Pros

  • A five-minute drive to downtown Portimao and Praia da Rocha
  • Freeform outdoor swimming pool and kids' pool
  • Evening bar and hot-and-cold breakfast buffet
  • Free seasonal shuttle to beach and city center
  • Spacious apartments with kitchenettes
  • Some have balconies/terraces and/or partial ocean views
  • Free Wi-Fi in public spaces
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Cons

  • Nothing to see or do within an easy walk
  • Dated decor plus rooms with tube TVs; street-facing rooms are noisy
  • There is no Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Fee for breakfast and no other meals are served
  • Pool and kids' pool are a bit small
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Bottom Line

Mirachoro Hotel Apartamentos II & III is a two-pearl apartment hotel, with units housed in two blocks. While it's a five-minute drive from Praia da Rocha and Portimao's city center, that means lower rates. The hotel does provide a free seasonal shuttle to the beach and city. However, remoteness isn't the only reason the Mirachoro is cheap, and the style is dated throughout the property. The 115 spacious apartments feature kitchenettes, and some have balconies or terraces. Wi-Fi is available in public spaces free of charge, but isn't offered in apartments. A small freeform pool, children's pool, and bar serving breakfast (for a fee) round out the simple list of features. Travelers looking for apartments closer to the beach and more features might consider the Apartamentos Jardins da Rocha. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Apartamentos Mirachoro II

Scene

Simple, dated aparthotel for self-catering, budget-conscious travelers

Upon first glance, the Mirachoro development is pleasant enough. The building is situated on fairly well-kept grounds with lawns, palm trees, and bushes. However, things are a bit more underwhelming upon stepping inside. The lobby has a dated, homey look, with warm Portuguese-style decor, red-cushioned wicker armchairs, potted plants, and a big-screen TV. The bar features wood-beamed ceilings and dashes of blue in the upholstery, stanchions, and walls. The hotel is divided into two wings of apartments, and Mirachoro III has the newer units, but even these won't look contemporary to anyone. This place is best for self-catering travelers who plan to spend most of their time out exploring. As such, it draws mostly budget-minded couples to its freeform outdoor pool, no-frills apartments, and away-from-the-beach location that means more affordable room rates. Families benefit from the roomy units, but the kids' pool is very small and the hotel has no kids' club. 

See More Scene

Location

A five-minute drive from Praia da Rocha and downtown Portimao

Mirachoro Hotel is off the Sao Lourenco da Barrosa thoroughfare, which is well-trafficked, but puts the hotel a bit far from the beach and city center. There are a few restaurants and a supermarket within walking distance, but not much else. Luckily, taxis are fairly cheap and a bus stops right outside the hotel. The shops, restaurants, and the historic Colegio Church in downtown Portimao are a five-minute drive away. It will take the same amount of time to drive to Praia da Rocha and its strip of restaurants and bars. Portimao Marina and the medieval Fort of Santa Catarina are at the eastern end of Praia da Rocha. The hotel provides a thrice-daily shuttle to Praia da Rocha and Portimao city center during summer season. The area with Portimao train station and Portimao Arena is a little over five minutes away by car, and charming little Alvor is a 10-minute drive away. Faro Airport is 45 minutes away by car, and it will take two-and-a-half hours to reach Lisbon by car.

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Rooms

Spacious, dated apartments with kitchenettes, some with balconies or terraces

Mirachoro Hotel features a range of studio, one-bedroom, family, and suite apartments divided between Mirachoro II and Mirachoro III wings. Units have a dated budget look, with cheap wood furnishings and trim, old bedspreads, patterned drapery, and faded landscape art on the otherwise bare walls. The color palette is a basic white and brown, with splashes of pastels. The hotel could stand to address signs of wear and tear, and replace some bedding, furnishings, and kitchen appliances. On the other hand, cleanliness is generally very good, and unlike many apartment hotels the rooms are cleaned daily (towels changed every three days).

Apartments range from 484 square feet (45 square meters) to 753 square feet (70 square meters), so all are spacious. Units are generally quiet, but some facing the street may get traffic noise. Kitchenettes come standard and include two-burner stovetops, electric kettles, microwaves, toasters, and mid-size fridges. Some double beds are two singles pushed together, which isn't exactly comfortable, and units with living rooms have sofa beds. Standard features include air-conditioning, balconies, and small tube TVs with a limited channel selection. Safes cost extra to use and there is no in-room Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are spacious and include bidets, but some have limited counter space around the sink.

