We stayed here 2 years ago and were really pleased. We had a great 5 star experience. Boy, how a hotel can change in just a few years....
On the good side:
Nice pretty hotel location
Pool area is great and the pool bar (in the 5 star part) El Faro has a great ambiance
Good breakfast buffet selection
Pool view rooms with balcony are nice (Superior Rooms)
Majority of staff are friendly
This hotel is marketed largely to cater for French, Spanish and Portuguese. The other part of the hotel is a 4 star Aparthotel, 90% French.
The Aparthotel guests are permitted to use the 5 Star hotel facilities which impacts negatively on the other guests:
5 Star area pool and bar are far nicer than those provided at the Aparthotel complex which means, every day there is an exodus to the 5 Star area and there is insufficient capacity of sun loungers or seating for lunch at the bar to cater for all.
No care given to those with young families who don't smoke or areas allocated for non smokers. If you don't want to inhale passive smoke, you have to stay indoors. If you want breakfast in the beautiful outside breakfast area, you'll have to inhale about 5 cigarettes each. The whole of the bar and pool areas are at times like going back 40 years in UK as all the French (90%), Spanish and Portuguese light up with impunity whether or not they have young kids next to them.
In short, if you're a smoker, you'll love it. If not, go elsewhere.