Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa All Inclusive

We had the most amazing dinner at Martinete Spanish restaurant. Food was so delicious (especially Gambas!). Tolo who served us was the best waiter and full of great recommendations and made sure we were looked after and pleased with our experience. And sangria was 10/10!

Hotel is great! Good for families! Service is great! I recommend you make reservations to the specialty restaurant ahead of your arrival! If you’re a big family it’s a bit tough. However we did manage to get some reservations /waitlist, last minute. We are a big family (11). The food at the Mexican (Nopal) was delicious! Spanish restaurant was good too! Buffet was good and a lot of variety.

Just superb, faultless, very comfortable rooms, wonderfully friendly staff. We loved it all but especially the beach bbq.m and the Sky bar, a perfect holiday destination, so well organised and huge investment in the refurb and the staff training which made it such a pleasurable stay.

The food, staff and facilities are absolutely brilliant. A particular mention for Victoria at reception who was absolutely wonderful for our entire stay. As was a blonde lady on reception but I didn’t get her name. The hotel is of a very high standard and every detail is considered. However, both this hotel and the adjoining Albufeira playa are one and not separate as the different names and placements on their website suggest. This means there are an absolutely humongous number of young children and families about the entire property. We were one of very few couples without children and we found the overwhelming numbers a little tricky to relax in amongst. They even were in abundance at the roof pool (sky bar) despite there being no child friendly facilities up there. Because of this, we upgraded to prestige which meant we could use another rooftop area. The pool here is a small infinity pool (more of a plunge pool than a swimming pool) but this transformed our holiday. It was quiet and peaceful up there, giving us the much needed chance to relax and read in peace. I’m certainly not adverse to children but the number at this hotel was just too much to deal with. In fact, I think that’s why they were everywhere - the parents were trying to escape the overwhelming number of other people’s children, too. Having said all of this, as always, Iberostsar do what they do so well and I can’t fault what was on offer, from food, to entertainment, to customer service. It’s important to add that the beach is also stunning and very shallow, calm water. Take some bread under/next to the boardwalk and see all of the fish! We shall return to Iberostar next year but perhaps to and adults only hotel.

The people in the hotel are so welcoming and kind. The food was really good. Breakfast is extensive and so fresh. Lunch and dinner were very good as well and there was a lot of variation. The animation from the hotel was the best we had so far. There were nice shows and parties in the evening. The concerts were so good. Much better than in other hotels. One night there was an outdoor cinema by the pool which was so well organised and idyllic. There was a big screen, we could lay down on the sunbeds and everyone had an own headset. The hotel is right next to a popular beach. Only downside, there is not much for shopping or drinks outside the hotel. Though the cocktails in the hotel are really good and nice villages are a short car drive away. We just loved our stay here.

To be clear, the hotel itself is a 5, pools, food and Staff - amazing. However, it’s so incredibly crowed that it’s just not a relaxing place. Kids running everywhere. Even at restaurants, you must hold your plates tight….and be ready to pause while walking - lots and lots of kids average age 3/4yrs old. Restaurant reservations are impossible- all booked every night. So buffet every day it was for us:/ The beach chairs - what a nightmare. They don’t belong to the hotel so we had to get up at 7am put towels down, run for bkfast then run back to wait for the guy to come around to charge us. If you are not there, he throws your towels on top of the umbrella and gives the spot to someone else. This happed to the fam by us one day…. Two moms almost fought over the chairs and umbrella. Not relaxing at all. I guess it’s high season- never again. To busy / too stressful / one and done

