes & same answer as above Hope that's helped do ask again if not clear and perhaps someone else who's stayed there , can give another perspective . regards
Helen

My price will be approx £1400 cheaper to do SC than AI I think with that and maybe a bit more I can survive for two weeks!!

That's exactly the point, it gives you more choice.
The drinks were around €3 or so a "pint", cocktail €6 and long drinks around €4.5. Take advantage of their happy hour.
The food is on the pricey side, though not massively excessive.
You will miss out a great deal I think on A/I, as there are some great finds in Albufeira. Also there are some great beaches as well, so A/I would be a waste there.
One tip I would pass on though, is to upgrade to an apartment, rather than take a studio. The apartments are massive, and are supplied with everything you may need.

Best of luck whatever you decide. I'm already thinking of booking this hotel again for next February, and it will be S/C.

Robby

And do they have fridges in the rooms.
And where would you say are the best positioned rooms, what floors facing where? etc etc.

3 out of 6 familes have decided now to go for the SC option.
Everybody's help has been most welcome.
Thanks

I have only got 15 mths to wait now :-(
Best start saving :-)

I've only done S/C, so obviously the rooms have fridges.

As for rooms, I would ask for a room with a pool view, otherwise you will be facing the car park and overlooking a busy road.

It's a great hotel, you won't be disappointed.

Robby
Edited to add weblink:

http://www.paraisodealbufeira.pt/en/index.php

The apartmemts are large and very well equipped , didn't see the orther size rooms. And I agree about pool view too.
If you 've never been to the algarve before do consider exploring as it's lovely and you do end up being tied to 1 place if you go all inclusive , it's only natural that you shoudl want to get the best value . We've been 4 times to the algarve so weren't so worried about that and it was more for my son's sake (nearly 15) that we went to the paraiso in the first place as they do have the facilities to keep teens entertained .
Have a great holiday and am glad that this has helped as I know how much I appreciated everyone's advice .
Regards
Helen

http://www.freemaps.net/en/download.shtml
do download the maps of the various areas as this has got a lot of local restaurants / places on interest on them ..Albufeira and Montechoro(or the strip) are featured . We found this very useful to get our bearings too.
Rgds
Helen

I am staying at the paraiso de albufeira from the 18th may for a week. Does anyone no what the weather will be like at this time and also what the hotel will be like ? Also how far away is the hotel from the beach and the strip ?

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=70833

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/holiday_truths/hotel_reviews/455/Paraiso%20De%20Albufeira/

Click the links above.

Robby

Hi, I am travelling to the Paraiso on the 1st June on a self catering basis and was wondering if you could possibly tell me if the Health Club is free to everyone or do you have to pay if you're not All Inclusive?

Many Thanks