Pine Cliffs Resort, Algarve Review

Perched atop dramatic red cliffs in Portugal’s Algarve, Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort, is an exceptional holiday and wellness destination. This expansive resort offers an array of world-class dining, well-being, and sporting pursuits, a huge selection of accommodation options, an award-winning beach and all set to a backdrop of incredible scenery, meaning there is enough to keep you occupied for a weekend, a week or a month. The Luxury Editor was kindly invited to discover why this is such a popular year-round holiday destination. Read on to discover more.

Background and Concept

Established in 1992, Pine Cliffs Resort has evolved over the past three decades, growing and expanding to become one of Europe’s best-known luxury holiday destinations. Set across 179 acres, the resort features 870 rooms, including three Luxury Collection properties, private villas, and townhouses. There are multiple restaurants and bars to choose from, while leisure facilities include five outdoor pools, an indoor pool, the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, and the Porto Pirata Kids Club. A mini market is also available, and direct access to Falésia Beach is provided via a scenic lift and walkway. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the resort’s nine-hole course, which winds through pine trees and offers a links-style ocean view backdrop. For relaxation, the award-winning Serenity Spa offers a range of wellness treatments, as well as a thermal oasis featuring experience showers, a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and therapy pool.

The Luxury Collection

Part of The Luxury Collection Hotels and Resorts portfolio by Marriott International, this collection of unique, luxury properties throughout the world offers experiences that reflect the history, culture and character of each destination. From grand historic landmarks to exclusive beachfront retreats, each property brings authentic local influences and world-class service. Iconic properties include The Wellesley Knightsbridge, The Gritti Palace in Venice, Hotel Imperial in Vienna and The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho. With a strong focus on individuality and cultural authenticity, it’s no wonder that Pine Cliffs Resort is also part of this prestigious collection of truly incredible hotels.

Location

Located on Portugal’s Algarve coast, the resort sits atop red sandstone cliffs that fringe Praia da Falésia beach. From the resort, it’s a convenient 35 minutes to and from Faro Airport. Albufeira Old Town is 15 minutes by car, Vilamoura Marina, a haven for luxury yachts, is 20 minutes in the other direction, and taxi transfers can be coordinated to each by the hotel’s concierge.

Accommodation Options

Spanning 179 acres, there is a huge variety of accommodation options, ranging from those suited to couples to families and larger groups. At its core, three Luxury Collection hotels provide exceptional service and accommodation – Pine Cliffs Hotel, Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites and Pine Cliffs Residence.

Each Luxury Collection hotel offers a distinct atmosphere, from the classic Portuguese luxury of Pine Cliffs Hotel, with its Moorish insipred rooms and suites, all with private balconies, to the contemporary apartment-style living of Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites, complete with fully equipped kitchens and exclusive access to Serenity Spa and Pine Cliffs Residence, located next to the clubhouse offering a private, intimate atmosphere, whilst still within convenient access to all the resort’s facilities. 

In addition, Pine Cliffs Resort also includes Pine Cliffs Gardens, which features stylish, serviced apartments set in a secluded area of the resort, while Pine Cliffs Village and Golf Suites offer spacious townhouses and villas with large indoor and outdoor living areas next to the golf Club House. Guests staying in these residences can enjoy the option of private chefs and butler services on request, making them ideal for families, groups, and those desiring an extra level of exclusivity.

The Pine Cliffs Hotel

I stayed in the Pine Cliffs Hotel during my stay. Sitting in the heart of the resort, this is Pine Cliffs’ main property, from which the dining options and many resort facilities extend.

The hotel’s architecture provides a village-like charm, with whitewashed buildings, arched balconies, and terracotta-tiled pergolas reflecting the region’s Moorish heritage. A network of pathways weaves through the hotel and gardens, opening out to courtyards and water features, alongside its multiple restaurants and swimming pools.

Traditional Portuguese elements are integrated throughout the property and guest quarters, while the hotel’s central atrium is a showcase of Moorish-inspired architecture, combining traditional Portuguese azulejo tiles with arched colonnades. At the heart of the space, an illuminated fountain is surrounded by curved, tiled seating that encourages you to pause and take in the peaceful atmosphere.

