Alton Towers Accommodation Options: All You Need To Know
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- Posted: 24/06/2025
3HB Falesia Garden in Portugal: An Honest Family Review
Charlotte Nichols
London Stansted Travel Mum
London Stansted Travel Mum.
Based in Essex.
Travel inspiration for families with young children and blended families.
We recently stayed at the 3HB Falésia Garden (2 adults, a 5 year old and an 11 month old), a 3-star plus aparthotel in Olhos D’Agua on the Algarve. We booked fairly last minute but were familiar with the area and had read some great reviews.
The hotel is positioned on a cliff overlooking Falesia Beach and some stunning coastline. I was instantly impressed by the outstanding view and the high standards of the grounds.
3HB Falesia Garden – Accommodation
We stayed in a one bedroom apartment – there are also one bedroom deluxe apartments and deluxe sea view apartments available. The main difference is that the standard one bedroom apartments feature a more rustic décor, while the deluxe apartments have a more modern style.
Another key difference is that the deluxe apartments do not have baths – only showers – so that is something to be aware of if you are travelling with small children.
The apartment was well equipped and had everything we needed, including a full size fridge, 2 hob rings and microwave.
We had a good size balcony over looking a residential area with a side sea view. we found the area peaceful and didn’t hear noise from other apartments or outside.
Pools & Park
The pool was a good size – unheated but not freezing, considering it was only May when we visited. There was also an outdoor jacuzzi style pool.
There were plenty of sun beds available regardless of what time you arrived at the pool. A grassy area provided the perfect spot for our littlest one to crawl around.
In a separate area, there was a well-sized baby pool with plenty of sun beds, along with additional beds in a shaded section overlooking the park.
The park was impressive for a small hotel, featuring a newly constructed pirate ship with three slides and swings – a fantastic way for children to burn off some energy!
3HB Falesia Garden – Restaurants and Bars
The pool bar offers a great selection of drinks, snacks, and ice creams. The larger bar/restaurant serves an impressive variety of poolside food. The food and drinks were of excellent quality and reasonably priced – think fresh salads (€12), club sandwiches (€14), pizzas, and more.
Breakfast and dinner were served daily at the Falésia restaurant. We booked a bed and breakfast package, and the breakfast was great – easily as good as, if not better than, any 4-star hotel I’ve stayed at. They catered exceptionally well to my gluten allergy, even providing fresh cake every morning, which is something I haven’t encountered anywhere else!
We tried the evening buffet one night and were again pleasantly surprised. There was a wide selection of dishes – fish, meat, salads, pizza, pasta – all served hot and beautifully presented. The cleanliness of the restaurant and the attentiveness of the staff were second to none.
The pool bar/evening bar overlooks the park, so children who are a little older can play there while adults relax. There was live music every evening at 9pm, and the cocktails were excellent. An Aperol Spritz (I’m very particular about these) cost €10 and was very well made. A large glass of house red wine was €5.
The Beaches
3HB Falesia Garden has direct steps down to Praia da Falésia – there are 120 steps in total, so using a baby carrier is advisable as it is not buggy-friendly. This beach is one of the highest-rated in the Algarve, featuring a long stretch of sand backed by the stunning cliffs often seen in photos of Portugal. There is a restaurant serving authentic Portuguese cuisine, as well as sun beds and shade available for rent – €8 for two sun beds for half a day, or €15 for a full day. Toilets and showers are also available.
There is another beach in the town – Praia de Olhos de Água. Although much smaller, it is still well worth a visit and is easily accessible via a gentle slope.
3HB Falesia Garden Highlights
Some of the highlights for me of this aparthotel were:
- All the public areas have been newly refurbished to a very high standard.
- Everything is arranged to maximise enjoyment of the breathtaking view – even the park.
- The staff are incredibly friendly and excellent with children.
- The cleanliness of the grounds, rooms, and restaurants was impeccable.
Things to note
I really liked this hotel but I think that i should mention:
- There isn’t a full animation team, kids’ club, or mini disco – making it more peaceful than the average family holiday. Keep this in mind if those are important to you.
- All Inclusive is not an option at this hotel.
3HB Falesia Garden Overview
We were so pleased we booked to stay at this aparthotel. It offers amazing value for money, the grounds are exceptionally well maintained and clean, and the view is absolutely breathtaking. To be completely honest, I think it’s easily on par with many 4-star hotels I’ve stayed in – although I do believe the standard in Portugal is generally higher.
If you book a break here, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. We will definitely be back!
Travel Mum Rating
The only thing that could have slightly improved our holiday would have been some form of early evening entertainment for children – just 30 minutes would have made a difference. For that reason, my rating is:
4.8/5
Some links in this post are affiliate links.
Written by: Charlotte Nichols
London Stansted Travel MumI am the Essex based travel mum, dedicated to finding the best deals from London Stansted and London Southend airports. I am a mum to two boys and a bonus mum to three teenagers/young adults, I understand the joys and challenges of family travel. My passion is making travel affordable for families of all sizes – whether you’re adventuring with young children or older teens. We regularly fly from London Stansted and can’t wait to help you with or inspire, your next adventure!
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