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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.
The Pestana D. João Villas is a hotel overlooking the sandy beach and calm, crystal clear waters of Alvor, Algarve. It is only 10 minutes on foot from the town centre, very close to the Alvor river. Take a dive into one of the 2 outdoor saltwater swimming pools surrounded by lush and peaceful gardens, or relax at the Spa with an indoor swimming pool, Turkish bath and sauna where you can schedule a Magic Spa massage. For your meals, there is 1 restaurant and 3 bars (two of which only open in the summer). If you have kids, the Pestana Kids Club is the perfect place for them to have fun (open from June to September). The Standard Villas feature full kitchens while the Superior Villas have kitchenettes. Both have large living areas and either a terrace or balcony.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
Portuguese
Location
Rua Da Torralta, Alvor, Portimao 8500-088 Portugal
Name/address in local language
Pestana Alvor Beach Villas
4 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
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.
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Pestana Alvor Beach Villas earns accolades for its spotless accommodations and commendable daily housekeeping, though some guests note the cleaning schedule may lack consistency. While the villas' prime beachfront location and scenic vistas win over many travelers, opinions on the decor are split; some appreciate the spacious villas, but others suggest a need for refurbishment and updated furniture.
The staff's friendly and attentive service is frequently praised, yet some guests feel the overall value doesn't match the cost. Amenities like the pool are well-liked but could benefit from better maintenance.
Location
Beachfront
Atmosphere
Outdated
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Well-appointed
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We are just home from an amazing stay at the Dom Joao II beach Villas. We stayed in Villa 15 a gorgeous modern villa with beautiful garden views and loved every minute of it. The staff were very friendly on reception and in housekeeping, nothing was an issue. The villa itself was perfect for our family (2 adults and 3 kids) It had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and a pull out sofa bed so plenty room for everyone and met our needs perfectly. The only issues we had during the week that required a trip to reception came when I locked us out of our safe and we had an issue with the hot water. Both times the excellent receptionists sorted things immediately by coming straight to the villa to reset the safe and contacting maintenance without delay to report the water issue that was then promptly sorted. The location is fantastic with the supermarket only a minutes walk, the beach is about 2 minutes and the pools are great also, we mainly used the pool at the hotel as it was a bit busier so kids making noise wouldn’t be as noticeable. The boardwalk brings you right into Alvor in 20 minutes and is a stunning walk and a taxi from the town to the villas was less than €5 for all of us. The mini train also stops right outside the Villas also and is a nice fun way to get to know the area in the first day or so as it goes all around the town ending in the Marina. We are already planning to return we enjoyed it so much.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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 Rui Lopes, Owner at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas
Responded Nov 10, 2023
Dear Mr. Alan, Thank you for your feedback on your stay at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the experience and our team's dedicated, attentive, and professional service. Your comments make us proud and serve as an incentive for continuously improving our service and striving for excellence. It was a great pleasure for us to welcome you as our Guest. We would like to thank you for staying at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas, and we look forward to welcoming you again soon. Best regards, Verónica André Guest Relations
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We stayed in villa 49, which was a 2 bed/3 bathroom villa. Accommodation was fine but the smell from the drains in the bathrooms made the villa smell horrible. The ants were veracious and no matter what we did they just kept coming back into the villa in droves. We even found them in the fridge! It was most off putting and we had to put everything in sealed plastic bags otherwise it was attacked by the ants.
The kitchen was too dark, no symbols on the microwave/oven to advise whether we had turned on grill/ microwave or oven. No fan or light for the hob so it became hot when we cooked. No frying pan, could only cook basic food.
Pool for the villas/apartments was quieter and a nice size but in need of some maintenance. Umbrellas were rusty and broken, beds not as comfortable as the hotel and the pool could do with a refurb. They use salt not chlorine which is really strong and hurts eyes… goggles required! Quiet in the morning but gets busy after lunch. Can use hotel pool but this gets very busy and is smaller than the apartment pool.
Staff friendly and helpful, however, no action taken when I reported the issues about villa 49.
Location is excellent. Just off the beach, the boardwalk takes you to lovely restaurants. Try windsurf and O’Canterio.
Would return to Alvor but not here unless it has a refurbishment.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Suncream and floaties expensive - bring yours from home.
Fresh fish is amazing!
