Hotel Baia Cristal Beach & Spa Resort

Hotel Baia Cristal Beach & Spa Resort descritpion

This hotel is on a cliff-top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, just 1,000 feet from Vale de Centeanes Beach. It offers an outdoor pool, a spa and free parking on site.
The rooms at the Hotel Baía Cristal provide modern amenities, including a balcony with panoramic sea views and satellite TV.
The Restaurant Gaivota serves rich local cuisine, while Bar Albatroz offers a relaxing atmosphere and live music. Guests can savor exotic cocktails and snacks while relaxing on the spacious terrace. The pool bar, which is open during the summer time, serves fresh fruit juices and light meals.
Full-body massages are offered at the spa, which also features a Turkish hammam (steam bath). More active guests can also enjoy a game at the tennis courts.
The Baía Cristal is 300 feet from bus stops and 5 miles from the Estombar Train Station.

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Facilities of Hotel Baia Cristal Beach & Spa Resort

Outdoors ：Outdoor Pool (all year) | Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Snack Bar

Internet ：WiFi is available in all areas and costs EUR 4.50 per 24 hours.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Languages Spoken ：Portuguese | English

Reviews for Hotel Baia Cristal Beach & Spa Resort

Review 1：The pool is advertised with a heated Indoor pool and jacuzzi which Both are being renovated and we were not told about this until we checked in and paid had we known before arrived we would have definitely cancelled and looked for another hotel

Review 2：Bar staff and new year was good

Review 3：The worst part of the hotel was probably the buffet food...no severe complaints, it was just typical buffet food that you will be sick of after day two.

Review 4：Great location. Only 300 meters walk down to the beach. Relaxing pool area with hammock chairs. Very helpful and friendly staff.

Review 5：Many things which should have been included in the basic price were charged extra like the hotel safe or Wifi. And the price of 5 Euros per hour for renting a bicycle is also quite high.

Review 6：The location near the spectacular beach and the hotel pool are excellent. The games room and the spa with sauna and Turkish bath are also very nice.

Review 7：Hot breakfast and good quality coffee for breakfast more variety in evening meal.

Review 8：Hot breakfast very often was cold and coffee (machine) not very pleasant.

Review 9：Accommodation was not as advertised on website. Our family room was supposed to have a sea view on the upper floor. Room 269 looked into a boiler room infested with ants. The kitchenette in reality consisted of a sink and hob built into a cupboard which in itself is a fire hazard. On arrival our room was not ready. The entrance door to our apartment had fallen off its hinges and did not close properly allowing insects to pass through. The toilet did not flush, patio doors did not lock. No cooking utensils, cupboard space too small to accommodate family of 4. Room only cleaned every other day. Swimming pool dirty, sunbeds broken. After complaining to reception staff I was told most guests do not eat in apartment ! I wonder why ? You had to pay for wifi which did not work most of the time.

Review 10：Kids club. Tennis court. Bar staff.

Review 11：1. Paid internet: Internet is free in almost all hotels now a days, but hotel do provide a internet enabled PC 2. Location: If you intend to move around the city and beaches, its not so conveniently located.

Review 12：1. Staff: very helpful throughout 2. Big rooms 3. Facilities within resort: almost everthing was there. 4. Sea view: offers excellent and calm sea view

Review 13：The hotel isn, t new but very comfortable and clean. We had a sea view room with balcony, stunning views. The staff were brilliant, nothing was too much trouble. Good breakfast. A great hotel

Review 14：This hotel, comparing others in Portugal seemed to nickel and dime you on charges...wifi being the main. Most places have free wifi, if this so important to you book elsewhere

Review 15：The view and grounds of this property are amazing! Are lunch in the snack bar, server was very friendly until his shift ended.

Review 16：This is a tired hotel on a beautiful property!! Could be so much more if some revamping done! We only needed a spot for a night as our rental in town was not ready...couldn't imagine staying longer!!

Review 17：View of the ocean!

Review 18：In my experience staying in the hotel, I would strongly recommend that the hotel needs to be refurbished. It has appeared that the hotel furniture and facilities are still back in time perhaps 20 years ago at least. It is shocking that the hotel is almost fully booked, which is the good sign of the successful business but they DO NOT want to spend money to refurbish the hotel to make it more welcoming for the guests. I think it is a common sense to spend 50,000 Euro, for example, and get 200,000 Euro in return in terms of the business unit revenue. The hotel also rated themselves as 4.5 stars which are quite bizarre rating!!! Perhaps in comparison with Travelodge chain...

