Nau Sao Rafael Suites - All Inclusive

We went in April 20 to May 4. Our expectations were for a clean hotel with average food and mediocre service based on older reviews. When we arrived we were greated with big smiles and very courteous staff. The hotel itself was very clean and kept that way. The management had changed since the reviews we had read and they are working very hard to get the hotel to the 5 star rating. We got to know the concierge (Debora) quite well as well as several of the front desk staff who were very friendly and helpful constantly asking if there ws anything more they could do for us. We were there to celebrate our birthdays and anniversary. we were surprised when we received cake and champagne for our birthdays and a heart and swan towel arrangement with silk rose petals on our anniversay. The wait staff were excellent and the head chef was codial and thankful for our feedback on his food. Richard was frequently there to welcome and seat us. He is what you would expect in a maitre d...polite pleasant and very friendly and willing to do whatever he could to please us. We took several excursions all with pickup just outside the hotel. The beach is only 800 metres from the hotel mostly downhill(uphill return is a workout if you are tired or have bad knees...but you could call a car service if you needed. The outdoor pool areas are beautiful and they are working on the rest of the grounds. The indoor pool and spa were under renovation as the new management are stepping up the facilities. They do have plans to renovate the rooms to make them even more upscale. The suite we had was very comfortable. A separate bedroom with the most comfortable King size bed we have ever had. it had an ensuite bathroom with a tub and shower combo dual vanity toilet and bidet. There was another bathroom outside the bedroom. it had a toilet sink and shower. It was sufficient but the size of this bathroom wold fit inside a cruise ship bathroom with room to spare(a little tight for space). I know they have plans to improve many of the facilities as the new management has identified many areas were improvents can be made both physically and cosmetically. Customer service training and procedures are also increasing and improving. We noticed some of the changes even in the 2 weeks we were there. We also know how hard the people work and thank them for their service and they respect and thank us for our consideration of them as well. I know they want this to be a five star resort but for now it is a respectable 4 star.....the dining is buffet with a separate somewhat italian specialty restaurant which does not feel upscale or italian. The food is good but ordinary. I heard they have plans for a second restaurant but it takes time to figure out how to get an upscale specialty restaurant wile trying to step up the existing dining first. overal the place is an excellent place to serve as a base for touring and the updated facilities available at the end of May t

DEPOSIT NOT REFUNDED On arrival, I was asked to pay €250 deposit which was fine. However since arriving home I have not been refunded my deposit. We left on 14/04/2024 and over 2 weeks later I have had no response on multiple emails to the booking@ address. I believe they are trying to dodge paying me back, hence why it has come to me leaving a 1* review. We enjoyed our stay and had no complaints however this is unacceptable and needs to be resolved.

Nice hotel but the customers awful noisy and swearing groups ofvEnglish men at the buffet and we find this people in the lounge again For a 5 star hotel i wasn't espect this. Don't recomend at all. Nobody from the hotel told this people to contain in swearing waste of money

I was slightly apprehensive when reading some of the previous reviews, however we found the hotel and facilities excellent. I agree that the hotel is not quite 5* but I would say a good 4* absolutely. good points excellent location - 10 mins walk from a beautiful beach lovely pools, with plenty of sun loungers friendly staff food excellent - different choices each night/breakfast spacious room with lots of storage excellent evening entertainment areas which could improve bathrooms are dated and quite dark a la carte restaurant a bit lacking in atmosphere

We have been here the first weekend in March for the past 5yrs. We did another hotel in Nov that was allegedly a 4*. Don’t come close to this hotel and its staff!! It’s spoilt us! The company and hotel chain Nau have been bought out which explained why the hotel was available late to book this year! Hotel was in its first opening weekend and there were lots of “Suits” about! But super friendly. Hotel has been refurbed in reception and main bar area. Restaurant also has had an update. Looks nice and open plan but maybe the removed tv needs a place back as some sport events are still worth watching! Some lovely smell is pumped through the corridors too! Kept asking what it was! No entertainment our weekend which usually is on but understandable if it was launch weekend. It would be back on the following weekend. The hotel was as usual only semi open and they were still refurbing the 2nd pool. No disturbance at all by this! We were down that end of the hotel on the ground floor but for some reason were soon upgraded to the left hand side of the hotel and on a sea view floor which was nice overlooking the pool that was open. Food again was excellent as normal. Staff super attentive and friendly. Place is spotless again as far as we’re concerned. Staff always cleaning. Breakfast on Friday fell on International Women’s Day so we were gifted a flower, a verse and a cocktail especially for that day. That was sweet! We were given access to the Atlantico suites spa as ours was in refurb. You can pay extra €10 each for access to the full spa with sauna and steam room and jacuzzi which we did on the second day due to unseasonal weather. There is a bus that goes into Albufeira I believe but we take a car rental. We had had some issues with hot water in our room and Pedro the manager was super apologetic and left us a cheese platter and bottle of red in our room. Things happen and as we’ve always had little issues here we had no complaint and in fact had made none! All inclusive food was hot, tasty and plentiful inc fizz in the morning! The all inc drinks are the basic which is fine but suggestion was given to add dark rum. I think any own branded booze could be inc or any “cheap” booze without being too dear for the hotel to foot so a cinzano could be added too. They have stopped the pay €15 per day for full booze choice. Nice to see some familiar staff there again!l I hope with the new take over it’s not changed too much or to the detriment of our usual experience. The usual clientele of golfers were there who were well behaved to be fair. We’ve never seen any issues or heard them. It’s very quiet in the hotel bedroom areas. I hope this target area isn’t stopped as it makes a weekend entertaining g to meet different people. Looking forward to next March! Room 220 - 3 mad Mums on tour!! 7-10 March 24.