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 Rui Lopes, Owner at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas
Responded Aug 25, 2024
Dear Davers05, Thank you for your feedback. We're glad to hear that you appreciated the location and found our staff friendly and helpful. However, we're genuinely sorry that your stay in Villa 49 did not meet your expectations, particularly due to the issues with the drains, ants, and the kitchen facilities. Your concerns have been noted, and we will be addressing these matters with our maintenance team to ensure improvements are made. We apologize that no action was taken during your stay and will work to ensure this does not happen in the future. We appreciate your input on the pool area as well and will consider your suggestions for refurbishment. We hope you'll consider staying with us again after these improvements. Kind regards, Mafalda Caetano Guest Service Manager
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The location is beautiful; the long, natural sandy beach with the wooden jetty and the numerous small restaurants. Unfortunately, the apartment did not meet our expectations. The images published on the Internet deviate considerably from found standards. The furniture is old and worn out, everything smells dusty to musty. The bathroom is cool and damp, uncomfortable and it is impossible to let the wipes dry. The apartment was maintained by the staff of the Dom João II hotel. The service was rather negligent and the phone number given on the info did not lead to the reception, but to a headquarters of the Pestana hotels on which a tape was running. Too bad that at this beautiful location no appealing apartment with adequate service is available.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Unbedingt ein Appartement im Obergeschoss verlangen und Preis so festlegen, dass der Standard...
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.
Positive points (Dom Joao II hotel, as both are adjacent and the villas have full use of the hotel’s facilities) Lovely hotel reception and grounds. Great pool. Nice breakfast and hard working staff Location - direct access to a fantastic beach and board walk- close enough to walk to town.
Negative points The main issue we had was the standard of accommodation of the beach villas is not what is advertised or expected for the cost. The bathroom, decor and furniture is very outdated and the air conditioning unit was faulty in one bedroom. We were upstairs so the balcony was very small. It’s really a small 2 bed apartment- not a villa Although advertised there is no kids club to speak of- really just a room with one lady- only suitable for 3-4 year olds.
We did feed this back to the staff and were relocated but to an identical villa- with the only addition being a sea view- which was lovely. They did compensate with a dinner but I felt compelled to write a review as we really felt the accommodation is not up to the standard expected for the cost.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
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 Rui Lopes, Owner at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas
Responded Aug 23, 2024
Dear Lisa, Thank you for taking the time to provide your detailed feedback. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed our hotel’s reception, grounds, pool, breakfast, and the fantastic location with direct beach access. However, we regret that the standard of the Beach Villas did not meet your expectations. Your comments about the outdated bathroom, decor, and furniture, as well as the issues with the air conditioning and balcony size, are noted. We understand that the lack of a comprehensive kids' club was also a disappointment. We appreciate that you shared this with our staff, and we’re glad we could relocate you to a villa with a sea view and offer a dinner compensation. Nevertheless, we’re committed to addressing the concerns you’ve raised to ensure that future guests have a more consistent experience. Thank you again for your feedback. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back and provide a stay that better meets your expectations. Best regards, Mafalda Caetano Guest Service Manager
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I've been to several Pestana, and this was the worst experience: - Units are in need of remodeling, blackouts do not cover the windows in full - The wifi is weak - In 10 nights, bed linen was only changed once, and only because we complained - We were 1 day without hot water - The cleaning was done without the right hours, both could go in the morning and in the afternoon, and there was not even the sign to indicate "do not bother"
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
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 location of the Beach Villas is wonderful, you can reach the beach in just one minute. All the staff at reception are extremely friendly and very competent. The apartments are cleaned very reliably and the heating is also very comfortable. The Pestana Group offers unlimited golf, which means that five golf courses are included. An excellent offer for golfers. We were here for four weeks and really enjoyed it. In Alvor there is a large selection of good restaurants and bars. A very good starting point for exploring the Algarve. We would suggest improving the lighting in the apartment. We will be back next year!
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Date of stay: March 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.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed here for a week 22/9 - 29/9. Highly recommended. Beautiful grounds and villa was nice and spacious. 2 min walk to the beach. The door to the outdoor seating area was broken and we couldn’t open it. Rang reception 3 times before maintenance came to fix it. Cleaning staff very good and cleaned everyday. Plenty of beds around the pool and access to the hotel pool bar. Like I said beach is very close only 2min walk away. Had to pay for the beach beds as they are private and not part of the hotel/villas. When you check in you can register on the Pestana website and get a card number which gives you 10% off at the restaurants and bars at the hotel/villas.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Taxis in Faro airport can be hard to get and expensive so I recommend booking your transfers...
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 Rui Lopes, Owner at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas
Responded Nov 10, 2023
Dear Sinead, We were delighted to hear that your recent stay at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas was delightful and that you thoroughly enjoyed your stay. Our team would like to thank you for your very kind feedback. Many thanks for choosing Pestana Alvor Beach Villas for your holiday. We look forward to hosting you again soon at our hotel. Kind regards, Verónica André Guest Relations
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We had a wonderful stay in Pestana Dom Joao II Beach & Villas. Our villa (no.7) was recently refurbished and it was in wonderful condition. Very new and modern, spacious with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, all with air con. Party of 5 adults, 2 children.
The kitchenette had a dishwasher, hob, microwave and good size fridge with small freezer and spacious living area. Lovely sea views from outside the villa with direct access to the board walk and beach.
Cleaning service provided daily. Lovely to come back to a clean apartment, fresh towels etc. Pool / Beach towels also available daily.
