This resort is in wonderful landscaped gardens and has spectacular ocean views. It’s ideal as a quiet base for relaxation and activities, and you’ll have easy access to the traditional fishing town of Lagos, just a 20-minute walk away or a short ride in the hotel’s free shuttle service (seasonal). Spend your days next to the huge lagoon pool, getting stuck into a good book or just basking in the sunshine. Feel the sand between your toes at the smaller pool which has a natural sand floor and is great for little ones and building sand castles. There’s an excellent gym used by professional sports teams, a driving range, two tennis courts and exercise classes including yoga. A weekly activities programme (seasonal) offers a range of excursions such as a guided bike tour of Lagos, horse riding and surfing lessons (local charge). During the summer, kids can enjoy the Caskiddy Kids’ Club, leaving parents time to unwind at the renovated spa - fitted with a new sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and spectacular ice fountain. Enjoy delicious international and Portuguese cuisine at a range of excellent restaurants. Senses Restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine with a twist, a show kitchen and fantastic Atlantic Ocean views from a spacious outdoor terrace. Mundi Restaurant serves contemporary and innovative dishes using fresh, local produce. The chic new Lighthouse Bar is a great spot to enjoy a signature cocktail, while The Gastropub next door serves authentic meals and snacks. Head to the seasonal Sandy Bay Pool Bar for light snacks and drinks during the daytime. The luxurious and contemporary rooms are in five wings, each styled with influences from either Portugal, Europe, Asia, Africa or South America. Twin Rooms overlook the resort, and we recommend upgrading to a Sea View Room for great views. Spacious Suites have a living room and include extras such as an espresso machine and luxurious L’Occitane toiletries. One or Two Bedroom Apartments are also available.
This hotel right at the heart of Vilamoura is a superb choice if you’re looking for an active and luxurious holiday. The resort is set in five acres of landscaped gardens, with six pools and cascading waterfalls. Enjoy breakfast on the terrace of Moscada before soaking up the sun on a lounger from around one of the pools. The poolside snack bar serves mouth-watering dishes and refreshing drinks. While you enjoy the excellent circuit at the 7 Seven Spa, the kids can get stuck in at the Paradise Island Kids’ Club. Take the free shuttle to Praia da Falésia, which has a private concession area for guests and a range of watersports, or to the two golf courses nearby. Enjoy a family-friendly themed buffet at Moscada restaurant or head to Aquarela for a Mediterranean barbecue, fresh seafood and seasonal salads. Cilantro is a smaller fine-dining restaurant, specialising in Mediterranean and Algarvean flavours while the new beachfront restaurant, AL.MAR – Tapas by the Sea serves tasty regional tapas. It’s a great spot for a chilled signature cocktail, glass of crisp white wine or refreshing juice while admiring the sunset by the sea. As the evening draws in, head to the stylish Rubi Bar for live music and delicious cocktails. The rooms overlook the resort and Twin Deluxe Rooms have garden views or, for a supplement, golf course or pool views. Open the curtain of your bathroom to reveal a glass wall and enjoy watching TV from the comfort of your bath (there’s even a built-in speaker in the bathroom). One and Two Bedroom Apartments, with a living room, dining area and kitchen, are perfect for families and available on request.
This contemporary hotel has a chic low-rise design and is in a fantastic setting. It’s a very family-oriented hotel; there’s a baby concierge service which provides everything from bottle warmers to buggies, and the kids’ clubs cater for 6 months to 16 years. The resort even has its own village shop so you can easily stock up on essentials, as well as freshly baked bread and takeaway meals. Enjoy activities with the whole family, from football, table tennis and archery to films, spa pampering and exploring the surrounding parkland. Sink into a huge beanbag under a shady parasol by the pool or on the beach, or head to Club 98 to enjoy sports facilities. The Village Square is the lively heart of the resort and you can enjoy pizza or pasta at Os Gambozinos while keeping an eye on the kids in the adjacent playground. Enjoy an expansive breakfast buffet and Portuguese cuisine overlooking the sea at O Terraço and tuck into the catch of the day at As Dunas Beach Bar and Restaurant. The surf shack-themed M Bar is a coffee shop by day and a bar by night; sip a latte or raspberry mojito and take a seat in the full-size VW campervan. Each of the rooms has partial or full sea views. Beach Rooms are in clusters of four close to the golden sands; Terrace Rooms are in the main building surrounded by gardens and have a lawn area and sea views. The beautiful Suites have airy living spaces and can interconnect with Beach Rooms – perfect for families with older children. The One Bedroom Garden Houses are semi-detached villas with a fully equipped kitchen and open-plan living area.
