NAU Sao Rafael Suites - All Inclusive
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Summary of reviewsNAU Sao Rafael Suites - All Inclusive offers a well-rounded and positive experience for guests, especially families, thanks to its superb location, comprehensive amenities and friendly staff. The hotel's prime position close to São Rafael and Arrifana beaches and the picturesque marina is highly appreciated, providing a tranquil retreat with stunning ocean views and easy access to Albufeira’s town center via affordable taxis and a free shuttle service.
The breakfast at the hotel receives high marks for its variety and quality, serving a range of meats, fish, side dishes and fresh produce until 11am, ensuring guests start their day satisfied. Dinner also garners praise for its extensive selection, quality of food and friendly waitstaff, although there are occasional concerns about repetitive menus and the Mediterranean options.
The rooms are exceptionally spacious and comfortable, ideal for families with many featuring sea views, balconies and multiple bathrooms. However, there are some mixed reviews regarding cleanliness and maintenance with a few guests noting the need for modern renovations and specific improvements. Despite these issues, the overall comfort and soundproofing of the rooms, paired with the helpful staff, ensure a pleasant stay.
Cleanliness is generally well-maintained throughout the hotel with daily housekeeping and thorough disinfection, especially in high-traffic areas. Some guests did report occasional lapses in cleanliness in certain areas like the underground facilities and pool surroundings.
The staff at NAU Sao Rafael Suites is frequently commended for their exceptional friendliness and helpfulness. Specific staff members are often mentioned for their outstanding service and the animation team is particularly engaging and dynamic, contributing significantly to the positive guest experience despite some occasional reports of unfriendliness.
The Wi-Fi service is noted as an area requiring improvement with guests frequently mentioning weak and unreliable connections, particularly in rooms. The spa receives mixed reviews with some guests enjoying the treatments and environment, while others cite issues with facilities and hygiene.
The pool facilities are a highlight with clean and spacious outdoor pools surrounded by palm trees and plentiful sun loungers. Minor maintenance issues like broken loungers and loose tiles are mentioned, but overall, the pools are enjoyed by families, especially with the engaging activities for children.
The tennis court is an appreciated amenity, enhancing the overall guest experience with complimentary equipment provided. Parking is convenient with ample free spaces and a complimentary shuttle service adding to the hotel's value.
Family accommodations are particularly praised with spacious suites and a variety of activities for children, including a well-regarded kids club. Despite occasional atmosphere shifts due to other guest groups, the overall family-friendly environment and attentive staff make it a favorable choice for family vacations.
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The breakfast at the hotel receives high marks for its variety and quality, serving a range of meats, fish, side dishes and fresh produce until 11am, ensuring guests start their day satisfied. Dinner also garners praise for its extensive selection, quality of food and friendly waitstaff, although there are occasional concerns about repetitive menus and the Mediterranean options.
The rooms are exceptionally spacious and comfortable, ideal for families with many featuring sea views, balconies and multiple bathrooms. However, there are some mixed reviews regarding cleanliness and maintenance with a few guests noting the need for modern renovations and specific improvements. Despite these issues, the overall comfort and soundproofing of the rooms, paired with the helpful staff, ensure a pleasant stay.
Cleanliness is generally well-maintained throughout the hotel with daily housekeeping and thorough disinfection, especially in high-traffic areas. Some guests did report occasional lapses in cleanliness in certain areas like the underground facilities and pool surroundings.
The staff at NAU Sao Rafael Suites is frequently commended for their exceptional friendliness and helpfulness. Specific staff members are often mentioned for their outstanding service and the animation team is particularly engaging and dynamic, contributing significantly to the positive guest experience despite some occasional reports of unfriendliness.
The Wi-Fi service is noted as an area requiring improvement with guests frequently mentioning weak and unreliable connections, particularly in rooms. The spa receives mixed reviews with some guests enjoying the treatments and environment, while others cite issues with facilities and hygiene.
The pool facilities are a highlight with clean and spacious outdoor pools surrounded by palm trees and plentiful sun loungers. Minor maintenance issues like broken loungers and loose tiles are mentioned, but overall, the pools are enjoyed by families, especially with the engaging activities for children.
