Hotel Baía Cristal Beach & Spa Resort

We booked to stay here as a last minute booking so were limited in the room availability which we understood. When we arrived to check in at 1pm we were greeted by a surly girl on reception who informed us check in was 3pm but try in an hour to see if the room was available. We tried at 2pm to be met with one word "no". At 3pm we eventually were able to check in after she had a bit of trouble trying to contact housekeeping. I realise the hotel has a time to check in but when you have arrived on a flight you don't have much choice in the time you get to the hotel and after travelling for 12 hours all you need is to change and unpack! Our room was very clean, plenty of space with an adequate sized balcony. There was a fridge which was useful for keeping drinks, water etc cool. There was no kettle which is the first time we've never had one in a hotel room, we could probably have requested one but managed without. The hotel is in a lovely location on a cliff top overlooking the sea. To get to the nearest beach is a 10 minute walk turning right from the hotel front and down a steep road. To visit the town of Carvoeiro there is a 20 minute walk turning left from the hotel front, there is a shuttle bus which you pre-book if you want to avoid walking. It seems a shame that this only runs in the day to approx 5pm as it would be very useful in the evenings also. We walked back a few evenings, the road is a steep road, you could take a taxi if required. The breakfast buffet was good, plenty of choice. We ate in the restaurant on two occasions in the evening, again it was a buffet, great value with plenty of choice. There is a spa and indoor pool. Also 2 outdoor pools and a small one for children. The water was freezing so they would benefit from being heated. Lovely views of the sea from the garden and pool area. It was nice and quiet when we stayed so plenty of choice of sunbeds. The garden was a nice spot to sit in if you wanted shade from the sun. I've read previous reviews regarding the staff and I have to say certain staff members looked very unhappy being there which made an awkward experience when they served you and other staff were so pleasant so there was quite a mix depending on who served you! I believe that the hotel is closing for a few months and it will be reopening as a 5* hotel. There are a few areas that need improving. The sun beds are quite old and uncomfortable, the building is quite dated and could do with an improvement or two but overall it is fine and we enjoyed our stay!