Bela Vista Hotel & Spa

This is a stunningly beautiful hotel with the most caring, considerate staff imaginable. This was our 4th visit and will definitely return in the future. The restaurants are fabulous. The pool area is exceptional. We stayed in a deluxe room which was so well appointed with a sea view. There are so many special little touches that make this hotel so special. It’s highly recommended.

We really wanted to like this place! 1st the good: Breakfast was the highlight of our stay. Served on a beautiful terrace overlooking the ocean, it had a great hot and cold selection. It was a pleasure to linger every morning. The pool area is very pleasant and relaxing, although the deck is in desperate need of restraining. The bar serves good snacks and we enjoyed our time by the pool. The main house is colorful and well restored, and is what you see on the website pictures. |Now the bad: We had a junior suite with an ocean view in the garden house with an extra bed set up for our daughter in the living room (sliding doors). We were charged an extra 200 E per night for it. We wrote ahead to ask for a balcony. When we arrived we were told that a room with a balcony was not available. The room was pleasant looking, but uncomfortable in almost every respect. Not a single dresser to unpack. Narrow sliding door closet. Room door was broken twice, and we had to call reception. Little ants were crawling all over including my daughter’s bed; we did not call for fear they would spray with harsh chemicals while we were there. The bathroom was so very dated. Imagine plastic counter and walls; no tile or stone anywhere. No place to plug in your phone by the bed; one outlet on each side, and one of the 2 was occupied by the hotel phone. So you had unplug theirs to plug in yours. WiFi did not work 2 out 4 nights we were there. We called, and nothing was done. The room had a view of the ocean, but the building itself is over the parking lot which ruins the setting and the view. Finally, the hotel location itself (and this is not their fault), is very unpleasant. Its on a seedy commercial street that lacks any European charm. Think Myrtle beach. Its extremely crowded and full of greasy eateries, tattoo parlors and 1 dollar souvenir shops. Overall, if you are looking for an elegant European seaside experience, this is not it.

My wife and I stayed for two days and three nights.||On the first day, the property had no WiFi. (Of course, that doesn’t constitute a crisis, but it’s a stated amenity, one that’s particularly valuable to international travelers like us.) Neither the issue nor the attempts to resolve it were communicated to guests, and no apology was communicated to guests once WiFi was restored at 8 PM.||That same day, the pool and the bar/restaurant area by the pool were closed at 5 PM for a private event. (This area represents the entirety of the usable outdoor leisure space on the property.) Although we were informed of the event several days before our arrival, no adjustments were made to the cost of our reservation. We were expected to pay the full cost of a partial day. As a consolation, the hotel offered to exclude the service fee from any room service orders for guests not attending the private event.||On the second day, the hotel’s street experienced a water outage. We were informed of this at 8 AM and offered jugs of water for showering. No further offerings or communication were provided to guests until water was restored at 7 PM.||That same day, the pool and the bar/restaurant area by the pool were closed for an unknown reason. The towels and cushions covering the chairs were removed, and the window to the bar was shut. When we asked concierge about the status of both, we were told they were open. They were never open that day.||Lastly, on the morning of our departure, which was set for 6 AM, the overhead lights, the phone, and several of the outlets in our room weren’t functional. Based on our walk to the front desk and the checkout process, the rest of the property was experiencing no electrical issues.||We understand things happen and that some things are outside the hotel’s control, but what’s always in the hotel’s control is how it responds—the communication it provides to guests and the efforts it makes to support the guest experience when the unexpected happens. When Bela Vista was faced with the unexpected, we felt its response was that of a shrug and a “Good luck!” Perhaps that’s expected, maybe even acceptable, at a hotel that doesn’t have five stars, but that’s not an excuse Bela Vista can use.||Ultimately, after sharing our opinions and concerns with management, we were told we would be refunded for one night, but this came after hours of back-and-forth communication. It should be noted we haven’t received the refund yet, and the front desk was unable/unwilling to provide any documentation at checkout confirming the refund is forthcoming.||Bela Vista is certainly not a five-star hotel in our book, and we would not recommend it to any Portuguese or international travelers looking to stay in the Portimão/Praia da Rocha area.

Beautiful place, very charming with fantastic view over the beach and the Atlantic. Rooms are nice and very good service. Whole property is very clean. We heard in the night mainly the waves on the sandy beach. The pool is beautiful and heated.|The food (only Bistro) was very good and also the drinks, wine and the service team!

