Algarve Hotel Review | Aqua Pedra dos Bicos, Albufeira
After spending the past five days driving our way down from Porto (via Aveiro, Lisbon and Obidos), we were pretty excited for some more relaxed time out on the Algarve coast. We’d picked the Albufeira area, and as soon as we spotted Aqua Pedra dos Bicos, we’d known it was THE ONE.
The last time I stayed in an adults only hotel in Mexico, I’d loved the relaxed atmosphere – add to this, Aqua Pedra dos Bicos looked absolutely lovely on the website.
Aqua Pedra dos Bicos is part of Details Hotels & Resorts Group, who have five properties in the Algarve, each with a different style and feel. This one is billed as a ‘modern design hotel’, opened in 2008, with 140 rooms (plus two suites). The design definitely takes centre stage, with an open and airy feel, and slick design features.
Although it’s a bit out of the way for Albufeira’s old town, there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area, including ‘the strip’, Albufeira’s nightlife central.
The Pool at Aqua Pedra dos Bicos
Like most hotels in the area, the Aqua Pedra dos Bicos has a pool – in fact, it technically has two, although one is basically a ‘sitting’ pool as it’s less than a foot deep. The main pool, while not being huge, was never too busy for a swim around, and deep enough that I couldn’t stand at one end of it (okay, not a huge feat…I’m quite tiny…).
Around the pool, sun loungers and umbrellas are arranged on the tile, like any other hotel pool, really. The grassy area in between was a nice alternative to fully tiled pool areas, and contributed to the boutique, design feel.
There’s also a rooftop terrace area if sitting by the pool doesn’t take your fancy, as well as indoor seating next to the restaurant and some tables and chairs by the bar.
If you’re more of a beach person than a pool lover, the hotel has easy access to a small, quiet beach space, away from the crowds of Albufeira Old Town. There’s a café there, and you can rent a lounger too.
The Deluxe Double Room at Aqua Pedra dos Bicos
We chose the Deluxe Double Room, with a sea view. And the view was…well, bloody lovely. Just below the balcony, the pool area, surrounded by green trees and Mediterranean-looking orange buildings. And beyond that, the sea peeked out into our sightline. It’s basically the kind of view that screams HELLO, YES, I *AM* ON HOLIDAY.
Fitted out with a huge and wonderfully comfortable king sized bed, I had some of the best nights’ sleep I’ve had in a long time here. Waking up with the sunlight filtering through our purposefully left open curtain, I was pretty reluctant to leave…
The bathroom was spacious, with both a bath and shower and even a BIDET (I’ve never used one but…a BIDET). Toiletries – by Rituals, no less – were included, although the hairdryer unfortunately didn’t work.
As with most similar hotels, you get a big telly and a minibar – although the latter nearly confused me, as they’d left a bottle of the red wine on the desk and I almost thought it was a welcome gift, not something to buy. Kinda sneaky, really.
Food & Drink at Aqua Pedra dos Bicos
Breakfast was included with our stay, and it was the best kind – a big ol’ buffet affair, with both hot and cold food. The traditional English breakfast counterparts were in abundance, alongside plenty of cereals, pastries, toast and cold meats/cheeses.
My only slight annoyance was that there could have been a few more vegetarian options in the hot buffet beyond egg, tomato and hash browns – a veggie sausage would have gone down a treat. But I still ate very well with the pastries and cereal on offer (plus a LOT of hash browns), and the food quality impressed.
Everything is served in the hotel’s Serenata restaurant, which had a gorgeously modern and fresh décor theme. The hotel does offer dinner and lunch, but we’d decided to explore a few of the local eateries in Albufeira old town, so we didn’t take advantage of the deals for guests. But I have to say, the smells of the BBQ wafting up to our balcony were *very* tempting…
As for drinks – there’s a bar next to the pool, serving up beers, cocktails, wines and snacks (and ice cream, obviously). The drinks were pricier than some of the local pubs, but considering you barely have to move from those sweet pool views.
Would I stay here again?
100% yes. The hotel was a lovely, well-thought out space, and I felt that touch of luxury without spending too much on our stay. The hotel was quiet and relaxed, definitely helped by the adults only policy. Most guests seemed to be a little older, or younger couples/friends, so there wasn’t much night noise or drunk people roaming the corridors.
How much did it cost?
£384 for two nights, which works out to £96pp per night. Yes, there are cheaper hotels in the area – but for the peace and quiet, the included breakfast and the lovely design, it was well worth it. Plus, there are standard and budget room options if you’re looking to spend a bit less.
Been convinced? Book your stay here.
Facilities at Aqua Pedra dos Bicos:
- 2 outdoor pools (okay, one’s questionable as a ‘swimming’
pool, but still) - Free WiFi (pretty fast, too)
- Free parking
- Massage/spa treatment room
- Room service (although this only runs until
around 10-11pm) - Laundry service
- Excursion and activity bookings
