Vila Emília

Stayed for 3 nights in July and can't fault it. It's in a great location just outside the hustle and bustle of the main old town, a steady 5-10min walk, the room was small but spotless, beds were comfortable, wifi and air con included and new showers. Only minor niggle was no balcony space so drying your towels etc was difficult unless you left them in the communal courtyard, which was beautiful. I haven't been to Albufeira for a few years and I was amazed at how busy it was! And also how expensive - we got caught out a couple of times by going into bars asking for a gin and tonic and rum and coke and getting charged up to €15 for the 2 drinks. Even the cheaper bare we found were charging €10 for 2 drinks. I can imagine if you're a family on holiday here you'll need to take out a second mortgage. Food was good value if you shopped around but for 3 days we got through €200 each and that was being careful. The emilia doesn't have a pool and after doing much research I came across a bar on the outskirts of town that allows access to a pool 'Fat Cats' we walked one day and it's a good 40mins so we got an uber back and that's a maximum of €5 so factoring in the sun beds on the beach are €7.50 each it was cheaper to get an uber there and back and spend the day by the pool. Also the drinks and snacks at Fat Cats are much better value and they have happy hour on all day - try the alcoholic slushes at €3.50 - lovely. Uber is a great way to get around the area. All in all we had a great time, it's. a nice place to go with a mix of all ages and nationalities but if you're on a budget you're in for a shock!