Relaxing Vacation at Clube Praia da Oura - NOT!

Let me start off by saying that we're not old fuddy-duddies. We enjoy a good time as much as anybody else, but… This is a very large resort. If you are a 'Club Med' type person, this is the resort for you -- many activities all day long. However, if you're looking for a relaxing week by the pool or beach, you had better look elsewhere. The entertainment program (around the pool area and beyond) includes everyone, whether or not you so desire. The loud music around the pool starts early and continues till early evening. Then there is the 'entertainment staff' shouting out whatever all day long. Keep in mind that most of the accommodations are concentrated around the pool, so don't think you can escape to the peace and quiet of your condo.

Quick Tips:

One day each week, the resort holds a special evening with a large buffet and entertainment. We found that on 'Brazilian Night', the food left a lot to be desired. Very mediocre. However, the entertainment was great, with terrific dancers and outfits. Quite the show!

Best Way To Get Around:

We had a car to go beyond Albufeira, but you can easily get around the many, many nearby restaurants on foot.

Our two-bedroom condo was beautifully decorated and well equipped with all the conveniences of home (minus the dishwasher). There is no A/C (at present), but the various fans and sea breezes provide all the coolness you desire. We certainly appreciated the sun beds on the very large patio.

Best Things Nearby:
Close by, there are many different kinds of restaurants to choose from. Not just local food, but Indian and Chinese as well.

Best Things About the Resort:
Our 2 bedroom unit was large and spacious, and having sunbeds on the equally large patio was wonderful--no need to go to the pool or the beach if you don't want to.

Resort Experience:
We arrived just after midnight following a flight from Paris. The directions to this resort were totally useless. We probably drove around for an hour, stopping to ask directions along the way. Our check-in, although being quick and efficient, left a lot to be desired -- no welcoming comments or smile. This resort is very large, and the directions to our unit vague (especially at this late hour in the dark).

The next morning (Sunday) around 9:00, we were roused from our sleep by jack hammering two units over. We went immediately to the front desk and saw the manager who couldn't have cared less about our situation. For alternative accommodations, he sent us on a trek up to the sister property up the road. We were probably shown the worst one-bedroom unit in the entire hotel. It was dark, on the ground floor facing, of all things, a construction site complete with dust and huge diggers. We found this to be a great insult to us -- after all, were we not complaining about the noise from the unit two doors down!

Going back to the resort, we waited almost an hour to see the manager again -- why so long, you might ask, he was busy with another complaint from a couple who were placed immediately above the disco! Needless to say, the manager advised that he could not help us whatsoever. Upon questioning him, we were led to believe that the refurbishing of the unit two doors down would be finished on Tuesday, and that the workmen would only work 10-5. NOT SO! They started before 10 and went past 5 pm. In addition, this sanding, hammering, fumes from chemicals, etc. continued through to the end of our so called holiday. We are RCI members, but this was not an exchange, we actually paid big bucks to stay at this resort!! A terrible way for us to end the last week of a month long vacation travelling throughout Europe.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Not Available
• Unit Satisfaction: Poor
• Family Friendliness: Poor
• Service: Poor

Close to the Clube Praia da Oura, there are two grocery outlets. A small one is on the property, but there is a much larger food store just a couple of minutes up the road. The larger supermarket had everything we needed to cook our breakfasts and lunches (we usually went out for dinners). There is also quite a variety of good local wines at excellent prices.

Now, if you're looking for souvenirs to take home, you can certainly find many, many little shops on the main strip. So, you have quantity, but don't even think about quality! All the shops seem to have the same trinkets, and the prices reflect what you're buying. You know the old saying, "you get what you pay for." This is very true in Albufeira.

There are many bars to choose from close to the Clube Praia da Oura. Just walk up and down the strip and choose the one with your favorite music blaring out onto the sidewalk.