The Hotel Topázio is a simple, contemporary property that attracts a crowd of mostly couples with its setting near the beach and apartment-style units. Nothing stands out in terms of design, but everything is well-maintained and comfortable. Expect a mostly neutral design with a few pops of color, such as red stools and lavender drapes in the bar, and magenta armchairs next to plaid, tan, and gray seating in the lobby. A green-blue pool is quiet and attractive, but there's limited facilities on-site, making this best for those who will spend most of their time off the property. Unfortunately, many guests have complained that thin walls and an adjacent nightclub leads to late-night noise.

The hotel is just a two-minute walk from the Avenue Infante Dom Henrique, which is popularly known as The Strip -- a long road leading to the center of Albufeira with plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants. However, Albufeira’s old town proper is a 30-minute walk away. Two beaches are within a 10-minute walk, and another is about 17 minutes away on foot. Expect transfers to Faro Airport to take roughly 40 minutes by car, and transfers to Portimao Airport to take between 30 and 40 minutes.

Both standard hotel rooms and self-catering studios and apartments are available here. They're all largely decorated the same, in a simple, contemporary look consisting of beige walls and tile floors, dark-wood furniture, close-up photographs of flowers and plants, and cheery shades of orange, red, or purple in bed linens and drapes. All rooms are bright and airy, thanks to sliding glass doors that open to narrow balconies with two chairs. Guest rooms have desks, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, small flat-screen TVs, and closets with safes, while self-catering units add kitchenettes with two-burner stoves and microwaves, and sitting areas. Attractive marble bathrooms have shower/tub combos or shower stalls, bidets, wall-mounted hairdryers, and free toiletries. The highest-category units are the stand-alone Bungalows dotted around the grounds, though they have the same features as the apartments. Note that rooms in the main building have thin walls, and past guests have complained of noise issues.

Lacking a spa, fitness center, and kids' club, the hotel has limited amenities. The main feature here is a decent-sized pool with a shallow area for kids that has a waterfall. The deck is lined with loungers, but not umbrellas. All rates include a buffet breakfast with English fare such as sausage, baked beans, and tomatoes, plus continental items such as cereal, yogurt, cold meats and cheeses, and coffee. Drinks and light snacks are available during the day at the indoor bar. Fast and free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel.