Pros

  • Quiet countryside location about a 15-minute drive from Vilamoura
  • Rooms offer air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and balconies or terraces
  • All-inclusive option available, but there are some limits
  • Free shuttle to beach and town
  • On-site bike rental and tennis court
  • Small outdoor playground
  • Free Wi-Fi in lobby and at bar
  • Free parking
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Cons

  • Location is removed from action (a pro for some)
  • Rooms are tired and dated
  • No Wi-Fi in rooms
  • All-inclusive plans aren't the most generous
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Bottom Line

The 56-room Pinhal do Sol Hotel is a two-and-a-half-pearl property in the quiet countryside location between Vilamoura and  Vale do Lobo. There's not much near the hotel, so most guests rent a car, although the hotel provides a free shuttle to town and the beach. Rooms are tired and dated, but they're clean and have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and furnished balconies or terraces. Meals, including a breakfast buffet, are served in a colorful restaurant, and all-inclusive plans are available, although they're limited. The outdoor pool is popular, and there's also a tennis court. Bikes can be rented for exploring the area. Rates here are low, but families who don't mind spending more might consider the Aquashow Park Hotel, which has lots more for kids to do. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Pinhal do Sol Hotel

Scene

Quiet countryside hotel with few features, most appealing to non-fussy couples

For travelers who plan on doing and seeing little, or for those who want to save money by commuting to the beaches and towns of the Algarve, the Pinhal do Sol might fit the bill. It's a pleasant place, to be sure, though expectations need to be managed a bit. The lobby is open and bright, but dated, with several rattan sofas and chairs for seating. Bright green valances and yellow window trim add color to the otherwise beige space. A flat-screen TV keeps guests up-to-date on the latest news, sports, and weather, and a computer is available for guests to use for a fee. Hallways to guest rooms have large windows providing natural light and views of the the well-maintained lawn, which is dotted with mature trees. The place is most popular with couples, but all sorts of travelers stay here to take advantage of the low rates. However, families may find that there's not much for the kids to do.

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Location

Quiet, isolated location between Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo

This hotel is situated in a quiet, isolated location between Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo. There's practically nothing right around the hotel, and a rental car is almost a must for staying here. Guests can get to Vilamoura in about 15 minutes by car and to Quarteira in about 10 minutes. The Oceanico Pinhal golf course is a 10-minute drive from the property, and there are multiple other golf courses in the area as well. The Aquashow water park is a three-minute drive, for those traveling with kids. Faro Airport is about 20 minutes away by car. It's a two-and-a-half hour drive to the airport in Lisbon.

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Rooms

Tired, dated rooms with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and balconies or terraces

Rooms are spacious, but dated, with old patterned bedspreads, tiled floors, earth-tone color schemes, and striped drapery. There's little in the way of decoration on the white walls, which only exacerbates the tired look. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and safes. Upgraded rooms add sofas, mini-fridges, and tea/coffee makers. Unfortunately, there is no Wi-Fi in rooms. Guests in Romantic Rooms are greeted with rose petals on the bed, plus chocolates and a bottle of bubbly. Bathrooms are tiled and have showers or tubs, pedestal sinks, and bidets. They come with hairdryers and toiletries, though there was little in the way of counter space in the room that we visited. All rooms have a terrace or balcony that's furnished with a small table and chairs. Views are of the countryside. 

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Features

Restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, tennis court, bike rentals, small outdoor playground

This hotel doesn't have much in the way of features, which is a little problematic given its isolated location. Meals are served in a casual restaurant, and guests can dine inside or out on the terrace shaded by palm trees. All-inclusive rates are available, but there are some limitations -- complaints range from early cut-off times to the range of beverages included. The bar has indoor seating with flat-screen TVs plus pool and foosball tables for entertainment, or guests can sit outside by the pool. Live entertainment performs in the bar some nights. 

The outdoor pool is suitable for swimming laps, and lounge chairs and straw umbrellas line the deck. Additional lounge chairs are available on the grassy lawn, and there's a small outdoor playground for the littlest ones. Bike rentals are available on-site, and there's a tennis court, although it has seen better days. Wi-Fi is only free and available in the lobby, which is often crammed with other guests trying to get the signal. The hotel does run a free shuttle to the nearby towns and the beach.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Pinhal do Sol Hotel

Scene

Quiet countryside hotel with few features, most appealing to non-fussy couples

For travelers who plan on doing and seeing little, or for those who want to save money by commuting to the beaches and towns of the Algarve, the Pinhal do Sol might fit the bill. It's a pleasant place, to be sure, though expectations need to be managed a bit. The lobby is open and bright, but dated, with several rattan sofas and chairs for seating. Bright green valances and yellow window trim add color to the otherwise beige space. A flat-screen TV keeps guests up-to-date on the latest news, sports, and weather, and a computer is available for guests to use for a fee. Hallways to guest rooms have large windows providing natural light and views of the the well-maintained lawn, which is dotted with mature trees. The place is most popular with couples, but all sorts of travelers stay here to take advantage of the low rates. However, families may find that there's not much for the kids to do.

See More Scene

Location

Quiet, isolated location between Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo

This hotel is situated in a quiet, isolated location between Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo. There's practically nothing right around the hotel, and a rental car is almost a must for staying here. Guests can get to Vilamoura in about 15 minutes by car and to Quarteira in about 10 minutes. The Oceanico Pinhal golf course is a 10-minute drive from the property, and there are multiple other golf courses in the area as well. The Aquashow water park is a three-minute drive, for those traveling with kids. Faro Airport is about 20 minutes away by car. It's a two-and-a-half hour drive to the airport in Lisbon.

See More Location

Rooms

Tired, dated rooms with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and balconies or terraces

Rooms are spacious, but dated, with old patterned bedspreads, tiled floors, earth-tone color schemes, and striped drapery. There's little in the way of decoration on the white walls, which only exacerbates the tired look. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and safes. Upgraded rooms add sofas, mini-fridges, and tea/coffee makers. Unfortunately, there is no Wi-Fi in rooms. Guests in Romantic Rooms are greeted with rose petals on the bed, plus chocolates and a bottle of bubbly. Bathrooms are tiled and have showers or tubs, pedestal sinks, and bidets. They come with hairdryers and toiletries, though there was little in the way of counter space in the room that we visited. All rooms have a terrace or balcony that's furnished with a small table and chairs. Views are of the countryside. 

See More Rooms

Features

Restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, tennis court, bike rentals, small outdoor playground

This hotel doesn't have much in the way of features, which is a little problematic given its isolated location. Meals are served in a casual restaurant, and guests can dine inside or out on the terrace shaded by palm trees. All-inclusive rates are available, but there are some limitations -- complaints range from early cut-off times to the range of beverages included. The bar has indoor seating with flat-screen TVs plus pool and foosball tables for entertainment, or guests can sit outside by the pool. Live entertainment performs in the bar some nights. 

The outdoor pool is suitable for swimming laps, and lounge chairs and straw umbrellas line the deck. Additional lounge chairs are available on the grassy lawn, and there's a small outdoor playground for the littlest ones. Bike rentals are available on-site, and there's a tennis court, although it has seen better days. Wi-Fi is only free and available in the lobby, which is often crammed with other guests trying to get the signal. The hotel does run a free shuttle to the nearby towns and the beach.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • 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.