This was our second visit to Dom Jose, and during a difficult time with current COVID restrictions. The staff were marvellous in difficult circumstances and do their very best to take the safety measures seriously but not interfere too much with your enjoyment of the hotel and facilities. We saw the cleaners daily taking great care to ensure everything was cleaned in the communal areas. The rooms and bathroom facilities are modern and clean, with tea /coffee facilities and a mini fridge. It's worth paying extra for a sea view as the hotel is right on the promenade overlooking the beach & the sea. The bar / terrace is a great spot for watching sunsets, especially as its happy hour from 5pm - 6pm. No complaints regarding the food. Breakfast is plated up by staff and masks are mandatory in the dining area. There is plenty of choice and although not always piping hot, there is a microwave available. Outside terrace for breakfast is a nice treat. Evening meals were from a menu with choices of a couple of meats, fish and a vegi option. We were very impressed with the quality of the food. The hotel swimming pool is a good size and sun loungers get some decent sun even when lower in the sky during winter. Loads of bars and restaurants in walking distance, although many currently closed due to pandemic. Vilamoura is a half hour walk along the promenade and going the other direction takes you past a couple of lovely beach bars and on to Vale Do Lobo. The beach is vast here, such a great location. Thanks again to the staff, a credit to the hotel.

Several French guests being arrogantly "forgetful" about wearing masks when collecting their food and drink from inside the breakfast room. It seemed to offer them a sense of amusement. Staff did not seem willing to challenge this selfish behaviour. On another occasion we decided to eat dinner on the outside terrace - better for avoiding covid - and then watched two other female guests arrive, choosing the table next to ours even though every other table (about 12 or 15) was available. Not strictly the hotel's fault - that's just the way most tourists seem to be during covid. Nice to sit on the cocktail terrace during the evening, where the bar staff were very good.

We live in Portugal but decided to take a staycation at this hotel for a couple of nights because of COVID restrictions. We had a wonderful break. This hotel is 58 years old, but has had a lovely upgrade in keeping with its era. It is maintained well and was spotlessly clean. We upgraded to a sea view room and were glad as the view was spectacular from the third floor. As other reviewers point out, the room could have been a little bigger, but what we had was very well thought out, with a shower of decent size, tea and coffee making facilities, so often lacking in continental hotels and a mini fridge. The beds were very comfortable as the pillows and the room were spotless. I am not sure why previous reviewers were upset about breakfast, because it was delicious. We had scrambled egg, to atoes, mushrooms, bacon etc, the full monty and this was included in the room price. Coffee was good, provided by a machine which ground the beans. But the best thing was the staff. The receptionist greeted is professionally and I was amazed to hear she had worked in the hotel for over thirty years! She always had a smile and a Bom Dia for us. The breakfast waiter was lively, as was the chef. The young lady on the bar was friendly and professional and the cleaning staff are doing a brilliant job. None of this is easy for staff in a pandemic and we thought they were wonderful. We went to two very local restaurants, one a tapas bar and the other a Brazilian rodizio. It was lovely to return to gaze out at the moon twinkling in the water as the night fishing boats could be seen in the distance. A walk to Vilamoura was enjoyable and promenading on the wonderful esplanade by the sea in the morning. Thankyou Dom José, you should be proud of your establishment and your staff. Força and let’s hope you can come back stronger after the pandemic. My only request was please don’t play Adele at breakfast. a little bit of Amália or Mariza would be so much nicer!