I stayed here for 4 nights at the end of May with my sister and our niece (12 years old). We had the best time, and we wish we could have stayed longer. My sister is a wheelchair user, so staying somewhere that can accommodate her is essential. This hotel went above and beyond. We had a lovely accessible room, the hotel was easy to navigate, nothing was too far, and the staff helped us with everything. I've visited a few all-inclusive hotels, and this is the best. The 2 buffet restaurants were delightful, so much choice and variety, and wonderful chefs ready to cook your steak exactly how you like it. My sister and I love good food, and our niece is very picky... we were all pleased. We particularly liked the lunchtime restaurant on the terrace, which served bbq. We also loved the Mexican restaurant (where we celebrated my sisters birthday). The food and cocktails were fabulous. The ice cream parlour was also a massive hit with the 3 of us. The cherry on the cake was that the beach had 2 (one adult and one child) beach wheelchairs. They're by the lifeguard station on the wooden walkway, so we were able to wheelchair down and get into the beach wheelchair. This enabled my sister to go in the sea, something she couldn't have done otherwise. The lifeguards were so helpful, I wish I knew their names to say a proper thank you. It really made our holiday. The hotel is 2 joined together, although the only giveaway is 2 receptions, because the design and flow of the hotels is excellent. It also smells amazing. There's always something for the children to do, and always sunbeds around the quieter pools for relaxation. The rooftop pool and bar are divine, I highly recommend. There's stunning views of the beach, sea and mountains. Often the cocktails at all-inclusive hotels are full of sugar, but here they're made properly. I loved the mojitos and margaritas. The bar staff really know how to make a good drink. I could go on and on because we truly had an amazing time. 5 stars for a 5 star hotel (it's 4 stars, but should be upped to 5). Thank you to all the staff for a wonderful few days. We will be back.

Wow had the best 10 days here. First time with Iberostar and won’t be the last. Arrived with my family and enjoyed a cava whilst the ladies on reception checked us in. Our rooms were clean, the boys had a double bed but the maintenance guys come almost immediately and separated them. Although my children are too old for the entertainment it was fun to watch. The food and drinks were amazing. The staff were amazing coming round to see if you want to join in but not at all pushy if you don’t. There are no sun-bed wars either some towels are puts on loungers in the morning but mainly at the lower pool. Easy access to the beach also but you need to get down there early for sun loungers as this is a public beach and you will need to be there by 10am to pay for them 14.25euros for 2 loungers and parasol. Definitely coming back again. Thank you for an amazing experience.

As a family we had the best time at this hotel. It was the first time staying at an Iberostar hotel and we were not disappointed, in fact I would say it exceeded our expectations. Our first impressions of the hotel was a modern hotel situated in a great location if you want to be close to a lovely beach. Kurt greeted us and made our check in fun, informative and friendly. Our room was a double room with pool view and was again decorated with a modern feel and was clean with a lovely big bed for my partner and I and a sofa bed for my daughter. The bathroom was spacious and with a large walk in shower. The room also comes with a fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and wardrobe (we could have done with more drawers and hanging space but we survived). It had a lovely terrace that looked on to two pools and had a table and chairs plus 2 Sun loungers which was a great space. The plus for my daughter was the entertainment staff and the activities that were on offer. The hotel app allows you to view each day/nights activities. Big shout out to Mario (super Mario) who was amazing as he really put in a huge effort to make my daughter’s holiday fun and even gave her a little gift on her last day. The other entertainment staff were fantastic too and put so much effort to the shows they were a part of. I tried some of the fitness classes and again staff were excellent (Mar was so friendly and professional). The pools are great, inflatable dome is a huge hit. The water mat, bouncy slides and foam party they add on select days is another fun touch. You do need to put towels down before 10am to guarantee a sun lounger but late afternoon you could get one too. The rooftop pool and bar is a fabulous chilled area where kids can go too. It has excellent views of the hotel and beech and has lovely sunbeds, swings and self service drinks area. The food in the buffet was delicious and had a nice variety. The drinks promotions on arrival was a nice touch (cava, sangria and Corona). The waiting staff were always friendly and attentive. TIP - if there is a queue then it’s usually for people wanting outside seats so if you want inside we just highlighted this and got a table straight away. Entertainment at night was typical singers, bands, quizzes and a market. These were all good. Nice touches - waiting staff coming round pool area with ice cream lollies, fruit stall at pool area, water coolers around each floor to get fresh water 24/7, self service drinks areas for water, juice, slushes and alcohol, 24/7 cafe for snacks and soft drinks/tea or coffee. Being able to use facilities of the Iberostar selection park hotel too. Downside - partner wanted to use jacuzzi and sauna in spa but both weren’t working. He did report this but nothing happened.