Best Algarve Hotels: Our Guide
This time, our holiday hotel guide focuses on the best Algarve hotels on South Portugal's coast. The Algarve is in the South of the country. Here, nature brings together the Atlantic Ocean with big waves for surfers and an easygoing atmosphere for those who prefer to sunbathe in the tranquillity of the sea.
This area of Portugal is ideal for surfing and golfing. That's why we considered both surfers and golfers in this guide on the best Algarve hotels, small luxury Algarve hotels, resorts, the best Algarve hotels for couples, and luxury villas.
So whether the adventure is your holiday essential, or perhaps you're searching for the ideal place to relax and unwind, whether you plan to visit the Algarve as a couple, with your family, or perhaps alone, this hand-picked selection of the best hotels on Portugal's Algarve coast will be a great place to start planning your holidays.
Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa– One of the best Hotels in the Algarve
Active vacations couldn't be better spent than at the luxurious cliffside resort of Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa at the Algarve coastline in Portugal. We got to test our golf and tennis abilities and had the chance to try out paddleboarding and water-skiing at this award-winning hotel (“Portugal's Most Elegant Hotel & Spa”). There's also direct beach access for swimming enthusiasts.
The recently renovated rooms offer true peace for the soul and the eye thanks to bleached wood surfaces, spacious bathrooms with Portuguese tiles, and breathtaking ocean views. The multi-culinary experience extends from a casual beach bar to an acclaimed trattoria and a fine-dining restaurant with two MICHELIN stars. What a blissful stay we had. In our opinion, one of the best beach Algarve hotels!
Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa – Best Hotels Algarve
“A beautiful view and grounds that lead straight down to the beach with a wonderful pool area guarantee a peaceful stay.”
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club – An ideal resort for golfers
Those who want to enjoy world-class vacations in dreamlike surroundings together with family and friends should rent one of the stunning villas of this ultra-modern resort. Monte Rei Golf & Country Club offers all the amenities of a private home with the services of a luxury hotel. The resort's center is the veranda with a restaurant and bar, which opens to a swimming pool, as well as tennis courts, a gym and a spa.
You will get to enjoy personalized service and privileged access to all facilities – including Vistas Restaurant and the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course – number one in Portugal and on the Algarve coast. Travel in style.
Best Hotels in Algarve Portugal
“This place is a ‘class act'. The villa is exceptional: spacious, comfortable, and with a very well-equipped golf course.”
Vila Joya – Beautifully boutique – Small luxury Algarve Hotels
If you call yourself a gourmet of some kind, you will rejoice at this exquisite boutique hotel with a MICHELIN-star restaurant, which is considered one of Portugal's finest. Vila Joya‘s tranquil rooms and suites with private pools, antique furnishings and stunning views of the Algarve coast's lush gardens and sparkling sea offer the kind of relaxation that an Ayurvedic treatment at the full-service spa only enhances.
In addition, mountain hikes and excursions to the towns of Silves, Monchique, and Loulé, or sunbathing on the nearby beach, will make your holiday a dream come true.
Best Hotels in Algarve Portugal
“Paradise re-imagined: The spectacular and breathtaking views, the immaculate grounds and the kindness of the service build a paradise on the edge of the sea. One of the best hotels in Algarve for couples.”
Memmo Baleeira – A surfer's paradise
Portugal's Sagres peninsula provides you with gorgeous beaches, rich history and fantastic food and wine. It's also the backdrop for this exceptional hotel set on the sparkling Atlantic, with golden sandy beaches and towering limestone cliffs of the Algarve coastline.
Memmo Baleeira‘s striking design with whitewashed facades and sleek interiors surpasses the location and assures its place in our best Algarve hotels list.
The best pastime here? Learning to surf! Thanks to its surf center, the hotel also offers the feeling of riding the wave of life – something we all can make use of.
Small luxury Hotels Algarve
“If you like surfing and wild beaches, this is your hotel, and Sagres your paradise.”
