Hotel Faro

Our taxi driver is in a hurry, taking the bend on the dual carriageway into Faro as if we’re on a Grand Prix racing circuit. I’m glad to be sitting in the back.  A one way system in the town slows us down, boats and palm trees come into view, we swing around a mini roundabout on the waterfront and pull up in front of the white, rectangular face of Hotel Faro.  The fare from the airport comes to € 10.35 , around a Euro a minute I reckon.

Having decided to spend a day in Faro before heading north to the Alentejo region, we wanted to stay in a centrally located hotel to make the most of our time in the city – there were fewer we than expected.  Hotel Faro though, only a few buildings away from Faro’s old walled town with views over the marina,  fitted the bill.  The 4 star hotel also has a 24 hour front desk, which was a consideration as we were arriving on a late flight.

Inside we were greeted by pink marble floors, elliptical carpets, low settees and urns of greenery.  The effect, enhanced by the curious presence of a bank in the corner, tends towards a smart office foyer but it’s welcoming all the same. And the smart, efficient receptionist is just the sort of person you want to find at the end of a day’s travelling.

The rooms are modern, furnishings  in neutral shades,  contemporary furniture; nothing distinctive while being comfortable. We got to try out two rooms as a panicked bird in the ventilation system above our first  called for a move.   Both rooms were on the first floor, the first a double room at the front of the hotel, the next at the back overlooking a quiet shopping street larger with a seating area and big marble tiled bathroom fitted with a double sink, bath with overhead shower and a shower – difficult to decide where to wash.  In some reviews I notice people have commented on the street being noisy but it wasn’t our experience. We slept well and woke to a sunny room.

Breakfast served in the roof-top restaurant is a definite plus with super views over characterful roof-tops, the waterfront and lagoon beyond.  In Spring you’re surrounded by nesting storks.  It’s a decent breakfast too;  a generous interpretation of the international breakfast with fruit, cereals, cold meats, cheese and salmon, hot options and a good range of breads and pastries, including a tray of warm pastel-de-nata – little custard tarts, a Portuguese speciality that I’m rather partial to.  The Ria Formosa restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, dishes created with fresh produce from the Algarve region, especially seafood, being the chef’s speciality.  The fish comes from the Municipal Market and we can vouch for it’s quality as you’ll see in this Fishy Portfolio.

There were a few maintenance niggles I should mention – our room safe was kaput though quickly replaced, the helpfulness and pleasant attitude of the staff negating the inconvenience.  Also on the downside from our point of view was the weak, paid for, wi-fi connection.

For location and breakfast with a view, you won’t do better.

Tempting

In the summer months Hotel Faro offers guests a catamaran trip to Ilha Deserta, an almost deserted island of white sand on the sea edge of the Ria Formosa lagoon.

For drivers

Hotel Faro has on site parking in an underground car park, current cost is EUR 12.50 per day