Review 19：Location Room view

Review 20：Paying for wifi 3 euro per half hour Fridge dirty Shuttle bus eveningservice too early into town

Review 21：Pool beautiful Hot breakfast Tennis and table tennis Large bedroom

Review 22：Wifi was not available throughout the whole hotel and had to be paid for which is unusual these days. We also had to pay to use the safe in the room, something that should have been included in the room rate.

Review 23：This is a great place for a relaxing holiday. The room was comfortable and the facilities at the hotel were very good. The breakfast was also very good. The hotel is close to some nice restaurants

Review 24：The food was reasonable but every thing except your knife and fork was' help yourself'. The food was sometimes not labelled &sometimes cold, but always plentiful. Presentation was not the best. Morning orange was once not available 'cos the machine broke down-what is wrong with a jug!!!? Ditto coffee -another breakdown.

Review 25：World cup in bar. Friendly and helpful staff. Ping pong -free (but tennis was 5 euros !) Room was as requested and very clean throughout. Reception desk always on the ball. Generally ok

Review 26：Proximity to a small, but amazingly nice beach. Large rooms. Breakfast and dinner buffet.

Review 27：Staff at bar was very slow for food and drinks. Took about 30 mins just to pay for lunch

Review 28：Rooms were lovely, great pool and loved the jacuzzi

Review 29：The orange juice at breakfast was the worst I have ever tasted, truly dreadful.

Review 30：Very nice receptionist, a lovely German lady, helpful and courteous.

Review 31：Reasonable, location,staff

Review 32：The bed mattresses were extremely uncomfortable.

Review 33：Nothing to dislike

Review 34：Room facilities and breakfast was excellent. Friendliness of staff.

Review 35：the rules for off season the same as full season

Review 36：breakfast surroundings

Review 37：The reception staff were miserable and not very welcoming

Review 38：The view from our room was amazing and our balcony was huge

Review 39：Rooms a bit dated and certainly not 4 star standard,3star at best

Review 40：Nice Pool and decent breakfast

Review 41：Helpful and friendly staff, good service. Nice location. Good value for money. Thank you.

Review 42：Gym equipment was a little old(I am being fussy)

Review 43：everything

Review 44：Perfect location, next to the beach and not so far to the city center of Carvoeiro. Calm environment, friendly stuff and good breakfast.

Review 45：One receptionist was unhelpful and unfriendly. There were no kettles etc in the bedrooms, and I didn't learn until we were close to leaving that you could ask for one! Food was not that inspiring, but breakfast was at least plentiful

Review 46：The hotel layout is excellent, and children are positively welcomed. The majority of the staff are friendly and efficient, and most of the chargeable extras are very reasonable. It is a short distance to the town, but there is a courtesy bus in any event, and a beautiful beach is really very close by.

Review 47：Breakfast was limited no choice of eggs, limited fruit and poor coffee from a machine.

Review 48：Great location and pool, room were basic but good value for the price and spacious.staff were friendly.

Review 49：needed a bit more verity at breakfast and the use of facilities for making tea in our room

Review 50：easy access to the rooms ,sea view from our room,plenty of parking space for our car, beautyful view of the swimming pool from the restaurant

Review 51：long way down to beach but pool was lovely.rooms could do with tea and coffee .

Review 52：it was a nice intimate hotel and comfortable with lovely views from the sea view rooms.

Review 53：Some staff at reception could ha e been a bit more welcoming.

Review 54：Very well kept, intimate hotel. Most staff were professional and obliging. The entertainment programme was most enjoyable.

Review 55：Not 100% sea view as booked. No tea or coffee making facilities in room.Breakfast food not very inviting, Booked B&B but only went down forbreakfast twice, eating area very cramped.Dust under beds and inwardrobes. Had to pay for safe key

Review 56：Close to beach and village

Review 57：Breakfast wasn't our best experience, but still is average quality, could be improved.

Review 58：Everything was great, clean and comfortable, air conditioning, dryer in bathroom, large window, nice garden view. Very quiet area with private parking. Location is 1.1 km from the center of Carvoeiro.

