The Pestana Alvor Praia is set on pretty garden grounds, with shady outdoor seating areas spread across green lawns around a central pond. Inside, the hotel's ornate brick walls and handsome wooden ceilings with decorative light fixtures have aged well. Many of the tasteful wood furnishings throughout the lobby and common areas are timeless, and the hotel reopened in May 2016 after a refurbishment, so everything should look well-maintained and fresh. Below the cliffs, a wide golden sand beach stretches out toward the west, with little sheltered coves along the eastern shore, with plenty of  lounge chairs and umbrellas to go around. 

The hotel is located along the cliffs above Tres Irmaos Beach (Three Brothers Beach) on the outskirts of downtown, near a cluster of other upscale hotels. There's an elevator providing access to the sand. It's a 25-minute walk or six-minute drive into central Alvor, with its ancient cobbled streets and riverfront seafood restaurants, shops, and nightlife that caters to tourists. The old fishing town has historic attractions such as Alvor Castle and the 16th-­century Matriz Church. The Abicada Roman ruins are an 18-minute drive to the north, and there are several golf courses in the area within a 20-minute drive. The much larger town of Portimao is about a 15-minute drive away, while Faro Airport is closer to an hour by car.

Spread across six floors, the hotel's 195 rooms have either sea or garden views. All have private furnished balconies with chairs and tables, and larger rooms and suites add lounge chairs to the mix. Deep blue carpets with diamond patterns play off the white walls with eggshell-blue accents. Artwork on the walls and sitting areas with red and blue chairs and/or couches help create a playful, colorful feel. Small desks, along with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges come standard, but expect the free Wi-Fi to be spotty at best. Most of the marble-tiled bathrooms have shower/tub combos and bidets, while suites have walk-in rainfall showers.

The walk down to the beach takes fewer than five minutes from the hotel, but there's also an elevator for those who are unable (or unwilling) to make the short hike. Beach towels, lounge chairs, and umbrellas are free for guests and are readily available by the outdoor saltwater pool. The stone sundeck overlooks the sea and features a kids' pool along with umbrellas and lounge chairs between tall palm trees. There's also an indoor alternative in a bright room with a hot tub and sauna. The spa is just a Turkish bath and a single treatment room. There's also a small fitness room with a few cardio machines. Fee activities include Portuguese classes and yoga classes. 

For dining, Almofariz Restaurant has a large outdoor terrace and serves Mediterranean and Portuguese cuisine alongside a wide variety of themed buffets during the week. The restaurant also has regular dinner entertainment. Live piano music accompanies the breakfasts, included in room rates. The poolside Oceano does grilled dishes and snacks, and there's a cyber cafe indoor section with a pool table and a pair of computers. There's also a sprawling lounge bar with airy seating alongside an indoor stream that's home to small fish and rocky fountains.