Top 10 Best Hotels in Algarve

Vila Vita Parc

This exclusive clifftop resort features Moorish-inspired architecture, subtropical gardens, and views over the secluded beach of Tremoços, which is almost its own private beach. Nearby is the promontory of Senhora da Rocha, which separates two bigger beaches. It’s consistently distinguished internationally as one of Portugal’s best hotels and tries to offer something new and improved on an annual basis. You can always count on excellent restaurants of different world cuisines (there are as many as ten, and one of them has two Michelin stars), a state-of-the-art spa, and a wonderful pool surrounded by luxuriant vegetation and overlooking the ocean. The rooms, suites and apartments are spacious, and have garden or sea views. It’s in the Lagoa region, less than 45 minutes from Faro Airport and about 20 from the picturesque village of Carvoeiro and the famous cave of Benagil. It’s especially recommended for couples.

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EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel

For the perfect getaway in Algarve, stay at this hotel surrounded by landscaped pinewoods. It offers direct access, through ocher cliffs, to one of the most beautiful beaches in the region (Praia da Falésia, in Albufeira) and has spacious suites and rooms with balconies and marble bathrooms, six large swimming pools (five outdoors and one indoors), a spa, a multi-sports court, a fitness center, two bars and four restaurants focusing on the flavors of Algarve and the different corners of the globe. While it’s a better choice for adults, it also welcomes families, with a seasonal kids’ club providing supervised activities, so that parents can take a break and relax. Vilamoura and its lively marina is right to the east, and the airport is just a half hour away.

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Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort

Located between the stunning Falésia Beach and the center of Vilamoura, this sophisticated resort has 280 rooms and suites with private terraces. Although many of the rooms accommodating as many as six people have families in mind, it’s also possible to enjoy adults-only tranquility at one of the swimming pools between June and September, with a bar serving cocktails, wine and snacks. The interior is contemporary and is also divided into four restaurants and a spa. At the restaurants you have the choice between creative Portuguese cuisine and fresh seafood, while at the spa you can enjoy Algarve-inspired and Thai treatments, in addition to a heated indoor pool just for adults. Those traveling with children can take them to the kids’ club, the playground or the children's pool, which is heated between October and May. Faro Airport is 30 minutes away.

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Conrad Algarve

It was referred to as Algarve's “6-star hotel” when it opened, and while there’s no such thing as a 6-star category, it’s true that this is a superior 5-star hotel. It was named “Europe’s leading luxury resort” at the World Travel Awards and its 30m-long infinity pool has been considered the best one in the Iberian Peninsula. Many of the 154 luxurious rooms overlook the pool and feature an elegant décor by renowned Portuguese designer Miguel Câncio Martins. All-day dining is available at the three restaurants, and there’s a magnificent spa with an indoor pool for adults only. It’s in Quinta do Lago, just 25 minutes from Faro Airport. Several beaches are a short drive away, and there’s a complimentary beach shuttle in the summer.

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Pine Cliffs Hotel

Mixing Moorish and Portuguese styles, this resort is perched above Praia da Falésia. A panoramic elevator and a boardwalk take you down to the sand. It has everything you need to relax for several days -- close to a dozen restaurants with a variety of cuisines (some of them are seasonal), eight swimming pools, a luxurious spa, a 9-hole golf course, five tennis courts, and bright rooms and suites with balconies, some of them with sea views. The champagne bar at the edge of the cliffs is the perfect spot to end the day with a sunset and ocean views. The center of Albufeira is 15 minutes to the west by car, while the airport is about a half hour to the east.

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Vila Joya

Home to one of Portugal’s best restaurants (awarded two Michelin stars and listed among the world’s top 50), this is a wellness and gourmet retreat set amidst splendid gardens above the sea (the beach of Galé in Albufeira). The grand suites feature a Moorish-inspired design and balconies overlooking the ocean. The two outdoor pools are alternatives to the beach, while the spa provides some pampering through treatments based on Ayurvedic healing and includes a sauna and an outdoor hot tub. It’s possible to book a private limousine for the 40-minute journey from/to the airport.

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Vilalara Thalassa Resort

Featuring one of the world’s finest thalassotherapy centers, this resort is conveniently located above an almost exclusive beach (Praia da Cova Redonda, also known as Praia das Gaivotas, in the Lagoa region), to which it has direct access. Guests can use the sunbeds at the beach for free. There are other beaches within walking distance, such as Praia da Senhora da Rocha and Praia Nova, which are separated by a promontory topped by an iconic white chapel. In addition to the luxurious spa, it offers spacious suites and apartments with private balconies overlooking the gardens, the sea or the pool; six outdoor pools, two restaurants, a fitness center, three tennis courts and a padel court. It’s about 45 minutes from the airport.

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Domes Lake Algarve

Built around a lake between Vilamoura’s marina and Falésia Beach in Albufeira, this highly-rated resort has a number of unique features -- a floating restaurant, gardens with plants from all continents, and one of the three large pools has a sandy bottom. The 192 rooms are spacious, accommodating up to three people (two adults maximum). This makes it a resort for couples and not so much for families. Balconies open to views of the gorgeous surroundings and the sea. There’s also a spa, two bars and a library. It’s 30 minutes from the airport and offers a shuttle, not just from and to the airport, but also to/from the golf courses in Vilamoura, upon request.

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Tivoli Carvoeiro

The location is stunning -- on a cliff overlooking the sea. It’s within walking distance (about 15 minutes) from the center of Carvoeiro and the beach of Vale Centeanes, where you can hop on a boat to the Benagil Cave or follow the Seven Hanging Valleys trail through some of Algarve’s most breathtaking scenery all the way to the must-see Praia da Marinha. There are also some magnificent views from many areas of the hotel, including most of the rooms, and especially from the swimming pool and the rooftop bar. Other facilities include a spa offering a variety of treatments and two restaurants. It’s about 45 minutes from the airport.

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Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort Hotel

It’s not easy to create a place that appeals equally to adults and children, but this resort has managed to do that. It has boutique-style rooms, brightly-colored apartments and villas with private pools, plus a spa and four bars for grownups, while the children are entertained at the four kids’ clubs with activities for all ages. The three restaurants will also satisfy every age, as do the heated swimming pools, indoors and outdoors. It’s located at “the end of the world” in Sagres, and there are sea views throughout the property. The sand of Martinhal Beach is just steps away, while the wild Costa Vicentina, with its surfing and naturist-friendly beaches, are just a few minutes away by car. From/to the airport it’s about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

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