Real Marina Hotel & Spa

Recent Reviews: 4677

• User:Susan B

  Trip type: Couples

  Not 5* in my opinion

  16 Apr 2026

  We had booked late after deciding not to go to Cyprus.Our room was not exactly looking over the pool but the views over the marina were nice. Our room was a good size but the bathrooms need updating , most 5* hotels have walk in showers . The pressure in the taps , which were outdated needs sorting and the plugs were of no use at all, after getting them changed they still did not work .The breakfast was very good and lots of choice, even if quite busy every morning and we never went in that late 8.30/ 9.am. I can’t imagine what it would be like in the height of Summer ! Even with a Spa , indoor & outdoor pools I would not class this hotel as 5* . The carpets outside of the lifts were very dirty. The rooms sometimes don’t get cleaned until very late in the day , more cleaning staff required.The road in front of the hotel is very busy, but only a 5/10 minute walk to nice restaurants & ferries over to Ria Formosa .We enjoyed our stay but probably would not return . General Manager, Owner at Real Marina Hotel & Spa, responded to this review Dear Manilow26,Thank you for choosing Real Marina Hotel & Spa and for taking the time to share your review.We are pleased that you enjoyed the views across the marina, the spaciousness of your room, and the variety offered at breakfast. Our location, with easy access to the Ria Formosa and nearby restaurants, is also an aspect many guests value, and we are glad it contributed positively to your visit.We appreciate your comments regarding certain aspects of the room and public areas. These are reviewed as part of our ongoing programme of maintenance and enhancement, with a continued focus on comfort, functionality, and beautiful presentation across the property.Breakfast service and daily housekeeping timing are carefully managed to accommodate varying guest patterns throughout the day, while maintaining the expected standards of quality and cleanliness.We are pleased that you were able to enjoy your stay overall and appreciate you choosing to stay with us. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again on a future visit.Kind regards,Guest Experience Manager

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• User:Dcr9790

  Trip type: Family

  The perfect base to explore Olhão

  15 Apr 2026

  We stayed at the hotel for 9 nights with our 19 month old daughter and had a fantastic time. Upon arriving at the hotel we were kindly greeted by the reception team, but informed that the room was not ready - no issue with this as we had arrived 4 hours before the specified 3pm check in time. We were allowed to leave our bags at the hotel and were contacted 2 hours later to say that the room was ready. An especially nice touch was having the cases delivered to our room.The room itself was airy and spacious and perfect for our daughter’s needs, with the hotel supplying a cot for us. The facilities were excellent, with a clean, large indoor pool and hot tub, perfect considering the changeable weather conditions. The playroom was invaluable to our needs, although I feel the hotel could do more to advertise this as many families were unaware of its existence.There was a vast selection of options at breakfast, with particular highlights being the continental and fresh fruit options. One minor criticism would be that the cooked options weren’t particularly appetising and there was little variation in choice from day to day.A final word about the staff who couldn’t do enough for us during our stay. Some of the behaviour they had to put up with from the clientele was appalling. An example being a seventy-something Irish man trying to start a mutiny in the bar by forcing the staff to put the Masters golf on the TV screens, despite a local couple previously asking for a Sporting Lisbon match to be on. This man went around each table to try to force the issue, before the channel was switched at half time. He even went as far to threaten to complain to the hotel manager for his inconvenience. We saw several examples of self-entitlement from particular people, and fair play to the staff for not rising to the bait.We had worries beforehand about visiting a 5 start hotel with a toddler but the vast majority of people staying at the hotel were so kind and understanding - not that she is any problem at all. General Manager, Owner at Real Marina Hotel & Spa, responded to this review Dear Dccr9790,Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful account of your stay.We are delighted that your time with us provided a comfortable and enjoyable stay for your family, and that your arrival experience, including the care taken with your luggage, was well received. We are pleased that the room layout and amenities, including the playroom, suited your daughter’s needs, and that you were able to make full use of the indoor pool and wellness facilities.Our guests have often raved about the variety and fresh selections of breakfast. We are happy you were similarly impressed, and we appreciate your comments on the cooked offerings, which will be reviewed as we aim to maintain both quality and variety over longer stays.We also appreciate your kind remarks regarding our team. Your recognition of their professionalism, particularly in maintaining composure and attentiveness in all circumstances, is sincerely valued and will be shared with them.We are grateful that you chose to stay with us for such an important family trip and are pleased that the experience provided reassurance for future visits.We very much look forward to the opportunity of welcoming you and your family back again.Kind regards,Guest Experience Manager

