The top 10 best hotels & resorts in the Algarve

The 10 best hotels and resorts in the Algarve

🏨 The Algarve has many beautiful boutique hotels and renowned resorts where you will want for nothing during your holiday to southern Portugal. But which accommodations are actually the best according to the guests? I have done extensive research into the best hotels and resorts in the Algarve. On this page you will find the result: the best hotels and resorts of the Algarve in one handy overview, including photos and the most important features that make these accommodations stand out.

Criteria: To find the best hotels and resorts, more than 100 top hotels and resorts in the Algarve were compared. The main criteria were:

Only 5 star hotels and resorts;
A review score of 9.0 or higher on Booking.com;
At least 100 reviews from visitors;

The result is the following list of the 10 best hotels and resorts in the Algarve:

Overview: The 10 best hotels & resorts in the Portuguese Algarve

In the table below you will find a short overview of the 10 best hotels and resorts in the Algarve. Further down the page you can read more detailed information per hotel and resort. The table can be sorted by name, location and score.

Hotel / Resort name	Place	Score	More info
W Algarve	Faro	91/100	More info label
Vilalara Thalassa Resort	Porches	92/100	More info label
Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa	Porches	95/100	More info label
Vale de Milho Village	Carvoeiro	92/100	More info label
Praia do Canal Nature Resort	Aljezur	94/100	More info label
Octant Vila Monte	Moncarapacho	93/100	More info label
Dunas Douradas Beach Club	Almancil	93/100	More info label
Domes Lake Algarve	Vilamoura	91/100	More info label
Conrad Algarve	Almancil	92/100	More info label
3HB Faro	Faro	95/100	More info label

1. 3HB Faro

The 3HB hotel in Faro is a true gem on the Algarve coast and has all the ingredients needed for a successful holiday. The hotel is located in the old town of Faro, making it easy to explore the city on foot, before diving into the pool on the roof of the hotel. As the sun slowly sinks into the sea, order a colorful cocktail at the rooftop bar and enjoy the view before sitting down at the excellent in-house restaurant, or one of the many options around the hotel.

The rooms are spacious and modern and have all the comforts you need. Although there are no kitchens in the room, you can make your own coffee and tea and there are bottles of water ready for you in the mini bar. In the morning you join the breakfast buffet, where in addition to the many choices that are displayed, you can also order a la carte dishes as extras. There are also gluten-free and vegetarian options!

If it is a day of water cooler outside, you can go to the spa, where you can warm up in the heated pool or sauna. You can also warm up in the small fitness room, where you can use a number of gym attributes to burn off the pastel de natas you had with your coffee.

2. Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa

Situated in the heart of the Algarve, about a 45-minute drive from the airport, you will find the beautifully decorated Moorish-style Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa on top of a cliff. From the large swimming pool and sunbathing areas, you can look out over the beautiful southern coast of the Algarve. Want to completely unwind? Then you can go to one of the 12(!) wellness treatment rooms, the yoga pavilion or the gym.

The breakfast buffet is a surprise every day, because you can go to several restaurants, all of which offer a variety of local and international options. Of course, ordering a la carte is also possible. You don’t have to worry about dinner either, because the menus of the 10(!) on-site restaurants are full of Portuguese dishes, but of course also other types of cuisine such as Asian and Mediterranean.

3. Praia do Canal Nature Resort

In the rural west of the Algarve, close to the rugged west coast, lies the relatively young (2021) Praia do Canal Nature Resort like an oasis hidden behind the dunes and cliffs . Even though it is just over an hour’s drive from the airport, it is worth every minute you have invested in the trip. Surrounded by nature, you can completely relax here in one of the swimming pools, the sauna or simply during a walk around the park.

All rooms have a beautiful view of the nature, but some of the suites also offer sea views from the roof terrace. The extensive continental breakfast sets you up for a day full of adventure, while in the evening you can enjoy an excellent dinner with a good glass of Portuguese wine.

4. Conrad Algarve

Just a short 25 minute drive from the airport, between Faro and Vilamoura you will find the Conrad Algarve hotel. This chain is known for exceeding expectations and here in the Algarve they have succeeded. It is the perfect location for golfers, as there are at least 5 different golf courses within a radius of 10 kilometres where you can hit a ball on one of the many greens. The hotel itself has 3 restaurants, 3 bars and of course a number of swimming pools and spa facilities.

In the summer season you can top up your tan on the lawns and cabanas, while cooling off in the outdoor pool. If it is a bit chilly, you can also go inside to the indoor pool, sauna or fitness room.

The rooms are all equipped with a TV, rain shower and other pleasant surprises such as a Nespresso machine and a surround system.

5. W Algarve

W Algarve is a brand new hotel that opened its doors to its guests in January 2022 – whose reviews have been nothing but praise for this stylish design hotel since day one. Situated on the edge of Albufeira, a fifteen-minute walk from the beach, you will be amazed by this trendy hotel where every detail has been taken into account when furnishing it.

