Summer Season - Pine Cliffs Resort, A Luxury Collection Resort in the Algarve

You may remember that we spent some time here at Pine Cliffs, A Luxury Collection Resort, back in Winter 2019 ( you can read our blog from this visit here). It was by far, one of the most luxurious experiences we've ever had, really living up to that award as Europe's Best Luxury Family Resort.

That European luxury just oozes a different kind of class when done right and they have really nailed it at Pine Cliffs. We always knew we would return, and this time, we wanted to experience the resort and its offerings, during the Summer Season.

To gain access to the beach from the hotel, you need to walk to the decking on the cliff edge and catch the lift to the beach level. There you will find the most beautiful path down to the beach front, that meanders through the stunning cliffs. There are a few steps on the way, so it's better to leave wheelchairs and prams at the top if possible. During peak seasons, the hotels beach restaurant is open and there are also a variety of different sunbed options, if you're looking for a bit of comfort and luxury. The beach during this Summer period is bustling with life, but you don't have to walk far to find some peace and quiet. Just a few hundred yards from the hotels beach entrance and it feels like you're on a secluded island. Wherever you decide to pitch a spot, those incredible sandstone cliffs will have your jaw, dropping to the floor!

Our Apartment - Ocean Suite Garden View

During our last visit we stayed in a beautiful, spacious one bedroom, garden suite. We absolutely loved the self catering features of this room and we were keen to do something similar this time, especially with a toddler in tow. This time we decided to try the brand new Ocean Suites and we were absolutely blown away with the space and design of this apartment. All the suites are individually furnished to the highest quality, with relaxing living areas, state of the art technology and stylish en-suite bathrooms. In addition to two bedrooms, it boasted an elegant, fully equipped kitchen and dining area with seating for six, that looked out over a private balcony with spectacular views.

Here is a full list of services and amenities for our two bedroom, garden view Ocean Suite:

Concierge

Laundry Service

Ocean View Available

WI-FI

Mini Bar

Pay TV

Babysitting

When we arrived, a high chair and a cot had already been placed in the room for us and we were pleased to find water in the fridge and all the basics in the kitchen, so that we could start using it right away, including washing up liquid, tea towels, sponges, dishwasher and even washing machine tablets for the washer dryer. If or when you are ready to get some shopping in, the resort has a small supermarket directly outside the entrance of the resort, which is extremely convenient.

Restaurants

Pine Cliffs have a fine selection of restaurants and lounges. Naturally, not all are open during the quieter Winter months, so we were excited to return during the Summer, to be able to experience more of them and as expected, they didn't disappoint! To view a full list of drinks and dining options with menus, click here. With a choice of twelve restaurants and lounges to choose from, serving a variety of international and local cuisine, you are spoiled for choice. Our absolute favourite restaurant from our stay was Maré. Having said that, despite eating lunch and dinner at the resort's restaurants during the majority of our stay, we still didn't try them all! The resort's Japanese restaurant, Yakuza Algarve By Olivier, is the best in the area and somehow, we couldn't fit it in! It is a brilliant excuse to go back however....

If the views from Maré don't impress you (and I am sure they will), then the food absolutely will. There is just something so authentic about eating fresh local fish, outside with a beautiful sea view and a salty breeze. The setting is absolutely perfect and the service isn't far off either. We love that the resort have a partnership with local fisherman to support them and sustainable fishing. It's exciting to choose from a selection of fresh local seafood in the restaurants display fridge and when you've finished, good luck trying to avoid their delicious gelato selection!

Dining at Pine Cliffs is more local and authentic than ever, with national producers, ingredients and services that reinforce Portuguese pride.

Children's Menus

There is a small, but varied selection of children's meals available at each of the restaurants, all beautifully prepared and come as generous portions if you are concerned that a child's meal may not satisfy older children. If however, for some reason they do not like the options, there is no doubt that you will be able to find them something they like on the adult menus, all of which are really good value. You could even create your own dish from the stunning selection of mouth watering sides and starters. We did make a few small requests for alterations to some dishes for Abel and the staff were always more than willing to accomodate.

Kids Activities

MIMO Algarve

During our first visit in 2019, we did a family cooking class at MIMO Algarve and it was one of our all time favourite experiences. We have taken cooking classes all over the world, in some of the best five star resorts there are, and this was one of the best. After arriving at MIMO and enjoying your welcome drink, you will get stuck straight into preparing the highest quality, delicious ingredients, supervised by the most talented chef. Each of you, including the children, will prepare your courses yourselves from start to finish, so that you can really learn, guided every step of the way, and when you're finished, you will sit down together and enjoy the fruits of your labour. When you're eating it, its really hard to believe that you prepared something so delicious! Each time, this class has truly sparked a love and confidence for cooking in the children, that they took home with them and we thoroughly enjoyed the activity with them as parents, without the stresses and pressures of home life.

Junior Club

I don't know about you, but my children are just not interested in 'kids clubs' anymore. This is only a very recent thing with Maddie who is now eight, but at ten years old, Kallan hasn't wanted to get involved for a while. After speaking to them, they seem to dislike some of the activities and would prefer to mingle only with children of similar ages, which is totally understandable. So we were delighted to learn, that during the peak seasons, Pine Cliffs run a 'Junior Club', which caters especially for children aged between 6 and 12 years old. They can enjoy a huge variety of activities like mini-golf, football, crossbow, aim shooting, water ball, darts, disc bowls and much more! A weekly program is available during the festive and Summer months and the activities can be enjoyed with parents, which I absolutely love. To see what's on in the Junior Club, click here.