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• User:Hannah M

  Trip type: Family

  Poor hygien & service disapointed stay

  14 Apr 2026

  Pros: Large suit room, great for family. Cons: Poor hygien and service. We found raw sushi pieces sittinng next to the indoor swimming pool's edge and asked the staff to remove it. I stayed away as fear of contaminatio in the water. Then our lunch next day at the cafe by outdoor pool was luke warm, it wasnt freshly prepared, we had informed waiting staff and she said it is how they do it in the kitchen. Needless to say my husband got food poison. When we mentioned all of above at the reception when checked out, he was very rude and laughed at us saying where did the sushi come from? Did not deal with it professionally.Not a 5 star hotel in anyway and we were still charged with the poor quality food. Won't be returning. There are plenty other hotels in Algarve to enjoy and spend your money with. Very disappointed as we booked this place after reading some great reviews. General Manager, Owner at Real Marina Hotel & Spa, responded to this review Dear n3604PVhannahm,Thank you for sharing your feedback.We are pleased to note that the spaciousness of the suite was well-suited to your family’s stay. I imagine our perfect location in the Algarve, with the vibrancy of Olhão just outside our doors, was a source of delight. However, the concerns you have raised regarding hygiene, dining, and service are taken very seriously.Thank you for bringing the matter at the indoor pool to our attention. Our teams maintain a consistent schedule of monitoring and cleaning across all areas, and items of this nature are routinely identified and removed as part of that process.Should a dish not meet expectations, our team would be expected to address it immediately, including reheating or replacing the item upon request, and we regret that this was not handled accordingly.Your interaction at reception has been noted for follow-up. The manner described is not aligned with the professionalism we expect from our team, particularly when guests are raising concerns at departure. Please accept our apologies.We regret that your stay did not meet expectations nor echo the perfection we desired for you. We appreciate you bringing these matters to our attention. Corrective action will be taken, and it is our hope that you will reconsider granting us the opportunity to welcome you back to a flawless future visit.Kind regards,Guest Experience Manager

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• User:peter r

  Trip type: Couples

  Above and Beyond – A Fantastic Return to Real Marina

  06 Apr 2026

  We have been regular guests at the Real Marina Hotel for many years, but a disappointing stay last November left us unsure if we would ever return. However, after contacting the hotel with our feedback, the management team assured us that they would make a future visit truly memorable. Since we love Olhão so much, we decided to give them another chance—and they certainly went above and beyond.Our party of four was delighted to receive complimentary room upgrades, along with a personal note from the Management and a thoughtful gift of wine and pastries in our rooms. Throughout the stay, the staff were incredibly attentive, and nothing was too much trouble.While it’s true that the rooms are becoming a little tired and could benefit from a refresh, you simply cannot beat the location for exploring Olhão. We are so glad we returned and look forward to our next visit. General Manager, Owner at Real Marina Hotel & Spa, responded to this review Dear B3071UMpeterr,There is something especially meaningful in welcoming back returning guests, and even more so when a stay restores confidence and leaves a renewed impression. It is rewarding to know that your visit reflected the level of care, attention, and thoughtfulness that we aim to deliver, with the team taking genuine pride in creating a stay that feels both personal and seamless. At the same time, we recognize the importance of ensuring that all elements of the experience continue to evolve in line with expectations, and your observation has been noted as part of that ongoing focus. We truly appreciate your continued trust in Real Marina and look forward to welcoming you back again for another memorable stay.Kindest regards,Guest Experience Manager

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• User:Sarah H

  Trip type: Couples

  Good location for marina and restaurants

  27 Mar 2026

  We stayed here for a week in mid March. The hotel is in a good location opposite the marina and a few minutes walk from the fish market and restaurants. We had a 'village view' room which was quiet but did not get any sun till late afternoon though this might change in summer when the sun is higher in the sky. The indoor swimming pool was a good temperature though it got busy at certain times. There was an outdoor pool though the chilly wind did not seem to put people off gong in there (unheated). Breakfast was good - again it got busy at certain times but there was always plenty of choice. We had a kettle in our room and the fridge was useful for storing milk. We ate in the restaurant a couple of times and the meal prices were not too bad but drinks were expensive. There are lots of nearby restaurants - O Franguinho is very good and only a couple of minutes walk away. The train station is a 20 minute walk but only takes 6 minutes to get into Faro. The ferries are also a 15 minute walk away - much cheaper thank taking a tour. The best thing about the hotel, apart from location, was the lovely staff who were very friendly and helpful, especially the cleaner who cleaned the bathroom when I asked her to do so, when my husband was ill in bed one day .... (illness nothing to do with hotel!) General Manager, Owner at Real Marina Hotel & Spa, responded to this review Dear SarahhJ476QZ,Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful account of your stay. We are delighted that our location overlooking the marina, and the proximity to the local markets, restaurants, and transport links were highlights of your visit.It is especially rewarding to read your kind words about the team. The care and attentiveness you experienced, particularly during a moment when it was most needed, reflect the spirit of hospitality we strive to offer every guest.We also appreciate your added observations regarding the facilities and timing of peak periods, as these are valuable insights for us. We truly value your feedback and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to the Algarve for another relaxing stay in the future.Regards,Guest Experience Manager

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