It would be hard to find anywhere else in the Algarve that offers such exceptional customer service as at The Bela Vista. The staff there really understand what world-class customer service is and its one of the most outstanding things about this hotel. Of course, the building, the rooms, the dining, the ambiance are all exquisite. But its the service here that makes all the difference.

Beautiful building and wonderful staff. Our experience started weeks before we arrived with the wonderful concierge who arrange restaurants and other activities for us. On arrival we were initially surprised at the location amongst the kaos of the tourist strip (compared to the photos which make it look like the hotel is on an isolated headland away from anything). But the experience was wonderful and luxurious and all the experiences they helped organise were fabulous (esp the private boat trip and the winery visit)

“My stay at Bela Vista Hotel & Spa was truly wonderful in every way. The property is stunning, combining history with modern comfort, and the location right on Praia da Rocha is unbeatable. The staff were warm, attentive, and made me feel genuinely welcome throughout my stay. My room was spacious, beautifully decorated, and very comfortable, with a balcony offering amazing views. Breakfast was delicious and refined, with plenty of options to start the day in the best way. Every detail, from the spa to the overall atmosphere, exceeded my expectations. Without a doubt, one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in Portugal.”

Stayed in Blue House for 3 nights in May 2025. True gem in this area and beautiful property! All the staffs here were absolutely accommodating to guests needs and very friendly. Breakfast was delicious with various kinds of breads baked by in-house pastry chef :) All my families - my husband and my parents - were absolutely satisfied staying here. VISTA Restaurant, which I also left a review for, is just amazing - must try! Will definitely be back if I get to be back in Portugal!

The property is beautiful but it's very poorly located. The management staff here was nasty and rude to me today on multiple occasions and made the last day miserable. We're booked to stay here all week but looking to leave immediately based on the poor level of hospitality. It's kind of absurd to pay so much and be treated so outwardly rude. Stay anywhere else but here.

This hotel was the highlight of our Portugal vacation. Our travel advisor Goncalo Olivera from Portugal Trails booked this hotel. It was delightful!! I highly recommend it! Service was professional, the room was terrific and the Spa was DIVINE! www.portugaltrails.com Goncalo.oliviera@portugaltrails.com

An exalted Relais & Château property in a beautifully restored hotel perched on the cliff's edge above Rocha beach. The main building dates to 1918 and according to the staff was the first hotel on the beach. Surrounded on all sides by ugly aging high rises, this spot is literally an oasis with soaring views, a beautiful pool and a private walk down to the expansive golden beach. For beauty alone it almost merits 5 stars. B cause of the elegance and stature, I find I hold these types of places to a VERY HIGH standard. In addition to the historic building there are 24 rooms in a much newer wing just to the west and below and in back of the pool. Our room was 202 on the lower level and had a partial view of the ocean. What I liked: -whimsical nautical color scheme in the comfy modern room that was up to date in every way from power outlets to fixtures -outstanding service culture and helpful young man, Goncealo Rico who checked us in and showed us around and helped us out during our stay-even arranged to go up to the secret rooftop for a peak-great view -sumptuous breakfast buffet with all the typical European items and eggs cooked to order -views from the nice pool-the hotel is right in the center above the beach on a tall cliff -beach access from the hotel is very easy and the spa provides you with a beach bag to use during your visit with towels and water. -immaculate grounds and facilities-rooms very clean as well. -nice quiet A/C- got room nice and cool for sleeping What surprised/disappointed me given the caliber (and price) of the property and the newness of our room: -size of the shower-while the bath is a reasonable size despite a modest room size, the narrow tub/shower with half wall of glass just isn't my favorite making it not only tricky to get clean but also hard to keep from splashing water all over the bathroom floor-unfortunately these are common throughout Europe -not a fan of the €4 potato chips and €10 bottles of designer water-so many high-end places have eliminated these silly expenses-wish they would too. Despite my small annoyances this is a first class property with a strong service culture and a great staff. I wouldn't hesitate to return.

