Our journey began at the five-star Pine Cliffs resort, a thirty-minute drive west of Faro. As the name suggests, it’s perched on a cliff top, offering captivating sea views. The atmosphere is all about relaxed luxury; sun loungers are spread out in the lush gardens, providing natural shade from the trees, or you can choose to relax by one of the eight pools – the one with a swim-up bar if you fancy a daytime cocktail, the pool next to the ocean suites for a more peaceful afternoon under the glorious sunshine, or the indoor one if you’re visiting during the cooler months or fancy stepping straight out of the water and into a steaming hot tub.
You can walk for miles along the beach outside Pine Cliffs
(Image: Pine Cliffs Resort)
A wooden boardwalk guides you down to the wide stretch of golden sand at the bottom of the majestic sandstone cliffs. There are quite a few stairs, but a lift will take you down the steepest part. We started every morning with a beach stroll at sunrise – you can walk for miles. Our bedroom was light and airy, with a balcony overlooking the gardens. We were particularly impressed with the Serenity products in the bathroom. It’s not often that a hotel conditioner can tame our unruly hair, but this one did the job perfectly, reports the Mirror. The resort is also home to tennis and padel courts, a nine-hole golf course – and golf academy for those wanting lessons – a gym, a spa, a children’s play area and an impressive eleven bars and restaurants, covering every cuisine from Japanese to seafood. So if you’re looking for a deeply relaxing break with all the amenities you need on your doorstep, you’re in the right place. The restaurants at Pine Cliffs Resort We dined at six of Pine Cliffs’ restaurants during our stay and found both the quality and service to be excellent without exception. One of our favourite meals was at Corda Café, where we feasted on sizzling prawn tacos and a salmon sushi poké bowl in the open patio setting. We also sampled Portuguese-Indian fusion dishes at Rohini, where the fragrant aromas will have your mouth watering before you’ve even ordered, and tucked into the rich, baked aubergine lasagne in the pretty courtyard of the Italian taverna, Portofino.
Pine Cliffs’ Rohini restaurant serves Portugese-Indian fusion dishes
(Image: Pine Cliffs Resort)
For lunch with a sea view, we headed to Maré down on the beach for the catch of the day, in our case tuna. There’s something about eating fish with the sound of waves crashing against the shore in front of you that makes it taste even better. The seafood menu is also superb at O Pescador, where you can pick your fish from the catch on display. We loved our whole baked sea bass, accompanied by roast potatoes and a green salad. For a lighter meal, we opted for lunch at Zest, where we enjoyed a fresh salad of kale, edamame, pistachios and feta. Our only regret is that we didn’t have more time to explore the other restaurants at Pine Cliffs Resort. What to do at Pine Cliffs Resort For an adrenaline-pumping adventure, we embarked on a Dolphin and Caves boat excursion. The trip began with a thrilling high-speed journey out to sea – be ready for a few splashes – and soon we were captivated by the sight of dolphins leaping in and out of the waves around us. The second part of the tour was a more relaxed cruise past enormous sandstone arches and secluded beaches, with the boat venturing into some of the caves dotted along the coastline. While some brave souls were out in kayaks, we were quite content with our comfortable seats on a much more stable catamaran. Back at Pine Cliffs, we visited the stylish Serenity Spa, starting with a trip to the thermal suite’s hydrotherapy pool, salt sauna, herbal sauna and experience showers. We had a tough time choosing between a full body massage and the signature treatment, Senses of the Algarve, which includes a scrub using sand from the beach and a hydrating wrap using carob and orange oil. Ultimately, the massage won, and by the end of it we were so relaxed we barely managed to stay awake to savour the last few minutes. To top off a fantastic day, we headed to the resort’s cliffside bar, Mirador, which is the perfect spot for a sunset drink. Here, we enjoyed champagne cocktails with complimentary snacks as the sky turned a beautiful shade of pink on the horizon.
The Serenity Spa at Pine Cliffs
(Image: Shaun Fisher Photo 2016)
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Pine Cliffs Resort
Pousada Convento Tavira hotel After three amazing days at Pine Cliffs, we moved on to Tavira, a quaint town just over 20 miles east of Faro, and checked into Pousada Convento Tavira – a grand 16th century convent that was transformed into a luxury hotel in 2006. It now houses 36 rooms centred around a stunning courtyard, where breakfast and dinner are served. The old and new blend together seamlessly, with original stonework on display in the main building while the outdoor pool and sun deck are sleek and modern.
Pousada Convento Tavira is a converted 16th century convert
(Image: PEDRO SAMPAYO RIBEIRO_967947382)
The convent is ideally situated just a short walk from Tavira’s impressive churches, Roman bridge and ancient castle ruins. Al fresco dining is the main evening activity in town and our favourite restaurant was Nó De Gosto, where our mushroom risotto and garlic prawns were delicious. We didn’t order dessert, though, because there’s an ice cream shop – Delizia da Ponte – just round the corner that quickly became our daily haunt. Dining at the convent is an experience in itself. The crispy ravioli and seared tuna we had were both top-notch, all enjoyed in the serene setting of a softly lit courtyard surrounded by ancient cloisters. Breakfast offers a wide range from Portuguese pastries to bacon and eggs, fresh fruit, juices, a cheese selection and cereals. Every Saturday morning, guests can join a yoga class in the gardens. For added relaxation, there’s a treatment room for massages or facials. The hotel staff were incredibly welcoming during our stay, making it truly unforgettable. What to do in and around Tavira A series of islands forming the Ria Formosa Natural Park, with vast sandy beaches accessible by boat, line this coast. From Tavira’s old town, a quick 10-minute crossing takes you to Ilha de Tavira, boasting the best beach for those seeking privacy. With nearly seven miles of golden sand, finding a secluded spot isn’t difficult. Loungers are available for hire and there are cafés for when you need a bite.
There are miles of sandy beaches on Ilha de Tavira
(Image: Getty Images)
We also popped over to Ilha de Cabanas, boasting the most affordable and frequent boat crossings. While Ilha de Tavira offers crossings every half hour, the boats here are smaller and the distance is shorter, meaning departures happen every few minutes. In the charming seaside town of Cabanas itself, we indulged in a lunchtime pizza with a sea view at Gio and Gabi. Our final beach stop was Ilha da Fuseta, where we discovered the shallowest waves – perfect for those less confident in the water. We journeyed by train to Fuseta, with a 10-15 minute walk from the station to the boat jetty. How much does it cost? Rooms at Pine Cliffs start at £175 per night for two adults with breakfast. Rooms at Pousada Convento Tavira start at £151 per night for two adults B&B. Based on March departures. Visit Serenity Spa and AlgarExperience for spa visits and excursions, and Visit Algarve for more information on the region. British Airways and easyJet fly to Faro from the UK.
