Stays in Faro

I would suggest Cardeal Suites & Apartments to families who want a kitchenette in Faro's centre. Each aparthotel-style unit has air conditioning, a kitchenette and a private bathroom, with a balcony or terrace looking over the garden or the city. A sun terrace, a garden and massage services are available, and local attractions are a short walk away. Guests rate it 9.7 across 867 reviews, an exceptional score.

I would choose Casa aOrta Apartments for a family that likes to explore a small city on foot. The apartments are in central Faro, a minute's walk from Lethes Theatre. Each one has air conditioning, a balcony, a private bathroom, a kitchenette and free Wi-Fi, and there is a terrace and an outdoor dining area. A 9.7 rating from 57 reviews is excellent, and the kitchenettes make breakfasts and light dinners easy with children.

I would choose Monte-Bougainvillea for a family that wants a resort-style base with plenty to do on site. The aparthotel has a swimming pool, a sun terrace and a lush garden, plus a waterpark and a games room for children. A bar and a coffee shop are on site, Wi-Fi is free and check-in and check-out are private. Views run over the sea, the garden and the mountains. It is rated 9.7 from 109 reviews.

3HB Faro is a five-star hotel with two restaurants, a bar and city views. It has an infinity pool, a spa and family-friendly rooms. The hotel is 7 kilometres from Faro Airport and close to local attractions such as Carmo Church. Guests rate it 9.5 across more than 2,700 reviews, one of the top scores in the Portugal listings. It suits a luxury city stay with a pool.

Solar Mendonça is adults-only, so it is not a family choice; I recommend it to couples who want to explore Faro on foot. The Lethes Theatre and the Carmo Church, with its Bones Chapel, are a short walk away, and the marina is within easy reach. Rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, which helps in a lively centre, and the sun terrace is a calm spot at the end of the day.

I would suggest Faro Guest Apartments to families who want a kitchen in the city centre. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a private bathroom, and a balcony or terrace looks over the city. Local attractions and amenities are easy to reach. Guests rate it 9.2 across 928 reviews, a very strong score that suggests the basics are done well.

Roots Hotel is an aparthotel a short walk from Faro Marina, and every unit has a kitchenette, which makes breakfasts and early dinners with children easy. The swimming pool and sun terrace give families a break between outings, and public transport is close for day trips. Units are air-conditioned with private bathrooms. A 9.1 rating across more than 4,800 reviews is excellent, and I would book it for a family stay of several nights in Faro.

AP Eva Senses is in central Faro, a short walk from the train station and close to the boats that run into the Ria Formosa, which makes island trips easy with children. Many rooms have balconies looking over the marina or the natural park, a good spot to watch the water before dinner. The hotel is family-friendly, and the spa and fitness room give parents a break. With an 8.4 rating across more than 5,500 reviews, it is the central four-star I would choose in Faro.

Best Western Hotel Dom Bernardo works for families who want to walk everywhere in Faro: the marina and the main shopping streets are a short stroll away. The buffet breakfast, with homemade cake, gets the day started without a hunt for a café, and the 24-hour reception helps with late arrivals from the airport. It is also pet-friendly, so the family dog can come along. Rooms are simple rather than spacious, so I would keep it for a city stay of a few nights.

Hospedaria Frangaria offers pleasant accommodation in Faro, decorated with oil paintings and tiled floors. The bright air-conditioned rooms have satellite TV, a minibar and a private bathroom. A popular street-level restaurant serves local specialities, and breakfast is served daily. Free Wi-Fi and free parking are included, and a pool and spa are also available. Guests rate it 8.3 across more than 2,700 reviews.

Occidental Faro is in downtown Faro, a short walk from the transport hubs, which keeps arrivals simple for families. Rooms are spacious and light-filled, a help when sharing with children, and some have balconies looking over the old town, the marina or the Ria Formosa. The rooftop restaurant gives everyone a view over dinner. The hotel is family-friendly and has spa facilities. With an 8.3 rating across 4,200 reviews, I would book it for a central Faro stay.

Hotel 3K Faro Aeroporto is close to Faro Airport, so families landing late or flying out early avoid a long transfer. The outdoor pool and garden give children somewhere to burn off energy between flights, and some rooms have balconies. Faro's centre, with its restaurants, is about 5 km away, which means a short drive or taxi rather than a walk. I would book it for the first or last night of an Algarve trip rather than for a week of sightseeing.