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Features

Small freeform outdoor pool, kids' pool, breakfast buffet, and cocktail bar

Features are slim here, even by aparthotel standards in the region. There's a freeform outdoor swimming pool, though it's a little bit small for a hotel of this size. Even so, there's generally there's not a problem getting a lounge chair on the deck, which gets good sun for most of the day. There's also an adjacent shaded patio with tables and chairs. A tiny kids' pool is not far from the main pool, though there are no other children's features here, despite the family-sized apartments. The hotel's bar serves breakfast (for a fee) with cooked-to-order eggs and a fairly good range of other hot and cold items. Lunch and dinner aren't served, and there's no room service. The bar serves a good selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the evening. A free seasonal shuttle runs to Praia de Rocha and Portimao city center three times a day. The hotel also has a library, lobby computer, billiards table, bicycle rental, 24-hour front desk, and free parking. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Apartamentos Mirachoro II

Scene

Simple, dated aparthotel for self-catering, budget-conscious travelers

Upon first glance, the Mirachoro development is pleasant enough. The building is situated on fairly well-kept grounds with lawns, palm trees, and bushes. However, things are a bit more underwhelming upon stepping inside. The lobby has a dated, homey look, with warm Portuguese-style decor, red-cushioned wicker armchairs, potted plants, and a big-screen TV. The bar features wood-beamed ceilings and dashes of blue in the upholstery, stanchions, and walls. The hotel is divided into two wings of apartments, and Mirachoro III has the newer units, but even these won't look contemporary to anyone. This place is best for self-catering travelers who plan to spend most of their time out exploring. As such, it draws mostly budget-minded couples to its freeform outdoor pool, no-frills apartments, and away-from-the-beach location that means more affordable room rates. Families benefit from the roomy units, but the kids' pool is very small and the hotel has no kids' club. 

See More Scene

Location

A five-minute drive from Praia da Rocha and downtown Portimao

Mirachoro Hotel is off the Sao Lourenco da Barrosa thoroughfare, which is well-trafficked, but puts the hotel a bit far from the beach and city center. There are a few restaurants and a supermarket within walking distance, but not much else. Luckily, taxis are fairly cheap and a bus stops right outside the hotel. The shops, restaurants, and the historic Colegio Church in downtown Portimao are a five-minute drive away. It will take the same amount of time to drive to Praia da Rocha and its strip of restaurants and bars. Portimao Marina and the medieval Fort of Santa Catarina are at the eastern end of Praia da Rocha. The hotel provides a thrice-daily shuttle to Praia da Rocha and Portimao city center during summer season. The area with Portimao train station and Portimao Arena is a little over five minutes away by car, and charming little Alvor is a 10-minute drive away. Faro Airport is 45 minutes away by car, and it will take two-and-a-half hours to reach Lisbon by car.

See More Location

Rooms

Spacious, dated apartments with kitchenettes, some with balconies or terraces

Mirachoro Hotel features a range of studio, one-bedroom, family, and suite apartments divided between Mirachoro II and Mirachoro III wings. Units have a dated budget look, with cheap wood furnishings and trim, old bedspreads, patterned drapery, and faded landscape art on the otherwise bare walls. The color palette is a basic white and brown, with splashes of pastels. The hotel could stand to address signs of wear and tear, and replace some bedding, furnishings, and kitchen appliances. On the other hand, cleanliness is generally very good, and unlike many apartment hotels the rooms are cleaned daily (towels changed every three days).

Apartments range from 484 square feet (45 square meters) to 753 square feet (70 square meters), so all are spacious. Units are generally quiet, but some facing the street may get traffic noise. Kitchenettes come standard and include two-burner stovetops, electric kettles, microwaves, toasters, and mid-size fridges. Some double beds are two singles pushed together, which isn't exactly comfortable, and units with living rooms have sofa beds. Standard features include air-conditioning, balconies, and small tube TVs with a limited channel selection. Safes cost extra to use and there is no in-room Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are spacious and include bidets, but some have limited counter space around the sink.

See More Rooms

Features

Small freeform outdoor pool, kids' pool, breakfast buffet, and cocktail bar

Features are slim here, even by aparthotel standards in the region. There's a freeform outdoor swimming pool, though it's a little bit small for a hotel of this size. Even so, there's generally there's not a problem getting a lounge chair on the deck, which gets good sun for most of the day. There's also an adjacent shaded patio with tables and chairs. A tiny kids' pool is not far from the main pool, though there are no other children's features here, despite the family-sized apartments. The hotel's bar serves breakfast (for a fee) with cooked-to-order eggs and a fairly good range of other hot and cold items. Lunch and dinner aren't served, and there's no room service. The bar serves a good selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the evening. A free seasonal shuttle runs to Praia de Rocha and Portimao city center three times a day. The hotel also has a library, lobby computer, billiards table, bicycle rental, 24-hour front desk, and free parking. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Airport Transportation

  • Cribs

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • 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.