This pace Beautiful rooms, the service was exceptional, and a beautiful pool too. It's a gem just above the beach. Highly recommended

Can you say Baller Status? This hotel is something out of a dream. Ideal for a honeymoon, digital detox, girls getaway, or simply living in a postcard. The photos are mere 2D temptations of the 3D luxury that awaits. You gotta see it to believe it. Perched on the cliffs above the most popular beach in Portugal, Praia do Rocha, Bela Vista is a historic gem among the otherwise hideous high-rise hotels surrounding it. Portimao is a destination we'd skip if it weren't for the stunning historical palace that is Bela Vista. It's a 1920s private estate that's been converted into a modern hotel, while preserving the classiness of it's bygone era charm. You can stay by the pool or walk down to the beach on a private path. Best of both worlds at your fingertips. Rooms are spacious, modern, and stylishly decorated. We barely left the property, thanks to the luxurious amenities like the pool area with cabanas and bar service, and the restaurant with ocean views (where a sprawling, gourmet breakfast is offered complimentary. It's hands-down the most beautiful, charming, and luxurious place to stay in Portimao. Best of all, it's adults only. Not in a creepy swingers sort of way, but in a calm, quiet, kid-free zen sort of way. Honeymooners, take note! For $200/night this was the best money we spent in Portugal.

I recently had a court day stay at Bela Vista Hotel in Portimão, and I am compelled to give it review. This was one of the most relaxing vacations that I have had in years. Bela Vista Hotel is just beautiful and the staff there could not be nicer, my mother was on the trip with me and they were so thoughtful and welcoming to me and my family for the time we stayed there. The view facing the beach from my hotel room is beyond doubt the best hotel room view I have ever had. The hotel bedroom was immaculately clean and beautiful design. The food was amazing and was incredibly fresh as there is an abundance of local produce, form citrus fruits and olive etc. The hotel interior is unique and like nothing I have ever seen before, there is gorgeous tile work and decor throughout the hotel. There are many areas to relax and hang out in the main building. The pool area is is spectacular in terms of luxury and the views from there. I highly recommend the hotel and I would definitely return.

This hotel is by far a jewel on the Mediterranean Sea. It's on the water secluded by gated entry & was a castle in the past. It's magnificent. No children or loud unruly behavior tolerated. The strip is typical touristy & we walked it once but tended to remain at the hotel. We had the most memorable meal for my sisters birthday. It was the Chefs special. The whole table had to decide to chose this option in order for us to get it. It was beyond fabulous. We were wined & dined by our team of maitre de & sommelier along with five waiters. Amazing. We had about ten courses & all were amazing works of art with attention to every minute detail. The chef is a 2 star Michelin Award Winner & it showed. We had several seafood/Shellfish courses all locally sourced along with impeccably prepared Lamb. Outstanding in all aspects. This place is not cheap but worth every penny. Definitely a special occasion or wedding/ honeymoon destination. No need to leave private access to the cold beach water! Will return one day.

This hotel was by far the most beautiful hotel in all of Algarve, inside and out. The main house is decorated in original tile and has amazing rooms. The staff was the best i have ever dealt with! They were able to provide me with the exact room i requested and made my fiance and I very very happy. They also went above and beyond when i accidentally left my passports in the hotel room safe without realizing it. They emailed me and phoned me right away and i was able to pic them up before missing my flight home that week. I would of gotten to the airport and had a horrible experience if it wasn't for their staff. Go with Bela Vista for your Algarve stay!

The hotel was very beautiful. I was expecting a lot more from the level of service considering it was a 5 star chateaux Relais property. I would think the company chateaux Relais would be embarrassed by their service. There was no actual concierge so the front desk handles the requests. Our second day we asked for a recomendation for a nice seafood dinner. The lady at the front desk called and confirmed with us later without properly advising us about the restaurant. We drove 45 mins to the location and was so embarrassed as there was a dress code that didn't allow casual wear ie. Nice khaki Shorts. ALSO she sent us to a 2 STAR MICHELLIN restaurant without telling us about a dress code or that it was a 2 star Michelin for 200 euros each for a long lengthily 8 course tasting menu with no other choice but that. We made the best of it after 4 hour long hours and 600 euros on dinner and wine. The following day we spoke to the hotel manager to advise him about how embarrassed we were that the girl at the desk would send us to a 2 star Michellin without informing us either about the quality of the restaurant and or a dress code. The worst part in my opinion was how rude she was after we had privately talked to the manager in discretion and never once received an apology from her. The Dutch girl at breakfast was super pleasant and refreshing ! Their front desk ladies managing the desk need to be trained on etiquette and how to treat their guests. I would never stay here again. The area itself felt like a circus show with all the cheesy shops and the STRIP CLUB a few doors down. Save your money and stay else where. We ventured to the Conrad one evening for a pleasant night, the food, service , and location was very upscale- 5 min drive to the beach but better then the overall location of Bela vista.