Review 59：It's a budget hotel. Not worth 4 stars, in my opinion.High up on a cliff- no easy beach access. Quite a walk down into Caverio town, ok for the young but wouldn't recommend for the older traveller that doesn't like walking down steep roads. There is a internal hot tub and small internal heated pool, it reminded me of my local authority leisure center back in the uk! The gym is a very small room with a few dated pieces of equipment. The hotel has obviously met the requirement to be called a spar, but doesn't really give me the impression of "peaceful / relaxing environment". They have a lovely "spar reception" but I wasn't able to book a treatment at a time that suited me (in fairness- I didn't give them a great deal of time and my window of availability was limited). Unfortunately the Turkish bath / steam room and sauna were turned off when we visited. Some minor refinements to breakfast service would be nice, like fresh orange juice- not the heavily watered down syrup from an electric dispenser. Coffee and tea also delivered from automatic machine- fresh coffee brought to the table would have been a nice touch. Lack of fresh fruit for breakfast, appeared to be fruit salad from a can (syrup style) as well as pineapple-canned rings! No choice or even asked if we fancied a freshly cooked egg to our liking. Need to pay €10 deposit for beach towels to be used by the pool - they are not very large towels.

Review 60：Quite a cheap break for a couple of nights stay away.Relitively clean and tidy. Most staff were friendly and attentive. Breakfast had a reasonable selection of food, in a buffet / canteen style "help yourself" way. The hotel actively discourage and enforce guests not to reserve sun loungers by draping their towels over them (as we sometimes see from certain European nationalities!) and then disappearing for hours- this was nice. Nice poolside bar with attentive barman. All staff speak English.

Review 61：Breakfast was bit disappointing, coffee horrible, very turisticbreakfast would be nice to have some good cheese and products from theregion. Room had no good ventilation

Review 62：Room was comfortable and big, location near the beach.

Review 63：the breakfast. frequently you have to ask staff to replenish the food area. tend to be reactive rather than pro- active in dealing with this matter.

Review 64：th E bar has entertainment in the evening and the standard is high.

Review 65：Lack of English TV channels No free WIFI Food was poor

Review 66：staff very friendly.lovely position and views. Rooms clean and spacious. Good value for money.

Review 67：Food not brilliant. Breakfast very repetitive. Coffee was awful. Had one evening meal which was almost cold and very tasteless. Bed linen - much prefer a duvet.

Review 68：The location and the weather. Staff very friendly and helpful.

Review 69：A little too far away from the village unless you had a car.

Review 70：A comfortable hotel with good facilities including outdoor pools and a sauna. Picturesque beach close by.

Review 71：A La carte menu was pricey and the food was not really all it could have been. We had to wait over thirty minutes for an Omelette and Spaghetti No window to open in Bedroom

Review 72：Layout of Hotel very nice with pleasant poolside facilities

Review 73：2 O'Clock check in time didn't suit, we arrived around 11.30. There was a secure area provided for us to leave our luggage and to change to more wuitable clothes. Trays would have been handy at breakfast, but saying that, if that's all I can find fault with....... Maybe closer to a 3 star rating, but again, not a problem

Review 74：It is fairly central to local beaches, views from gardens were fantastic. Staff were helpfull, and friendly. They provide a shuttle bus service to the village, but there is also a bus stop outside if you haven't access to a car and you want to visit the many towns and sites in the area. Ignore the negative reviews on Trip Advisor, cranky, tired travellers I reckon.

Review 75：Our stay at this hotel was only for one night, but it really dampened our entire vacation. First, this hotel is very remote. It's very hard to find and the directions are complicated. The streets in this area are not marked well. Plus there are very few signs for the hotel. We also struggled to find it on google maps. It was frustrating. The hotel itself is having an identity crisis. There are marble statues of Greek Goddesses by the pool, but then there are electric orange chairs and old circular 70s chairs. It's really gaudy. It screams Euro trash. Plus there is bad German karaoke blaring from the cocktail lounge. The rooms are dark. The beds are hard and crunchy, like they have a weird plastic coating. We had a sea view, but it was obstructed by other parts of the hotel. Not very impressive. There were also rust rings around the toilet and tub in the bathroom. The tv was tiny, but also in an odd spot so you could not really watch it from anywhere. The breakfast was also very disappointing. The Algarve is known for its oranges. The orange juice was a powder and the fruit was all canned. The ham was overcooked and burnt too. Horrible. Also they advertise free wifi. It's not free. It's about 5 euros an hour and you also have to pay for it in the public spaces. The town of Lagoa is smaller and there isn't a lot to do nearby in Cavoiero. I'd say go to Faro or Lagos instead.

Review 76：The beaches are beautiful and there seems to be some good golfing nearby. The parking is free.

Review 77：Great hotel slightly outside of town about 12 minute walk. Staff very friendly, lunch in the bar reasonable, pool was nice and always plenty of beds. Room was spacious and very clean. If you want a really good sea view ask for a sea view on the 1st floor. Some rooms are ground level and although you have a sea view it's hidden by the trees.

Review 78：Be aware that it is a challenging ascent back from the town to the hotelafter a evening out. The curstesy bus is very restricted on the numberof journeys it undertakes each day and has to be booked in advance whichis inflexible as it appeared very under used all day. We paid extra fora seaview with balony but the room itself was definitely 2-3 star only.No tea/coffee facilitities as adverstised on the booking.com websiteunless you request it. The fridge was useless and the general decor poorfor a 4 star rating in our experience.

Review 79：Nice location if you wish to be away from the town centre with lovelysea views from the pool areas. It is an attractive looking hotel. Thepool area was well kept and very cleanand the same for the inside.Reception staff very friendly and helpful.

Review 80：- 5 Euro for one hour of WiFi (in lobby only)- Steam room/sauna (in fact the entire spa) was only open from 9AM to 1 PM and 4Pm to 7 PM - Towels had to be checked out for a 10 Euro deposit & it cost one Euro if you wanted to exchange the towel - Seemed to nickel & dime you lots of things that should be included for a hotel as nice as this one

Review 81：-Very nice & helpful staff -Clean realtively spacious rooms fro Europe- Fantastic view of Atlantic and beach from nearby cliffs - Great pool & swinging hammock chairs

Review 82：Charging guests 5€ for 1hr Wifi connection is extortionate. A 4 starhotel normally offers this service for free. This hotel has thepotential to be a 4 star, but it currently offers a 2 star service. Thehotel is in an isolated place, so it shouldn't isolate its guestsfurther by forcing them to stay offline. The poolside bar was nice, butthe bar staff were nonentities. I had a pina colada and it tastedhorrible (stale juice). The bar staff admitted that "the juice was notthe best one" (sic) but claimed "that they couldn't do anything aboutit". Really? They should have offered what is customary in these cases,eg. 1) a different drink instead, or 2. a refund. In both cases, anapology was on order. Counter staff correct but not really friendly orkeen. Rooms should have a chair (not difficult to do) in order to beable to write or use pc on the table, which looks rather like a boudoir.There is no surface on which to do a bit of work or organizing things,and it’s a bit unnerving. The tv is small and poorly placed. The hotelmakes no sense to a businessman on holidays. It has the feel of a homefor the elderly or a lodging for families with small kids (though theformer was more the case). Breakfast is boring, to cut a long storyshort: too much bad cholesterol (eggs/sausages,etc.): more fresh fruitsand vegs would be desirable. Portuguese cakes or sweets things likepuddings are wonderful. None of that was on offer here. The buildingitself is wonderful, the décor is pleasant (wonderful pictures on thewalls). You could do marvels here, if you wanted.

Review 83：It was clean and the service was adequate, if not outstanding. It feltsafe. The cleanliness was probably the best aspect

Review 84：Twin beds instead of doubles for the second visit. Big shame, we turnedthe mattresses horizontal, however, there's no comparision to a properdouble bed.

Review 85：The location is amazing - we highly recommend a cliff walk to the praiade covos which is exquisite and nearly always empty!

Review 86：Food. Selection of meals very poor. Evening meal expensive takingit's quality.

Review 87：Excelent location, right above the beatifull beach, up to half an hourdriving from other main beaches and attractions, nice territory of thehotel, seaview rooms are worth to pay a bit extra.

Review 88：The bathroom was not at the level of the remaining of the room: visiblestains on the floor were quite unpleasant. The Jacuzzi pool was a littlebit crusty. The breakfast had a great variety of things to eat but onlya few sweety: a perfect german breakfast (with sausages/fried bacon andeggs) but a really poor italian kind of breakfast. The price of the half-board is high and, having rented a car, it may be more convenient to goto the close by town which is full of restaurant.

Review 89：The position and the ocean view from the room were truly amazing, andfor us this made all the difference. There is a spectacular and quitelong walk (nearly 6h return) on cliffs starting at the beach below thehotel (and ending in Praia de Marinha) which is truly spectacular Thebalcony in the room protects from the wind which was really usefule inthese windy days. The chance to have Jacuzzi is a nice feature.

