11 of the best hotels in Albufeira

Times

6 days ago

You probably think you know Albufeira, even if you haven't been. Like Benidorm or Faliraki, it has a reputation for cheap and cheerful beach breaks for the hard-partying crowd. And if you stay near the Albufeira Strip, where the themed bars and riotous clubs remain open until the early hours, this is exactly what you'll find. But the Algarve's busiest resort has more than one string to its bow. Tourism boomed here during the 1980s thanks to its fabulous beaches and those wide, sandy expanses are still there to welcome you, alongside family-friendly aqua and adventure parks. Clearly defined neighbourhoods allow all sorts of travellers to enjoy holidays here, without stepping on each other's toes.
The new town, surrounding the Strip, attracts a young, lively and predominantly English-speaking crowd. To the south of it Oura beach is the stretch of sand on which to sunbathe away your hangover. Just over a mile west is the old town, the historic heart of Albufeira, with all the cobbles, whitewash and terracotta tiles you could wish for, and fronted by two excellent beaches. It's still somewhere to socialise, but the restaurants and bars here are oriented to a more mature crowd and appeal to a wider spread of nationalities.
On the outskirts you'll find a much quieter, calmer version of Albufeira. West of the marina are the beaches of Gale, backed by high-end hotels and a golf course. To the east is Olhos de Agua, a smaller resort within the Albufeira municipality, which has a range of good family-friendly accommodation fronted by the striking orange cliffs and golden sands of Falesia beach, one of the longest in the Algarve. Both put you in easy reach of the central bustle, without having it on your doorstep. So whatever kind of escape you're looking for, use our guide to help find the perfect hotel in Albufeira.
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££ | SPA | POOL | Best for playful design
Known for futuristic, tongue-in-cheek interiors, the W Hotels chain has given its Algarve outpost a Portuguese twist. Rooms have sardine-shaped pillows and azulejo-tiled bathrooms; public areas are all swooping curves, pops of bright colour and artfully draped greenery — eminently Instagrammable. Morning yoga classes, cocktails and cabanas by the pool, a sleek spa and a sunset champagne lounge make this popular with a stylish, grown-up crowd, and a clutch of restaurants including Portuguese, Mediterranean and Italian choices keep those looking to spend lazy days and evenings at the hotel happy. All 134 rooms have balconies and ocean views, but the hotel isn't on the sand — a shuttle service runs you to Castelo beach, five minutes away. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for an old town oasis
Once you're inside the wooden gates of this riad-style, adults-only boutique in the heart of the old town you'll feel a world away from Albufeira's hubbub. Twenty-three characterful rooms have exposed beams and tiled bathrooms, and higher categories come with terraces. A tranquil courtyard pool is framed by palms and parasols, and the small but high-quality spa has space for a yoga studio, a sauna and a chamber offering hyperbaric oxygen therapies. Light lunches are available but the culinary star is breakfast; an indulgent spread of local produce accompanied by champagne. Though the feel is secluded, you're actually steps away from the main square and close to the beach.
• Discover our full guide to the Algarve
£ | POOL | Best for value for money
Families looking to stretch their euros further will be happy at this bright, well-maintained hotel in pine-shaded grounds. There's oodles of space in the 185 simple but attractive apartments; one and two-bedroom options come with kitchens and living areas, and superior versions also feature terraces. The restaurants and bars, all foliage prints and pine, have more style than many places at this price point, and there's a host of activities for both adults and children on offer, with a kids' club, family walks and pizza workshops, plus yoga classes and evening entertainment. There are four pools to splash in and a complimentary shuttle bus to Falesia beach, which is a 20-minute walk away. Restaurants and a supermarket are just five minutes on foot.££ | SPA | POOL | Best for fun-packed holidays
This large, lively hotel is a one-stop shop for action-filled stays — there's an aqua park with slides and a splash area, a fun park with a pedal car track and air bungee, and a tireless entertainment team leading activities from aerobics to archery throughout the day. Families are particularly well-catered for, with a kids' club for ages 4 to 12, a games room and a baby corner with highchairs, toys and baby food that's open 24/7. With more than 400 rooms there's a choice of types, from single-parent rooms and family suites to family-plus rooms that sleep up to five with triple bunks. The All Inclusive Plus programme gives access to the spa and all three à la carte restaurants, as well as the main buffet. It's a 15-minute walk to the Strip and there's a courtesy shuttle bus to the old town beach.££ | SPA | POOL | Best for a sense of luxury