This large resort has influences from Portugal’s Arab heritage, and beautiful architecture which creates a charming setting. It sits in beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and red sandstone cliffs, with direct access by lift and steps down to Praia da Falésia. Enjoy use of the loungers, parasols, towels and a beach bar with a choice of sandwiches, snacks, grilled fresh fish, ice creams and drinks. During the warmer months, there are plenty of watersports such as windsurfing, waterskiing, kayaking and banana rides. There are eight outdoor pools, a 9-hole golf course, five tennis courts and a health club. Budding Wimbledon champions can enjoy coaching and tennis clinics at the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy. Kids can let their imagination run wild while playing in the two life-size pirate ships and take part in a range of daily activities such as treasure hunts and games. There’s a great choice of restaurants which range from themed buffets at Jardim Colonial, the main restaurant, to mouth-watering prime cuts at the Piri Piri Steak House. Try some of the region’s fresh and delicious seafood at the O’Pescador Restaurant and tuck into delicious Japanese-fusion cuisine at Yakuza Algarve by Olivier. The elegant lobby bar is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of port or local spirits. The elegant rooms and apartments reflect Moorish heritage in their style and are in gardens, with some overlooking the sea. Deluxe Rooms are in the hotel’s main building. Upgrade to a Deluxe Sea View Room for views over the red cliffs and sea. Spacious Grand Deluxe Rooms have a living area while the One Bedroom Ocean Suites have an open-plan living area and kitchen, as well as a dining area.
This fresh hotel is set between Vilamoura Marina and chic Purobeach – a private beach club with two zones, Poolside and Beachfront. The golden beach is only a short walk away – spend lazy days in the sun and cool off with refreshing dips in the sea – or lounge by the hotel’s outdoor pool (with a separate kids’ pool). Stay refreshed throughout the day with snacks and drinks from the poolside bar. You can easily access the buzzing marina by a lift that takes you down to street level. If you’re into golf, there’s a putting green as well as six local courses, and a complimentary shuttle will take you to the course of your choice. The resort’s health club has a gym, sauna, Jacuzzi and Turkish bath. While the kids are enjoying their activities and the golfers are out for the day, visit the luxury Tivoli Spa; it has a wide range of treatments and therapies, ranging from rejuvenating facials to invigorating massages. There’s a choice of restaurants including steak, Portuguese, beachfront fusion at the new Purobeach restaurant, and buffet outlets. Pepper’s Steakhouse is known for its exceptional cuisine, melt-in-the-mouth steaks and superb views over the marina, with an extensive wine list accompanying all menus. Al fresco drinks are also available at the Side Bar where you can enjoy a glorious sunset while sipping a signature cocktail. Alternatively, stroll to the marina and choose from a host of waterside restaurants and lively bars. The elegant rooms are fresh and contemporary, with a glass-fronted balcony to maximise the sea or marina views. Deluxe Rooms have a rain shower while Junior Suites have extra space, a separate living area and fantastic views.