Sports Academies

Junior Golf Camp

Pine Cliffs is home to a number of famous sports academies, with world class facilities and it's great that the children benefit from this. The Junior Golf Camp is available from Monday to Friday between 3.00pm and 5.00pm, suitable for ages between 7 and 18 years old. To see the different packages and prices available, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Annabel Croft Tennis Academy

If Golf isn't their thing, Pine Cliffs is also home to one of the most recognised tennis academies in Europe, the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy. There is a selection of different premier courts available, whether you're looking to book a court to play as a family, or get involved in one of the fun clinics for guests of all ages and skill levels. Players wishing to play tennis at Pine Cliffs Resort, can choose from a range of coaching, organised and conducted by a qualified team of coaches. The academy programme has a wide selection of coaching courses available for both adults and children which cover all aspects of the game and are a great way to improve your tennis. You can click here, to read more information, or download the brochure.

Estima Sports Football Academy

If Tennis isn't their thing, then maybe football is! Pine Cliffs is home to the Estima Sports Football Academy, offering daily classes and different focus every day. This was Kallan and Maddie's favourite arranged activity of our trip. When the session finished, the first thing they asked, was "can we go again tomorrow?" At the end of each week, the players are able to put into practice, everything they have learned in a tournament. There are 3, 5, 7 or 10 day packages available. To learn more, click here.

Porto Pirata

Porto Pirata is over 7000sqm of fun for the whole family. It's a secure area, supervised by experienced and well-qualified staff, where children enjoy their own adventures, complete with two life size wooden pirate ships, a bouncing castle, basketball court, mini track for big-wheel toys, scooters and bikes, a swimming pool just for kids, and an 18-hole mini-golf course and much more! In addition to daily activities like finger painting, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, water games, face painting and various sporting activities, there are designated areas to celebrate birthday parties. Some of the activities are seasonal, so it could be worth contacting the hotel to find out the dates these are available. A lot of the activites are complimentary to guests and others have an additional charge. To read more about this area, click here.

Pool Areas & Serenity SPA

One of the most important areas of a resort to any family, is the pool area. We personally spend a lot of time there, so if the pool area is all wrong, it has the potential to massively impact our holiday! Thankfully, as a guest at Pine Cliffs, you have a whopping eight pool areas to choose from, so you're spoiled for choice. They aren't all open all year round, so it's a great idea to check this with staff on arrival and have the free Pine Cliffs app downloaded ready, so that you can figure out the locations of the ones that are open, on the map.

Although we had beautiful weather during our first visit in the Winter, we hadn't quite expected it, so only planned a short time at just one of the resorts pools. This time we were keen to explore a bit more and planned much more pool time to cool off in the Summer temperatures. The baby pool above is situated right next to the pool pictured above it, so this is a fantastic area for families. It has got a real modern vibe with heaps of space, plenty of umbrellas and beds and it even has a little 'Zest' food and drinks bar. Although we still didn't get to see all the pools at the resort, this one was definitely a popular choice with the kids, becuase it was so close to our reception area. It is also positioned right next to Serenity SPA, so this is a great spot to spend the day, if you have any treatments lined up.

If it's open during your stay, you just have to spend some time at the pool area near O Grill, pictured in the top right corner. Although this area is a little out of the way, its definitely worth the walk or golf cart ride. We were absolutely blown away by the traditional beauty of this spot. The striking cypress tress, comfortable sun lounger cushions, stunning views of the golf course and trickling water fountains just screamed class and it felt like we were in someone's luxury private mansion, rather than a resort. This was before we even heard the talented live singer that entertained us with her songs and before we set eyes on the beautiful dangling twinkling lights of the restaurant that serves delicious food through the day, so no need to move from this spot if you want to spend the day here. It also benefits from a small baby pool, so another great area for families!

Serenity SPA is officially, Europe's Best Wellness Spa and during my last visit, I was lucky enough to experience "the most unique and luxurious treatment" I have ever had - the eighty minute, 'Senses Of The Algarve'. You can read all about this in our first blog, but I was keen to try something new this time. I have always been fascinated with learning more about CBD and its benefits for the human body, so when I saw the Spa were offering a new and innovative, CBD Body Calm treatment, I was excited to give it a go. It is a fifty minute, vital body massage, that through the technique of the masseuse and the healing properties of the oils, reconnects a positive flow of energy, restores balance and leaves your mind, body and spirit calm and soothed. To read more about the CBD treatments available, click here. I loved the oil so much, I purchased it after the massage from the Spa reception so that I can continue to feel the benefits at home.

If you're thinking, 'should I visit in the Summer or Winter months?', I would honestly say, any time of year is just excellent, but a visit during the different seasons, definitely offers a different experience. While the resort was busier during the Summer, even at it's busiest, the design and sheer size of the place, means it never feels busy, but if you're visiting to experience one of the resorts famous wellness retreats, you may prefer to do this, when they are more popular during the quieter off peak times. The Algarve is a great place to visit for some Winter Sun, so I wouldn't hesitate to visit again for that sunshine, but if you're looking for a beach and pool holiday, the cooler pool and sea temperatures are definitely what you need on those Summer days. If you're a big foodie, the variety of options will definitely appeal to you during the Summer months, as will the wide range of children's activities, but with so much for them to do during the off peak season too, a visit at any time of the year is guaranteed to provide a whole lot of family fun and memories.