“I'd rather keep it to myself!!”

This was our second visit to the CS Sao Raphael Hotel, we were just as impressed 5 years on. This hotel is perfect for a relaxing out of season family break - especailly from a Mum's perspective. The hotel offers fantastic accomodation in the form of very spacious suites. We opted for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom suite, our children aged 10 & 11 had plenty of space, with their own beds, the balcony over looked the sea. The breakfast is faultless - even comes with a glass of bubbles. There are two beaches within walking distance, only one restaurant was open (it was late October!) but sitting eating fresh fish and watching the kids dodge waves was the perfect unwind. The spa hotel has a indoor swimming pool, perfect as we were there during a spetacular storm. The hotel never felt crowded due to the space and decor, the staff are friendly and really helpful. We wanted a relaxing family break and this hotel was perfect.

“Impressed”

The hotel is great if you are looking to simply relax and not looking to be entertained. The quality of food in the main restaurant and pool area is superb and whilst generally quite young - the staff make up for any lack of experience with a wonderful approach to customer service and really do put themselves out to do their best. We elected for the half board option and quite frankly it was a godsend. The hotel is not conveniently located for a wide selection of restaurant or bar options (unless you are happy with snack style food) so bear in mind that you will probably need to allow about 10/15 Euros for return taxi rides if you want to venture further than the CS Atlantic or Chinese across the street. Other options are probably only a 15 minute walk but in heat/humidity you feel a bit clammy at the other end! We stayed in a two bedroomed family suite and it was really comfortable and well maintained by housekeeping staff. As with all hotels that have predominantly tiled flooring you can't escape the furniture scrapping/general noise of your neighbours but it's just a picky point from a light sleeper. The two things that earn this hotel deserved compliments are the service and food quality. If CS operated hotels outside of Portugal/Madeira this experience would certainly make me consider another one of their hotels in future. They could possibly benefit from introducing a little more 'personality' and may find their bar a little busier if they considered their pricing.

“Excellent for a short stay.”

This is a good hotel with reasonable food and the accomodation is very good. Be warned though, it is in a very quiet neighbourhood with not a lot around. The food in the hotel at breakfast and the buffet in the evening was adequate for 5 star hotel. A little more variety on the poolside options would not go amiss though. The hotel is a good 5 minute walk from the beach, and be warned they charge you extra for use of sunbeds on the beach (12 euros for 2). With 2 kids we got stung for 24 euros for the day. Because of this we elected to spend the most of the holiday by the pools, of which there are three. The kids were happy and there were some good activities arranged to keep the youngest occupied. The staff were very helpful. I would only recommend this for a week maximum to unwind and read a few books. After a week you will realise there is not enough to do and not enough variety in the menus/activities and options. Things will get very boring very quickly.

“Not the best family hotel”

Travelled with my wife and 3 and half year old son. Kids Club - Depending on staff either very good or very very bad. Pools - Good sizes and well set out although a heated one wouldn't have gone amiss. The pretty pebbles around the outside of them are not a great idea with kids about!!! - Pool toilets (Less said abouth them the better) Buffet Breakfast- Pretty poor (and this from a man who likes buffets). Not a great choice and same every day Resaurants-Only used the pool bar, selection was good but opening times not great when you have small kids as Reastaurant didnt open until 7:30pm and pool bar stopped serving its nice menu at 4:30pm Rooms-We had a suite which was a good size, bath and showers very small which was quite restrictive. Obviously rooms had been for a self catering hotel before as our room had 2 cooking rings (Which were disconnected). No real 5* touches though, TV only had Sky News or BBC world, no dvd, no sound system. All these you would expect with a 5* suite. Location - Superb, great spot, lots of good restaurants within minutes, beauttiful beaches close by (Sao Rafael, Castella, Evarista etc) Hotel - Style over content, a definite lack of atmosphere, but very nice looking and very clean- One point, Hotel claims to have Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, it did not while we were there. 2 PC's available to use Overall, far better 5* Hotels around, would not go back

“My Beach Holiday”

The hotel is not directly on beach neither too close. But is Good.

“Fantastic holiday”

Great hotel in a lovely location, very close to the beach 10 minute walk max, the room was immaculate and cleaned to a high standard every day without fail. The general standard of the hotel was definately 5* . Approx 6 Euros for a cab ride into Albufiera although there were a couple of excellent restaurants nearby and within a 10-15 min walk, Praia Grande restaurant overlooks the sea, excellent value, great host and a sea view. O Marinara excellent food and a real homely atmosphere. The pool areas were clean and the pools very refreshing although it was very quiet by the pools so excellent for relaxing! The only criticisms that we had was that breakfast buffet was the same everyday and not always hot but the standard of food was excellent, and don't buy a bottle of water from the pool bar it costs 3 Euros for 500ml compared to 1 Euro for 1.5 litres at the mini mart opposite, it is cheaper to buy beer in the hotel!! Overall a great hotel for people wanting to get away from the hustle of Albufiera but who want the option of going into the town in the evening. Staff, hotel and amenties were all fantastic and we would definately go back again!

“family weeks holiday”

this is a fantastic hotel with great food and service. the breakfast spread is outstanding and staff are excellent. the pools are great and clean and very high standard and has easy reach to albafuria town. great for children and a 5 minute walk to an outstanding private beach. only downside is lack of wifi internet even to pay for. there are hotel pc's but aged operating system.

“Perfect”

Everything was lovely. Staff helpful but unobtrusive. Facilities good. Location and hotel was spotlessly clean. Breakfast and themed evening buffets were amazing. Bar menu could have been a little more extensive with more range of snacks. Overall - well worth 5 stars!

“Perfect relaxing break”

Quiet location away from main town. Ideal if you want a relaxing break. The hotel's amenities were very good and the staff very attentive. The pools were spacious and set in attractive gardens lined with palm trees. The hotel's beach was a mere 10 minute meander down the road. The beach was stunning, sandy with lifeguard and sunbeds available. It could be a little breezy and not always ideal for swimming due to the power of the Atlantic Ocean. We had a fabulous meal in the hotel's beach side restuarant.