Muthu Oura Praia Hotel

Due to signage that almost looks homemade and the property occupying the end of a gray weathered building composed largely of retail outlets, first impressions of the Oura Praia Hotel aren't great. Stepping inside, guests check in at a circular reception desk surrounded by wave-pattern cobblestone floors. Farther into the hotel, a bright and airy atrium is a quirky mixture of wood latticework arches, tropical plants, and Indian-style touches (reflecting the hotel's ownership), all flooded with sunlight from a sloping glass ceiling. A tiered water feature and candy-red seating complete the slightly dated -- though striking -- scene. To the rear is a swimming pool surrounded by a sun terrace lined with hedges and a few mature palm trees. This all-apartment hotel attracts a mix of couples, families with kids, and younger vacationing groups (including the occasional bachelor/bachelorette party).

The hotel is located in the center of the resort village of Oura, located on the eastern outskirts of the popular Algarve tourist destination of Albufeira. The property is surrounded by various types of restaurants, bars, and local shops; there's also a supermarket right next door. It's just under a 10-minute walk from the famous "Strip" where most of the area's nightlife kicks off, though there are also some late-night venues closer by (including a noisy karaoke bar just under the hotel). The stretch of golden sands of Praia da Oura is also around 10 minutes away on foot. Old Town Albufeira is about a 10-minute drive away and there's a free bus that goes there from just outside the hotel. Faro Airport is about a 30- to 35-minute drive from here.

The Oura Praia Hotel has 184 studios and one- and two-bedrooms apartments, all of which include cooking facilities, lounge/dining areas, and furnished balconies. Apartments tend to be spacious with cheerful, if a little tired, decor, bamboo furnishings, and tile floors. Kitchenettes, while lacking proper ovens, are generally well-equipped with plenty of cookware and large fridges with freezers. Other amenities include flat-screen TVs and safes, plus Wi-Fi for a fee. Bathrooms mix patterned tiling with marble countertops, and come with shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hairdryers, and basic toiletries; some could use a refresh. Most complaints center on noise issues, from either street traffic or the noisy, late-night karaoke bar downstairs.

The colorful Trevi Restaurant is open for all three meals and serves a continental breakfast of cereal, pastries, and juice, as well as some Indian food, though it's not included in the standard rate. Oura Praia Hotel has an all-inclusive option available, but most reports agree the food quality is poor, free drinks are limited, and it's generally best avoided. A sun terrace has a good-size (and deep) pool, plenty of loungers, a poolside bar, and a separate splash pool for kids. Other facilities include a gym, game area, tennis court, massage room, and sauna, though all look a little dated. However, guests do have access to facilities at the nearby sister hotel Club Praia Da Oura, which also overlooks the beach.