Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
There is an extensive sandy beach at the foot of the PortoBay Falésia, in the Algarve. With direct access to Praia da Falésia beach, the 310 rooms are surrounded by swimming pools, abundant green spaces, lovely views of the reddish rocks, sun, comfort and good cuisine. The indoor pool, jacuzzi and Spa offer the chance to relax.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
PortoBay Falésia garners appreciation for its cliff-top views and tranquil ambience, with many guests enjoying live music despite some finding it too loud. While the rooms are praised for cleanliness, they are often noted as outdated and lacking in modern touches. The hotel's service is frequently commended for staff friendliness and efficiency, though there are occasional mentions of service hiccups.
Guests have mixed feelings about the value, with some services deemed reasonably priced, but food and drinks considered overpriced. Amenities are well-regarded, particularly for their cleanliness and maintenance.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Noise level
Mixed
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Outstanding
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
As always, one of the friendliest, most relaxing breaks that you can hope for with the most stunning set of views that you will find anywhere. Fabulous staff, fabulous management, fabulous food. Apart from the buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is also the amazing il Basilico with a menu to match.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fernando Reis Filipe, General Manager at PortoBay Falésia
Responded Dec 25, 2024
Dear Guest, Thank you for choosing our hotel. Your opinion is very important to us - thank you for sharing it. We are very pleased to hear that our hotel and team were able to meet your expectations. We look forward to seeing you again. Best regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The check-in procedure was faultless, especially as we had carried out the pre-checkin on the PortoBay app. The reception staff were friendly and helpful.
We had a seaview room, which was a decent size and spotlessly clean. The bathroom had a modern walk-in shower which had constant hot water and decent water pressure. The housekeeping staff did an excellent job every day.
We were booked in for dinner, bed and breakfast. There was always plenty of option at breakfast with omelette and fried eggs made to order. The salad bar in the evening had a fantastic choice available. There was also a good choice of main courses available but some of the dishes could have done with being a bit warmer. Excellent choice of deserts on offer as well.
We chose to eat in the Il Basilico Restaurant for half the holiday as we preferred the a la carte menu on offer there.
There were always plenty of sunloungers available even although the hotel was 90% full.
The grounds of the hotel were beautifully presented and it was pleasant to walk round and sit in the various seating areas throughout.
The live music in Bar Buzios was good but a bit repetitive.
Overall, it was a pleasant experience and would certainly recommend the hotel. We were pleased to note that the hotel would commence a refurbishment programme in the winter as some areas did look a bit tired.
Finally, the staff in the hotel all did an exceptional job and it was good to see a hotel so well staffed as this appears to have been a problem elsewhere since the Covid pandemic. Well done everyone.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fernando Reis Filipe, General Manager at PortoBay Falésia
Responded Apr 8, 2024
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for choosing the PortoBay Falésia hotel for your stay in the Algarve. We were very pleased to read your message about our hotel and team. Your comments are very valuable for us and for our future guests. We look forward to having you back again! Best regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
We like the hotel, ok checking service was slow but we eventually got into our room, which was clean and tidy, teas and coffee provided on day one, but had to get teas from the main restaurant each morning to ensure we had some for the next morning, bought fresh milk from the supermarket (about 15 minute walk). Mind the restaurant by the pool seagulls do swap for any food on the tables outside. Main restaurant is 29€ per person for evening meal which is buffet style, we only used the restaurant 3 times, we eat out at restaurants in the small town mostly. You can walk down to the beach via the steps, but you have to come back up that way, nice stopping place to rest on the way up or down. The restaurant we used most of the time was Tavertino’s, the food was excellent but service slow.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fernando Reis Filipe, General Manager at PortoBay Falésia
Responded Nov 25, 2024
Dear Guest, We would like to thank you for the time you spent giving us your opinion of your experience at our hotel. It is with great satisfaction that we learn that you had a pleasant stay in our company. We hope to see you again soon at PortoBay Falésia. Best regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
The location of the hotel is unique, great views of Praiha da Falesia. Terribly clairvoyant building, restful sleep is probably only possible with individually adapted hearing protection. Partly impossible audience, but with the cheap offers it is bookable almost for everyone. The rooms are very old. Shower in the bathtub, very strong black mold in the bathroom. Every evening there is a very monotonous music program, there could be more to offer. Very noisy in the lower floors as a result. Food was good and varied, salads very coriander-heavy. Drinks with food very high priced. Whether you come sandy from the beach or sweaty from sports, you can enter the dining room unhindered. Due to the unique location, a more exclusive hotel could stand here, we would like to pay more for it. Smaller and finer. Few people behaving appropriately. Mass handling, there's a lot of crap involved. We know better hotels, so the excellent location can't change anything. These points have been criticized by several guests here on site, hope to find some who take the time to give appropriate reviews here. We can recommend it only to a very limited extent.
Read more
Automatically translated
Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Sehr laut und unruhig zu den Mahlzeiten, Massenabfertigung, Schlange stehen.