The tennis court is an appreciated amenity, enhancing the overall guest experience with complimentary equipment provided. Parking is convenient with ample free spaces and a complimentary shuttle service adding to the hotel's value.
Family accommodations are particularly praised with spacious suites and a variety of activities for children, including a well-regarded kids club. Despite occasional atmosphere shifts due to other guest groups, the overall family-friendly environment and attentive staff make it a favorable choice for family vacations.
5-Star Hotel
Set by the blue ocean, at this prestigious, modern 5 star hotel guests will be pampered by all facilities and a 5 star service expected from the group.
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
Hotel with All Inclusive Packages
Luxury Hotel
Hotel near The Beach
Hotel for Honeymoon
Hotel with Spa
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Children's Pool Outdoor Pool
Business Hotel
Hotel with Parking
EV charging stations
Accessible Hotel
Hotel with Tennis Courts
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
Hotel with Children's Pool
About NAU Sao Rafael Suites - All Inclusive
License: 432
Guest Reviews
Location
Visitors appreciate the proximity to the picturesque marina, which is a 30-minute walk away and the magnificent ocean views from the balconies. Despite being slightly further from the town center, Albufeira is just a short drive away, offering easy exploration of the area. The proximity to the stunning cliffs, tranquil beaches and convenient infrastructure greatly enhance the guest experience.
Overall, this well-located hotel provides a quiet retreat with easy access to some of Algarve's most beautiful beaches, making it a fantastic choice for a serene getaway.
Breakfast
However, a few areas for improvement are mentioned. Some guests feel the breakfast could benefit from more variety and higher quality in certain items, particularly fresh fruit and natural juices. There are no fresh omelet stations and natural, genuine orange juice is sometimes missing. Additionally, there have been occasional concerns about specific food items not always meeting expectations and a lack of sufficient vegetarian options.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall sentiment is that the breakfast at NAU Sao Rafael Suites contributes positively to the dining experience, offering a wide range of tasty and well-prepared foods, ensuring that most guests start their day satisfied.
Dinner
Despite these positives, there are some criticisms. Certain guests noted that the food tended to be heavy with a preference expressed for more Mediterranean options. Some found the lunch selection poor and there were complaints about the food being cold or bland. Instances of dry and overcooked meat and repetitive menu choices were also mentioned. The a la carte Italian restaurant was particularly disappointing for several reviewers.
In summary, while the food variety and friendliness of the meal service are praised, there are noted areas for improvement, especially regarding meal temperature, variety at lunch and the quality of specific dishes.
Rooms
Cleanliness and maintenance of the rooms receive mixed reviews. While many guests find their rooms very clean, well-organized and comfortable, others have noted issues such as ants or a need for modern renovations. Some rooms are noted to be old and tired and guests have pointed out specific problems like poor lighting, lack of ventilation in bathrooms and inconveniently placed plug sockets.
Despite these drawbacks, the overall comfort of the rooms remains high with many reviewers appreciating the softness of the beds and pillows. The rooms are also commended for their soundproofing, creating a quiet and relaxing environment. The friendly and helpful staff further enhance the guest experience, often upgrading rooms to those with better views or more desirable locations.
In summary, NAU Sao Rafael Suites offers largely positive accommodations with spacious, comfortable rooms perfect for families. While there are some areas for improvement, the combination of size, comfort and helpful service makes it a solid choice for a relaxing stay.
Beds
However, some aspects were mentioned as less than ideal. A segment of guests found the mattresses to be too soft, describing them as very soft, leading to discomfort for some. There were mentions of the bed being super uncomfortable or the mattresses not meeting expectations, indicating a variance in satisfaction based on personal preference.
Despite this, the overall consensus leans towards a positive experience with the beds with many guests appreciating the comfort and coziness provided during their stay.
Cleanliness
However, a number of reviews point out issues with cleanliness in specific areas. Common criticisms include spider webs and dirty floors in certain locations, particularly in the underground facilities and spa. Some bathrooms and handrails were noted to be dusty and occasional sightings of insects like cockroaches were mentioned. The pool area and surrounding common spaces sometimes lacked the same level of cleanliness observed in other parts of the hotel, detracting from the overall experience.
Despite these occasional lapses, the majority of feedback about cleanliness at NAU Sao Rafael Suites remains positive, highlighting the dedication of the housekeeping staff and the generally well-kept state of the hotel.
