Inside the huge Portuguese hotel that's its own holiday destination – with pop star shows and swim-up cocktail bars
But it turns out that's exactly what you can expect at the Pine Cliffs Resort on the sun-kissed Algarve.
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Set among fragrant pine trees and perched high above the golden sands of Portugal's most stunning coastline, Pine Cliffs isn't just a resort, it's a destination.
Think postcard-perfect beaches, a backdrop of red-ochre cliffs and five-star facilities that make you feel like A-listers.
Our trip coincided with Pine Cliffs' annual Summer Gala, the resort's most glamorous event of the year. And it truly delivered on every front.
The evening began with a glitzy cocktail reception on the manicured green of the driving range, as the golden Algarve sun dipped behind the cliffs.
A saxophonist filled the air with smooth jazz while guests mingled over glasses of fizz.
Taking our seats at tables with pearly white linen for an extravagant three-course buffet, we were serenaded by various singers.
Then came the show-stopping moment: Ronan Keating took to the stage.
The former Boyzone member's voice, as smooth as the champagne, had the crowd singing, swaying and swooning.
To top the night off, when Ronan finished his last song, fireworks burst into the summer sky, lighting it up. We couldn't have asked for a more magical night.
But the gala was just the cherry on top of what turned out to be one of the most relaxing getaways we've ever had.
Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival
Pine Cliffs is a haven for both adrenaline junkies and sun-worshippers.
The resort also seems as able to cater for family fun as it can for couples on romantic getaways.
While I happily spent hours lounging on Falesia beach, sunbathing with a book, my partner Jonah threw himself into the water sports.
He loved paddle-boarding along the clear, calm shoreline. I won't lie — it was more wobbly than graceful, but he laughed the whole way through.
The resort also offers kayaking, jet skis and couch/banana boat rides.
For those in search of next-level pampering, the Serenity Spa at Pine Cliffs is unmissable.
I indulged in the 80-minute Senses Of The Algarve body scrub, a heavenly experience blending local carob and soothing oils.
The therapists here are miracle workers, and I floated out of the spa feeling like I'd left all my stress on the massage table.
While the resort has various accommodation options, including villas and apartments, we were staying in the main hotel.
Our room was spacious and beautifully presented, with a luxurious, oversized bathroom that felt like a private spa.
A highlight was the charming terrace, perfect for relaxing while taking in the fresh Algarve air.
If you're a foodie — and who isn't on holiday — Pine Cliffs will spoil you rotten.
Every meal we had was memorable and flawless.
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7
7
From fresh octopus by the beach to grilled lobster on the cliff top under the stars, each dish was crafted with care. But the highlight?
The Wagyu steak at the Piri Piri Steak House was hands down the best we've ever tasted. Melt-in-the-mouth perfection.
Pristine golf course
Our waiter Paolo was so knowledgeable and made the entire meal an experience.
The resort has 15 top-tier restaurants and bars, from the elegant O Pescador, serving seafood with ocean views, to Zest, where we grabbed healthy poke bowls and salads for lunch.
And for a romantic lunch, Maré at Pine Cliffs Beach Club offered the perfect seaside setting with fresh grilled fish and chilled vinho verde.
Jonah, an avid golfer, was in his element on Pine Cliffs' spectacular nine-hole golf course, perched on the cliff edge with jaw-dropping views over the Atlantic.
He played twice during our stay and raved about the challenging layout and pristine condition.
We also both enjoyed a one-hour padel- tennis lesson with ace coach Joao. Burning off some of the incredible meals, while having such fun, was great. We're now completely hooked on the sport.
There are also tennis courts, a gym with spectacular sea views, and even a kids' club if you're travelling as a family.
The resort's eight swimming pools are another highlight.
From an adults-only oasis in the Serenity spa to a large family lagoon-style option, there is a pool to suit every taste.
We particularly enjoyed the one by Corda Café at the heart of the resort — perhaps due to its swim-up cocktail bar!
Pine Cliffs manages to blend luxury with a warm, relaxed atmosphere. The staff couldn't have been more welcoming, and the service was impeccable.
Whether you're after a romantic escape, an active break, or a place to unwind in set in stunning natural surroundings, Pine Cliffs ticks every box — and then some.
We came for Ronan . . . but stayed for the sun, sea, steak and serenity.
Once you've experienced Pine Cliffs, you'll be planning your next visit before you've even left.
