Endless sun, golden sandy beaches, traditional old towns and some of the best golf courses in the world – you don’t need to delve too deep to understand why the Algarve is one of Europe’s fail-safe holiday destinations. Stretching across Portugal’s southern coast and fringing the Atlantic, Faro is the Algarve’s gateway, but venture beyond the city to discover a cornucopia of white-washed fishing villages and buzzy tourist towns such as Lagos, Albufeira, Loulé and Tavira. Add to that a network of hiking and biking trails, gorgeous golf courses and smattering of surf spots, as well as the Algarve’s renowned foodie reputation that extends way beyond pastel de nata (think daily-caught seafood), and you’ve got a serious stand-out stay. 

But where to rest your head? Home to boutique boltholes and family-friendly resorts, there’s a hotel to welcome every discerning traveller to this slice of Portuguese paradise. See you on the sunbed – and saúde!

Viceroy at Ombria Algarve, Loulé

In the hills of northern Algarve lies Viceroy at Ombria Algarve, which opened last autumn to critical acclaim. Featuring 76 rooms and 65 residences offering a mix of terraces, pools, balconies and jacuzzis, this is a peaceful, cultural and sensitively designed resort mere moments from Loulé and only 30 minutes from Faro airport. You can’t possibly get bored here – the spa, six restaurants and bars, kid’s club and library see to that – but step outside the hotel to access an extensive network of hiking and biking trails and cultural experiences including pottery, apiary tours, olive oil workshops and wine tastings. 

One of Viceroy’s highlights is its golf course, which has been designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape. Each hole immerses players in the Algarve’s natural habitat, surrounded by fig trees and a peaceful river, while the year-round course features state-of-the-art irrigation systems that conserve water and maintain the greens. Sustainability is at the heart of this hotel too, which has launched its own plant nursery, planted 700 oak trees, tapped into solar and geothermal energy, and features bioclimatic architecture throughout. 

From £470 per night. 

Conrad Algarve, Quinta do Lago

Nestled between the idyllic Ria Formosa Nature Park and the glittering Atlantic coastline, Conrad Algarve is easily one of the best hotels in Portugal, let alone the Algarve. An all-singing, all-dancing family-friendly resort, Conrad brought its signature style to the country’s southern coast when it opened its first European outpost here in 2012, offering travellers an opportunity to recharge in five-star surroundings reminiscent of a Portuguese palace. 

While away the hours at the pool, beach or in the spa before embarking on a culinary journey in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Gusto by Heinz Beck. The Scandinavian eatery features a lively open kitchen, a Cuban cigar menu and a terrace serviced by an innovative menu of classic Mediterranean cuisine – think foie gras with apple and almond, scallop carpaccio and veal loin with pistachio crust. Other guest experiences include access to the hotel’s golf concierge, allowing guests to craft the ultimate pro golf trip in one of the world’s greatest golf destinations, visit the local market with the hotel’s head chef, clam picking and oyster tasting with local fishermen and vineyard tours. 

From £275 per night. 

Pensão Agrícola, Tavira

Widely regarded as one of the best boutique hotels in Portugal, this rustic-chic farmhouse pays homage to agricultural roots that date back to the 1920s, when it was operated as a working farm by the Silva Gomes family. It closed in the 1970s but, after falling into disrepair and remaining untouched for 40 years, was rescued by architecture firm Atelier Rua who created a gorgeous six-key hotel which opened in 2015. 

Inside, white-washed walls and rattan features create a relaxed vibe, while each suite is complete with its own private terrace. On the shady terrace next to the farmhouse, or by the heated plunge pool, enjoy hearty breakfasts and light lunches before saying hello to Pensão Agricola’s friendly resident donkey, Jeremias, who – if invited – won’t hesitate to take a walk with you. Due to its proximity to the hustle and bustle of Tavira, the hotel offers frequent transfers to the nearby town, beaches and hiking trails, with picnic baskets available to order so you can make the most of your time in the Algarve. 

From £330 per night. 

Pine Cliffs Resort, Albufeira

No stranger to hosting fitness retreats, Pine Cliffs Resort is where to get your wellness fix in the Algarve. Perched on a rocky cliff, the five-star hotel is a serene antidote to the nearby party town of Albufeira, and has won many accolades since it opened in 1992, being named Portugal’s leading family resort seven times and the world’s best luxury and healing retreat in 2022. The offering here is so extensive that you could quite easily call Pine Cliffs a town, as it boasts eight swimming pools, 15 restaurants and bars, the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, a children’s village, spa and numerous shops.

Its nine-hole golf course, however, is one of its most popular and picturesque assets, presiding over the Atlantic lapping below. Accommodation is divided into three categories, but those yearning to tee off should book one of the suites fringing the freeways. Plus, with expert coaching and premium equipment available throughout your stay, you may just leave with a better swing than you arrived with… 

From £435 per night. 

Palácio de Tavira, Tavira

Promising to bring five-star style to the gorgeous town of Tavira, Palácio de Tavira is located just 30 minutes from Faro and is set to open next month. Its elegant façade and intricate interior details reflect Portuguese grandeur, while the medina pays homage to Tavira’s Moorish influences, blending two cultures that have shaped the town’s identity across 36 rooms dressed in natural textures and locally-sourced materials. 

Palácio de Tavira’s restaurant follows the gentle rhythm of the seasons, honouring the simplicity of honest ingredients – think sun-warmed tomatoes, golden olive oil, fragrant herbs, and the freshest seafood caught by local fishermen. As evening falls, Bar du Lua invites guests to linger over carefully crafted cocktails and fine Portuguese wines, while the rooftop terrace offers stunning panoramic views across the Algarve’s rolling hills and is complete with two plunge pools. 

From £230 per night. 

Praia do Canal Nature Retreat, Vicentine Coast

Situated in north-west Algarve and within a 220-hectare private estate, it’s safe to say that Praia do Canal Nature Retreat lets its setting do the talking. Leaning into a minimalist aesthetic but blending Moorish influences, the five-star oasis – which is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio – is peppered with sand-hued blocks housing 54 villas crowned with sky-garden terraces alongside a spa, sunbed-lined main pool, restaurant and bar. 

Foodies can delight at three restaurants: the poolside Zimbro, Medronho cocktail bar and Azeitona, which puts a contemporary edge on classic Portuguese fare. Wellness is naturally taken seriously, offering a plethora of relaxing Elemis treatments at the award-winning Esteva Spa, morning flows at the Pilates and yoga terrace, classes at the Technogym-equipped workout room, as well as a hammam and ice plunge pool. If you’re looking for secluded luxury in the Algarve, where your days are soundtracked by chirping birds, this is where to find it. 

From £350 per night. 

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