Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve

Part of the larger Pine Cliffs Resort, Pine Cliffs Residence is the apartment-style section of the property with an elegant design and lovely ocean views from its clifftop setting. The overall decor scheme is high-end and contemporary, with lots of neutral tones and pops of green that mimic the lush landscape. Traditional Portuguese decor accents like handmade mosaic tiles, sculptures, and artwork add charming touches. The grounds are massive, with plenty of open spaces, trees, fountains, and beautifully manicured gardens. Buggies are available for getting around the resort. The resort retains a peaceful atmosphere despite that most guests are families attracted by the array of facilities on-site. It's also a popular spot for weddings and business events.

Pine Cliffs Residence sits atop a cliff, offering stunning ocean views and direct access to Falesia Beach via an elevator and boardwalk (about a seven-minute walk). There are a handful of restaurants and cafes within walking distance from the hotel, though many are closed in the off-season. For golfers, there's a nine-hole course on-site and the Oceanico Golf Course is a 12-minute drive from the hotel. It's a 15-minute drive into the center of Albufeira, where there are numerous restaurants and bars. Vilamoura Marina, a restaurant and shopping hot spot, is 20 minutes away by car. The fishing village of Portimao is a 35-minute drive from the hotel. There's limited public transportation accessible from the hotel, so guests need to make use of cabs if they don't have their own transport. Free parking is available for guests with their own cars. It's a 30-minute drive to Faro International Airport.

The 154 two- and three-bedroom suites at Pine Cliffs Residence are a bit more traditional than the rest of the hotel, outfitted with a combination of modern and classic Portuguese-inspired decor. The overall look is elegant and dominated by blues and golds, featuring crisp white bedding, nature-inspired artwork, wooden furniture, wicker chairs, and painted-tiled headboards. Suites sleep six or eight guests, and all have fully-equipped kitchens with ovens, stovetops, coffeemakers, dishwashers, washer/dryers, and all the necessary cookware. Living areas include cozy couches, dining tables, and flat-screen TVs. In-room Wi-Fi, however, requires a fee. Furnished balconies or terraces overlook the resort grounds. Spacious bathrooms provide traditional Portuguese painted tiles above the marble tubs, as well as separate walk-in showers, bidets, bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries. 

Offering 10 restaurants and bars, along with numerous recreational facilities, Pine Cliffs Residence is certainly not short on features. As the resort is situated on an expansive property, features are spread out from each other, but guests can make use a buggy to get around. The majority of restaurants and bars are seasonal, and options are quite limited during the off-season. The only year-round options include Zest Restaurant, offering health-centric cuisine, and the poolside Corda Cafe. A steakhouse, seafood eatery, and beach club are open during high season. While the stretch of beach is lovely, note that an elevator and long boardwalk are required to reach it. For a dip on-site, there are six swimming pools in total, both indoor and outdoor, and some with kids' sections. They're large and attractive; all are surrounded by cushioned loungers and umbrellas, but none of the outdoor pools are heated. The heated indoor pool requires the use of a swim cap, as well as a fee. The sleek Serenity Spa has an extensive menu of beauty and relaxation treatments, plus a hydrotherapy pool, various saunas, a steam room, hot tub, ice fountain, relaxation areas, and treading pool. The fitness center has tons of natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows looking out into the gardens. The space is equipped with modern cardio and strength-training machines, and free weights. A nine-hole golf course and academy are on-site, requiring an additional fee. Five tennis courts, mini-golf, and a host of water sports are also available for extra fees. There are two kids clubs' available -- Porto Pirata Children's Village (for 6-month-olds to 8-year-olds) and Junior Club (for 8- to 12-year-olds), which receive positive reviews for their supervised activities but also cost extra. There are 10 event spaces available, suitable for meetings and weddings. Wi-Fi is only free in the lobby.