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The Algarve’s long and lovely coastline is known for its sunshine, peaceful whitewashed villages, golf and beaches. Its lush interiors are havens of quiet, Moorish architecture, and more golf. It’s a really obvious destination for anyone who wants to relax somewhere sunny, and if that’s you then you might like to consider staying in one of the best spa hotels in the Algarve? What could be more relaxing? Our Gurus’ list of the best spa hotels in the Algarve includes some seriously all-singing-all-dancing resorts — where the spa is just the tip of the facilities iceberg — but it also includes smaller, boutique properties, great beach hotels, a wellness clinic, and some mind-blowing-ly luxurious villas. And, possibly more importantly, all kinds of spa treatments!
For a Special Occasion
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- The Bela Vista Hotel & Spa is a wonderful early 20th century idea, sitting very pretty right on the sand at Portimão, overlooking one of the Algarve’s prettiest beaches. In addition to the perfect location, the Bela Vista has 38 charming rooms and suites, all individually decorated with their own colour schemes, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a L’Occitane spa. There’s also a gorgeously inviting palm tree-lined swimming pool. Our Gurus are fans of the original features — hand-painted tiles, a sweeping wooden staircase in the entry hall, stained glass, and the bathroom of 116, which is housed in a stained glass turret!
For a Beach Break
- Large, stylish, and positioned between a sandy beach and a golf course, the Hotel Quinta do Lago is an easy pick because it’s got something for everyone. Panoramic views elevate the 141 rooms and suites, and private balconies make it easy to appreciate the serenity. As do some of the treatments from the impressive spa list. If you want to enjoy all the facilities you’ll need to get up early to swin in multiple pools, play tennis and golf, horse ride, use the hotel bikes and gym, access the private beach, and eat and drink in the multiple bars and restaurants.
For an Algarve Escape
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- The Vila Joya is a small and luxurious choice, with a fabulous spa, ocean views, just 22 suites, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Perched on top of cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, surrounded by palm trees, and clad in bougainvillea, this vila is a proper retreat, offering tranquil luxury and pampering. Each suite has a private terrace, and some have a private plunge pool or hot tub too, and the decor varies from clean, contemporary lines, to more traditional, antique-filled spaces. There are two restaurants, the two Michelin-starred hotel dining room, and a sushi ‘shack’ on the beach.
For an Algarve Recharge
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- The Vilalara Thalassa Resort is an all-bells-and-whistles resort, in 12 hectares of stunning tropical gardens, on the cliffs at Alporchinhos. It has 131 rooms and suites in all, in a range of sizes — but even the smallest feels spacious, with separate seating areas, and simple, elegant decor. The spa is one of the main draws, and offers excellent multi-day courses, as well as individualised treatment plans, but the resort also has a kids club, playgrounds, tennis courts, five pools, beach access and a choice of three restaurants.
For the Full Detox
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- The Longevity Health and Wellness Hotel is a flagship property of the Longevity wellness group, so is one of the most wellness focused spa hotels on our list. This is also one of Portugal’s most advanced clinics, and has some really unusual treatments on offer. The accommodation is fresh and contemporary, minimalist in design in cool greys, set in a white-washed fishing village within sight of the sea. As well as the impressive list of spa-related facilities the hotel has a gym, a rooftop pool, and two restaurants — and unlike some health clinics wine is allowed!
For Families
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- The Suites Alba is a resort, but it looks more like an elegant, tropical town, with 50 rooms, apartments and villas laid out in low rise clusters with beautifully landscaped spaces in between. A pretty sandy cove of a beach is just over the rise, and, as well as the gardens, there’s a landscaped pool. Some of the villas have kitchenettes and living space, but there’s also a great restaurant with sea views, and a beautiful spa with an impressive treatment list. There’s also heaps to do — so much that it’s not worth listing, just imagine it…
- The Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel is a smaller, more affordable pick, positioned right up against a sandy stretch of beach in Sagres. Despite there only being 37 rooms, there’s still plenty of range, from rooms and suites to villas and condos, so our Gurus recommend it for families of all shapes and sizes. The resort has a great collection of watersports gear, a kids club that accommodates five different age groups from six months up, two super family-friendly restaurants, and five pools — though some of the villas have private pools too. The spa accommodates all ages too.
For Romantics
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- The Vivenda Miranda is a beautiful 17th century villa surrounded by lush tropical gardens, overlooking the ocean on the coast of Lagos. Its 25 rooms and suites are decorated in a range of styles, and eras, our favourites have huge windows overlooking the ocean and heated pool. The restaurant offers light, Mediterranean cuisine, with plenty of it sourced in the hotel’s own gardens, the extensive spa has a sauna, steam room and hot tub, and the beauty salon offers Ishi treatments.
For Great Facilities
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- Vila Vita Parc is a luxurious, family-friendly resort sitting atop a cliff, surrounded by 55 acres of lush gardens, and overlooking the ocean beyond. It’s big, with 170 rooms, suites and villas, in a range of shapes and sizes; the largest sleep up to ten and have their own clifftop pools. If you want something intimate and romantic there’s an adults only area too. Vila Vita’s impressive list of facilities includes the only Sisley Spa outside of France, an award-winner, housed in its own building; eight pools; ten restaurants; six bars; a kids club with trampolines; a library; shops and a hair dresser.
- The Anantara Vilamoura Resort in Olhos de Agua is another large and luxurious resort set in sprawling tropical grounds, and offering the kind of facilities you’ll not want to leave. With fresh-feeling, contemporary decor and incredible views that reach for miles over the flat surrounds, this resort is stylish and refined. Its 280 rooms, suites and villas offer plenty of choice when it comes to space and features, and the list of facilities includes an award-winning spa, a neighbouring golf course, yoga classes, tennis, indoor and outdoor pools and plenty of choice when it comes to eating and drinking.
- The Conrad Algarve is a luxurious, family-friendly resort in the heart of the Algarve’s golf country. Arranged around a series of lagoon pools and landscaped gardens, the Conrad has 154 rooms, suites, and apartments, decorated with a Moorish feel and a white and blue colour theme, with TVs in the bathrooms as standard. One of the three restaurants has a Michelin star, there’s a fantastic kids club, and the spa is huge and super stylish, with an impressive range of treatments and an ice fountain.
For Great Value
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- The Pine Cliffs Resort is also in Olhos de Agua, and has 535 rooms, suites and villas, with quite an affordable starting point — especially considering the facilities guests have access to! There’s a hotel golf course, a watersports centre, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, and an award-winning spa. The whitewashed exterior has a wonderful holiday feel, and the interiors are light and spacious.
Best Private Villas
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- The Vila Vita Collection are private, luxury villas, collected together to pool facilities like the daily maid service, access to a private chef or butter, a spa, and the Vila Vita yacht. They’re clustered in and around Salema, and range in style and size from an old fisherman’s house right on the beach, to a contemporary, six bedroom penthouse, to a five bedroom/six bathroom villa with a private pool and beach access. These are perfect for folk who want the privacy of a private villa, but without the shopping, cooking and cleaning that take the holiday out of being on holiday. And you have access to all the facilities of Vila Vita Parc as well.
Still not sure where to book?