Hotel Estoril

Review date: 27 September 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Wilts, England wrote:-

Review title: "If You Need A Relaxing Holiday"
Travel date: September 2007
Having read the earlier reviews, I had to remind myself that an open mind is the best one to have - and I'm so glad I did!

Check in was effortless and all the staff speak basic to good English. A smile goes a long way and it's unfortunate that many of our fellow guests didn't seem aware of this.

For a two star hotel, the amenities were all as expected. The stairs and landing are covered in a tired and shabby carpet, but the rooms were clean, the sheets changed once during our week long holiday and the towels changed as often as you required. Our maid was kept busy as there were no vacancies at all, but cleaned our room every day. If you want clean towels, leave them on the floor in the bathroom, and they're changed - exactly as in the five star hotels I've stayed in. Every room in the older part of the hotel has a ceiling fan and we found this perfectly adequate for the temperature, day or night.

The pool area is adequate, with more than enough sunbeds. Unfortunately the greedier guests seemed to make it their mission to 'bag a bed' as early as allowed (8 a.m.) and then occupy it occasionally during the day. The hotel tries to deter this by advising that if left unoccupied for more than two hours, the towels will be removed. The pool area is thoroughly washed down every evening - as is the bar area in the morning before opening at 10 a.m.

Smoking is allowed everywhere except in the restaurant - as is common throughout the island. However, all rooms are open to the fresh air and sunshine, so ventilation is not an issue. As a non smoker, I did not find it at all unpleasant.

The food is Spanish orientated - if you want pizza, burgers, nuggets of any description, or any other type of processed or junk food - you will be disappointed. Every meal there was a fish, chicken or pork, beef, pasta and vegetarian dish. Unfortunately, there is no description printed clearly in English, although the chef was present throughout the serving, overseeing and happy to describe the dishes if asked. Some people walked in, looked at the unaccustomed dishes, and walked out again, saying that there was nothing to eat. All I can say to that is my husband, who is one of the most difficult persons to please, found something to his palate every meal time. The salad bar was kept stocked with fresh produce, most of which hadn't seen an EEC directive in its life. There was a choice of at least three desserts plus fruit and three flavours of ice cream for lunch and dinner. Breakfast was served using Spanish style bacon and the scrambled egg had an interesting smokey flavour one morning, but there was a range of cold meats and cheeses, cereals, and fresh bread or toast in addition to fresh fruit available. Some recycling was obvious, but nothing that could be considered detrimental to the flavour or a health hazard. The hotel also requires a modicum of decency. Gentleman are requested to wear a shirt and ladies to cover their swimwear when eating in the restaurant.

The bar was staffed every day, all day. Unfortunately they ran out of white wine on the Saturday, but bottles were brought in and supplies resumed Monday morning. Stock levels seemed to waver on everything, but when there wasn't white wine, there was still rose or red.

Bottles of water are one euro each but there are two supermarkets within two minutes walk, both very reasonably priced. In fact, the cigarettes and alcohol are cheaper here than at the airport duty free.

The entertainment is dire - bingo twice, a DVD once, a magic show and karaoke. But some people enjoyed it, so each to their own. Most people there were couples of all ages, with only two young children in the entire hotel, so evenings were very sociable and there were plenty of people to chat with. If you need a 'hi-de-hi' atmosphere, this is not the hotel for you.

The bar closed at 11 p.m., as does the rest of the resort. Even the bars in the main square such as 'Ollies', (which doesn't stock Guinness, despite the signs) all close then.

There are two lovely sandy beaches - one the other side of the bay and best accessed by car unless you enjoy long walks, and the other about a slow 15 minute walk. Each has crystal clear water and sunbeds for hire. Be warned, the charge for these is the same whether you're there all day or just for a couple of hours.

Local bus services are cheap and reliable and we visited the local market towns using them. The hotel reception has timetables and are happy to advise you where to go and what to see and will prepare a lunch box if requested before 7.30 the night before.

The Estoril was a very pleasant hotel and resort and extremely good value for money.

Review date: 01 August 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Scotland wrote:-

Review title: "Estoril Hotel"
Travel date: July 2007
I have just returned from an excellent holiday at the Estoril. I read all the reviews and was a little wary of what to expect. I really had an excellent week even though it was my first holiday alone.

The food was good, weather was superb and I recharged my batteries.

Place is quiet, no night life at all but that suits some people. The week I was there everyone was very friendly. Rooms are spotless, towels changed daily, bed changed whenever. I hope to return one day.

