The 16 Best Luxury Hotels in the Algarve

With a view of the sea: At Vila Vita Parc Resort Algarve, an infinity pool is set into the rock face right above the path down to the beach; in all, the resort has six outdoor pools. Bela Vista Hotel Portimão has a heated pool with a panoramic view of the Atlantic, and at Praia do Canal Nature Resort Aljezur you lie on loungers in the water of the infinity pool, with the nature reserve and the ocean in front of you.Bela Vista Hotel Portimão · Praia da RochaWarm water in winter too: When choosing a 5-star hotel in the Algarve, many guests ask about heated pools first. At Conrad Algarve, the Sereno infinity pool between the two wings is heated all year, and a spa pool lets you swim from inside to outside. At Domes Lake Algarve, the outdoor pool is warmed to up to 25 degrees from mid-September to mid-May, and Kimpton Atlântico Algarve Albufeira has an indoor pool with whirlpool that is heated year-round.

A pool all to yourself: At Viceroy Ombria Algarve, selected residences have their own heated pool. At W Residences Algarve Albufeira, some three-bedroom duplexes come with a private pool facing the Atlantic.

For long spa days: At Vila Vita Parc Resort Algarve, the Spa by Sisley Paris combines twelve treatment rooms with a Reformer studio, a garden yoga pavilion with aerial yoga and visiting therapists for Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. The Serenity Spa at Pine Cliffs Hotel Algarve covers more than 1,200 square meters; its Thermal Oasis has an herbal sauna, a Himalayan salt sauna, a hammam and a Kneipp pool. At Viceroy Ombria Algarve, the spa includes a Vichy shower, a year-round thermal pool, herbal and salt steam rooms and a Pilates studio.Pine Cliffs Hotel Algarve · Olhos de AguaSmall retreats: If peace and quiet decide your 5-star hotel in the Algarve, look at the smaller spas. At Bela Vista Hotel Portimão, the Spa by L'Occitane offers massages and facials. Domes Lake Algarve has a lakeside eco-spa with ELEMIS products, a heated indoor pool and an adults-only relaxation area. At Praia do Canal Nature Resort Aljezur, the Esteva Spa has its own building in the garden, with a heated indoor pool, a hammam, and yoga and meditation with an instructor.

In the east you stay at Conrad Algarve from 240 €. Inland, Viceroy Ombria Algarve starts at 220 € and Pousada Palácio de Estoi Faro at 120 €; in Vilamoura, Domes Lake Algarve costs from 179 €.W Residences Algarve Albufeira · SesmariasBetween Olhos de Água and Galé, rates range from Kimpton Atlântico Algarve Albufeira at 143 € via Pine Cliffs Hotel Algarve at 215 € to W Residences Algarve Albufeira at 343 €, whose apartments have several bedrooms.

Farther west, Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve starts at 119 €, Bela Vista Hotel Portimão at 285 € and Vila Vita Parc Resort Algarve at 295 €; on the west coast, Praia do Canal Nature Resort Aljezur costs from 237 €. Free rooms for your travel dates and today's rates are shown in the hotel list further down.

Included: Breakfast for two, an upgrade subject to availability and early check-in and late check-out subject to availability apply at all 16 properties. 13 of them add 100 US dollars of hotel credit, Pousada Palácio de Estoi Faro and Praia do Canal Nature Resort Aljezur 50 US dollars. At Vila Vita Parc Resort Algarve the credit depends on the rate; for the Grand Suite, Penthouse Suite and Resort Villas, another 100 US dollars are added from two nights.

When the benefits apply: At Pousada Palácio de Estoi Faro and Praia do Canal Nature Resort Aljezur from two nights, at all other properties from the first night.

Points and status: Marriott Bonvoy counts at seven properties, such as Pine Cliffs Hotel Algarve, Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites Algarve, W Algarve Albufeira and Domes Lake Algarve. At Conrad Algarve you earn double points with Hilton Honors; IHG One Rewards applies at Kimpton Atlântico Algarve Albufeira, GHA Discovery at Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve and the Leaders Club at Vila Vita Parc Resort Algarve. Because suitespot books at the hotel's direct rate, points and elite nights land in your account, and your status benefits remain in place.

The Algarve through the year: In summer the coast is full of life, spring and fall are mild and made for golf and clifftop hikes, and in winter the beaches belong to the walkers. For July and August, reserve your 5-star hotel in the Algarve early; our travel advisors can tell you which pools are heated on your dates.

How long to stay: One week is enough for one stretch of coast. If you want to add the west coast or the hinterland, split ten nights between two properties.