Emeralds Albufeira

Arrived home today, we had a superior room which was lovely, double balcony and overlooking the pool, we stayed for 5 nights, lovely welcome when we checked in , all staff were excellent, helpful and friendly. Room was cleaned daily. Breakfast was ok, lots of choice but if you had a cooked breakfast it needed warming in microwave. There was a group of lads staying when we arrived which put us off using the pool as they were loud and there most of the day, we were woken at 3.30am by them 2 nights in a row ringing the room bells, next 3 nights were fine when they’d left. No awful smells when we stayed.

Unfortunately, we didn't read the reviews before we booked. Live and learn. Having read about the smell of drains from the bathroom, we were a little concerned. Oh my...the smell was horrendous. Getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, and that smell, it wakes you up and makes you feel nauseous. We bought bleach and a neutralizing air spray from the very convenient shopping centre across the road (a plus) but didnt really touch it. The room itself was lovely, a premium room with double balcony overlooking the pool. Fridge and small freezer, toaster and microwave. I was pleased there was a toaster as the breakfast was mediocre. The once hot food was under lamps but not being kept warm and they should have had a muslin over the bread instead of flies... The staff were lovely, the room clean and comfortable, but that smell...a deal breaker. Definitely a 3 star not 4. We didn't want to move rooms and risk losing our good one with a lovely view, because I believe it is a problem with the building and not individual rooms. There were people in reception asking to change rooms because of it. The sunbeds are really quite uncomfortable and the pool has patches where floor tiles need replacing. The hotel is aware of the drainage problem, and has been for a while looking at the reviews, but clearly hasn't remedied it. The bar closes at 7.30pm and there is no evening entertainment - but there are enough bars and restaurants to go out to nearby. The coach also doesn't drop you outside the hotel, but up the road, same for pick up. A good location for shops and restaurants, but definitely won't be back.

The emeralds was a very friendly hotel. The staff are warm and welcoming and always happy to help. Breakfast had an excellent choice for all kinds of tastes. Rooms were spacious and cleaned every day. Plenty of sun loungers. Ideally located for the old town and the new town Would recommend this hotel.

Just home from a week in emeralds hotel, the reception staff did what was needed, quick check in and ordered taxis when we needed them, the smell is real and quite strong when the room was shut up, didn't need my hairdryer the one provided was great , breakfast was plenty and friendly staff

Definitely not a 4 star. Came on a hen do so it did what it needed to do. But the rooms have a really disgusting drain smell. So much so we had to breathe through our mouths every time we were in the rooms. The bar and pool area are ok. Some of the staff pretty rude. Certainly wouldn’t come back

Easy to get parked outside, we drove over from Spain and split our stay in different hotels in different areas. Definitely a 3 star not 4. Rooms are modern, had a recent renovation however walls are already looking grubby. Rest of the hotel dated, lifts from the 80s. Small reception area with no atmosphere. Was greeted with a vile smell when we entered the room, could taste it! Reception apologised and the manager told me there’s no rooms available to change but they could sort it if I went back at 9am the next day. Which I did, the lady told me there’s a room but it needs cleaning, come back in an hour. Went out of breakfast and came back, still not ready, told another hour, went back again to be told they haven’t checked out yet, and check out is 12! So I asked why they told me 10am, and they said they didn’t and made out I was lying. Why would I need to that. Very strange behaviour from the staff. Anyway we got a new room on the top floor around 2pm, still a slight smell but manageable . They clearly know they have a problem with the drains in the bathroom it’s been mentioned several times on here. So went to the pool, which is in need to new sunbeds. Pool seemed clean. Just didn’t have a nice feel to it. Wouldn’t stay again, but I like the area, made a note of the other hotels close by for our next visit.