NH Lagos Algarve Resort: An Honest Review
When we stayed in Lagos, Portugal during our trip through the Algarve, we booked a few nights at the NH Lagos Algarve Resort (formerly known as Tivoli Lagos Algarve Resort). It’s a big resort right in the heart of downtown Lagos, and while it wasn’t our favorite hotel of the trip, it got the job done — it was clean, convenient, and affordable. In this review I’ll tell you everything we liked and didn’t like about our stay here, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your trip.
Why I Chose This Hotel
I wanted a base that put us within walking distance of everything in Lagos — the marina, the old town, restaurants, and shops. This resort’s central location made that easy, and the price point was appealing too. Of all the hotels we stayed in throughout Portugal, this was among the least expensive, which made it an easy choice for our Algarve stop. It also had parking, which with our rental car was necessary, as parking on Lagos city streets is tight.
The Room
Our room was clean and spacious, and since we were on the ground level, we had our own private patio, which was a nice perk. That said, I wouldn’t call this a true 4-star experience. The interior was dated and unstylish, and honestly, I’d put it closer to a 3-star hotel based on the room quality alone. It wasn’t bad — just not as polished as the 4-star rating suggests, or compared to many other 4-star hotels I’ve stayed in. Expect this hotel to be practical, not luxurious.
Getting Around the Hotel
This resort felt enormous – it’s a maze, really. On your first day, hotel staff actually walked you up to your room. This ended up being essential because we would not have found it on our own. Depending on where your room is located, getting to the main level can be a process. We had to take two elevators and a staircase just to get in and out of our building. If you stay here, budget a little extra time for navigating the property, especially on your first day.
The Pool
The hotel has a nice pool, and it was clearly a hit with other guests — it was busy every time we passed by. We didn’t end up using it ourselves since we prefer the beach, but if a resort-style pool is a priority for you, this one delivers.
Breakfast and Dining
We only ate breakfast at the hotel once, and we weren’t fans of the spread, so we found breakfast elsewhere for the rest of our stay. We didn’t dine at the hotel restaurant at all, so I can’t speak to the lunch or dinner experience at this hotel.
Parking
If you’re renting a car in Lagos, this is a real perk. Street parking in town is tight and limited, so having on-site parking at the hotel (at an added cost) was very convenient for us. It’s worth factoring into your budget, but it saved us a lot of headaches and I was relieved to have that option.
Staff and Service
Hotel staff were friendly and professional throughout our stay, from the front desk to the person who guided us to our room on arrival. Again, not a 4-star level experience like I’ve had elsewhere, but everyone was very polite.
Location
The entrance to the hotel is lovely, and the location itself is hard to beat — it’s walkable to everything in downtown Lagos.
Aside from trips further out (like a birding excursion), we walked everywhere during our stay. This is a major perk if you plan on spending a lot of time in historic Lagos itself.
The Bottom Line
Of all the hotels we stayed in across Portugal, this was our least favorite — but that’s a high bar, not necessarily a knock against this property. It was clean, convenient, and affordable, with a great location and a private patio that we really enjoyed. If those checkboxes matter most to you, this will be a good fit. However, if you’re looking for a 4-star luxury hotel experience, this will not land. We stayed at other 4-star hotels during this trip that were a caliber above.
This was the first Tivoli hotel we’ve stayed at, so I can’t speak to whether the other hotels in the group are similar or not. If I end up staying in another Tivoli, I’ll do a write up to compare. Sometimes it’s helpful to know how the hotel groups operate because it helps you know what to expect from the individual hotels.
Looking for more on where to stay and what to do in the Algarve? Check out my full Algarve Travel Guide and Lagos Travel Guide. And for more honest hotel reviews and travel tips, visit us at Lily B Travel.
