Pros

  • On a cliff above Praia dos Castelos, with direct beach access
  • Walking distance to restaurants and Praia da Rocha
  • Airy apartments with furnished balconies and well-equipped kitchenettes
  • Some rooms have views of the Atlantic Ocean
  • Outdoor pool and sun deck
  • Casual bar and restaurant with an outdoor terrace
  • Game room with pool tables
  • Free parking
  • Free bikes to borrow
See More Pros

Cons

  • Fees for Wi-Fi and breakfast
  • Restaurant is open seasonally
  • A bit dated throughout
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The three-pearl Apartamentos Turisticos Presidente sit on the cliffs overlooking a small beach that's walking distance to the more popular Praia da Rocha. The 107 apartments are a bit dated, but have well-equipped kitchenettes and furnished balconies. Wi-Fi and breakfast are an extra fee. The outdoor pool and sun deck is a little worse for wear too. There's a casual and seasonal restaurant and bar with an outdoor terrace, along with a game room. Bikes are free for guests to borrow. Though it's a block from the beach, the Apartamentos Jardins da Rocha are more centrally located and more facilities for similar rates. 

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

Oyster Hotel Review

Apartamentos Turisitcos Presidente

Scene

Aging mid-range apartment hotel overlooking the ocean

A quiet atmosphere pervades throughout the Apartamentos Turisticos Presidente, since most guests relax in their apartments or at the beach instead of hanging around the limited common areas. The sand-colored building has a striking architectural design, shaped like the number three (from above), ringed by balconies and exterior walkways that give it an almost honeycomb-like appearance. The main entrance sits at the base of an angled tower in the middle of a long courtyard, laid with small cobblestones that form concentric geometric patterns. Inside, a staircase is the first thing you see, ascending the tower to access the floors above. Around the corner, a blue-and-white tile mosaic depicts sailing ships from Portugal's golden age, and there's a wood-paneled reception desk with cushioned rattan chairs and a few potted plants laid around the perimeter of the lobby. 

See More Scene

Location

On the cliff above Praia dos Castelos beach, a six-minute drive to Praia da Rocha 

The hotel is located on the cliffs overlooking Praia dos Castelos, in a subdued residential area with undeveloped lots on either side. This is a quieter alternative to the more touristy Praia da Rocha strip, which is a six-minute drive from the property. The colorful town of Portimao and the fishing village of Alvor also are about 10 minutes away, as is the Fort of Santa Catarina. There's not much immediately around the hotel besides the beach and a few restaurants, so guests who want to explore will probably need to rent a car. Both the Slide & Splash water park and the Vale Da Pinta Golf Course can both be reached in about 20 minutes by car. The Algarve International Autodrome is a 30-minute drive away. Faro Airport will take 50 minutes to reach by car. Lisbon is a two-and-a-half-hour drive.

See More Location

Rooms

Airy apartments with furnished balconies and well-equipped kitchenettes; some have ocean views 

The hotel has 107 One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments with white tiled floors and simple wood furnishings with blue accents. Entryways with wood-beamed ceilings and arched doorways add some character, but the fabrics are dated and the decor is showing its overall age. All have open-plan kitchenettes with stovetops, small refrigerators, microwaves, toasters, and coffeemakers, along with cookware and dishware. Breakfast bars have stools on one side and a pair of chairs on the other. The One-Bedroom Apartments have two twin beds and living rooms with sofa beds, while Two-Bedroom Apartments add double beds and dining tables. Flat-screen TVs come standard in the living areas, and Wi-Fi is an extra fee. Tiled bathrooms feature bidets and shower/tub combos. Wraparound balconies are furnished with white plastic tables and chairs. Some have ocean views, but about half face inland, with views of the countryside, or nearby Portimao. 

