"For comparison, we’ve stayed in the Tivoli and the Domes on the Marina in Vilamoura over the last two years.
Me chose the Algarve each summer for to travel distance and weather, we love to change up the hotel each time. Pine Cliffs has been our least favourite.
The resort is huge, so big that they offer shuttle services constantly to get around.
All the facilities are phenomenal, but we didn’t use any. We are two adults plus a toddler. It felt shame not to use anything, it’s an extremely active resort, everyone walking around with a racket/clubs in their hands. That’s why I think this resort would be perfect for a family with older kids who can safely wander freely to their relevant activities.
Lots and lots of Americans, maybe they come to play golf. More Americans than any other nationality on our trip, honestly so many that it made us feel like we were in Florida
Victor at O Grill evening buffet was a gentleman and the resorts showstopper for us, thank you Victor, you deserve more than this shoutout!
Facilities were clean and well maintained, we LOVED the buffet breakfast, yes a queue forms if you arrive later at 9:30am.
We stayed in Pine Cliffs Gardens, the newest part of the resort. An apartment, we didn’t use the kitchen but it was handy, two huge balconies! Pull out bed/couch uncomfortable for an adult, but okay for little child.
No branded cosmetics/shower gel.
Towel huts closed are really annoying, to have to go to hotel reception each morning, 20min to get towels and then carry back 😔
We ate in the resort every night. Zest ⭐️
Cafe Corda - basic, O Grill ⭐️, room service ⭐️. There are many other restaurants but extortionate money, or closed. They claim 11 restaurants I think? But 3 were out of our price range with a child/Michelin star prices. One was the golf club, one closed at 5 (beach), one is a burger van, one is an ice cream cart, one only opens Sat/Sun, one is a coffee and cake cafe in the main hotel, so actually.. there isn’t that much option. There is supposed to be a lovely fish restaurant about 6 mins walk away that we were recommended 3 times from other families. Come out of the resort, turn right, then the first major left. Live lobster tanks etc.
I would agree with majority of the reviews that it falls below 5 star. But only due to those small magic moments. When the resort is so big it’s impossible to get the feel you do in the smaller hotels where they start to know you by name etc. The sparkle in the eyes of the staff is hard to find sometimes.
However, due to how big and spacious it is, we have recommended to our families to come back for a big group holiday, it would be ideal for an occasion where you can separate/come together, spread off and do your own thing as much as you like."