Casa Mãe Hotel – A home-grown and home-baked gastronomic experience
Contemporary Portuguese design is interpreted in a modern way in this hotel. This 19th-century family estate on the coast of Lagos, Portugal, felt to us like its own little community – only as a boutique hotel. Casa Mãe‘s individually designed rooms, spread across three houses, are skilfully decorated with local art and impress with colourful textiles, woodwork, and ceramics.
Two in-house restaurants with organic gardens, a bakery, a farmer's market, an outdoor cinema and even an in-house magazine are the cherry on the sundae, here on the beautiful Algarve coast. A home-away-from-home feeling is guaranteed.
Best Hotels Algarve
“Beautiful setting with orchards and vegetable gardens tended and harvested daily: everything in the hotel is well-thought-out.”
Vila Monte – A beautiful spot for your August beach holiday
Sangria by the pool, yoga, tennis, bike rides around the sprawling property, Olhão market visits, and beach days at nearby Fuseta Island Beach; all this and much more are on offer for your next trip at Vila Monte. You will enjoy country-style accommodation spread across vast landscapes of orange and olive groves on Portugal's eastern Algarve coast.
The clean-chic interiors, created by designer Vera Lachia, who has worked with Andy Warhol and Jacques Grange, are sublime, as are the dishes prepared by the chef from the hotel's À Terra restaurant.
Best Hotels Algarve
“Truly a haven of tranquillity: The farmhouse itself is gorgeous, and the final touch with beautifully laid out grounds culminates with magical surroundings.”
Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort – All-Inclusive family heaven
The Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort in Portugal, on the sun-drenched Algarve coast, is the perfect place for modern families' comfortable vacations in style. The ocean-view hotel offers kids' activities like playrooms, water sports, and five pools. At the same time, it manages to maintain the intimacy and style of a trendy boutique hotel.
Low-rise villas and townhouses feature natural materials, including stone, wood, and cork. Massive glass windows and terraces give stunning views. While kids experience the Adventure Club, adults can enjoy time at the extensive spa. Modern family? — Modern holiday!
Best Hotels in Algarve Portugal
“I have not seen restaurants and services for children like this anywhere else. we think it is one of the Best family hotels Algarve”
Pensão Agricola – Where luxury meets a classical approach
Imagine this: Reading a book on the terrace by the heated swimming pool. In the evening, there is home cooking in the dining room. Peace, seclusion, arrival. This is what a holiday looks like in this unique and cosy, one-story farmhouse that feels like staying in your best friend's private villa.
Keeping with the country style of the Algarve coast, Portugal, Pensão Agricola features unique art by local artists, antiques from the '40s and '50s, as well as rustic furniture. Many thoughts have been dedicated to every item displayed.
Best Hotels in Algarve Portugal
“The rustic-chic decor is perfect, and the pool and outdoor dining areas are beautiful.”
Praia Verde Boutique Hotel – Pure escapism with 5 stars hotels luxury
Surrounded by a pine forest, golden beaches, and picturesque marshes, the relaxed luxury boutique hotel Praia Verde is unagitated. This minimalist wooden architecture property located far from the urban area has the feel of a calming retreat, ideal for escaping reality for a few days.
Family-friendly rooms in a trendy but unobtrusive design and the restaurant A Terra with local delicacies from the Algarve coast are reason enough to choose this hotel from our best hotels on Portugal's Algarve list and book your next vacation here. Add amenities like the pool that blends into the surrounding vegetation or the chance to spend time on the nearby beach under a palm tree umbrella. Portugal inspires – so does Praia Verde.
Best Hotels in Algarve Portugal
“The location within a pine forest and super close to the sea is perfect for a relaxing stay.”
The Conrad Algarve – A modern and luxurious beach resort
Situated on the coastline of the Algarve, the Conrad Algarve is a shining example of how modern luxury and cultural heritage can sit beautifully side by side to be enjoyed by all. Whether you are going for the golfing (you'll find Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo close nearby) or for the wellness facilities that include a world-class spa, the Conrad Algarve is the ideal choice. Time after time, it proves to be one of the most popular destinations for those seeking sun, sea, and a sophisticated vacation.