Not only the lobby and the outdoor areas, also the rooms look modern with nice decoration and lighting. Most rooms have a balcony with a view of the sea or the pool, but there are also a number of so-called King Suits with a private roof terrace, sun beds or even a private pool.

The daily breakfast buffet has an excellent continental selection, including vegetarian options. In the evening, the multiple restaurants serve Portuguese, Italian and Mediterranean dishes.

After a long day discovering the highlights of the Algarve, you can relax in the spa with one of the treatments they offer.

6. Vale de Milho Village

For families with children, small groups or if you are looking for spacious accommodation for two, a Townhouse at the Vale de Milho Village resort is the perfect choice. About 50 minutes drive from Faro Airport, next to Portimão and under the wine region of Lagoa, this wonderful holiday destination is away from the hustle and bustle, but close to a lot of nice sights and activities.

All townhouses at this resort have 2 or 3 bedrooms and are fully equipped with a kitchen, bath & shower and a spacious living room. So you can make your own meals here after an afternoon in your own private pool!

In addition to the multiple golf courses nearby, this area also has a number of vineyards where you can stop for a tasting. The famous Benagil cave and some beautiful beaches and cliffs typical of the Algarve.

7. Vilalara Thalassa Resort

Centrally located between Albufeira and Portimão, the seaside Vilalara Thalassa Resort is the ideal place for a beach holiday in the Algarve. You can’t sleep any closer to the ocean, unless you’re on a houseboat stay! This luxury resort has several outdoor pools, 2 restaurants and sports facilities such as (table) tennis and paddle courts.

When it’s time to relax those muscles, head to the spa, which offers thalassotherapy sessions (a combination of different elements such as seawater, seaweed, mud and marine minerals), or relax in the sauna and Turkish bath when the evening cools down.

The atmospheric rooms offer a view of the beautiful garden, the pool or the ocean and have a bathroom with bath and rain shower. For families there are also two bedroom apartments, each with its own bathroom.

The B&G restaurant is a low-calorie restaurant serving gourmet Portuguese cuisine in the evening and an extensive continental breakfast buffet in the morning.

8. Dunas Douradas Beach Club

Don’t let the name Dunas Douradas Beach Club mislead you, because this beautiful and spacious resort is anything but a decadent beach club! Located just a short half hour drive from Faro Airport and 200 meters from the beach, this is the perfect place for families and groups. Thanks to the wide range of types and sizes of apartments and villas, you can stay here together or with the whole family in one accommodation.

All accommodations are equipped with a full kitchen and some even have an outdoor grill, so you can alternate between trying out Portuguese cuisine and a home-cooked meal. Eating out within walking distance is possible in the resort’s own restaurant, where they offer typical local dishes, but of course also a number of dishes from other parts of the world.

If you come with children, they can enjoy themselves in the kids club while you enjoy a cocktail in the bar or swim laps in one of the three swimming pools. If you find the outdoor pool water a bit too cold, there is always an indoor and heated one!

9. Octant Vila Monte

Octant Vila Monte is a beautiful resort in the Algarve, where every detail has been carefully considered to ensure you have an unforgettable stay. The rooms are beautiful and spotlessly clean, with thoughtful amenities such as phone charging points without an adapter and two separate sets of toiletries in the bathroom.

The property itself is stunning, with beautiful grounds where you can enjoy a variety of activities including sangria making. The breakfast is phenomenal and the staff are extremely friendly, making you feel right at home.

10. Domes Lake Algarve

On the edge of bustling Vilamoura lies the beautiful and modern Domes Lake Algarve, Autograph Collection . This five-star hotel is well-known for its excellent staff, spacious rooms and extensive breakfast buffet.

From the hotel you can walk straight into Vilamoura to stroll through the city or take a boat trip. The hotel has a free parking space for your rental car and there is a beach within walking distance. For the sporty types there is an indoor fitness room and if it is too cold to swim outside, you can take a dip in the heated indoor pool.

Looking for unique accommodations?

Above are some fantastic hotels and resorts where you will have a fantastic time, no matter which one you choose. But maybe you are looking for a different type of accommodation. Besides hotels and resorts, the Algarve also has some really nice B&Bs , glamping sites and other types of special accommodation such as teepees, houseboats or converted school buses!

⛺ Check out my selection of the most special accommodations in the Algarve here.

More of our local tips for your Portugal adventure

⭐ Check out our favourite sights in the Algarve on this page
⛵ Check out this overview of all activities you can do in the Algarve
🚗 This is the best car rental company in the Algarve
📌 Discover the top towns and cities to visit in the Algarve here
🏖 These are our favourite beaches in the Algarve
🛎 Get inspired with our local tips for accommodations in the Algarve