Renting an apartment means living at your own pace. When the building has a heated pool, swimming joins the programme, whatever the season. In Albufeira, the white old town looks down on beaches framed by ochre cliffs. Here are the 3 apartments I've selected in Albufeira, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend Vila Petra, The Westin Salgados Beach Resort (ex-NAU Salgados Dunas Suites) and Alfagar Aparthotel.
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
3 places shown
The pool. An indoor pool complements the outdoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi on site.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. The few complaints are mostly about the pool bar, which is sometimes closed.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's opening hours when you arrive.
The pool. An indoor pool and numerous outdoor pools (six according to Hotels.com, nine according to Kayak). Heating isn't specified.
The pool areas go down well, but a few guests report closed pools, and one guest found the water too cold in August, without saying which pool.
Guide's tip. The complex has just been rebranded: check the name when you book.
The pool. Indoor pool under a glass roof, seasonal outdoor pool and children's slides from April to October. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The outdoor pool is seasonal: outside summer, count on the covered pool.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Vila Petra (Aparthotel), with 8.9/10 (639 reviews · Kayak). Next come The Westin Salgados Beach Resort (ex-NAU Salgados Dunas Suites) (8.8/10) and Alfagar Aparthotel (9.2/10).
None of the places selected in Albufeira clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. Vila Petra, The Westin Salgados Beach Resort (ex-NAU Salgados Dunas Suites) and Alfagar Aparthotel have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
None of the places selected in Albufeira gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.
Yes: Vila Petra also has a hot tub in addition to the heated pool.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
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Sources: Airbnb, Kayak, Kayak, Kayak, Hotels.com.
