Luxury Holidays to the Algarve

Experience the meaning of the wow-factor with exclusive experiences

In just over two and a half hours from the UK, immerse yourself in high-end opulence and true relaxation at the Algarve’s elegant resorts. Luxury Algarve holidays also include airport transfers, with some hotels giving you your own private taxis each way, so you’ll be indulging in no time at all.

The Algarve is currently home to no less than six Michelin-starred restaurants, so if you’ve been dreaming of balmy evenings sampling tapas and drinking fine wines, you couldn’t choose a better location. Another example of how the Algarve is a destination that doesn’t do things half-heartedly, it’s lined by a vast, sandy coastline offering more than 60 Blue Flag certified beaches.

If it’s cocktails and dancing you’re after, chic destinations like Libertos Club in Albufeira and Mourisco Cocktail Bar in Alvor are ready and waiting to serve up some of the finest evenings out, away from the usual crowds.

Living the high life in the Algarve

When choosing a place to relax, quaint Alvor boasts not only golden sands and a crystal clear lagoon for catching some sun, but also two fantastic golf courses and some of the best dining options there are. Along the coast, Tavira also houses fantastic golfing opportunities, with nearby beaches so tranquil you’ll feel like they exist only for you.

Both 4* and 5* hotels abound, and even in sleepy villages like Acoteias it isn’t hard to find sleek and stylish venues housing private pools and gourmet restaurants, as well as cosy cocktail bars hidden up scenic pathways. Even the busier area of Lagos, usually known for its nightlife, can proudly offer contemporary, adults-only hotels where spa days and poolside tipples are the focus of attention.

Other popular holidays in Portugal

The Algarve may be the most popular spot for splashing out on luxury holidays in Portugal away from it all, but if you’re still deciding where to go then take a look at the luxury options in the Portuguese islands of Porto Santo and Madeira too. If you’ve already decided that the beautiful Algarve coast is the place for you, here are a few of our favourite hotels to help you choose your ideal holiday spot.

Other popular luxury holidays

Madeira | Canary Islands | Cyprus | Balearic Islands | Sicily

Epic Sana

The name says it all at this magnificent 5* hotel, decorated in a luxe contemporary style and offering a choice of three outdoor swimming pools, as well as an indoor pool and spa relaxation pool at the wellness centre. Dine at a choice of gourmet restaurants only 200 metres from the sand with serene sunset views across the ocean, or relax in the cocktail bar with live music. Room service here is round-the-clock, and if you can tear yourself away from the sun terrace it’s only a five-minute drive to Pine Cliffs Golf Course, or 15 minutes to the bars and restaurants of Albufeira and Vilamoura.

Robinson Club Quinta da Ria

It’s hard to beat the views from this 4* offering, situated at the heart of a peaceful nature reserve. The Quinta da Ria boasts a dozen tennis courts for the active among us, as well as two professional-standard golf courses and the chance to mimic your favourite rock star on a Harley Davidson ride. On the other side of the coin, poolside Bali beds and a relaxation area are just the tip of the horizontal options, with the hotel’s extensive spa sat in easy reach of a quiet, sandy private cove.

Sao Rafael Atlantico

Housed in extensive gardens and within easy reach of Sao Rafael beach, you’ll feel truly away from it all in this tranquil 5* location. The fantastic spa here offers a range of treatments and has its own pool with whirlpool section, away from the three main outdoor pools. Beautifully designed rooms are fringed by olive groves, making a leisurely stroll to the shoreline as picturesque as they come, and the terrace bars and restaurants offer great views wherever you choose to dine.

Pestana Alvor South Beach

The brand new Pestana Hotel at Alvor South Beach brings a Miami feel to the Algarve, with Art Deco finishes providing a stylish accent to this seafront property. The pale sands of Alvor Beach are only a few steps from the poolside, and with a private taxi from the airport included as part of your stay, you’ll be there in no time. Choose from three outdoor pools when you aren’t enjoying a meal in the sunset lounge, or stroll into the unspoilt old town of Alvor only 10 minutes’ walk away.