Best Hotels in Algarve Portugal
“If modern luxury by the beach is your idea of a perfect holiday, this hotel is the right fit for you.”
Bela Vista Hotel & Spa – A private beach vacation
Renowned for being one of the first Algarve hotels, the Bela Vista Hotel is a renovated 19th-century Portuguese family home in the shape of a small castle. It's rich in history, and very proud of it. This upmarket hotel still echoes its deep history, but has thrown in a touch of elegance.
With a range of suites and rooms to suit all, the Bela Vista is also well-equipped with a spa, pool, and private beach. It certainly has the feeling of your very own holiday home, where you will be treated like royalty.
Best Hotels in Algarve Portugal
“I love that this hotel has retained its history without compromising on the facilities.”
The Pine Cliffs Resort – The ultimate luxury resort with a view
The Pine Cliffs Luxury Collection Resort has dedicated accommodations and facilities for each member of your family. Each one has been carefully designed to provide opulent surroundings, from the quiet hilltop rooms for couples to the family-friendly villas. The view from the clifftop overlooking the sea is absolutely fabulous.
The compound has many restaurants to choose from. O Pescador restaurant, with its traditional fish dishes, is the envy of the area. The wonderful beachside restaurant “Mare” is highly recommended. Corda Café by the pool is a casual all-day dining option that offers excellent meals with a fantastic view.
Best Hotels in Algarve Portugal
“The view is to die for. You can get lost in a view like this.”
The Dona Filipa Hotel – A 5 Star golfers-friendly luxury resort
The Dona Filipa has well and truly earned its five stars with its newly refurbished hotel and modern facilities. Focusing on a design aesthetic that promises to bring luxury to the Algarve, the Dona Filipa offers an excellent golf course and fine dining. Offering a range of suites and rooms, you'll either be overlooking the beach or one of the finest golf courses in the Algarve.
Best Hotels Algarve Portugal
“Everything about the hotel is pure luxury, and the stay was extraordinary indeed.”
The EPIC SANA Hotel – A family-friendly accommodation on the Algarve
There aren't many places on the Algarve that offer both a beachside getaway and a full activity schedule for children, but the EPIC SANA has families firmly in mind. As well as the modern facilities and wellness centre for the adults, you'll also find kids' pools, a sports complex, and a kids club to keep the younger guests entertained for most of the day. In addition, three on-site restaurants (and a few snack bars) will ensure that no one goes hungry, and there is always a lot of variation.
Best Hotels Algarve Portugal
“We wanted a breakaway with the kids where we didn't have to compromise… and we found it!”
The Tivoli Carvoeiro – the best honeymoon hotel on the Algarve
After a long five months, the Tivoli Carvoeiro‘s remodel project is finally finished, and boy, was it worth the wait! There is something for everyone with larger family rooms, more boutique couples' suites that are ideal for your honeymoon, and a brand-new state-of-the-art fitness centre. The enormous pool overlooks the ocean, while the Sky Bar is hidden in what feels like clouds. The Tivoli offers a range of experiences, including dining, wellness, and meditation.
Best Hotels Algarve Portugal
“We were greeted with champagne and an assortment of chocolate-covered fruits and pastries in our honeymoon suite.”
The Vila Valverde – Get away from it all
Tucked high up in the hills of the Portuguese coast is the Vila Valverde. This immaculate property, located in a quiet area, is ideal for a peaceful and relaxing holiday. An imposing manor house, this recently renovated marvel includes just a few rooms and suites for its discerning guests. The beautifully designed interiors match the impeccably landscaped exterior. Overall, the perfect stay for those wanting to detach from the outside world.
Best Hotels Algarve Portugal
“Its isolated location makes you feel completely secluded.”
The Vilalara Resort – All about your well-being
Surrounded by nature and located right on the seafront is the Vilalara Resort. This 5-star resort does not disappoint, and the five pools and state-of-the-art wellness centre are a treat for those wanting to reconnect with themselves and disconnect from their daily grind. The rooms and flats are beautifully designed, and the restaurant has a diverse menu, from high-class cuisine to juice cleanses.
