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Does the Dona Filipa Hotel Algarve deserve it’s 5-stars?Le Meridien Dona Filipa Hotel – Algarve The 154-room Dona Filipa hotel is situated in the heart of the luxury
Vale do Lobo resort,
approximately 20 minutes from Faro airport. It is the only hotel within the resort and is only a couple of hundred metres from Vale do Lobo’s sandy beach, where they have a concession.It has reasonable facilities for a 5-star luxury hotel, but its big draw is that it owns the nearby San Lorenzo golf course, one of the best courses in the Algarve. Vale do Lobo also has its own golf courses, one of which, the Royal course has hosted the Portuguese Open on a couple of occasions. By all accounts the hotel used to be one of the best hotels in the Algarve, but nowadays, it has lost a little bit of its edge, becoming a bit tatty around the edges. However its somewhat dated look, adds to its charm, as it is not pretending to be an ultra-modern establishment. There is some debate as to whether it deserves its 5-star status anymore, but there has been some refurbishment going on. However, the staff are always very friendly, helpful and the service is good. Many of them have been here for years, which must say something. It is also spotlessly clean and good value for money compared with other hotels. The Dona Filipa hotel is very popular with golfers, and from autumn to spring you’ll be hard-pressed to find any other type of resident. With the advent of cheap charter flights and good deals on rooms and golf, many more groups of golfers are attracted here, which may be one reason the hotel has lost its exclusive feel. In the summer, there are far more families at the Dona Filipa hotel and it is quite popular with Portuguese families during their school holidays. Dona Filipa Hotel, Algarve FacilitiesHotel RestaurantsThe Dona Filipa Hotel has two restaurants, serving Portuguese and international cuisine. The Dom Duarte Grill specialises in seafood, while the Primavera Restaurant serves International food with an Italian slant. The Grill has an Algarve Folk Night, with dancing twice a week and a Fisherman’s Buffet, with music each Sunday evening. Overall the food in the hotel is of good quality, although Michelin 3-stars it is not.Breakfasts in the Dona Filipa are served buffet style. They have a huge selection to choose from, and if you chose to, you probably wouldn’t have to eat again until supper time (but that’s enough about my eating habits!). There are a couple of bars including the Atlantic Club and the San Lorenzo Cocktail bar. Golf at San Lorenzo
The San Lorenzo golf course is owned by the hotel and is available for use by hotel guests. The course is not on the Vale do Lobo resort, but is about a 10-minute drive away in the Quinta do Lago resort. The hotel lays on a free shuttle bus to transport guests to and from the course. Discounted golf fees are available and depending on your package you may get one or more rounds of golf for free. Staying at the Dona Filipa Hotel is the only way to be able to book tee-times in advance. Penguin Village Children’s ClubThe hotel’s children’s club is called the Penguin Village. It’s available for children from 3 to 11 years and is free of charge. Younger children can be catered for, but for a cost. You can drop them off for an hour or two or leave them there for the whole day.Hotel Dona Filipa Contact DetailsLe Meridien Dona Filipa HotelVale do Lobo Almancil 8135-901 Contact Tel: 289 357 200 If you want to find out about prices and availability, through alpharooms.com, click on this Hotel Dona Filipa information link (opens in a new browser window). Hotels nearby There are three other hotels near Vale do Lobo, but not in the resort. These are: Ria Park Hotel & Spa - Vale Do Lobo Ria Park Garden Hotel - Vale Do Lobo Formosa Park Hotel - Vale Do Lobo The Dona Filipa Hotel has a sister hotel near Portimão. This is the Penina Golf & Resort Hotel. Discounted rates at the championship golf course there, are available to Dona Filipa hotel guests. Return from Dona Filipa Hotel page to Algarve Hotels page
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