Rooms and Suites

Pine Cliffs Hotel has 217 rooms and suites with private balconies and terraces, Room categories start with Deluxe Rooms, which deliver a stylish retreat with resort or ocean views, while the Grand Deluxe Rooms offer additional space for enhanced comfort. For those seeking an enhanced layout, the Junior Suites feature separate living areas, while the Duplex Suites are spread over two levels. All rooms come with queen bed or twin beds, marble bathrooms with separate bathtub and shower, complimentary bottled water, turndown service along with a Nespresso machine, kettle and access to the hotel’s pools and gym.

For the ultimate experience, the Neptuno Presidential Suite delivers an expansive, exclusive haven laid out over 87sqm, with a separate living room, dining room and large terrace.

My Room During My Stay – Deluxe Room Ocean View 

I stayed in a Deluxe Room Ocean View, which had a picture postcard outlook over Sea Square.

The room is accessed via a gallery-style open-air corridor, meaning that the room’s balcony faces the ocean and Sea Square, which the entrance opens onto the opposite side – Lemon Square, home to Zest Café. The result is a bright, airy ambiance enhancing those Mediterranean vibes.

Inside the room, the focal point is the blue hand-painted azulejo tile mural above the queen-sized bed (these tile features are present across all rooms in the hotel), while a palette of soft neutrals and deep blue accents complements the terracotta-tiled flooring. Furnishings include a reading seat, seperate writing desk, across from the bed a flat-screen TV and marble topped sidebaord housing a mini bar, Nespresso machine and kettle. Amenities are replenished daily and there is a turndown service too. Patio sliding glass doors flood the space with natural light and open onto a private balcony, which includes an intimate seating area of rattan chairs and a small table. The full marble tiled bathroom has a separate bath and large walk-in shower in addition to a WC behind a frosted glass door.

Terrace and View

Food and Drink

You could stay for a week and not work your way through all the dining options available. 13 restaurants and bars are open during the season. Highlights include O Pescador which presents fresh, locally sourced seafood in an ocean-view setting, head to Zest for freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, and light meals. The Clubhouse, overlooking the resort’s golf course, offers international dishes and a children’s menu, making it ideal for families. Corda Café delivers a casual atmosphere while Maré at Pine Cliffs provides a unique beachfront dining experience. New for this year are Yakuza Algarve by Olivier and Rohini By Little Miss India.

Restaurants are fully listed below.

• O Pescador (Portuguese seafood)
• Piri Piri Steakhouse
• Zest (health cafe)
• Portulano lobby bar
• Clubhouse (international dining)
• Corda Café (casual international dining)
• Jardim Colonial (buffet breakfast and dinner)
• Maré (beach bar/restaurant)
• Mirador Champagne bar (sunset views)
• O Grill (Mediterranean, golf course views)
• Yakuza Algarve by Olivier (Japanese dining)
• Mirador Champagne Bar
• Rohini By Little Miss India (Indian dining)
• Portofino By Mimo (Italian dining)

During my stay, I had the chance to experience the following hotel dining experiences.

Mirador Champagne Bar

Breathtaking is the only word to describe the Mirador Champagne Bar, this open-air lounge looks out over the resort’s red cliffs. Designed to embrace the natural surroundings, the bar features a wooden decked terrace shaded by pine trees. By day, it is an idyllic spot to enjoy a drink, and by night, the golden glow of lanterns and the sunset’s fiery hues set the scene for an intimate evening.

Breakfast at Jardim Colonial

Breakfast is served in Jardim Colonia and is a grand affair, served buffet style, a huge central cooking island is packed with platters of hot and cold, sweet and savoury items around its four corners, while eggs can be cooked to order. Everything you can imagine is on offer and I can guarantee you will be up for seconds.