Staff
Restaurant and bar staff received praise for their willingness to make guests feel welcome and their attention to detail, especially with children. Specific employees, like Concha, Muhammad, Bidur and Marcio, have been singled out for their outstanding service. The animation team, led by Marco, were described as dynamic and engaging.
While the majority of the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a few guests encountered unfriendliness or rudeness from certain staff members at the buffet and restaurant. Despite these isolated incidents, the overall sentiment reflects a high regard for the hotel staff's professionalism, dedication and friendly demeanor, contributing to a highly recommended stay.
Wi-Fi
Spa
However, the spa did have some positive mentions. Guests appreciated the access to spa services and treatments, which were considered amazing by some. The indoor swimming pool was noted to be of a good size and the overall environment of the spa was described as quiet and perfect for relaxation. Some guests enjoyed their massages despite occasional issues with timing and staffing. A few reviewers also pointed out the need for better communication and longer hours for relaxation amenities.
Overall, while the potential for a relaxing spa experience exists, the facilities and service quality seemed inconsistent at the time of the reviews. Guests looking for a comprehensive spa experience might want to check the current status of the amenities before booking.
Pool
However, there are some areas needing attention. Issues noted include broken sun loungers, loose tiles and occasional cleanliness problems. The indoor pool also received mixed reviews with some guests finding it too cold and commenting on the odor of chlorine. Despite these concerns, many guests still found the pool facilities enjoyable, especially for families with good animation activities for children.
For those looking for refreshments, pool bars are available, although the quality of drinks was sometimes criticized. Overall, while the pool experience at NAU Sao Rafael Suites is largely positive and family-friendly, improvements in maintenance and amenities could enhance the guests' stay even further.
Tennis
Parking
Family
The hotel's staff garnered appreciation for their friendliness and their adeptness in handling needs related to children, enhancing the overall experience for families. The kids club was frequently highlighted as a major attraction, providing ample entertainment and activities for children, including a mini spa which was well-received, although guests suggested adding more options.
Kids had plenty of opportunities to expend their energy, whether playing in the sand, enjoying the game room or participating in nightly entertainment tailored for families. The entertainment and animation for children were well-regarded, keeping the young ones engaged and happy.
Despite its many family-friendly features, some guests noted that the hotel occasionally catered more to golfing groups, which influenced the overall atmosphere, particularly around the pool where single men were observed drinking. However, this did not significantly detract from the overall family-centric experience most guests reported.
Overall, NAU Sao Rafael Suites stands out as an excellent choice for families looking for a welcoming and expansive environment with plenty of activities for kids and a friendly staff ready to enhance their stay.
5 Star
The staff have been highlighted as needing proper training to deliver the level of service expected from a higher-rated hotel. Additionally, some guests were disappointed with the Wi-Fi service, which they felt was subpar for a hotel of this claimed caliber. Specific comparisons were made between the food offerings and the advertised five-star experience with many finding the meals and snacks did not meet their expectations.
Overall, the collective feedback painted a picture of a hotel that primarily delivers a four-star experience rather than the advertised five-star level. Guests consistently noted that while some aspects of their stay were satisfactory, many critical areas required significant improvement to align with five-star standards.
All-Inclusive Packages
While the all-inclusive setup was reportedly handy and within walking distance to various amenities, some guests felt that the all-inclusive drinks offered at bars and the pool were of lower quality, often served in reusable plastic cups. There were also remarks about the all-inclusive package not meeting some guests' expectations with some desiring more food and drink options and amenities such as a simple bottle of water in rooms.
Despite some criticisms regarding the drink quality and all-inclusive completeness, the overall feedback for a comfortable all-inclusive stay was positive. However, for those seeking a high-end all-inclusive experience similar to Caribbean resorts, there might be room for improvement.
Children's Pool
Outdoor Pool
Luxury
Yes, NAU Sao Rafael Suites - All Inclusive has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Children's Pool, Outdoor Pool.
Yes, a spa is available at NAU Sao Rafael Suites - All Inclusive.
No, NAU Sao Rafael Suites - All Inclusive doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at NAU Sao Rafael Suites - All Inclusive.
No, NAU Sao Rafael Suites - All Inclusive doesn't have a gym.
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