NAU Sao Rafael Suites – All Inclusive

“Perfect stay for a special occasion”

Just back from a stay here with my family. We had 6 adults and 2 children staying for 5 nights and this hotel was fantastic for us. We were staying to celebrate my Mother’s 70th Birthday and the hotel staff made sure we had a perfect stay. We arrived in quite late on the first night and they arran… more

Just back from a stay here with my family. We had 6 adults and 2 children staying for 5 nights and this hotel was fantastic for us. We were staying to celebrate my Mother’s 70th Birthday and the hotel staff made sure we had a perfect stay. We arrived in quite late on the first night and they arranged for food parcels in our rooms which was a lovely touch. We had a drink before bed in the bar and found the bar to be a very comfortable and clean space. The bar staff were very friendly and they used premium spirits which is rare for an all inclusive. The rooms were spacious with very comfortable beds and high end soap, shampoo etc provided. Also no charge for using the safe which again many hotels charge for now. One of the best parts of our stay was the food. The dining room has a premium feel and the range of food was plentiful so there was always something for all tastes. All the food tasted fresh and very high quality. Salads and desserts were delicious too. I used the spa facilities twice and on both occasions I went after the “family time” slot as I fancied some peace and relaxation. It is however nice that they offer times where children are allowed in as it means that families are also able to enjoy the experience. The hotel is close by to a small local beach and they provide a shuttle service to Albufeira which I used a couple of times. An Uber to and from the town was around £5 each way if you don’t want to wait for the shuttle bus. Thank you to all the staff who made our stay so enjoyable, and especially to the restaurant staff for taking the time to come to the table to congratulate my Mother on her special day. Would love to come back and stay again.

less

“Outstanding hotel and staff”

Myself and two friends stayed here for one week over Christmas and when we drew up to the door first impressions were good and it only got better when we entered reception and were welcomed by a very friendly and professional young woman. There was also the hotel porter Mohammed (who introduced hi… more

Myself and two friends stayed here for one week over Christmas and when we drew up to the door first impressions were good and it only got better when we entered reception and were welcomed by a very friendly and professional young woman. There was also the hotel porter Mohammed (who introduced himself while taking us along to our suite). We arrived around 10.30am but checkin wasn't until 4pm but our suite was ready just before 3pm and we were checked in and given our wristbands. There is a secure area to leave your luggage until your suite is ready. From the minute we areived everything from breakfast to midnight was perfect - the hotel is immaculate in both public areas and in the individual suite. staff are exceptional and ALWAYS polite and friendly, they introduced themselves and always had a friendly (albeit brief) conversation. Richard, one of the restaurant managers, was warm and very welcoming at every visit to the restaurant - the staff are a real credit to the hotel, we could not fault the service or personal approach by anyone. The food choices/selection is excellent and always varied (we disnt have the same thing twice during our 7 night stay). There is something for everyone from beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian - some things didn't appeal to us but that is just our personal taste - well done to the chefs and kitchen staff as what we ate tasted delicious and was always very well presented. I would highly recommend the hotel to friends and family as it is THE best hotel (and staff) we have encountered during our many years travelling abroad. There is only one negative and that is that there are no tea/coffee making facilities in the suite. This may be something to consider introducing when the suites are refurbished while it is closed. I did go to reception a couple of times very early in the morning (5am) to ask if i could have a coffee and they were helpful and made me one but I would have preferred to have a kettle etc in the suite. Well done and thank you to all management and staff for helping make our Christmas a very memorable one for all the right reasons.

less

“Good hotel, lovely staff, food and location”

A lovely got l but not 5* by other European standard. The hotel did have some maintenance issues such as shower not holding the temperature properly, bath tub not having any slip mat. There are no extractor fans in the bathroom. The toilet seat broken and flush not working properly. The heating fo… more

A lovely got l but not 5* by other European standard. The hotel did have some maintenance issues such as shower not holding the temperature properly, bath tub not having any slip mat. There are no extractor fans in the bathroom. The toilet seat broken and flush not working properly. The heating for the air con works but I feel hasn't been maintained so there is a slight smell. I was also surprised to only know there is a handful of baby cots in a hotel this size and only 3-4 baby chairs seen which is surprising.

less

“Very much better than some reviews would have you believe”

We were a family with 2 teenagers and overall we had an excellent stay. Our suite and bathrooms were clean and functional, alebit with a couple of minor manitenance issues such as a slightly loose toilet seat , but that's no biggy. Main reception and our welcome were excellent, and I totally unders… more

We were a family with 2 teenagers and overall we had an excellent stay. Our suite and bathrooms were clean and functional, alebit with a couple of minor manitenance issues such as a slightly loose toilet seat , but that's no biggy. Main reception and our welcome were excellent, and I totally understand them being strict on the check-in time. We noticed a huge number of people constantly trying to check-in far too early (mostly golfers), so a rule has to be set and kept to. That said, when like us you have already informed the hotel that you will be leaving on check out day very early before breakfast, perhaps the ability to have lunch on arrival would be a wise step in client relations! The hotel is well away from the bucket and spade brigade strip, but close enough for those that seek it to get their fix without too much effort (which was not us for sure). For us, the delight was that the lovely beach with its gorgeous coastline was only a brief stroll from the hotel, but long enough to stretch the legs too! Everywhere was well maintained and the outdoor pools were pleasent without being huge. We thoroughly enjoyed the other facilities such as the tennis, small gym and the spa where the massages were excellent. One important point on the spa though is that guests not having treatments could pay to use the indoor pool and sauna. We had treatments on a bad weather day and the pool was rammed with such guests and none of the rules were enforced. We saw most rules abused, but the worst of which for us was seeing folk strolling around the pool in their outdoor shoes which is utterly unacceptable. Also, numbers really need to be regulated rather than just constantly allowing people in beyond a sensible capacity. Food was massively better than some reviews state. There is indeed some repetition here and there, but generally very decent variety, hot and most importantly good quality, freshly cooked and frequently replensished at all mealtimes. As with staff throughout the hotel, those in the restaurant were very friendly and polite, but one of the restaurant managers (middle-aged lady) who despite being polite, seemed more interested in chatting with one or two of her favourite clients at their tables (for over half an hour on average each time) than making sure that the place was running smoothly. I say this, because getting drink brought to your table (no self service for alcohol) was very hit and miss and depended on certain waiters and being able to flag them down. On a similar theme, our biggest bugbear was the indoor bar. Polite, overworked staff who did their best, but the serving area substanially too small (I suspect intentionally) to cope with demand, and although the bar lounge and terrace were very nice, it would be incredibly cramped in summer - seating was at a premium in October! All in all we had a great stay and would consider returning and happy to reccommend. Certainly great value for money, but unless they upgrade the bar and service capacity, I would be reluctant to return in the height of summer!

less