This colonial-style resort with Moorish buildings is in landscaped gardens and bordered by two white sandy coves. The authentic décor includes light blue colours, hand-made linens and local Porches pottery, and there are numerous pools, lakes and gardens to relax in. Take the steps down to a secluded golden-sand beach with access to sun loungers, or hop on the shuttle to nearby Armação Beach Club for a choice of watersports. There’s a pitch and putt, putting green and driving range and you can enjoy discounted rates at other nearby courses. Kids have their own three pools; adults can unwind on the Residences’ dedicated clifftop sun terrace, by the adults-only infinity pool or in two other pools. Enjoy ten restaurants and locally sourced food including meats, jam and wine from the resort’s farm and vineyard. Dress up for dinner at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant with a sea view, Ocean. The restaurant Bela Vita, has a garden terrace, while Adega is a typical Portuguese restaurant which serves innovative dishes. For fine dining, head to Aladin Grill, Atlântico and Japanese restaurant Mizu-Teppanyaki. If you’re with the family or little ones then Whale is ideal. Take a free shuttle to three different restaurants; there’s German Biergarten in Porches, as well as Arte Náutica and the informal Praia Dourada at Armação Beach Club. Rooms are either in the main building, family-friendly Oasis Parc, or adults-only Residence area. Deluxe Garden View Rooms are in the main building, while the spacious Oasis Premium Garden View Suites have an open living/sleeping area. Oasis Rooftop Suites have a rooftop terrace with day beds and rain shower – perfect for couples wanting extra privacy. Oasis Family Garden View Suites are on the ground and first floors with an open-plan living and sleeping area plus a separate bedroom and terrace.
Anantara’s first foray in Europe sets the bar high. It’s in a prime spot, on the quiet outskirts of Vilamoura overlooking the landscaped Arnold Palmer-designed Victoria Golf Course which annually hosts the Portugal Masters. It’s still just a 15-minute drive from the beautiful red cliffs of Praia da Falésia and restaurants, bars and shops at Vilamoura Marina – the largest in Portugal. Kids can enjoy activities ranging from dance to football, leaving grown-ups to escape to shady poolside cabanas, lined with palm trees and with Sunshine Butlers on hand to serve refreshing drinks. Take the free daily shuttle to Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Hotel for the newly renovated Purobeach Vilamoura – an Algarve beach club hot spot where you’ll have free use of sun loungers. For authentic Portuguese cuisine, we can’t recommend dinner at Emo Restaurant highly enough. It's overseen by Head Chef Bruno Viegas and Wine Guru Bruno Cunha, who combine superb local dishes, from braised octopus with sweet potato dumpling to egg pudding with lemon crunch, with 350 of the finest wines. Anantara are renowned for this kind of attention to detail and bespoke service; choose a tailored Dining by Design evening to enjoy butler service at a private table, where you can toast the sunset in a picturesque spot of your choice. The sleek rooms are open-plan, with sliding wooden doors to separate the bedroom and bathroom. Each has a balcony with a day bed and walk-in rain shower plus a separate tub. Upgrade to the swanky Golf Suite for your own bar, butler service and beautiful views over the immaculate green fairway from a private balcony.
