The Best Hotels in Carvoeiro, Portugal, for Every Traveller

With 10 out of 10 for location, this bright and breezy modern hotel sits on the clifftops, overlooking the ocean, with the pretty fishing village of Carvoeiro (and its wealth of bars and restaurants) a short stroll away. The sensational rooftop sky bar pulls in the Instagrammers, but so too should its restaurant, the One, with dishes like duck breast with figs and sweet potato gnocchi. All 200-plus bedrooms have balconies with sea views and a pleasingly light nautical feel in every imaginable shade of blue.

Offering a variety of accommodation from two-bed suites to townhouses, Monte Santo Resort comes well equipped with facilities for families with added get up and go. There are six swimming pools, a spa, a gym, bikes to borrow and a good kids’ club. Well-deserved, then, would be a dip into the Aroma Restaurant with its Mediterranean dishes. The gardens are lovely and no doubt help the resort’s reputation as a romantic destination.

One-, two- and three-bedrooms flats with dining areas and kitchenettes create a good base from which to explore the Algarve. One for independent travellers, studios at this aparthotel come with fireplaces in some, balconies in others from which to enjoy the Algarvian sunshine – perfect for starting the day on your own terms. The beach is a walk away, as are Carvoeiro’s bars, restaurants and shops.

A mixture of hotel rooms, suites and apartments make up this five-star resort set in gardens with views over a nearby golf course. The health club and spa form the cornerstones, with personal training, yoga classes, tennis courts and fitness workouts, such as cross training and zumba, all on the menu, plus indoor/outdoor pools, saunas and steam rooms. After all that, you’ll be hungry – and luckily, the hotel’s three restaurants, headed by chef Wilson Costa, make sure you’re well catered for, specialising in seasonal Mediterranean food, especially at the Olive Tree. Foodies can even opt for a dinner at the Chef’s Table, set in the hotel’s organic garden.

One of the most perfect locations in the Algarve, Suites Alba sits atop the cliffs to the east of Carvoeiro, with a glorious view over the Atlantic Ocean. Neighbouring it is Albandeira Beach, tiny in size, big in beauty, with a dramatic rock arch and craggy cave-dotted walls. Accommodation at the hotel ranges from traditional suite-style rooms to self-catering villas. As its name suggests, there’s also a spa with nimble-fingered therapists who’ll work wonders with aromatherapy massages and anti-ageing facials. The Morgadinho restaurant serves Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist, accompanied by, yes, those all-important ocean views.

Ideally suited to a family holiday, Quinta do Paraiso offers endless activities to keep children happy and, more importantly, occupied – the secret to any successful holiday. There are tennis games to play at Carvoeiro’s Clube de Ténis – one of the best in the Algarve, with no less than 11 (count ’em) courts – water sports to wear them out, live music to listen to and a great kids’ club, too. Two restaurants serve up Portuguese and Mediterranean dishes, and a variety of rooms, bungalows or villas stand ready to lull families of any size off to sleep.

This B&B places strong emphasis on wellness, with an outdoor spa offering a variety of (very affordable) massage treatments, including Thai acupressure, a swimming pool with water jets, a sauna and jacuzzi with colour therapy. Pastel-daubed rooms and suites with tiled floors all come with en-suites, and there are several family options, sleeping up to five adults and three children. The restaurants of Carvoeiro are an easy walk away.