Eva Senses Hotel

Housed in a white corner building, one side of Hotel Eva overlooks the marina across from one of Faro's old cobbled streets. The entrance is on the corner, and the hotel's name is laid out in cobbled stones to match the street. Inside, the lobby gets extra natural light from a high ceiling and a bank of windows above the glass doors. It was renovated in 2010, with a cluster of globe-style chandeliers hanging in the center of the white-on-white space, giving it a contemporary edge. Around the corner, a piano sits in a small lounge area with trendy chairs a few steps up from a lower-level cocktail bar. Guests are mostly a mix of young or older couples, enjoying the calm waterfront vibe. 

Hotel Eva is centrally located overlooking Faro's marina, a short walking distance from all the dining and attractions in Faro's Old Town area. The lagoon of the Rio Formosa stretches out to the horizon, which guests can explore by boat right from the marina. The picturesque town is filled with traditional architecture and is culturally rich  -- especially when compared to other towns in the Algarve -- while also being fairly cosmopolitan. Numerous restaurants and bars are within walking distance. For culture, the Faro Archaeological Museum is a seven-minute walk toward the southern tip of the city. Faro Beach is about a 15-minute drive around the lagoon, to the west. Faro's train station is a six-minute walk from the hotel, and the airport is only a 10-minute drive away. 

Rooms have casual modern decor in a variety of bright color palates, ranging from eggshell blue to violet. The plain carpeted rooms have a mix of older chairs and more updated contemporary furnishings that help to make them a reliably pleasant place to recharge after exploring the city, though some are nicer than others. Twin and Double Rooms are decidedly mid-range, with just a small amount of space for chairs and built-in desks with wooden stools. There are also 14 Superior Doubles and 13 Suites with a bit more character, including large-format photos of scenes from the Algarve region. These also have larger sitting areas with tables and chairs, along with modern flat-screen TVs. Most rooms have furnished balconies, either facing the marina or the city. There are no coffeemakers and the flat-screen TVs in some rooms are old and tiny, but mini-fridges come standard as do safes, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The tiled bathrooms have bidets and shower/tub combos. The tilework and marble counter tops don't exactly feel fresh, design-wise, but they are clean. Noise from the street and area bars and restaurants can be a problem in some rooms. 

The hotel's rooftop pool has commanding views over the city and the lagoon from its sundeck, which has space for loungers along one side, though it's only open seasonally. Locals can be found using the facilities of the health club, which consists of a huge fitness center and spa. The gym has multiple sections for its rows of cardio machines and weight-training equipment, as well as open studios for various group classes. The spa has typical treatment rooms (though at least one has windows facing the street), along with a sauna and steam bath. For dining, Harume Restaurant serves international and local cuisine and offers views of the marina. A breakfast buffet with a number of options is included with most room rates. There's also a coffee shop serving light meals, and a small cocktail lounge connected to the lobby. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and parking is also free. Babysitting services can be arranged.