Review date: 20 August 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Edinburgh, Scotland wrote:-

Review title: "Okay"
Travel date: August 2005
Me and my family found this hotel nice but not enough things for the kids. The pool was rather small and my child cut her foot several times in it and also found a small piece of glass in the children's pool. Good entertainment and not a long walk from the nearest Scottish pub and beach. It was good value as it was accommodation on arrival and we were lucky.

The food wasn't great but good some days and you didn't know what you were going to eat as the food had no labels but overall it was rather good and if any one is going to Mallorca with the teletext, hope to get this hotel and make sure you go to the western water park – it's great.

Review date: 04 October 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Glasgow wrote:-

Review title: "Superb Estoril"
Travel date: July 2005
Have been to this hotel twice and hope to go again. Great value for money, very friendly and helpful staff, especially Samba and Isabel. Ideal if you are looking for a quiet holiday and good food.

Review date: 07 July 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Dundee wrote:-

Review title: "Nice For A Great Price"
Travel date: June 2005
I arrived at the Hotel Estoril on 13th June 2005. Didn't know what to expect as booked over the teletext. Must say I was pleasantly surprised at the hotel. Stayed for a week and didn't have any problems with the room. Ok, it looked onto a wall but didn't bother me as wasn't going to sit in the room all holiday.

No problems with food, had a lot to choose from. Operated on two drinks a time but then saves some going to waste I think. Didn't have people going mad ordering ten at a time.

Found most of the staff helpful, especially Samba and also Franci was excellent on the bar. Stayed in 3 4 star hotels that didn't provide as good a service. Would definitely return!!!

Review date: 28 June 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Ayr, Scotland, UK wrote:-

Review title: "Estoril = Poor Quality All Round"
Travel date: June 2005
This hotel out of all that I've stayed in was very disappointing. The pool was tiny and the food wasn't up to much. The staff were quite helpful, except Samba.

We had to be away from the bar at 11.30 sharp and were only allowed two drinks at any one time. Not a very good hotel at all. If you have brains, don't go.

Review date: 16 April 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Scotland wrote:-

Review title: "Very Disappointing Hotel"
Travel date: April 2005
Our visit here was a nasty surprise as the first room we were given looked out on to a white brick wall and the room smelt badly from dampness. We had no water or flushing toilet so they moved us to a second room, which had no hot water for 36 hours and also smelt of dampness but at least we could look out at the pool.

The staff were extremely friendly but not willing to compromise their policies as I asked for the balcony light to be put on as it was only 11.30pm. I didn't feel like having to go to bed at 11.30pm beng on holiday but the bar/lounge closed at 11.30pm prompt each evening and the outside lights were all switched off. We were advised that they couldn't put it on or all lights would go on.

Food was eatable but had to have plenty of toilet rolls handy in the room.

The only day of good weather, they emptied the children's pool to do repairs and didn't fill it until the next day.

Even although the hotel was small, the entertainment was extremely poor for this being an all inclusive holiday.

The resort was very boring with nothing to do. No buses were running as it was April and only a couple of shops had opened for the season. Not that there were many more to open.

Review date: 30 July 2004 - A HotelStreet visitor from Glasgow, Scotland wrote:-

Review title: "Lovely, Wee Estoril Hotel"
Travel date: July 2004
Our visit here was a nice surprise with friendly staff, clean rooms, good food, nice pool, plenty of sun-loungers....except for the late-risers, and peace. This hotel is small enough for you to get to know most of the 150 or so guests but is big enough to forget where you left your wife/husband.

The staff are so helpful and to name a few, Nicole, Francie, Sarah, Abdu, Carole and Samba could not have been more helpful.

The resort is quite peaceful but not dull with a quiet little harbour where all the sight-seeing boats depart. The local square about five minutes away is the place to be with dancing and trampolining in the evenings. Paul in the Polynesian bar there is a friendly Mein Host born Geordie but raised in London. The beach is about a fifteen minute walk past bars, small restaurants, scooter-hire and souvenir shops and is well worth the effort for it's gently sloping fine white sands and cove surroundings.

All-in-all I would recommend this hotel and will surely return some day.

Review date: 06 November 2004 - A HotelStreet visitor from Glasgow wrote:-

Review title: "Good Value Hotel"
Travel date: September 2003
A good hotel at great value for money. Food was excellent, with a different choice each night. Pool a bit crowded but not unruly. Good atmosphere amongst the guests. Beach is a good 30 - 35 minutes walk but worth the effort. Picturesque resort with a reasonable choice of bars but not for the party animals! Only complaint was that the beds were only camp beds and not proper beds and if you were slightly larger, made for an uncomfortable night's sleep.