Hotel Sol Algarve by Kavia occupies a historic building a short walk from Faro's old centre and the train station, handy for families arriving by rail. Breakfast is served in the inner courtyard, a calm start to the day with children. Rooms are air-conditioned with cable TV and private bathrooms, and some have a balcony. An 8.1 rating across nearly 4,500 reviews fits a simple two-star, and I would book it for a short, central stay.

Hotel ibis Faro Algarve is 2 km from Faro's centre and 3 km from the airport, a practical stop for families at the start or end of an Algarve trip. The outdoor pool is the highlight for children, and the hotel is family-friendly and accepts pets. Rooms are simply furnished, air-conditioned and en suite. You will want a car or taxi to reach the old town. With an 8.0 rating across more than 3,700 reviews, I would book it for a night or two near the airport.

Aeromar Beach Hotel sits on Faro Island with direct beach access, and I like it for families who want sand at the door rather than a resort pool. Rooms are air-conditioned with satellite TV and private bathrooms, and some look across the Ria Formosa Natural Park. The restaurant serves local cuisine, a snack bar covers quick lunches, and room service helps with tired children. There is a solarium but no pool listed, so the beach is the main playground. Guests rate it 7.9.

Aqua Ria Boutique Hotel stands on Faro's main shopping street and has modern, family-friendly accommodation. Rooms are air-conditioned with wooden floors and free Wi-Fi, and the restaurant serves local cuisine. Some rooms look over Faro Marina and the Ria Formosa. Guests rate it 7.8 across more than 2,800 reviews, a fair score that fits a central, simple stay. It works for short visits on foot.

I would suggest Stay Hotel Faro Centro to families who want to be steps from the marina. It stands in Faro's historic centre, just steps from Santo António Street and the marina. Rooms are simply furnished, some with bathtubs, a rich buffet breakfast is served, and free Wi-Fi covers the property. The city's main attractions are easy to reach on foot. Guests rate it 7.7 across 755 reviews.

I would suggest the Faro Boutique Hotel to families who want to walk to the Old Town and the marina. It has a spa and a rooftop terrace with views of the Ria Formosa, and its modern air-conditioned rooms include some with balconies. A daily breakfast is served, and restaurants and bars are close by. Guests rate it 7.7 across 954 reviews, a fair score for a three-star city hotel.

I would pick Hotel Alnacir for a family on a modest budget who still wants to walk into Faro. It sits in the northwest of the city, a short walk from the centre and about 1 km from Ria Formosa Natural Park. Rooms are air-conditioned with satellite TV, free public parking is nearby, and a continental breakfast is served. Guests score it 7.7 across 1,013 reviews.

Hotel Monaco is a short drive from Faro International Airport, which I find useful for families on an early flight or a late arrival. The outdoor pool keeps children happy while you wait for check-out or a transfer, and parents can use the spa and fitness room. Rooms have minibars, breakfast is a buffet, and the snack bar serves traditional Portuguese dishes. Its 7.5 score from 1,817 reviews is fair rather than outstanding, so I see it as a practical stop.

Alameda Exclusive House is a guesthouse-style stay in Faro, about 600 metres from the Lethes Theatre, and I see it as a budget-minded base for families. Rooms are air-conditioned, and a shared kitchen and lounge give some independence for snacks and quiet evenings. A continental breakfast is served, there is a terrace and a restaurant, and room service is available. Bike and car hire can be arranged, handy for exploring the Algarve. Guests rate it 7.5, so I would keep expectations simple.

I would suggest Marina Legacy I for a family that wants a central Faro address within walking distance of the marina. The rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi, many have balconies or terraces, and some include sofa beds for children. The Carmo Church and Bones Chapel is a short walk away. The 7.3 rating from 14 reviews is the lowest in this area, so I would read recent guest comments first.

Hotel Adelaide is a simple two-star hotel in central Faro, and it suits families who care more about location than facilities. The marina, shops and plenty of restaurants are about two minutes away on foot, and some rooms have a seating area with a sofa bed, useful for a child. A shared kitchen with a microwave helps with snacks, and the bus station is a seven-minute walk. There is no pool. Guests rate it 7 out of 10 across 588 reviews, so keep expectations modest.