Parkplatz für...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The PortoBay group generally have high standards, stayed in several locations over the years and been to Falesia a few times. In general the quality has been very good, however this time there were a few issues. Themed buffet dinners which we had twice over two weeks were disappointing, lack of quality, boring and lukewarm at best. Breakfast buffet however was terrific. Il Basilico is a much better evening option and there are many varied alternatives in the area. Interesting to note that The Cliff Bay no longer serves an evening buffet. Housekeeping in room was inconsistent, depending on who provided the service. Room towels were poor, have reached the end of their natural life, unlike the pool towels which were great. Staff, many of whom have been there for years are a credit to the hotel. Location of course is fabulous, but the hotel needs to up its game going forward.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fernando Reis Filipe, General Manager at PortoBay Falésia
Responded Oct 15, 2024
Dear Guest, I appreciate your comments and I am sorry that we were not able to provide our usual standards of service during your stay. I am reviewing your comments in detail with the team to ensure this does not happen again. We hope to see you again soon. Best regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel is in desperate need of renovation, the interior is very old and at Many places just starting to break. There was mold in our shower. The food was very average, the “theme” of the night could have just been scratched because it was essentially the same food every night, not even water is included and you will be asked for a tip every time you order something. The reception made a mistake with the room price so we had to Pay an another 300€ at check out, there was no explanation or apology, just handed us the bill. Mistakes can obviously happen but the handling of this one was unacceptable, just very rude and condescending (well its just 300€ kind of way) The only positive thing I can say is the view over the ocean was very pretty and the location was convenient to drive in either direction along the coast.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fernando Reis Filipe, General Manager at PortoBay Falésia
Responded Sep 26, 2024
Dear Guest, I appreciate your comments and I am sorry that we were not able to provide our usual standards of service during your stay. I am reviewing your comments in detail with the team to ensure this does not happen again. We hope to see you again soon. Best regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was our third visit and we weren’t disappointed. The location is superb, but you might want to know that the beautiful Falesia beach is accessed by around 120 steep steps. If you go the other way, it’s about a 10 minute walk down a steep hill to the Olhos beach. The hotel’s landscaped gardens and quiet areas add to the restful atmosphere. The large lawned area reduces the usual scrambling to reserve loungers around the pool, which makes a nice change. If you want “entertainment” in the pool every day with a lot of noise and music this won’t be the hotel for you but if you want a peaceful atmosphere, it will be. We felt that, overall, food and service were very good. As mentioned by many reviewers, the hotel is spotlessly clean but renovations are overdue. However we’ve been told there are plans soon for the existing gym and conference rooms to be converted into a large indoor pool and upgraded gym. There are also plans in the not too distant future to completely renovate the hotel, including bathrooms with walk-in showers. We’ll keep an eye out for these improvements happening and hope to return again. In the meantime, thanks to all the absolutely great staff who generally couldn’t have been more helpful and pleasant.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fernando Reis Filipe, General Manager at PortoBay Falésia
Responded Oct 28, 2024
Dear Guest, Thank you for choosing our hotel. Your opinion is very important to us - thank you for sharing it. We are very pleased to hear that our hotel and team were able to meet your expectations. We look forward to seeing you again. Best regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Absolutely wonderful! Beautiful cliff top location with a lovely restaurant overlooking the beach. Rooms are not huge, but have comfortable beds and are very clean. There are Ritual creams, soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner - and hairdryer in each room. The pool is large and there are plenty of sun beds. Nobody went and put towels on beds before breakfast. Themed nights for evening buffet meal each night - breakfast and evening meals were excellent. They catered for gluten free and vegan too. All staff were very attentive. There was half price happy hour from 5.30-6.30pm each night where everything on the bar menu was half price. There were three different cocktails each night too on the offer. There’s a large bar and dance floor with a different live band each night. The outdoor restaurant had live music too. There are 136 steps down to the beach, but there is seating for when you stagger back up. The beach is beautiful and you can hire a sun bed for €10 all day with an umbrella. There’s also a very nice reasonably priced restaurant whether you just want a drink, ice cream or three course meal. We were lucky when we were at the hotel as there hardly any youngsters or children, so it was fairly quiet. There was either a free yoga or Pilates class taking place on the grass at the top of the cliff, under the trees first thing in the morning. There’s also a tennis court, very tiny putting green, goal net, table tennis and billiard table. We loved this hotel and would go back tomorrow if we could!