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The Independent
15 minutes ago
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The perfect European holiday destination for padel fans
'Our philosophy is friendship,' declares leading coach Labisa Palmera as he hands me a weird-looking solid racket with perforated holes for my first foray into padel. The sport, reportedly the biggest growing in the UK, and also expanding in key holiday resorts due to demand from travellers. While youngsters are picking up tennis rackets to play on public courts in the wake of the Wimbledon fortnight, more savvy sporting stars are planning to spend at least some of their summer break on the padel courts. Spain is king in this upcoming game, a cross between tennis and squash invented in Mexico, but nearby Portugal is also recognising padel's popularity. So I've come to Pine Cliffs Luxury Collection Resort, an immense 72-hectare cliffside family-friendly enclave in the Algarve, awash with Moorish touches and Portuguese tiles and an architectural gem of an inner courtyard in the main hotel. 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Reported to be the fastest-growing racket sport in the world with more than 25 million active players in 110 countries, the Lawn Tennis Association recently revealed that participation on home turf more than trebled last year, with more than 400,000 players in Great Britain alone. Former Wimbledon champion Andre Agassi was seen last year playing padel with David Beckham, while sporting superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and singer Shakira have all reportedly caught the bug. The premise is simple – you only play doubles, it is scored like tennis, you serve underarm and receivers can return the ball either as they would in tennis or off the wall after it has bounced. 'The thing is about padel is that it's great for the whole family,' says Palmera. 'People need fewer lessons than tennis to know how to play. At the end of an hour they have learned how to play doubles. 'We have found that 40-55-year-olds who have done no sport in life found that they could do padel. The difference is that it's a really sociable game, not too competitive, easy to learn and the whole family can do it,' he enthuses. Well, he might not think it's competitive, but that rather depends who you play. Yes, a family game can be just a bit of fun but we also see more experienced players who are slamming that ball as if their life depended on it. There are weekly tournaments and the academy can pair up solo players with others of similar abilities and organise fun clinics for all levels. Certainly, padel requires less court coverage than tennis, being a third of the size of a tennis court, and beginners can quickly pick up the techniques – the all-important lob, the volley, the 'chiquita' (placing the ball at the opponent's feet) and the position and timing needed to hit a ball off the glass wall. 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Finding a sport you love doesn't make exercise a chore on holiday, and the same goes for healthy eating, as we discovered in many of Pine Cliff's 15 restaurants, each of which has a unique setting which makes you feel you're in a different resort. We dine under the trees in a beautiful lemon grove, enjoy freshly-caught sea bream and other catches of the day looking out on to the Atlantic Ocean at the resort and feast on 'art on a plate' sushi and other Japanese delicacies at Yakuza, a restaurant in partnership with Olivier da Costa, one of Portugal 's most recognised chefs. Tangy ginger breakfast shots devoid of alcohol, acai bowls and other delicious, nutritious fare with nuts, organic honey and lashings of fresh fruit will set you up for a day of sport, or leisure, even if you just want to lounge in the grassy area under the shade of the pine trees – there are between 4,000 and 5,000 around the resort – which provide a more natural and cooler alternative to huddling around the multiple swimming pools. We're here in peak season but the park-like green space makes the whole development seem roomier, less busy. I prefer to swim in the sea and a lift takes us down to a wooden walkway between the cliffs which leads to Falesia Beach, known for its long stretch of golden sand and the distinctive burnt orange cliffs that frame it, named the 'world's best beach' by Tripadvisor users in the 2024 Travellers' Choice Awards. Here, thrill-seekers can pound the waves on jet skis or try their hand at paddleboarding, while families have fun with bodyboards riding the surf of the refreshing Atlantic. We try other sports during the week – tennis with head coach Brunno Cappelletti Rocha, whose patience with us is admirable; golf, where we hit (and miss) a few balls on the driving range, and yoga of the gentler kind, thanks to our teacher, stretching my many unused muscles. It can be done in a studio or on the beach. A sports massage at the sumptuous Serenity – The Art of Well Being spa, housing 13 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pool, various sauna and steam rooms and other wellbeing delights, irons out my aching limbs and prepares me for the next sporting challenge. But for me padel is the star. Back in the UK, we're looking for a court nearby where we can practise our volleys, perfect our timing when the ball bounces off the glass wall, and nail that chiquita. Two adults can stay in Pine Cliffs Hotel Deluxe Room with Resort View from £326 per night (based on September 2025 stay). Adult tennis or padel weekly coaching courses at Pine Cliffs start from £300 in off-peak season (Nov-March) and £326 in peak season (April-Oct). Junior tennis and padel camps start from £265 off-peak season and £291 peak season.
