Vila Gale Collection Praia

Hotel Vila Gale Praia is a comfortable and contemporary boutique hotel with zero pretension. The quiet and relaxed vibe, proximity to Gale Beach, and minimum guest age of 16 make it a popular spot for couples looking for a convenient beach break. Rooms and public spaces have mostly fresh decor with a feminine bent, starting with the exterior's Art-Deco look painted a deep mauve. Some of the design can feel a bit disjointed, however. While the reception area is painted a lighter pink and has an adjacent lounge space with Asian accents that include Buddha sculptures and hand-carved wood furniture, the restaurant has black-and-white seating alongside large black-and-white photos of gymnasts in various poses. Outside, the grounds are spacious and tidy with well-trimmed lawns and a few carefully placed palm trees around the pool area.

Hotel Vila Gale Praia is a well-located boutique on the Algarve coast, less than a block from the beach. In five minutes on foot in different directions, guests can reach the golden sands of Gale Beach and a large supermarket, as well as several restaurants, bars, and shops. Albufeira's Old Town is about 20 minutes away on foot or a 10-minute car ride. Expect to tack on another 10 minutes for those heading to the New Town. It's about 45 minutes by car to Faro Airport or 30 minutes to the airport in Portimao. Day trips to Lisbon will take two and a half hours each way, while trips to Sagres are only about an hour. 

Expect slightly basic but contemporary rooms with a dark-brown and light-mauve color scheme, soft carpet flooring, and polished leather and wood furniture. The overall look is fresh and a bit feminine, enhanced by purple and pink hues in the blankets and artwork. All rooms have pillow menus, AC, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, kettles, and either garden or pool views from personal balconies. Standard Rooms have water bottles in the mini-fridges, while Superior Rooms add free goods in the minibars, bathrobes, and slippers. Straightforward bathrooms have shower/tub combos with adjustable showerheads, bidets, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and basic toiletries. 

Gale Beach is a large, wide golden beach less than a block from the hotel. The beach is quiet, safe, and only equipped by third-party companies in certain areas. The surrounding beach bars and restaurants are open until late in the season, and several travelers enjoy the beach even in the colder months. 

Hotel Vila Gale Praia is full of quality features, particularly for a small boutique property. The hotel's all-day Inevitavel Restaurant has a full selection available during the free breakfast buffet -- consisting of both hot and cold dishes -- and both set and a la carte menus for lunch and dinner. Guests can book half-board packages or order room service. The same-named indoor bar serves up drinks throughout the day and night. Outside in the well-manicured courtyard, there's a nice pool stocked with enough loungers and umbrellas that guests don't have to wake up early to stake claim. Guests can grab free pool towels from reception. Also on-site is a sizable spa area loaded with a sauna, Turkish bath, whirlpool lounging area, treatment rooms, yoga room, and small gym with a few (slightly aging) machines. Access to the spa area is free, but those wanting to play a game on either of the two outdoor tennis courts, will have to pay extra. A snooker table, book-swap library and a public computer are available in the large multimedia game room. Laundry service is available for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.