Corda Café

One of the resort’s most beloved spots, Corda Café captures the essence of the Pine Cliffs’ warm, welcoming and friendly spirit. Sit outside in Sea Square or head inside and enjoy a menu of fun international cuisine. highlights include quesadillas, and don’t leave without trying the Prego do Lombo, a tenderloin steak sandwich cooked medium rare and served in a sweet potato bun and fries, it’s a Portuguese classic. Portions are big, but if you do still have space for dessert the chocolate cake will take you to sweet heaven.

Clubhouse

This was one of my favourite spots, it’s a sun trap overlooking the golf course. I sat outside and enjoyed a glass of wine and fish and chips in the sun, while watching golfers tee off.

Zest Cafe

Overlooking Lemon Square and just steps from Serenity Spa, Zest offers a nutrient-packed menu designed to nourish both body and mind. Choose from smoothies and healthy sandwiches, I opted for their Tuna Tataki Sandwich.

Serenity Spa

I have been lucky enough to have tried out many spas in my career, and Serenity Spa has to be one of the best, so much so that it’s included in the prestigious list of the World’s 100 Best Spas. This dedicated, state-of-the-art facility sits within the Ocean Suites building and features 13 treatment rooms, the Serenity Thermal Oasis, and the signature Serenity Aurum Suite. Complementing a core range of treatments and therapies, the spa also offers authentic signature treatments that draw inspiration from the indigenous cultures, healing traditions and ingredients of the Algarve, including the first CBD spa treatments in Portugal.

Once you have finished your treatment head to the large thermal oasis complex where you can enjoy sensory experience showers with varying water intensities and nature sounds, a herbal and Himalayan salt saunas, a hydrotherapy pool with jets and loungers at 28°C, a Kneipp pool with alternating hot and cold sections to enhance circulation, a Turkish bath to aid in relaxation and respiratory cleansing, an outdoor jacuzzi and both indoor and outdoor relaxation areas for unwinding after treatments.

Praia da Falésia Beach

Access to the beach at Pine Cliffs Resort is quite unique in that you need to take a glass-enclosed lift down to the boardwalk below. Praia da Falésia itself is a long stretch of coastline made up of golden sand and crystal-clear waters.

I took an evening walk along the shoreline and read a book, and in the summer months, it’s alive with watersports and sunbathers. Hotel guests have exclusive access to the beach club, which offers sun loungers, Balinese beds and refreshments, and the hotel’s restaurant Maré at Pine Cliffs is located on the beach too.

Swimming Pools

Pine Cliffs has seven outdoor pools spread throughout the gardens, including a main pool with a swim-up bar beside the children’s pool, a secluded infinity pool at the Terraces, one at the Residences, another by the Ocean Suites, and one near the golf course. The health club features a heated indoor pool and Porto Pirata has a dedicated kids’ pool, offering supervised sessions when included in the day’s activity schedule, subject to parental approval.

Tennis Courts and Academy

For all tennis enthusiasts (and novices like myself), the resort’s Annabel Croft Tennis Academy features five full-size ATP floodlit courts (two red clay and three acrylic) and a dedicated Academy team to help with everything from court hire and racquet rental to coaching courses and tournaments.

Golf Course and Academy

The cliff-top nine-hole Pine Cliffs Golf Course is surrounded by magnificent old pines and views of the Atlantic coastline. The Golf Academy and Pro Shop offer everything the hobby golfer or tournament player might need, from a practice area with a landscaped driving range offering nine flag positions, a short game area, and a large putting green to equipment retail and rental.

Health Club

Located within the Pine Cliffs Hotel, it features a large gym and indoor pool, which is complimentary for hotel guests to use.

Final Thoughts

Pine Cliffs Resort is more than a luxury getaway, it’s a complete holiday destination where everything you need is within easy reach. Whether it’s championship golf, world-class wellness and dining, beachfront serenity, or sporting activities, there’s always something to enjoy. Perfectly striking a balance between relaxation and wellness, this is a truly exceptional escape and it is no wonder guests come back year after year to enjoy everything Pine Cliffs Resort has to offer.

Pine Cliffs is included in our guide to the best luxury hotels in the Algarve