Pros

  • Scenic location 100 yards from the golden sands of Santa Eulália beach
  • Many rooms feature sea views from furnished balconies
  • Apartments available with separate living rooms and kitchenettes
  • Extensive eating and drinking options, plus beachfront nightclub
  • Large spa with indoor pool, sauna, and jetted tub
  • Four outdoor pools surrounded by lounge chairs (seasonally heated)
  • Kids' club, playground, and two tennis courts on-site
  • Free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Fee for spa facilities
  • Breakfast not included
  • Some rooms showing signs of wear
  • Dated decor including patterned drapes and bedspreads
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Bottom Line

The 344-room Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa is a three-pearl, family-friendly complex set just behind the scenic Santa Eulalia beach on the outskirts of Albufeira. On-site facilities are extensive, with four outdoor pools surrounded by wood decks and lounge chairs, multiple dining options with shaded terrace seating, and a large spa. The range of accommodation choices -- from sea-view rooms to apartments with kitchenettes -- is also impressive but decor looks dated in places. The property also includes two tennis courts, a kids' club, and a playground. All in all, rates are competitive for everything on offer, though for slightly cheaper self-catering accommodation check out the clifftop Alfagar Village - Alfagar Aldeamanto Turistico nearby. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Kids Club
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa

Scene

Large, family-friendly resort complex with relaxed vibe overlooking the beach

A combination of the gated entrance and a network of cobbled driveways that connect different parts of the Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort gives this upscale hotel the feel of a gated community complex. Guests pass between the East and West sections housing the resort's apartments -- each with neat stretches of lawn and swimming pool areas -- before arriving at the drop-off loop-road in front of reception. Stepping inside, the lobby is a large, airy space with high ceilings, terra-cotta tiling, innovative brickwork, and exotic-looking touches such as oversize clay urns, intricate wood carvings, and patterned azulejo tiles. This main J-shaped building contains most of the resort's facilities, as well as some rooms, many of which overlook the rear of the property and the hotel's private beach beyond. The vibe is relaxed and cheerful, attracting a mix of families with kids and vacationing couples, as well as the occasional conference group.

See More Scene

Location

A short stroll from picturesque Santa Eulália beach just outside Albufeira

This hotel has its own gated entry to the lovely stretch Santa Eulália beach, about 100 yards away, in the Portuguese Algarve. The nearest town is the popular resort of Albufeira, whose center is about a 10-minute drive away and is full of lively shopping streets, bars, and restaurants. Besides other hotels, there's not a lot within walking distance, though the hotel runs a regular shuttle into town. Vilamoura, featuring one of the largest tourist complexes in Europe, is 20 minutes away by car while the nearest airport is Faro, about a 35-minute drive away.

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Rooms

Dated rooms, some with sea views, and apartments with kitchenettes

This resort has a total of 344 rooms and apartments, coming in various configurations, including Standard Rooms, Studios, One-Bedroom Suites, and Two-Bedroom Suites. Decor blends colorful walls, floral and striped fabrics in curtains and bedspreads, and multi-colored tiling that creates a cheerful and jaunty vibe -- though the style will strike some as dated and there are a signs of wear and tear. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, while apartments come with simple but fairly well-equipped kitchen areas. All accommodations open to furnished balconies or terraces, with many rooms providing superb sea views. 

See More Rooms

Features

Excellent choice of dining options, multiple outdoor pools, spa with indoor pool and sauna, and more

This resort certainly doesn't disappoint in terms of eating and drinking options. Most meals are served buffet-style in the main restaurant, which features live cooking stations and an alfresco terrace with sea views (though breakfast is not generally included). There are three a la carte eateries specializing in Mediterranean cooking, Italian favorites, and local seafood, plus several bars and a nightclub/diner overlooking the beach. Each section of the resort has at least one swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs, with four outdoor pools in all (heated during cooler weather). The extensive spa also features an indoor pool, a sauna, and hydro-massage tub (though a fee is charged to use the facilities). Children have use of a kids' club and playground, and there are also artificial grass tennis courts and a pool table. Free parking is available. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa

Also Known As

  • Grande Real Santa Eulalia Resort & Hotel Spa

Address

Praia de Santa Eulália, Albufeira 8200-916, Portugal

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa

Scene

Large, family-friendly resort complex with relaxed vibe overlooking the beach

A combination of the gated entrance and a network of cobbled driveways that connect different parts of the Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort gives this upscale hotel the feel of a gated community complex. Guests pass between the East and West sections housing the resort's apartments -- each with neat stretches of lawn and swimming pool areas -- before arriving at the drop-off loop-road in front of reception. Stepping inside, the lobby is a large, airy space with high ceilings, terra-cotta tiling, innovative brickwork, and exotic-looking touches such as oversize clay urns, intricate wood carvings, and patterned azulejo tiles. This main J-shaped building contains most of the resort's facilities, as well as some rooms, many of which overlook the rear of the property and the hotel's private beach beyond. The vibe is relaxed and cheerful, attracting a mix of families with kids and vacationing couples, as well as the occasional conference group.

See More Scene

Location

A short stroll from picturesque Santa Eulália beach just outside Albufeira

This hotel has its own gated entry to the lovely stretch Santa Eulália beach, about 100 yards away, in the Portuguese Algarve. The nearest town is the popular resort of Albufeira, whose center is about a 10-minute drive away and is full of lively shopping streets, bars, and restaurants. Besides other hotels, there's not a lot within walking distance, though the hotel runs a regular shuttle into town. Vilamoura, featuring one of the largest tourist complexes in Europe, is 20 minutes away by car while the nearest airport is Faro, about a 35-minute drive away.

See More Location

Rooms

Dated rooms, some with sea views, and apartments with kitchenettes

This resort has a total of 344 rooms and apartments, coming in various configurations, including Standard Rooms, Studios, One-Bedroom Suites, and Two-Bedroom Suites. Decor blends colorful walls, floral and striped fabrics in curtains and bedspreads, and multi-colored tiling that creates a cheerful and jaunty vibe -- though the style will strike some as dated and there are a signs of wear and tear. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, while apartments come with simple but fairly well-equipped kitchen areas. All accommodations open to furnished balconies or terraces, with many rooms providing superb sea views. 

See More Rooms

Features

Excellent choice of dining options, multiple outdoor pools, spa with indoor pool and sauna, and more

This resort certainly doesn't disappoint in terms of eating and drinking options. Most meals are served buffet-style in the main restaurant, which features live cooking stations and an alfresco terrace with sea views (though breakfast is not generally included). There are three a la carte eateries specializing in Mediterranean cooking, Italian favorites, and local seafood, plus several bars and a nightclub/diner overlooking the beach. Each section of the resort has at least one swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs, with four outdoor pools in all (heated during cooler weather). The extensive spa also features an indoor pool, a sauna, and hydro-massage tub (though a fee is charged to use the facilities). Children have use of a kids' club and playground, and there are also artificial grass tennis courts and a pool table. Free parking is available. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Kids Club

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

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.