Occidental Faro

📍 Great central location overlooking Faro Marina
🛁 Rooftop terrace with pool and whirlpool for elevated sunsets
🏖️ Dedicated Beach Club with shuttle in high season
🏛️ Short walk to Faro’s historic centre and cathedral
♻️ Certified sustainable hotel meeting GSTC-recognised standards
📶 Free Wi-Fi throughout

Official rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rooms: 90 | Floors: 4 | Lifts: 2

Board options: Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, Full Board

Child age guideline: up to 12 yrs (for hotel pricing and occupancy rules)

Occidental Faro puts you in the best spot to explore the Algarve’s capital like a local. Step outside and you’re moments from the yacht-dotted marina, the famous FARO sign and boat departures into the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Wander a few hundred metres and you’re among the Old Town’s whitewashed façades, orange trees and café terraces.

Want a beach fix? The hotel operates its own Beach Club roughly 6km away, on one of the long, dune-backed sandbars that fringe the lagoon. You can reach it by the hotel’s seasonal shuttle, public ferry or road transfer – a wonderfully scenic contrast to your city base.

• Overlooking Faro Marina
• 150m to nearest shops, bars and restaurants
• 400m to Faro Cathedral
• 450m to Faro Old Town (historic centre)
• 650m to the nearest train station
• 6km to the beach and Occidental Faro Beach Club (by ferry or land transfer)
• Shuttle to Occidental Faro Beach Club up to 6 times per day, 6 days per week in high season (subject to availability; reservation required)

Approx. transfer time from airport: around 15–20 minutes from Faro (FAO), depending on traffic.

Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Start the day with panoramic lagoon views and a generous breakfast at the Ria Formosa Restaurant & Bar, perched up on the roof terrace. Expect a mix of international favourites and Portuguese touches across breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, with both buffet and à la carte service depending on the season and occupancy.

When it’s beach day, the Beach Club takes over, serving refreshing drinks and light bites from mid-morning until late evening so you can stay by the sea.

A smart casual dress code may apply at dinner, and some venues or items can require reservations or carry a supplement depending on your chosen board basis. Opening times and concepts can vary by season; we’ll confirm the latest details at enquiry stage.

The rooftop is the social heart of the hotel, with an outdoor freshwater pool and integrated whirlpool set against sweeping views of Faro’s skyline and the Ria Formosa lagoon. A dedicated sunbathing area with loungers makes it easy to linger between sightseeing trips, and pool towels are available against a refundable deposit.

For a full beach day, head to the Occidental Faro Beach Club around 6km away. It sits on a long stretch of pale sand, reached via ferry through the lagoon or by land transfer. In high season, the hotel runs a shuttle up to six times daily on six days of the week (subject to availability; reservation required) so you can switch effortlessly from city break to shoreline chill.

Wellness and fitness are well covered for a compact city hotel:

• Air-conditioned gym with cardio machines, free weights and fixed strength equipment (minimum age 18 years; typically open 07:30–21:00)
• Spa area with sauna and Turkish bath (18+; local charges apply, approx. 10:00–19:00, days may vary)

Around the hotel you’ll also find:

• 24-hour reception and concierge support
• Luggage storage for early arrivals and late departures
• Shuttle bus service to the Beach Club (seasonal, supplement/conditions may apply)

Facilities, opening hours and age restrictions are subject to change and may vary by season and occupancy.

Standard Double or Twin Room
Sleeps 2–3. Smart, contemporary rooms with city/town views. Expect a double bed or twin beds, flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, air conditioning, safe, minibar (charge), hairdryer and bathroom with bath or shower. Daily housekeeping and towel change included.

Standard Double or Twin Room for Sole Use
Sleeps 1. All the essentials of the Standard room, configured for solo travellers, with city view and the same light, modern décor.

Premium Double or Twin Room
Sleeps 2–3. Similar footprint to Standard but positioned on higher or preferred floors, with added touches such as a fridge and USB charging ports, plus city views. Tea and coffee making facilities are available upon request.

Premium Triple Room
Sleeps 3. Ideal for friends or small families wanting to share. Includes three proper beds or a double/twin plus extra bed, with city views and the enhanced Premium amenities including fridge and USBs. Tea and coffee making facilities upon request.

Premium Single Room
Sleeps 1. A comfortable city-view base for solo guests, with the same upgraded features as other Premium rooms, including fridge and USB ports.

Superior Double or Twin Room
Sleeps 2–3. Upgraded accommodation with a little more space and a refined finish, all with city or town views. Facilities include flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, air conditioning, safe, minibar (charge), hairdryer and bathroom with bath or shower.

