We were treated very badly by the management here, we had fully booked and paid for a 1 bed apt for 3 people but when we arrived they only had a studio for 2 ready. We showed evidence that we had paid in full but the manager refused to acknowledge this and gave us only 3 options:
1) Move to a different hotel much further away at an extra cost
2) Put a third bed into the tiny studio at an extra cost of 150 euro
or
3) Go somewhere else!!

We opted for the extra bed but it was shocking that we had to pay extra when we already had paid in full. The room was tiny, stuffy and practically airless. All 3 of us suffered from headaches due to the lack of oxegen in the room. There was no windows and the air vents were blocked.
The place was also crawling with cockroaches which didn't help.

We thought we were going to get a nice cheap and cheerful holiday but what we got was nothing but stress and misery.

Its a real pity as the location is very good but i wouldn't recommend this place on that basis. In fact i would tell everyone not to bother.

Fantastic apartments, set in a lovely tropical set, large pool, lots of sunbeds, quite through the day, but served good food and drinks.

Room was not ready on arrival, infact was not ready until 3 in afternoon which did annoy us!!

Not all two bedrooms are annex style as we found out, 6 girls with one bathrrom, not great!!

Location was fantastic, 10 mins to beach, 2 mins to strip, but far enough not to get noise at night.

Going to book these apartments for next year

Let me start on a positive, the apartments are very central both for the shops, restaurants and ‘The Strip’. The pool was clean and there is an abundance of sun loungers with free cushioned mattresses. The pool side snack bar is basic but food is good and not too costly. The gardens surrounding the pool are beautiful and the setting is perfect for a relaxing laze by the pool. There was always plenty of hot water in the apartment at any time of the day with great power in the shower. The cleaners came everyday and are very friendly and do a great job.

Now the negative part, one word Cockroaches! I had read on the website before we booked that some previous guests had experienced problems with cockroaches on the ground floor apartments. With this in mind we specifically requested for a first floor apartment with our original booking. We then emailed to confirm the reservation one week prior to arrival, which was confirmed by the hotel. When we arrived we were advised there were no first floor apartments available but were offered a 2-bedroom apartment with a private garden (the ‘Cockroach Palace’ as it soon was named) for no additional cost as we had only booked for a 1-bed.

This particular apartment was situated away from the main block in a block by a car park and rubbish bins. Firstly the overwhelming smell of damp when entering the apartment was stifling. The shutters, which took great strength and willpower to lift to allow light in. The 70’s style décor we could just about come to terms with along with the damp beds but on the 2nd day when we spotted a huge cockroach in one of the wardrobes hanging off my friends linen trousers. We managed to tackle the our ‘friend’ out to the garden door from the bedroom and breathed a sigh of relief that was until his uncle, aunts, cousins and most of his cockroach family decided to come and live in the wardrobe in the bedroom! We complained to reception who were not very helpful and gave us a bug spray, which when sprayed not only made you gag but brought tears to your eyes. However not to be beaten we continued to tackle the critters with rubber gloves, drinking glasses and a lot of screaming and standing on chairs! We were also told to keep all doors and windows closed – so not only were we subjected to sharing our apartment with our freeloading ‘friends’ but in the month of June were told to sit in a prison like apartment with now natural daylight and sweat profusely.

Eventually after we tacked upwards of 20 cockroaches and sleepless nights of listening to them running around the apartment we decided enough was enough and once again complained to reception without success, undeterred we asked to speak to the Hotel Manager. What can I say about Lilly (The Hotel Director). Patronising is the word that best describes Lilly. She was very dismissive of our complaint and at the beginning of our conversation refused to even entertain the idea that her apartments may have a cockroach problem. When we suggested she came and viewed ‘Cockroach Palace’ she surprisingly declined. After some very loud discussions in the main reception whereby my friend and I discussed the “cockroach infestation in their hotel” in front of bemused guests booking in we were eventually offered a first floor apartment in the main block – bliss! I must say Lilly did provide us with a small bottle of wine; however a higher level of service and less of her dismissive manor would have been more welcome!

Apartment number two was like paradise, albeit with its recognisable 70’s décor and our view of a building site from the balcony and a few more miniature ‘friends’ came a calling but nothing compared to ‘Cockroach Palace’

The moral of this review is be prepared for a 1 – 2* quality apartment not 3*, always insist on a first floor apartment and be stern with Lilly!

Also beware when asking reception to call you a taxi – they charge €1.50 for the privilege.

Stayed at Solar de Sao Joao for one week at easter this year. Our 2 bedroom apt was spotlessly clean. 2 bedroom apts are duplex, 1 twin room and full bathroom upstairs. 1 twin room, full bathroom, kitchen/dinette and living area with sofa bed downstairs. The kitchen was basic but microwave, toaster, kettle and cooking rings were provided. There are 2 large balconies, 1 upstairs, 1 down, both overlooking the pool. TV in apt and NO CHARGE.
The stairs in the apartment are quite steep and spiral and could be dangerous for young children.

During our weeks stay, we only had one bad day, when it rained most of the day. The rest of the week was lovely.

1 Large pool and a separate children's paddling pool set in nice gardens and all well maintained, however both pools freezing! Well stocked bar with seating inside and out also serving food. Plenty of sunbeds available and no charge for them.

Found the staff all to be very friendly. The only work taking place during our stay was that a new lift was being installed so we had to use the stairs, kept us fit though!

The Solar is situated in a very quiet area, away from all the noise, but very close to the strip.

We will definitely be returning to these apartments.

Hotel was clean and tidy. rooms were a little on the small side and the bathroom could have benefitted from a makeover.

All rooms had a pool view.

we experienced a problem whilst we were on holiday and it took 2 days for hotel staff to ask whether everything was ok!

Entertainment was zero.