Review 90：The only cause to down score the hotel is the restaurant who's decor needs a huge revamp - so absolutely now probs if you plan to dine out even though the food was good quality. Heads up - most of the good items must be ordered a day in advance (e.g. Chateaubriand & crepe suzette). Only other drawback was the single beds instead of double - unfortunately ours had argued before we arrived and were desperate to escape each other. However, v small points and nothing to stop us staying again - we booked a longer trip there as soon as we returned home can't wait!!!

Review 91：An amazing view and location!!! I was all set to score it 5 out of 5, the view is priceless from the pool and the cliff top location is truly idyllic. The small stroll into a lovely village is wonderful.

Review 92：This hotel is not expensive but it's clear that the owners want to squeeze more money from you after you arrive. They have wireless internet, but you pay 3€ to unlock it for 30 minutes. Come on, it's 2012, internet is not some upscale luxury. You're invited to use the pool and jacuzzi, but you can't bring your room towel... because they want to rent you a towel that you can use.

Review 93：Friendly comfortable room and a balcony with a great ocean view. Easy to find, free parking, bright breakfast room with a big selection of standard English and European breakfest food. The beach below the hotel is circled by cliffs and interesting rock formations. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to it.

Review 94：Nothing!

Review 95：Faultless hotel in a quiet location. Perfect place to relax

Review 96：WIFI expensive and only in public areas. No tea and coffee facilities in the room

Review 97：Most Things

Review 98：Have stayed there many times. Has all I want.

Review 99：breakfasts but would like more fried eggs !!

Review 100：Very dated Food poor Not an experience I'd ever repeat

Review 101：Good sea views

Review 102：breakfast was not very hot most mornings

Review 103：nice ambiance pleasant location

Review 104：noise rooms not very well insulated

Review 105：location and views

Review 106：Many flaws, like doors hardly opening or not closing to the bathroom, old furniture, used everything, not fresh look

Review 107：The location and 4* rating

Review 108：Very nice staff. Excellent location to the wonderful beach.

Review 109：- No free Wi-Fi - Long walk to Town for older guests

Review 110：- Lots of Parking - Good pool - Games and activities for the kids

Review 111：Drinks in the bar was of poor quality!

Review 112：Aircon in the rooms was good! Good breakfast!

Review 113：rather old fashioned internal design, needs some renovation

Review 114：beautiful view on the ocean, two enjoyable pools

Review 115：very poor room with terrible smell of drains ; also there were no tea/coffee making facilities.

Review 116：convenience and cost

Review 117：Kaffee

Review 118：Lage Zimmer

Review 119：price, location., leisure facilities

Review 120：Qualty of sandwichs and in flexiblity of ordering after about 8.00pm

Review 121：Location, price, quality of accomodation

Review 122：The beds were pushed together to make a double but drifted apart.

Review 123：Great views and surroundings. handy for Carveiro town centre - 15 mins walk.

Review 124：Obfite sniadanie.Sauna i turecka laznia.

Review 125：average age of guests a lot older than me (55), maybe always that in November

Review 126：good location on cliff top, short walk to Carvoeiro

Review 127：Charged 5 Euro's for 1 hour of Wi Fi Breakfeast was poor Never a 4*

Review 128：We stayed last summer and came back because it was friendly, convenientand had everything we needed for a one night stay.

The Fine Print

Please note that the indoor swimming pool and the hot tub are closed for maintenance until the end of January 2016. The sauna, the Turkish bath and the fitness centre are available.Guests that feel affected by this situation can be relocated to the Hotel Baía Grande or can use the indoor pool and the hot tub at Monte Santo Resort. No additional fee will be charged.Due to operational reasons Hotel Baia Cristal Beach & Spa Resort was forced to close the kitchenettes in the rooms.Please note that the hotel reserves the right to ask for full payment upon arrival.This hotel provides an All Inclusive Program. It features:- Buffet Breakfast (7:30 - 10:30)- Buffet Lunch (12:30 – 14:30)- Buffet Dinner (19:00 – 21:30)- Drinks during meals: soft drinks, mineral water, house wine, beer and coffee- “Open Bar” (11:00 – 23:00): beer, house wine, mineral water, soft drinks, selection of national spirits, coffee and tea- Snacks (11:00 – 17:00): sandwiches (ham or cheese), cakes and ice cream- Free access to Spa facilities: indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, Turkish bath and gym- Free access to tennis courtClients will have access to this program only when the "All Inclusive" policy is booked.