Well a group of us (8) in all travelled over the last week in January this year, something we have done for the past 6 years with the exception of the Co-vid pandemic. We stayed in 4 twin bedroom rooms overlooking the pool area, these rooms were excellent and were well serviced by the staff, changed the towels twice a day and anything else that needed changing. We stayed on a B/B format and this also included a meal in the Legril restaurant of which we were allowed to choose whatever we wanted including drinks to which the hotel paid €33 to each of us towards the cost of the evening. Food was excellent and cooked to order and served by well trained staff. Breakfast was good and there was more than enough to eat, either pre-cooked or made to order, eat what you wanted and however much you wanted. Sir Henry Cotton golf course was excellent for the time of year. The greens were first class and really true and exceedingly fast, the size of them was something else. Some pitch marks left by players in front of us who didn’t seem to bother, however we repaired them. Green staff were there every day making sure everything was ok. Bunkers were good and again people with small feet seemed not to like raking them. Fairways considering the traffic used were good but did need a bit if of attention. Tee’s need some work on them but was not a problem. People have mentioned the property needs updating, so does everything in the world so get on with it. We will certainly be visiting again next January to enjoy our stay here and playing an exceptional golf course. Staff were excellent and done everything you needed doing.…
Scandalous, horrendously lowering of standards NOT IN A 5 star Hotel. We have been coming to the Penina for over 15 years and this is the worst meal we have ever had. It happens – but should not ever happen in a 5 star Hotel! Even in a Saturday lunch time. Food – cold, frozen “second quality” . We need to pay extra for items described in the menu as part of the dish! Salad as part of the dish? Comprises a handful of unwashed lettuce just thrown on the plate! ! Chicken? 5 drumsticks swimming in oil. Fresh Fish of the day? Fresh? Yes, fresh out of the freezer! Grey, dry, small. Plates presented better in a road side café. Lemon accompaniment? Just a non edible decoration piece which a 5 year old could have done better. Pricing – horrendous. 7 euros for a cheap Brandy, when a quality bottle of Brandy only costs 11 euros. On average 32 measures in a bottle x 7 =224 euros. Profiteering in the extreme. Service appalling. Cold plates, wrong cutlery, wrong glasses, initial order misinterpreted. JUST NOT EVEN SECOND RATE. FAMILIARTY BREEDS CONTEMPT.…
We had a wonderful stay at the majestic Hotel Penina over Christmas, New Year's Eve and the first days of the new year 2023. We were very satisfied and would especially like to highlight the excellent breakfast and the friendly courtesy of the staff. No wish remained unfulfilled. The coastal landscape of the Algarve and the beaches between Armação de Pêra, Portimao, Alvor and Lagos are picturesquely beautiful.
Just the golf:- after the drought of the summer and some poor reviews we were concerned about the quality of the Championship course but it was better than expected. Great layout. Some areas a little patchy with bare lies but on the hole it was fine. Green staff seemed to be working hard bringing it back up to standard. Greens soft so too many players not repairing pitchmarks.Bunkers were in good condition and had been racked by staff.
No way is this hotel a 5 star. Booked this for belated 50th anniversary Original hotel booking cancelled due to covid and no available dates to rebook. Penina advertised as 5 star and in our favourite resort so was happy to book. From the start a big disappointment too far from resort unless you have a car. Room small no tea or milk supplied(only coffee machine) complimentary water only on first day. Restaurants 4 but only 2 opened on any day and had to book every night at reception. We booked 3 times and when we arrived at restaurant they had no knowledge of the booking! Ate twice at Italian and once at the grill restaurant none were anything special in fact the meal at the gril was inedible Buffet breakfast was ok and evening buffet was better than other restaurants. All in only good thing was courtesy bus to Alvor every day drivers were superb as were majority of staff. Hotel needs more staff and massive makeover . If you don’t play golf this hotel is not for you as there is nothing nearby to do unless you drive.…
I had always wanted to visit the Penina resort and finally got to do so last week. I was bitterly disappointed in my experience. I tried booking a game of golf over the Henry Cotton course at the pro shop as a hotel resident to be told the course was "FULL", very un helpful, on actually finally getting a game at twilight I was charged full price, the golf range balls are a disgrace, this is a 5 star resort but the balls must be at least 10 years old, yet you pay 6 euro for the privilege of hitting rubbish balls. The golf course is in very poor condition, the course is packed, no course marshal to move slow games on or allow others to pass through, the starter doesn't even get out her chair to meet and greet you (5 Star hotel allegedly) Inside the hotel rooms are tired and about 30 years out of date, AC cold/heat doesn't work, no complimentary water refreshed daily, only 1 bottle on arrival, the hotel general features also tired and old, staff never smile, no assistance offered only when asked is service given, tried booking a meal at the Grill, but again it was "FULL" common theme emerging here, "FULL" but only one table occupied? Come back again after 9pm I'm told??? Having stayed at several 5 star hotels recently I know the level of service provided and expected, however Penina falls far below this and is in all ways and means other than cost with everything over priced charging for 5 star when this hotel is really a 3 star condition and service level. A few staff were good but overall I didn't feel appreciated, welcome or at home in this hotel or golf course, sad to say I wont be back, one of my "bucket list" places failed miserably to deliver even an average experience.…
As a regular visitor for over 20 years it was very disappointing to find the hotel and golf course in very poor condition. The lack of investment is palpable everywhere.Sir Henry Cotton would be horrified if he were to visit today.The families and local community deserve better.One can only pray that the owner has a plan for an upgrade before it goes beyond repair.
Overall a great hotel with some problems. A 6 night solo stay for golf coaching with the amazingly patient Jose Laurence . Although this vast hotel has beautiful grounds and an amazing pool this is primarily a golf hotel and is about 20 mins drive from Alvor and it’s beaches and restaurants. The staff here are wonderful and as a lone visitor too great care of me especially at reception, golf desk and at all meals. The food in the Grill and the Italian is exceptional! Far above the standard you would expect from such a hotel. The breakfast Buffett caters for everyone and all tastes. The beds are very comfortable and the balconies overlooking the pool and golf courses are lovely. So that’s the good now for the not so good. The whole development is in urgent need of modernisation and redesign. Although the hotel caters mainly for the older golfer from Holland Germany and UK the market is changing and a younger generation has to be reached who will not put up with the faded old fashioned furniture everywhere especially the bedrooms. The golf course needs considerable attention and several areas look abandoned. Some of the Resort Course tees are in a dreadful state. The driving range balls are so old the surface is peeling off many of them. Don’t let this put you off visiting as this is a golfing paradise with comfort and great food.…
This is a Very tired and dated hotel. Definitely not five star. bad food and very overpriced drinks. Rooms are tired, staff not interested in making a good stay. Taxi to alvor is hit and miss. Golf course was very good though and well presented.
A group of us revisited Penina this year and the improvements from 12 months previously were fantastic. We dined in all 3 restaurants in the Hotel and all were superb The service was very good and friendly and the staff couldn't have been more helpful. The golf course has shown the greatest improvement and was a joy to play and with all the work going on on the course it will be even better again on our next.Our booking was handled by Patricia Rosa and she was fantastic can't wait for our next visit
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