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Inside the huge Portuguese hotel that's its own holiday destination – with pop star shows and swim-up cocktail bars
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) YOU don't often get to sip a cocktail on a clifftop, under an orange sunset, while Ronan Keating prepares to perform for you. But it turns out that's exactly what you can expect at the Pine Cliffs Resort on the sun-kissed Algarve. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Pine Cliffs has lofty views set amid stunning nature Credit: Supplied 7 The tempting hotel pool Credit: Supplied 7 The hotel's thermal oasis Credit: Supplied Set among fragrant pine trees and perched high above the golden sands of Portugal's most stunning coastline, Pine Cliffs isn't just a resort, it's a destination. Think postcard-perfect beaches, a backdrop of red-ochre cliffs and five-star facilities that make you feel like A-listers. Our trip coincided with Pine Cliffs' annual Summer Gala, the resort's most glamorous event of the year. And it truly delivered on every front. The evening began with a glitzy cocktail reception on the manicured green of the driving range, as the golden Algarve sun dipped behind the cliffs. A saxophonist filled the air with smooth jazz while guests mingled over glasses of fizz. Taking our seats at tables with pearly white linen for an extravagant three-course buffet, we were serenaded by various singers. Then came the show-stopping moment: Ronan Keating took to the stage. The former Boyzone member's voice, as smooth as the champagne, had the crowd singing, swaying and swooning. To top the night off, when Ronan finished his last song, fireworks burst into the summer sky, lighting it up. We couldn't have asked for a more magical night. But the gala was just the cherry on top of what turned out to be one of the most relaxing getaways we've ever had. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival Pine Cliffs is a haven for both adrenaline junkies and sun-worshippers. The resort also seems as able to cater for family fun as it can for couples on romantic getaways. While I happily spent hours lounging on Falesia beach, sunbathing with a book, my partner Jonah threw himself into the water sports. He loved paddle-boarding along the clear, calm shoreline. I won't lie — it was more wobbly than graceful, but he laughed the whole way through. The resort also offers kayaking, jet skis and couch/banana boat rides. For those in search of next-level pampering, the Serenity Spa at Pine Cliffs is unmissable. I indulged in the 80-minute Senses Of The Algarve body scrub, a heavenly experience blending local carob and soothing oils. The therapists here are miracle workers, and I floated out of the spa feeling like I'd left all my stress on the massage table. While the resort has various accommodation options, including villas and apartments, we were staying in the main hotel. Our room was spacious and beautifully presented, with a luxurious, oversized bathroom that felt like a private spa. If you're a foodie — and who isn't on holiday — Pine Cliffs will spoil you rotten A highlight was the charming terrace, perfect for relaxing while taking in the fresh Algarve air. If you're a foodie — and who isn't on holiday — Pine Cliffs will spoil you rotten. Every meal we had was memorable and flawless. 7 Maré at Pine Cliffs Beach Club is foodie heaven Credit: Supplied 7 Dine then recline on the Maré's upper deck Credit: Supplied 7 The Sun's Noa Hoffman and Jonah on a romantic break Credit: Supplied 7 Headliner Ronan Keating From fresh octopus by the beach to grilled lobster on the cliff top under the stars, each dish was crafted with care. But the highlight? The Wagyu steak at the Piri Piri Steak House was hands down the best we've ever tasted. Melt-in-the-mouth perfection. Pristine golf course Our waiter Paolo was so knowledgeable and made the entire meal an experience. The resort has 15 top-tier restaurants and bars, from the elegant O Pescador, serving seafood with ocean views, to Zest, where we grabbed healthy poke bowls and salads for lunch. And for a romantic lunch, Maré at Pine Cliffs Beach Club offered the perfect seaside setting with fresh grilled fish and chilled vinho verde. Jonah, an avid golfer, was in his element on Pine Cliffs' spectacular nine-hole golf course, perched on the cliff edge with jaw-dropping views over the Atlantic. He played twice during our stay and raved about the challenging layout and pristine condition. We also both enjoyed a one-hour padel-tennis lesson with ace coach Joao. Burning off some of the incredible meals, while having such fun, was great. We're now completely hooked on the sport. The staff couldn't have been more welcoming, and the service was impeccable There are also tennis courts, a gym with spectacular sea views, and even a kids' club if you're travelling as a family. The resort's eight swimming pools are another highlight. From an adults-only oasis in the Serenity spa to a large family lagoon-style option, there is a pool to suit every taste. We particularly enjoyed the one by Corda Café at the heart of the resort — perhaps due to its swim-up cocktail bar! Pine Cliffs manages to blend luxury with a warm, relaxed atmosphere. The staff couldn't have been more welcoming, and the service was impeccable. Whether you're after a romantic escape, an active break, or a place to unwind in set in stunning natural surroundings, Pine Cliffs ticks every box — and then some. We came for Ronan . . . but stayed for the sun, sea, steak and serenity. Once you've experienced Pine Cliffs, you'll be planning your next visit before you've even left.