See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor pool, seasonal restaurant, outdoor terrace, game room, and free parking

Typical of other apartment hotels, the facilities are limited. The outdoor pool is sheltered from the road by a hedge wall and the sun deck has loungers with reed shade umbrellas, but the whole area could use updates. Some tiles are cracked, and many of the sun loungers are worn out. There's a seasonal restaurant with a wood-paneled ceiling that serves a la cart international cuisine, and a breakfast buffet for a fee. The restaurant has an adjoining bar with an espresso machine, and it opens onto an outdoor poolside terrace, set with orange chairs and plastic tables with canvas umbrellas. There's also a game room with pool tables. Bikes are available to borrow from the reception desk, which is open 24 hours. Free parking is available.

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Apartamentos Turisitcos Presidente

Also Known As

  • Presidente Apartamentos

Address

Estrada do Vau, Praia da Rocha, Portimao 8500-820, Portugal

Oyster Hotel Review

Apartamentos Turisitcos Presidente

Scene

Aging mid-range apartment hotel overlooking the ocean

A quiet atmosphere pervades throughout the Apartamentos Turisticos Presidente, since most guests relax in their apartments or at the beach instead of hanging around the limited common areas. The sand-colored building has a striking architectural design, shaped like the number three (from above), ringed by balconies and exterior walkways that give it an almost honeycomb-like appearance. The main entrance sits at the base of an angled tower in the middle of a long courtyard, laid with small cobblestones that form concentric geometric patterns. Inside, a staircase is the first thing you see, ascending the tower to access the floors above. Around the corner, a blue-and-white tile mosaic depicts sailing ships from Portugal's golden age, and there's a wood-paneled reception desk with cushioned rattan chairs and a few potted plants laid around the perimeter of the lobby. 

See More Scene

Location

On the cliff above Praia dos Castelos beach, a six-minute drive to Praia da Rocha 

The hotel is located on the cliffs overlooking Praia dos Castelos, in a subdued residential area with undeveloped lots on either side. This is a quieter alternative to the more touristy Praia da Rocha strip, which is a six-minute drive from the property. The colorful town of Portimao and the fishing village of Alvor also are about 10 minutes away, as is the Fort of Santa Catarina. There's not much immediately around the hotel besides the beach and a few restaurants, so guests who want to explore will probably need to rent a car. Both the Slide & Splash water park and the Vale Da Pinta Golf Course can both be reached in about 20 minutes by car. The Algarve International Autodrome is a 30-minute drive away. Faro Airport will take 50 minutes to reach by car. Lisbon is a two-and-a-half-hour drive.

See More Location

Rooms

Airy apartments with furnished balconies and well-equipped kitchenettes; some have ocean views 

The hotel has 107 One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments with white tiled floors and simple wood furnishings with blue accents. Entryways with wood-beamed ceilings and arched doorways add some character, but the fabrics are dated and the decor is showing its overall age. All have open-plan kitchenettes with stovetops, small refrigerators, microwaves, toasters, and coffeemakers, along with cookware and dishware. Breakfast bars have stools on one side and a pair of chairs on the other. The One-Bedroom Apartments have two twin beds and living rooms with sofa beds, while Two-Bedroom Apartments add double beds and dining tables. Flat-screen TVs come standard in the living areas, and Wi-Fi is an extra fee. Tiled bathrooms feature bidets and shower/tub combos. Wraparound balconies are furnished with white plastic tables and chairs. Some have ocean views, but about half face inland, with views of the countryside, or nearby Portimao. 

See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor pool, seasonal restaurant, outdoor terrace, game room, and free parking

Typical of other apartment hotels, the facilities are limited. The outdoor pool is sheltered from the road by a hedge wall and the sun deck has loungers with reed shade umbrellas, but the whole area could use updates. Some tiles are cracked, and many of the sun loungers are worn out. There's a seasonal restaurant with a wood-paneled ceiling that serves a la cart international cuisine, and a breakfast buffet for a fee. The restaurant has an adjoining bar with an espresso machine, and it opens onto an outdoor poolside terrace, set with orange chairs and plastic tables with canvas umbrellas. There's also a game room with pool tables. Bikes are available to borrow from the reception desk, which is open 24 hours. Free parking is available.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Full Kitchen

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.