Made Inn Faro

Made Inn Faro, formerly Hotel Afonso III, is a small, budget-priced hotel at Rua Miguel Bombarda 64 in the centre of Faro. It has seven room types, from standard single, double and twin rooms of around 129 square feet to triple, family and connecting family rooms that sleep up to five. Rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, soundproofed walls, rainfall showers, desks and cable TV. There is a bar, room service, an elevator, luggage storage and a concierge who can help with tours and tickets, and there is an airport shuttle for a fee. Expedia shows a guest rating of 8.2 out of 10 from 259 reviews, with the class listed as two stars, so expect simple comfort, not luxury. It is a good option for travellers who want to spend their budget on boat trips and meals.

Location and getting around: Faro station is three minutes' walk, and the marina is about eight minutes. The Old Town Square is about thirteen minutes on foot, so the whole historic centre is walkable. The airport is a fourteen-minute drive, which makes the hotel handy for early flights. Rail and bus services along the coast leave from the station area, so day trips to Tavira or Lagos need no car, though Zoomarine and the western coast are easier with a hire car.

Rooms and who it suits: the standard rooms are small, so travellers with a lot of luggage may prefer the family rooms, which are a better value for groups and families. The soundproofed walls help in a city-centre street. The hotel suits backpackers moving up from hostels, solo travellers, couples on a tight budget and families who need a large room cheaply. Those wanting a pool, spa or sea view should look at the other Faro and Albufeira hotels on this list.

Good to know: breakfast is available as a buffet for a surcharge, so compare with a cafe nearby. There is no on-site parking, and pets are not allowed, so plan on public parking if you arrive by car. Faro is quiet in winter. Book early for summer and for the festival weekends.