355donjuanblanco
October 31, 2024
We are 2 adults and two kids, 10 and 14, recently staying at As Cascatas in a ‘2-bed luxury apartment’. Just under €2k for 6-nights half board in late October. While of course not as luxurious as a top end 5-star hotel the price is a lot lower too, and we found this complex good value, especially compared to other options in the Algarve for higher prices with less facilities. The apartment was a little scruffy looking and showing its age as other reviewers have noted (complex opened in 2007) but still decent quality and furnished fine. Furniture and fittings are not in new condition but apartment is spacious and has nice touches like master bedroom twin sinks and surround sound lg tv and audio system in main lounge. Colour schemes are dated but fine. Our room was cleaned every day. Restaurant staff, reception and everywhere around the complex are super-friendly, accommodating and professional. The Portuguese staff are warm and welcoming and have a calm and quiet demeanour. Cilantro restaurant is excellent and the half board menu really impressive. 3 course a la carte meal including several good vegan options. This really exceeded our expectations as we had assumed all meals would be buffet and it didn’t cost much extra. The lunch time bar / restaurant has standard pool food fare and is okay, but using the half board option for evening dinner is much better value. Games room is nice for the kids the odd day of poor weather - table tennis table, pool table, air hockey are nice, with some very old school games arcades. Sometimes the machines swallow your coins without letting you play! The spa is a gem, As Cascatas guests pay €25 for adults and €15 each for the kids to get in during family hours (945am - 1130am). It’s a very decent spa and well finished - and to allow kids in is something most places don’t even allow at all. Outdoor pools are not heated but there’s a small heated indoor pool - more for kids really as quite shallow. Rooms in As Cascatas not as opulent as in the Hilton but you get to use all the Hilton’s facilities so it’s a good value place to stay. The gardens and outdoor areas are well-kept despite their age and everything was clean and tidy. There’s a spar mini-market shop 10 mins away and the odd restaurant. Willies is a Michelin gourmand restaurant right beside the property but we didn’t bother with it with the kids. We also had a car hire for the week which we could park for free beside reception. Pinhal golf course just beside the resort also, just outside the Hilton lobby, you can rent clubs and shoes etc in the hotel lobby or at the clubhouse. You will find more sparkling resorts but you will pay a lot more for them. This is a good value, well-run place with an excellent staff to look after you.