Marriott Residences Salgados Resort

We stayed here for 9 days with 3 children in a 3-room apartment on a half-board basis and it was great. The grounds look impeccable and it is very relaxed and quiet (except for my own children ;)). The complex is fantastic and exudes holiday and luxury. The apartment was spacious and tidy; if you look closely, you can see the first signs of heavy use, but despite that, it was a great room with a fantastic large balcony. The staff, from reception to towels and in the restaurants, are super friendly and helpful. The breakfast was enormously extensive and amazing. The buffet dinner was fine. One downside to this hotel: the prices for drinks and food. I find a very small portion of fries for 5 euros and a Coke for also 5 euros disproportionate. I haven't come across these kinds of prices anywhere in the Algarve. It didn't even come close. As a hotel that presents itself as a luxury retreat, you have to ask yourself whether it is desirable for so many guests to have food delivered or pick up pizzas themselves and eat them in their rooms. And that's even though you have an Italian restaurant on the premises where they charge at least 20 euros for a pizza, which can actually be ordered for half that price. Unconsciously, the prices meant I ordered fewer drinks, snacks, and cocktails by the pool than I normally would... but... we had a fantastic time and enjoyed ourselves!

The Residences was a great spot for a strictly relaxed family or couples break.

Pros: The grounds were immaculately clean, picturesque and chilled. The staff were so attentive and solved any issues we had with requests like extra towels, dishwasher tablets etc. Food and drink staff were always helpful and accommodating too. Breakfast was amazing, such a variety of hot fried food, omelette, salads, fruit, cereals, savoury and pastry dishes. Staff again, amazing. Cleaning staff were brilliant and cleaned our family room every day for the 2 weeks. Just remember to leave the sign on your door, they could arrive anywhere between 9am to 4pm. The pools were cleaned daily and nicely spaced out. There were plenty of sunbeds on offer and towels for loungers were free to use everyday. We had access to the sister golf marriott pools also, which had a pirate slide and 2-3 other pools outdoors. It also had an astro but it was a bit run down and locked most days. It was too hot to play football anyway, but in a cooler month the astro would've been nice. Our 2 bedroom family suite with pool view was huge, 1000 square feet with a humongous balcony. The 3 kids were even able to play hide and seek in the apartment. Couldn't fault it at all. Overall value was really good for what we took from the hotel, but there were one or 2 problems that could be helped.

Cons: I read there was evening entertainment, but found there was zero. Nothing for anyone to do after the pools closed at 7pm. No family vibe, just empty bar and restaurants in the hotel. The kids even pointed out how boring it was in the evening there. My advice would be to step that up! Also location. The Marriott is a world away from civilisation. We would rent a car next time. We spent about €400+ on ubers most evenings and day trips etc. There are 2 restaurants within walking distance (>1km) and no shops. The hotel itself has no mini market and the price of a pint in the hotel bar is €6.60. Daylight robbery. The food in the hotel is also insanely priced. 2 pizzas and 1 small chips cost €67 on our first restaurant visit. Nuts.
So overall a great spot, but with kids it's a tough one, perhaps just a little quiet with the relaxed vibe pools, no entertainment day or night and remote location from the old town (20min drive). Great memories all the same.