The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in the Algarve, Portugal

A romantic hideaway with all the trimmings, this five-star Algarve hotel in Albufeira is just a short stroll to the nearest beach with limestone cliffs and golden sand. The spa is a highlight, with a hydromassage pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna and a Turkish bath. The rooms – all classically styled with a neutral colour scheme – range from doubles to suites with sitting areas, and you can dine on everything from sushi to fine Mediterranean cuisine.

Just a 10-minute drive from the bars and restaurants of the Vilamoura Marina, this peaceful 280-room five-star hotel in the Algarve overlooks the tranquil green of the Victoria golf course. Drift between five pools and champagne cabanas, or relax in the spa, which features treatments by Elemis, a gym and an indoor pool. There’s free yoga and pilates, plus a tennis court. The contemporary rooms all have terraces and views of the golf course, gardens or pool.

With its sparkling chandeliers, antiques and glamorous bedrooms, this restored five-star Algarve hotel certainly lives up to its name. The 31 rooms are elegant, with French windows and wooden floors, while the Grand Beach Club has a pool and serves tasty Mediterranean fare above a sandy beach. It’s right on the main street (Av da República), opposite the Guadiana river that divides Portugal and Spain, making it well placed to explore the shops and cafes in town.

Wedged between Carvoeiro and Ferragudo, a short drive to fine beaches and golf courses, this five-star resort has 22 rooms and suites, plus 80 apartments if you’re looking for more space and flexibility. The Olive Tree restaurant serves fresh pizzas, piri piri chicken and fish, and has themed dinners with live music. Burn it off on a tennis court or bike ride (rentals are available), swim in the pool or indulge in a spa treatment such as a massage with Tibetan bowls.

Smart and stylish, this contemporary, five-star Algarve hotel has 148 suites with panoramic vistas, an excellent spa, a kids club, nine restaurants, a tennis academy and a whole host of beach activities. It’s ideal for keen golfers – the resort encompasses the Pine Cliffs golf course – and fitness lovers will revel in the high-tech gym and indoor heated pool. There’s an authentic Algarve feel here, with Portuguese tiles and nods to the region’s Moorish history throughout.

With great access to the golf, water sports, restaurants and shops of Quinta do Lago, this 154-room luxury hotel in the Algarve is well placed for a host of activities. Inside, the decor is sleek with traditional Moorish touches, including gleaming marble interiors, bespoke artworks and pops of colour, from teal headboards to red sofas in the bar. The spa is impressive, offering cutting-edge treatments such as oxygen infusion and inhalation therapies. The food is excellent, especially at the Michelin-starred Gusto by Heinz Beck restaurant.

A great choice for families, this ocean-facing resort has a dedicated kids club, plus swimming lessons and football and tennis academies for your little ones. There’s a good spread of rooms, ranging from hotel rooms to grand villas, with interconnecting rooms available for larger families. Sitting high above the beach, the hotel is surrounded by the Costa Vicentina Nature Reserve, but there are plenty of activities available on-site, including stand-up paddleboarding and windsurfing.

With a prime position on the seafront, this resort is vast, with 13 restaurants and bars, a golf course, tennis courts, a spa and a range of elegant accommodation options. Rooms and suites are spacious, with plush bedding and a neutral palette. For lunch, the poolside Corda Cafe caters to vegans and veggies and has a kiddie menu, while Piri Piri Steakhouse offers grilled-to-perfection meat and Portuguese wines.

Within striking distance of a beach, a nature reserve and golf courses, this five-star hotel is well placed for an Algarve holiday. The rooms and suites are spotless and minimalist, and all have balconies or terraces with views to the Atlantic, the exotic gardens or the pool. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options, too. Try the Ocean Restaurant for breakfast al fresco, or the Primadonna for tasty Italian fare. Facilities include three saltwater pools, direct beach access, a gym, a wellness centre and a kids club.

There’s something for everyone at this ocean-facing hotel, from a superb spa to top-notch restaurants and a host of activities, including golf, tennis and waterskiing. Direct beach access is another bonus, though you’ll be hard-pressed to drag yourself away from the infinity pool. The refurbished rooms and suites are decorated in peaceful shades of whites and blues – the best have roll-top baths – while the luxe villas have private pools and gardens.