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:There are different coloured towels in your bathroom that you can take to the beach and pool.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fernando Reis Filipe, General Manager at PortoBay Falésia
Responded Aug 7, 2023
Dear Guest, Thank you for choosing our hotel. Your opinion is very important to us - thank you for sharing it. We are very pleased to hear that our hotel and team were able to meet your expectations. We look forward to seeing you again. Best regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a wonderful week at this hotel. The setting is out of this world being positioned on the cliff top overlooking the beautiful Falésia beach. The hotel grounds are fabulous, well kept and maintained with numerous areas to sit and take in the views. The pool area is lovely with plenty of loungers and more available on the grass nearby. It might be a bit different in the height of summer, but during our stay we never struggled to find a seat or lounger at all. The lobby is welcoming, bright and comfortable and always smelt so nice! I’ve read a few comments about rooms being dated but we didn’t feel this way about ours. It was a good sized, neutrally decorated room with ample storage space and numerous well positioned plug points. There was a safe and a small fridge in one of the cupboards which were both very useful. The beds were sooooooo comfy, we slept like logs every night! The bathroom was a good size with a large sink area which had plenty of room for toiletries and a walk in rainhead shower with complimentary Rituals products which were gorgeous- I wouldn’t have bothered packing my own shampoo etc if I’d have known that these were supplied. We enjoyed sitting out on the balcony which was equipped with 2 comfy chairs ( not white plastic ones!) a small table and a little drying rack attached to the wall. I’d recommend a sea view room as the views are truly stunning. The corridors I do agree could do with a bit of an upgrade as they are a bit dated and dark but always clean and tidy. A big thumbs up to the housekeeping staff who work hard and do a great job. We stayed on a bed and breakfast basis and thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast buffet each morning. There’s definitely something for everyone and the limitless fizz was a lovely touch- we certainly enjoyed a mimosa or two! We had lunch and drinks on a couple of occasions at La Basilica and enjoyed this each time, particularly when sat on the decking area overlooking the beach. Staff here were friendly and attentive. We didn’t eat here or in the main dining room at night but enjoyed drinks in the bar and the nightly entertainment once we returned to the hotel after our evening meal out. We liked the fact that the hotel was peaceful, mainly couples and families with older children- nothing against younger children but we wanted peace and the opportunity to fully chill out and we certainly got that. We used the indoor pool and hot tub a couple of times which was a nice bonus on the cooler days. If you’re after a comfy hotel in beautifully set gardens in the most gorgeous setting, you’d do well to find better than this one. Can’t wait to return!
Read more
Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Don’t pack toiletries- they have lovely ones! Towels for the pool are provided too. Have a sea...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fernando Reis Filipe, General Manager at PortoBay Falésia
Responded Nov 7, 2023
Dear Guest, We would like to thank you for the time you spent giving us your opinion of your experience at our hotel. It is with great satisfaction that we learn that you had a pleasant stay in our company. We hope to see you again soon at PortoBay Falésia. Best regards,
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was our fourth visit to this PortoBay hotel. Set in a beautiful cliff-top location, with a peaceful green setting of pine trees and fragrant shrubs and offering stunning views of the bay, it never fails to delight. From the accommodation point of view, it is one the very few hotels these days which guarantees a twin-bedded room up front, which is essential for us. The air-conditioning is quite quiet and our room (Rm 355) was very spacious, with a lovely aspect. There are plentiful sunbeds both in the pool area and on the grass nearby (though it is a pity that no mattresses are provided, as without them sunbathing is just not quite as pleasant as it should be, and quite uncomfortable for we older clients !).
The main, Madeira, restaurant provides a buffet dinner, with plenty of choice of tasty salads etc for starters, meat, freshly cooked fish etc plus pasta dishes and some international dishes. There are special nights for Italian, Portuguese etc cuisine. However, the breakfast buffet is less satisfying - unless you just wanted cooked food every day - of which there is plenty. Cereal choice is very poor - with no muesli or dried fruit and no granola. There is no skimmed milk or fat-free yoghurt - even on the "healthy table". Worst of all, the jams and marmalades are squeezed from containers like optics and are no more than thin liquid - this is very disappointing for a 4-star hotel.
The bars are fine - one offering a happy hour (though the terrace is out of the sun and quite chilly in mid-September.) Entertainment is in the form of duos singing pop, well-known ballads and standards in a selection of languages, to suit the clientele from various European countries - several of them repeat visitors. Don't stay here if you want a disco - you won't get it.
Staff service is good, friendly, polite and efficient. The spa is excellent in my opinion. (Ask for Manuel for a massage, or hot stones treatment).
PortoBay Falesia is a lovely place for a restful, restorative break. However, they should look to the future ....... especially to next door's Tui Blue which will undergo a major re-furb. soon and has equally stunning views.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Bring a beach towel to add to the one provided and make a softer padding for your sunbed.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fernando Reis Filipe, General Manager at PortoBay Falésia
Responded Sep 23, 2024
Dear Guest Thank you for your feedback. Nothing makes us happier than meeting the expectations of our guests. We have taken note of your suggestions, and we will do everything to make your stay even better next time. Looking for the future and for our new Portobay Blue Ocean next door (ex-Tui Blue). We hope to enjoy your company soon at a PortoBay hotel. Best regards, Fernando Reis Filipe GM
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Olhos de Agua area.
PRICE RANGE
C$238 - C$362 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
porto bay falesia albufeira
LOCATION
PortugalAlgarveFaro DistrictAlbufeiraOlhos de Agua
NUMBER OF ROOMS
310
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
