Albis Harena - Leme Bedje Residence

I’ll start with the negatives but do read on because this is not a bad review, when we arrived the room allocated us wasn’t great and not what I was expecting. However as soon as I queried with reception they offered us an alternative which was a 1 bedroom apartment, with a balcony and view of the pool. We booked B&B, but Colombus restaurant where we had breakfast only offered 2 options, again as soon as I queried they offered an alternative restaurant a 5 minute walk away. That said I would not book the breakfast, there are good options both on the apartment site at Giramondo cafe and the cost at Colombus and other restaurants is pretty cheap. I would suggest a few more homely touches/decoration needed especially in the bedroom, it was literally bare, no finishing touches at all. The sofa in the sitting room was a pull out bed but was not really functional as a sofa. As someone else mentioned those sun loungers around the pool are really not comfortable def need better cushions! Now for the positives, overall for the cost this accommodation offers fantastic value for money, the apartment was pretty decent, very spacious, great air con and reasonably well equipped. The view from the balcony was over the pool which is lit up very prettily at night and was generally quiet. The pool was a good temperature and I witnessed it being cleaned several times a week, I swam in it every day with absolutely no problems at all. Plus the pool area was generally quiet which was nice. There is a good security presence 24 hours a day not that I ever felt unsafe anywhere in Santa Maria. The staff are all super friendly and reception was amazingly helpful at all times. I would recommend booking tours with them as they seemed better value than down by the pier. Cross the road and you have 2 restaurants that offer free sun loungers, and a lovely beach, does get a bit choppy though if the offshore winds are blowing! 10 minute walk along a pretty street and you are in Santa Maria, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, some shops, the pier and really a beautiful beach. If you continue to the right of the pier the water gets much calmer and easier to get into. There are sun loungers to rent at EUR 10 for 2 loungers plus an umbrella at the area in front of the Dubliner. Overall, I had a great holiday and would absolutely recommend Leme Bedje accommodation but do remember to consider the cost and that it’s 3 star accommodation an I cannot stress enough to speak o reception for any issues they really were brilliant.

Lovely, spacious room over looking the beach. Housekeeping was very good. Internet slow in living area, but good in the bedroom and by the pool. Lovely pool, very quiet but sunbeds are uncomfortable and the last 3 days had no mattresses on them! Ideal location, close to town and practically on the beach.

A piece of heaven in the heart of Santa Maria. I'll book again for sure!

Hotel reception was non-existent, check-in/out and queries needed to be done 10 mins up the street at the Porto Antigo hotel. The area around the hotel has a big problem with stray dogs who seem to reside under the sun loungers on the beachfront. Expect to be approached by them at the beach bar and hear them barking and fighting at night. I also witnessed residents bringing them into the resort. I used the pool three times and have ended up with black gunk in my ear canals and hearing loss in one of them. The food was dreadful in all the places I visited and not the cheap. I did not have huge expectations about this island and none of them were surpassed. Wouldn't recommend staying for more than 3 nights and try to time your arrival for day the bins in the streets are emptied.