Casa Margô

Casa Margô puts you in an aparthotel in the historic centre of Lagos, with the sort of layout that suits a diving trip where the day does not always follow a hotel timetable. You have your own kitchenette, dining area and living space, so breakfast can happen when you are ready rather than when a dining room says so. There is also a year-round outdoor pool and a sun terrace for the hours when you have finished with the Atlantic but are not yet ready for another walk through town.

The mood is more local apartment than all-purpose resort. You can cook, sit outside, use the free WiFi and make the place your own for a few days. Families have apartment options with several sleeping areas, while couples can keep things simpler with a studio, including a balcony studio when outdoor space matters.

You are in Lagos, Portugal, at Praça Luis de Camões, right in the old town. The Lagos Live Science Center is about 0.1 miles away, Santa Maria Church is a five-minute walk, and the castle, the Fortress of Ponta da Bandeira and the old town walls are all within a walk of roughly a mile or less. This is a location for stepping out into town, not for being marooned behind a gate.

The nearest named beaches are Praia da Forte da Bandeira and Batata Beach, each roughly half a mile away on foot. Praia dos Estudantes is around 0.6 miles away, while Meia Praia Beach is a ten-minute walk according to the property description. Lagos railway station is about 0.7 miles away, and Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse is roughly 1.7 miles from the property.

The useful distinction here is not the label on the door but how you intend to use the space. The Studio and Studio with Balcony suit a couple who want a manageable base with a kitchenette, dining table and sofa. For a group or a family, the larger one- and two-bedroom apartments give you room to spread out after a day in a wetsuit, with the mezzanine apartment adding a second bathroom and more separation between sleeping areas.

Every unit has air conditioning, a private bathroom, a refrigerator, a coffee machine, a kettle, a toaster, a stovetop, an oven, a microwave and a dishwasher. That is a fairly serious kitchen for an aparthotel. You can chill water for the morning, put together something quick when you return hungry, and leave the washing-up to the machine rather than adding another chore to the logbook.

Balconies look towards the pool or the city, depending on the unit. Soundproofing and soundproof rooms are part of the offer, while heating is available for cooler evenings. There is also a dining table, sofa, work desk, flat-screen television and a laptop safe, plus a drying rack for clothing. The property is non-smoking, and quiet hours run from 23:00 to 08:00, which matters if you are trying to sleep before an early start.

There is no hotel restaurant or bar to build your evening around, so the kitchenette does the practical work. It comes with cookware and the equipment for proper food preparation rather than just making tea. Grocery deliveries are available, as are packed lunches, and fruit is provided. For a self-catering stay, that gives you several ways to deal with an early departure, a late return or the simple fact that divers become unexpectedly hungry.

Outside the apartment, Lagos supplies the restaurant part. Oxala and Scartuccio are about 50 feet away, Shalimar is roughly 50 feet away, and Dona Ginja is also only a short walk. The local food angle is the Algarve south-western coast: seafood caught by local fishermen and slow-food specialities are part of the region's identity. You can therefore keep dinner in the apartment or walk a few steps and let somebody else handle the pans for once.

The outdoor pool is open throughout the year, with a sun terrace, loungers and umbrellas around it. That gives you an easy place to spend the non-diving part of the afternoon without organising another outing. The terrace and outdoor seating are more useful here than a long list of facilities: you can sit down, dry off and let the day become less energetic.

For a little more movement, free bicycles and bicycle rental are available, with bike tours and walking tours among the activities. Yoga is offered, and the surrounding area works for cycling, hiking and surfing. Golf is available within roughly 1.9 miles, while mini golf is another option. On the water, kayaking, paddleboarding and boat excursions are available, with dolphin-watching trips and sunset catamaran cruises for days when you want scenery rather than another full programme.

Lagos also rewards a slow afternoon on foot. You can reach the Lagos Live Science Center, the historic centre, the castle and the waterfront sights without turning the day into a logistical exercise. Board games and puzzles are available for a quieter evening, and babysitting can be arranged for families who want some time to themselves.

Faro Airport is about 53 miles away by road, with the property also offering an airport shuttle. Car hire is available, but there is no parking available at the property, so a rental car needs a little more thought than simply leaving it outside the entrance. A shuttle service and luggage storage are also available, and private check-in and check-out keep the arrival and departure process separate from a crowded reception queue.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 23:00 and check-out from 08:00 to 11:00. You need to give the property your expected arrival time, and photo identification and a credit card are required at check-in. There is no age requirement for check-in. Children of all ages are welcome, cots can be requested for children aged up to two, and pets are accepted on request.

Smoking is not allowed, and parties are not permitted. Quiet hours run from 23:00 to 08:00. The property has a lift and facilities for disabled guests, including wheelchair access, a raised toilet, grab rails and a lower bathroom sink.