Cupped in a quiet pocket of Praia da Rocha, the contemporary Plaza Real is a holiday winner all round. For a start, you bag the best of both worlds here. On the one hand, you’re sitting in wonderfully serene surroundings, so you can really get to work on shaking off life’s everyday stresses. On the other hand, you’re just a stone’s throw away from the resort itself, abuzz with shops, bars and restaurants. Oh, and last but certainly by no means least, you’re just a short stroll from Praia da Rocha’s glorious gold-dust sands. You couldn’t pick a more perfect setting.

Once you step foot onto the complex though, you might simply want to chill out here. And who could blame you? Good looking and modern to a T, it’ll be hard to tear yourself away from this lovely place. Laze away your days stretched out by the figure-of-eight pool. Overlooked by the cream-coloured apartments, it’s flanked by an attractive patio area with plenty of sunbeds and a pool bar to keep you refreshed. If you fancy doing something with a little more get up and go though, you’ll find plenty to keep you on your toes. Try your luck in the games room where you can play pool or video games. Join in a friendly match on one of the nearby football pitches. Or take advantage of the hotel’s discounted green fees on the local golf course.

After dark, the ambience stays laid-back, so after a slap up meal in town, settle back in the bar and get set for the evening entertainment. Then when your bed is calling, head back to your spacious apartment. Stylishly decorated with whitewashed walls and modern furnishings, they’ve got bags of home-from-home comforts. Don’t settle for second best – come and enjoy the getaway you deserve at this Portuguese gem. If only all holidays were as good as this.

Location
• 1km to beach • 600m to shops, bars, nightclubs and restaurants of Praia da Rocha • 600m to centre of Portimao

Pool Area
• Swimming pool • Sun terraces • Pool snack bar for coffee, breakfast and daily Happy Hour • Sunbeds

Activities
• Games area with pool table and video games • 2 football pitches nearby, not part of the hotel complex • Guests will receive a discount on green fees at nearby Alton Golf course • Tennis wall

Other Facilities
• 24hr reception • Money exchange • Air-conditioning throughout

No. of Lifts
7

Extra Charges
Some facilities may incur extra local charges, please see the A-Z Guide

No. of Apartments
63

Food Option - No food score available
100

No. of Buildings
4

Official Rating
3 Star

Entertainment
• Evening entertainment 2 or 3 times a week

For Families
• Thomson Kids' Clubs for 3 to 11-year olds • Children’s section of pool • Children's park • Playroom • Highchairs • Cots

Child reductions
up to 16 yrs inclusive

Your Opinion - Holiday Overall
94

Tour operator rating
3 plus

Apartment Facilities
All studios and apartments have air-conditioning, satellite TV, telephone, kitchen with electric oven and rings, maid service 5 times weekly and lounge. Studios have 2 single beds and sofa bed in lounge area - no balcony. 1 bedroom apartments have twin bedroom and pull-out sofa beds in lounge with balcony - 3 apartments available with double bedroom. 2 bedroom apartments have 1 twin and 1 double bedroom and pull-out sofa beds in lounge with balcony.

Exclusivity
Exclusive to Thomson Group customers in the UK

Key Features
• Quiet location • Minutes from beach • Large pool

Resort Information
Praia Da Rocha was the Algarve’s first resort – once genteel and sophisticated, but now devoted to some serious fun. Here you’ll find every type of holiday activity you could list, with restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops galore. Horse-riding, golf, waterparks, windsurfing – you name it, it’s here in Praia Da Rocha. In the evening there are discos, music bars and lots of live entertainment in the hotels. The resort centre is perched on the cliff top above an enormous beach – two kilometres long and over 100 metres wide! Along the coastline, wind, sea and weather have sculpted the red and yellow sandstone into weird and wonderful shapes, and giant cliffs and outcrops are eroded into caves, tunnels and arches. Many of the rock formations have imaginative names, and they provide some shade from the midday sun. Beyond the main beach to the west, idyllic, sandy coves are tucked under the cliffs, separated by jagged, craggy outcrops. Facilities on the beach are excellent. Just inland from the clifftop, the shady promenade is busy with diners, walkers and holidaymakers enjoying themselves. It starts at the Fortress of Santa Catalina, a 16th century fort once built to defend Portimao, but now home to an al fresco café with impressive sea views. And the views of the coast are just as fine from the Miradouro at the other end of the promenade.