We used the facilities of the hotel mainly as there were kids in our family and made great use of the kids club, kids pool and playground, all situated right next to each other.
We didn’t eat in the hotel, just drinks and ice creams from the pool bar so can’t comment.
It is approx. 15 minute walk along the board walk into the town to lots of nice restaurants.
The staff were extremely helpful and kind. One day our hot water was not working and they sent maintenance around to fix it immediately. It was also one of our family members birthdays during our stay and they left a cake with candle and happy birthday wishes in our villa which was a really nice touch!
I would highly recommend and definitely would return.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Villa 7 is newly refurbed, sea views and direct access to board walk & beach
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 Catarina Arede, Guest Services / Front Office at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas
Responded Sep 24, 2022
Dear Mrs. Taracoffey, We were delighted to hear that your recent stay at Pestana Dom João II was delightful and that you thoroughly enjoyed your stay. Our team would like to thank you for your very kind feedback. Many thanks for choosing Pestana Dom João II for your stay. We look forward to welcoming you again soon at our hotel. Kind regards, The Team at Pestana Dom João II
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The first villa we paid for was dark with a really poor seating area do we asked to move. We paid for an upgrade to a bigger villa which looked better. Unfortunately within a few hours it was obvious that it was damp, the heating didn’t work and the sofa was damp, smelly, and really needed to be thrown out. The bed in the double room was like sleeping on a wooden board so we moved into the room with 2 singles which was at least comfier. Luckily by now it is just the .2 of us in a5 person villa, as the double bed wasn’t comfortable enough got sleep and the sofa bed I think a dog would have turned it’s nose up.
I took a list of maintenance problems to reception as without the heating on it really wasn’t habitable due to the damp. It was December that we stayed however being British and used to the cold we have never used the heat previously. Even in December we normally have the air conditioning on, but in here it felt like the damp was chilling you to the bone. The staff were lovely and they did fix the issues that could be fixed.
The bath was peeling, the shower flooded the bathroom, the fridge wasn’t very cold, the patio door was broken, the worst thing was the awful awful smell from the sofa bed, even after they’d covered it when I complained.
I was offered a 3rd villa but by this point we were sick of moving and I had no confidence this would be any better after already trying villa 52 and 63.
The location is wonderful and I’ve stayed at the hotel many times. Unfortunately I made the Mistake of thinking staying at the villas would be a treat. The cost was far higher and what we stayed in was a rundown apartment at best not a villa.
Would not recommend these to anyone. Save your money and stay somewhere else.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Stay somewhere else. Alvor is beautiful don’t let these villas spoil your stay in a beautiful place
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 Andre Nunes, Guest Services / Front Office at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas
Responded Feb 6, 2023
Dear Mr./Mrs. Kazw2_11, Thank you for taking the time to give us your opinion on your recent stay. Your opinion is essential for us to improve how we work. We would like to apologise for not meeting your expectations with your accommodation. We have taken immediate action. We are working together with the housekeeping and maintenance teams to amplify the standard controls each accommodation is subjected to before the Guests' arrival, to prevent such inconveniences from happening in the future. We hope that you will give us another opportunity to host you and rebuild your trust in the future. It was a real pleasure for us to have you as our Guest at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas. Kind regards, The Team at Pestana Dom João II
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We had a villa one min walk from the boardwalk, which was great, as very soothing to hear the waves. Breakfast at the main hotel was great, with various treats and coffee, but no fresh juice (but all is forgiven, as there were loads of fresh fruit). Substandard evening meal, truly not worth the money. Take a short trip to Portimão, where you will get a great dinner (a group of restaurants by the bridge) for half the price!!
So, firstly, the wifi went off for four days (we stayed for 7). We were given a range of excuses, different every day, depending on whom we spoke to. Then the hot water went off, waiting until 11 pm for a shower (imagine the salty sea water). Anyway, it just wasn’t good enough. Would I stay here again? No!
The place was advertised as having a heated pool & sauna. The sauna was off, and the heated pool was cold.
Understanding that there is a range of hotels to stay in this area. Choose somewhere else.
Apart from all the above, Portugal is a great place. Always enjoy (but not so much the accommodation).
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Date of stay: October 2022
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 Catarina Arede, Guest Services / Front Office at Pestana Alvor Beach Villas
Responded Oct 31, 2022
Dear Mr. tonycE8705SE, Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback on your experience at Pestana Dom João II. Your opinion is crucial for us to improve how we work. We would like to sincerely apologize for not fully meeting your expectations and for any inconvenience this may have caused. We have shared your comments with our teams to ensure that improvements will be made. We would like to thank you for staying at Pestana Dom João II. We hope this experience has not tarnished your impression of our hotel permanently. Kind regards, The Pestana Dom João II Team
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There are more places to choose from in the Alvor area.
PRICE RANGE
C$128 - C$433 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PortugalAlgarveFaro DistrictPortimaoAlvor
NUMBER OF ROOMS
44
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.
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