A firm favourite of the well-heeled family market, this 168-acre cliffside complex sits above sandy Falesia beach. It's a world in itself, with a nine-hole golf course, an Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, padel courts and a football academy. And that's without mentioning the huge children's village, Porto Pirata, with life-size wooden pirate ships, a basketball court, a bouncy castle, a crazy golf course and a pool. Accommodation choices are legion — stay in the smart, 217-room hotel where the spa and majority of the 12 restaurants are located, or choose the multi-bedroom suites, apartments and villas scattered through the grounds. There are seven outdoor pools, plus a concession on the beach. The restaurant quality is high, but so are the prices, so it's worth exploring the local options off-site if you're staying for any length of time.
Read our full review of Pine Cliffs
£ | POOL | Best for party people
If late nights and lazy days are your holiday vibe, then this friendly hotel in the new town is perfectly placed, opposite a nightclub and close to the Strip. Stay in double or twin rooms — opt for Soul rooms overlooking the gardens rather than street-view Beat rooms if you want to avoid noise — or book into the studios, apartments and bungalows to get a kitchenette and options sleeping up to four. The pool area, with loungers and a bar serving breakfast and all-day snacks, is the heart of the hotel, although it's quite small to cater to guests of all 76 rooms, so many head off to nearby Oura beach for sunbathing instead.
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££ | SPA | POOL | Best for wellness escapes
With leafy grounds and direct access to Falesia beach, this upmarket, 229-room hotel has a tranquil atmosphere, from the calming pine and lime-green shades of the rooms and suites to the large spa, where there's a Turkish bath, a heated indoor pool and a range of treatments, some using local honey, salt and lavender. The large fitness centre has daily complimentary classes, from Pilates to circuit training, and the hotel hosts targeted retreats, with themes that include detox, yoga and weight loss. There's a buffet restaurant and a trio of à la carte options. While this property is more suited to adults, there is a seasonal kids' club and children's pool.£ | SPA | POOL | Best for independent stays
In a low-key part of Albufeira, this 159-apartment property suits families looking for space without having to break the bank. Entry-level apartments are basic but spacious and prestige options have a little more style. With both there are one and two-bed choices, and all have kitchens. Sitting in a large complex alongside sister hotels, there are plenty of facilities, from waterslides, a playground and a kids' club to a gym, tennis courts and a football pitch. There's a buffet and a Mediterranean café on site, but you're encouraged to try the restaurants in the other hotels too, bringing Italian and Portuguese flavours on to the menu. The beach is a short but steep walk away.£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for uber-luxe hideaways
This 13-room clifftop boutique overlooking Gale beach is by far the most expensive choice on the list, but you get what you pay for. Though all have sea views, each room and suite is unique — one is Moorish with a mirrored fireplace, another all textured wood and Japanese detailing, and the master suite has its own private garden with a pool. Flower-filled gardens host a heated outdoor pool and stretch down to the sands, where during summer the most upmarket of beach shacks serves Latin American and Japanese menus. The jewel in the crown is the main restaurant, however, where the menu changes every day; it has retained two Michelin stars since 1999. There's a small but atmospheric spa and a fully equipped gym.
Read our full review of Vila Joya
£ | POOL | SPA | Best for sporty breaks
The Algarve's incredible off-season climate — the average temperature stays above 16C even in the winter — makes it a fantastic place for those whose holidays are as much about activity as relaxation. This hotel has fabulous facilities for guests who are serious about sport; from the usual tennis and padel courts to a grass football pitch, a 400m athletics track with track and field sports and a well-equipped gym — plus a seven-mile cross-country trail starts from beside the gates. Less sport-focused family members can enjoy the pools, children's splash area and kids' club. Accommodation is in smart one and two-bedroom apartments, and while there's only a buffet option and a summer-opening grill on site, local restaurants are a short walk away.£ | POOL | Best for urban beach stays
With a spot on a low cliff overlooking Albufeira's longest city beach, this established, 115-room favourite puts you a few steps from the sand and a ten-minute walk from the cobbled streets of the old town centre — close enough for easy access, but not for broken sleep. If you can't upgrade to a sea-view room, where the small balconies are restful suntraps, you can always head up to the lounger-lined rooftop sun terrace, or pop to the beach. There's no outdoor pool — the sea is so close — but there is a heated indoor option, useful if you're staying off-season. The glass-walled restaurant has panoramic views and serves classic dishes done well.
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