The Serra de Monchique mountain range provides a striking setting for this resort which offers a combination of fantastic spa facilities and outdoor activities. You could easily while away an afternoon at the Sensorial Spa Thermal Circuit which offers a soothing sensory experience. Experience different temperatures and sensations as you move between the sauna, steam cabin and aroma cabin, brave the icy air of the igloo, and relax in the hydro pool and under tropical showers. Nature lovers and keen walkers can explore the surrounding countryside during a number of different hikes that range from gentle walks to more challenging and hilly treks. The resort is set away from the Algarve's bustling beach resorts but you can easily reach the golden sands of Praia de Alvor by car if you fancy a beach day. You can join the daily group fitness classes - there's something to suit all levels of fitness and paces from stretching and Pilates to aquafit and Zumba. There's also a great range of activities that can be booked locally, from horse riding and golf to surfing and dolphin watching. There are three restaurants to choose from including a family-friendly pizzeria and Mon Chic, a fine-dining restaurant offering seasonal menus with a focus on local produce and fresh fish, complemented with Portuguese wines. The modern suites are very spacious and feel more like mini-apartments than hotel rooms. They are set in three blocks – one is dedicated to families and has its own pool and a playground – and each feature a separate living room with dining area and kitchenette, free Wi-Fi and a balcony or terrace. Upgrade to one of the Panoramic Suites for breathtaking views of the coast and mountains. See our selection of spa and wellness packages
PortoBay Falesia is in the charming Olhos de Água area of the Algarve, just a 15-minute drive from livelier Albufeira. It’s a large clifftop resort in pine-dotted grounds with easy access to two stretches of sand – head one way down 136 steps to the lengthy and much-loved Praia da Falésia, or walk 10 minutes the other way to the smaller and more secluded Olheiros de Água Doce Beach. Your stay here can be as active or as laid-back as you want – hit the tennis courts, visit the outdoor spa or pop over to one of the four sea-facing viewpoints to see the region’s instantly recognisable honeycomb-hued cliffs. There are two excellent restaurants here with an extensive selection of food. Madeira Restaurant serves buffet breakfast and dinners full of international flavours, and you can also go for exquisite Mediterranean-inspired dinners at Falésia Restaurant. Enjoy light à la carte snacks by the pool at Falésia Bar before unwinding with a cocktail at the chic Bar Búzios, where there’s also live music. If you feel like exploring a little more, there’s a good selection of shops, bars and restaurants within easy walking distance in the local village. The rooms are bright and stylish, with light cream walls and elegant wooden fittings – each room has a modern bathroom with Rituals products and a balcony or terrace. Sea View rooms have views over Praia da Falésia, the lush pines and the red cliffs. Upgrade to one of the Junior Suites for extra space and an adjoining living area, a great choice for groups or families.
VidaMar Resort Hotel Algarve sits among swathes of palms in a beautiful natural spot on Portugal’s south coast. It’s next to Salgados Golf Course and Salgados Lagoon Nature Reserve – one of the most important freshwater wetlands in the Algarve which is a popular spot for bird watching – and just 150 metres down a wooden walkway you’ll find the four-mile-long Praia dos Salgados. The hotel has a great range of facilities, whether it’s just the two of you or you’ve got the kids with you. There are separate adults-only (16+) and family areas and four outdoor saltwater pools; teens have a games room and at VidaClub children can enjoy sports workshops and a reading room. VidaClub is also home to a new spa area for 4 to 12 year olds, open all year and with a special treatment menu – just book in advance at the OSMOS Wellness Center reception. At the OSMOS Wellness Center, you'll find a spa with ice fountains, a Jacuzzi, cold bucket showers and six treatments rooms including one for couples and several relaxation areas. Get a different flavour of the resort each weekday as you work your way through four dine-around restaurants. Breakfast and dinner are served at the Ocean Buffet Restaurant; AJI Oriental Flavours is an Asian pop-up venue which offers three-course, four-course and Chef’s tasting menus; and visit Olivo Meat and Wine to enjoy dishes like the rare and highly sought after Bluefin Tuna. There are also six places to grab a drink – head to Nespresso Caffè to enjoy traditional Portuguese coffee as well as the well-known brand, or the pair of poolside bars which serve colourful cocktails. If you’d rather get out and about, hop on the complimentary 20-minute bus service to Albufeira. All the rooms are modern and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony which offers resort, nature, pool or sea views. Upgrade to a Double Premium Sea View Room to enjoy special extras – you’ll have daily access to the extensive spa circuit and seasonal MAR Club, with its heated outdoor pool, two ocean-view Jacuzzis, an outdoor massage area, a snack bar with terrace and Balinese beds.
Cascade Wellness Resort
Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas
Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort Hotel
Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort
Tivoli Marina Vilamoura
VILA VITA Parc Resort & Spa
Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort
Macdonald Monchique Resort & Spa with Wellbeing Escapes
PortoBay Falesia
VidaMar Resort Hotel Algarve