Best Hotels Algarve Portugal
“I could have stayed in the wellness centre all day; on one day, I think I did!”
The Grand House Algarve – a romantic Belle Époque property with charm and history
The Grand House Algarve is in Villa Real de San Antonio, overlooking the yachts in the quay. This magnificent townhouse has been sympathetically converted into a beautiful hotel with colonial Art Deco vibes that hint at its rich history wherever you look. The restaurant and bar have a diverse menu, and those seeking a more traditional cuisine can sample one of the many restaurants nearby.
Best Hotels Algarve Portugal
“Overlooking the marina with our morning coffees was a real highlight. Did I mention you wake up to the sun rising across the river over Spain!”
Domes Lake Resort Algarve – A Beautifully landscaped Oasis
If location is a priority for you, the Domes Lake Resort Algarve will win, hands down. Located by the beach, the marina, and five different golf courses, the Lake Spa Resort is the perfect spot built on a private lake. The resort that defines itself as a “lifestyle destination” includes a sand-bottom pool (and three others) and a well-facilitated wellness spa. The staff and the attention to detail are outstanding.
It is also set up for guests with restricted mobility.
Best Hotels Algarve Portugal
“If it's good enough for Ronaldo and his entourage, it's good enough for us! Brilliant staff.”
The Quinta Dos Perfumes – A traditional and authentic Algarve feel
Located further inland than some of the other hotels and resorts on our list, the Quinta Dos Perfumes has a boutique feel with an Algarve twist. The muted tones of the interiors and understated minimalist design allow the area's beauty to be the star of the show.
The property is nestled in the middle of an orange grove with the ocean as a backdrop. A secluded pool is hidden right there. The sun terrace is adorned with traditional sail shades. Bikes are available for guests for easy access to town and the beach. This lovely boutique hotel is a perfect base for exploring the city of Tavira and the surrounding area.
Best Hotels Algarve Portugal
“When you don't want to write a review because a place is so unique and special, you'd prefer the world didn't know about it – that says it all.”
The Magnolia Hotel – Great for an adventure holiday
Offering a wide variety of sports, activities, and facilities, the Magnolia Hotel is for people who like to keep busy on holiday. Whether it's golf, cycling, or tennis, the Magnolia has a whole host of sports and spa facilities to keep you entertained. You can even explore the nearby area and soak in some Algarve culture close to the beach and a short walk into town.
Best Hotels Algarve Portugal
“We don't like holidays where you just sit by the pool all day, so this resort was just right for us.”
The Best Algarve Hotels: The Bottom Line
Portugal's most visited region is the Algarve, with its golden sunbathed beaches and impressive cliffs. With so many luxurious hotels available for your stay, you'll find something for everyone on our list of the best Algarve hotels on Portugal's south coast.
We have presented some of the finest hotels all around Southern Europe, be it in a breath-taking guide of the best hotels on Santorini, Greece; or in our choice of the best hotels on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Now we are enjoying all the best stay Portugal’s Algarve can offer.
Lisbon to Algarve
Embarking on a journey from Lisbon to the Algarve, I opted to blend the scenic with the convenience, choosing to drive through Portugal's stunning countryside. After a refreshing stay at one of Lisbon's boutique hotels (for more options, see our guide to the best Lisbon Restaurants and the best Lisbon hotels), I rented a car and hit the open road.
Navigating the A2 highway, the rolling hills were peppered with cork trees and traditional whitewashed houses. This route, while swifter than others, offered glimpses of authentic Portugal that made the 2.5-hour drive as engaging as it was picturesque. Arriving in the Algarve, I was immediately embraced by the warmth of both the climate and the locals. The contrast between Lisbon's urban energy and the Algarve's serene landscapes was invigorating.
Whether you crave the turquoise embrace of secluded beaches or the historic charm of towns like Lagos, the Algarve has it all. For those making the journey, I heartily recommend taking the time to enjoy the ride. The blend of modern highway driving with occasional detours into small, unspoiled villages provided a rich and rewarding travel experience that was the perfect introduction to the laid-back allure of the Algarve.
