Hotel Aeromar, Faro

I've stayed in this Inn 3 maybe 4 times and always enjoyed it there. The place has a relaxed/chilled out feel about it and is a great place to unwind and explore the area from. The Inn is located a few steps away from the beach, mile after mile of soft sand, but watch the current as it can be strong when swimming. Best avoided in the height of summer due to the noise/crouds, but either side of that (ie. May/June and September) is really nice. Most of the rooms at the Inn have balconies and are clean and well furnished albeit a little on the old-fashioned side. The food is good as is the price. Breakfast/evening meals can be taken inside (which has great views along a beach and Ria Formosa Nature Reserve) or eat outside on the terrace with the same views. I'd recommend a trip to a great little cafe/restaurant that isn't difficult to find and is located right on the beach (or can sit indoors but who wants to do that?!). Just come out of the inn, cross the road and turn left and walk for approx. 10 mins and it's on you're right (your nose will lead you to it!). I've had some amazing food here (tuna stew = wicked/prawns in garlic = wow, generally can't go wrong with any of the fresh seafood dishes). Costa Restaurant next door to the Inn is expensive but excellent food. There's a reasonably good service by bus from across the bridge behind the Inn, to Faro town, good links from the main bus station there to Quarteira (change here for a bus to Vilamoura), or further afield ie. Lisbon etc. No late running service so it's a cab back which can be pricey. Quarteira beaches are really nice, again stretching for miles (as do Vilamoura's), check out some of the restaurants near the Fish Market in Quarteira, good place to eat as the sun goes down. Worth visiting the Old Town there, go in opp. direction of beach and keep walking up, you'll find some great little restaurants serving ridiculously cheap (but excellent) chicken piri piri, never knew chicken could taste so good! Vilamoura now built up but still worth visiting to see the harbour (or boat trip on Condor de Vilamoura), night life not bad but if you want to eat, can't recommend anywhere really good. Note of caution: female and on your own - just be careful in Faro Town/harbour at night and also Quarteira Old Town, the odd dodgy character and some pick pocketing going down, stick to the busy areas and don't go wandering off down the side streets as it can be a bit deserted. Faro Old Town worth a wander round with your camera. Enjoy!