Pinhal da Marina

A low white wall with the name of the hotel painted on cute tiles marks the entrance to this friendly, quiet property. The reception area is located in the main building, and has traditional Portuguese terra-cotta floors, wooden ceilings, and a small white couch with a leaf design. It is a little generic and basic, but two slightly more contemporary armchairs with cute white and lime-green pillows, and a heavy crystal lamp, add some style. Rooms are spread out across the sprawling grounds, some in older-looking white buildings, and many in cute low structures with bright yellow shutters and spacious patios. Apartments and common spaces are built around two medium-size pools and several sports courts, providing a safe environment for kids to run around and enjoy the outdoors. Tall pine trees offer some shade throughout the grounds, while manicured gardens with winding paths, big grass lawns, and flowers give the hotel a serene feel. Although the hotel’s competitive rates and many kid-friendly amenities draw lots of families, the property is mostly quiet and relaxing year-round.

Pinhal da Marina is located amid pine forests and vacation homes in a residential neighborhood outside of the city center. There are a couple of supermarkets within a 10-minute walk of the hotel, but the immediate area is generally quiet. This location works for those who prefer a tranquil area a bit removed from the action, as the lively marina, home to plenty of restaurants, bars and shops, is a 15-minute walk away. The uphill walk back may be challenging to some, but taxis are inexpensive. The town’s main beach can be reached in about 25 minutes on foot or five minutes by car, and there are several other lovely stretches of sand a 20-minute drive away. It is 30 minutes to Faro Airport; the hotel can arrange private transportation for a fee. 

The hotel has 128 clean units ranging from cozy Studios for two, to large Three-Bedroom Apartments that can sleep up to eight guests. All apartments have living and dining areas, as well as full kitchens equipped with stovetops, dishwashers, microwaves, coffeemakers, blenders, toasters, and fridges. Only a few have ovens. Dated decor includes simple wooden furniture, terra-cotta floors, and generic sofa beds with dark brown upholstery. Some rooms have been updated with newer cabinets, counters, and closet doors, and a few have pops of fuchsia or lime-green in bed runners and curtains. Some of the larger apartments also have fireplaces in the living room. All units have either spacious balconies with two loungers and a table and chairs, or a cute furnished patio with a shaded area. Bathrooms are simple but clean, with shower/tub combos with plastic curtains, and just the most basic toiletries. There is free Wi-Fi in common areas, but in-room access is only available for a fee.

The hotel has three pools, including a quiet family pool in a secluded area, and a more lively one complete with a kiddy section. The restaurant serves a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner in a sunny, cheerful dining room with large windows overlooking the terrace and the pool. The menu is short and some guests feel the breakfast spread lacks variety, but food is tasty, and there is bar service throughout the day and into the evening. The hotel provides plenty of options for kids, including a kids’ club with outdoor areas, a playground, and video games. Additionally, guests can play tennis (lessons are available for a fee), bocce ball, volleyball, soccer, basketball, ping-pong, and foosball on-site, or borrow bikes to explore the area. Free parking is available by reception.