Solar de Mos Hotel

Travelers who prefer boutique-sized hotels with lots or personalized charm are in luck at Solar de Mos. This popular, family-run property is a quiet place to kick back in the sun, and within a reasonable walk or drive of Lagos' prime draws: its lively old town and its beaches. This is the kind of place where repeat guests send funky wall art for the owners to hang in the hallways. Separated into two buildings arranged around a pool, the hotel has a home-like atmosphere that feels removed from the touristy trappings of much of the Algarve. There's local flair, though, as the public interiors are done in an Old World style with lots of dark hardwood accents, antique light fixtures, vintage prints hanging on the walls, and lots of bright colors. The vibe is quiet, and even when the hotel is full, there's not much in the way of noise. In fact, many guests spend the days out exploring the region, meaning that the hotel often feels empty during the day. Given its homey style and boutique ethos, most guests here are mature couples, though families also pass through, sometimes renting out the entire new annex building.

The immediate area helps -- in part -- to define the quiet atmosphere at this hotel. The surrounding streets are lined with other small guest houses, vacation rentals, and residences. As such, it's not the most exciting place for those who like to walk to dinner or drinks, but it helps keep things calm. The nearest beaches -- Canavial and Porto de Mos -- are a 15-minute walk from the hotel. It's a five-minute drive to the gorgeous (and crowded) Dona Ana Beach, and takes the same amount of time to reach the stunning vistas over the cliffs and natural arches of Ponta da Piedade. It's also a five-minute drive into the center of Lagos, where restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, and historic sights line the cobblestone streets of the old town. Expect a 10-minute drive to Meia Praia, on the far side of Lagos' marina. Most guests will arrive at Faro Airport, which will take about an hour to reach by car. Otherwise, it's a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Lisbon and its airport.

While there is a bit of disparity between the hotel's older building and its more modern annex, rooms in both buildings are well-kept and clean, with a good number of amenities when compared to other area mid-range hotels. Rooms in the main building have a classic style. Dark wood furniture is a touch ornamental, dark striped and solid fabrics look sharp next to each other, and photographs of Lagos' shoreline hang on the white walls. Those in the annex have more contemporary seating, white furniture, cool gray palettes, and edgier wall art. All are compact, but features include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles with tea and coffee, and minibars. Rooms in the annex have microwaves. Balconies come standard as well, though there aren't really any views beyond the pool and neighboring residences. Bathrooms, of course, reflect the style of the rooms, though all have stall showers and heated towels racks -- the bathrooms in the annex are a bit sharper. 

Solar de Mos manages to pack in a solid number of features into a relatively small property. The outdoor pool is calm on most days, and has a shallow area for kids plus plenty of lounge chairs for guests wanting to soak up the sun. The annex has a rooftop hot tub with views out to the cliffs and sea. There's also a small fitness room with a few pieces of cardio equipment and towels, and a lawn that gets some shade. Massages can be booked as well. The hotel's restaurant gets high marks from previous guests, and it serves snacks for lunch as well as dinner and drinks throughout the day. The free breakfast buffet includes hot and cold options. Bikes are available to rent and make for a pleasant day spent exploring the area, which includes the stunning cliff views from Ponta da Piedade. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and parking is available out front.