Superior Double or Twin Room for Sole Use
Sleeps 1. A roomier, upgraded option for solo travellers who want extra comfort and floor space, again with urban views.

Standard Suite
Sleeps 1–2. A suite-style layout that typically combines a sleeping area and lounge-style seating, all with city outlook. Perfect if you value a little more space to spread out.

Family Room
Sleeps 2–4. A practical option for families, designed to keep everyone together in one larger open-plan or semi-partitioned space. City views and the hotel’s contemporary styling keep things fresh and bright.

Interconnecting Room
Sleeps 2–5. Two Standard Double or Twin rooms linked by an internal door, each with its own bathroom and TV. Ideal for families with older children or small groups who want both space and privacy.

*Images indicative; layouts/views may vary.

While Occidental Faro is more about urban exploring than organised activities, you can easily blend city strolls with light fitness and lagoon adventures:

• Gym workouts in the air-conditioned fitness room
• Spa time between sightseeing with sauna and Turkish bath (chargeable)
• Boat trips from nearby Porta Nova Pier into the Ria Formosa Natural Park for birdlife and island beaches (local operators, extra cost)
• Old Town walking, cathedral visits and market browsing right on your doorstep

Our Travelisto specialists can tailor excursions – from Ria Formosa eco-cruises to day trips along the Algarve coast – into your stay.

• 24-hour reception and concierge services
• Luggage storage for early arrivals/late departures
• Shuttle bus to Occidental Faro Beach Club (high season, reservation required; supplement may apply)
• Free Wi‑Fi throughout the hotel
• Towels for the rooftop pool (refundable deposit)

Some services may incur a local charge and can be subject to seasonal schedules.

Faro pairs brilliantly with the rest of the Algarve – you can use it as a stylish weekend base or as the first stop in a longer coastal itinerary. Flight time from the UK is typically around 3–4 hours, with a very short onward transfer to the hotel.

Local language: Portuguese
Currency: Euro (€)
Time difference: usually the same as UK time (GMT/ BST)

Hotel facilities and inclusions can change from season to season. We review details regularly with the property, but your Travelisto specialist will confirm the latest information, opening hours and any local charges at the time of booking. For entry rules and health guidance see the UK FCDO Portugal advice.

Occidental Faro Prices & Book
Choose your dates in the search box for live availability and offers. Book with low deposits. ATOL Protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How far is Occidental Faro from the beach?
The hotel is approximately 6km from the nearest stretch of golden sand, where the Occidental Faro Beach Club is located. You can reach it either by ferry across the Ria Formosa lagoon or via land transfers. In high season, a hotel shuttle typically runs up to six times a day on six days of the week (subject to availability and advance reservation).

2. Is Occidental Faro suitable for a city break?
Yes. Occidental Faro is ideal for a short Algarve city break thanks to its setting overlooking Faro Marina, a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town, cathedral, shops, restaurants and the train station. You can explore on foot, take boat trips into the Ria Formosa, and still enjoy the comfort of a rooftop pool and modern rooms.

3. What board basis should I choose at Occidental Faro?
If you want to sample Faro’s restaurants and cafés, Bed & Breakfast is usually the most flexible option. Half Board suits guests who like a relaxed breakfast and dinner at the hotel but still want to head out at lunchtime, while Full Board is best if you prefer the convenience of most meals included on site. The hotel may alter whether lunch and dinner are buffet, set menu or à la carte depending on the season and occupancy.

4. Are there family-friendly rooms at Occidental Faro?
Yes. Families can opt for Premium Triple rooms, Family rooms or Interconnecting rooms, which combine two Standard Double or Twin rooms with an internal door. All offer city views and include essentials like air conditioning, Wi‑Fi and a private bathroom. Cots may be available on request, subject to availability.

5. Does Occidental Faro have spa and gym facilities?
Occidental Faro includes an air-conditioned gym equipped with cardio machines, free weights and resistance equipment for guests aged 18 and over, typically open from early morning to early evening. There is also a spa area with sauna and Turkish bath (18+, extra charges apply). Opening hours and services can vary by season.

6. Is Occidental Faro a sustainable hotel?
Yes. The hotel is labelled a Certified Sustainable Hotel, which means it meets a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-recognised standard at the time of review. This usually covers energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, community engagement and protection of local ecosystems like the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park.

7. What is the approximate transfer time from Faro Airport?
Occidental Faro is in the city itself, so transfers from Faro Airport (FAO) are usually quick – around 15–20 minutes by shared coach transfer or less by private car, depending on traffic and time of day.