The Algarve is Portugal’s sunny southern coast: golden cliffs, sea caves, long sandy beaches and some of Europe’s best golf courses. Its luxury scene is centred on the Golden Triangle of Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura, but there are superb hotels from Faro’s old town to the cliffs of Lagos.
These ten hotels, nine five-star plus one outstanding adults-only four-star, are the ones our guests rate most highly.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- Ten luxury hotels with photos and ratings
- Where to stay in the Algarve
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3HB Faro | Faro, Algarve | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
| Conrad Algarve | Quinta Do Lago, Algarve | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| Viceroy at Ombria Algarve | Loule, Algarve | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| Hotel Quinta Do Lago | Quinta Do Lago, Algarve | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| Epic Sana | Albufeira, Algarve | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| Domes Lake Algarve Residences | Vilamoura, Algarve | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board, Self Catering | 4.6/5 | No |
| Monte Rei Golf and Country Club | Vila Nova de Cacela, Algarve | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board, Self Catering | 4.6/5 | No |
| Victoria Golf Resort & Spa | Vilamoura, Algarve | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Cascade Wellness Resort | Lagos, Algarve | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Jupiter Marina Hotel | Praia Da Rocha, Algarve | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | Yes |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
Our top picks
1. 3HB Faro
- Faro, Algarve
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Chic and contemporary, 3HB Faro is just 250 metres from Faro’s old town, with an infinity pool and dining that guests love.
Best for: A stylish city-and-beach base
2. Conrad Algarve
- Quinta Do Lago, Algarve
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Conrad Algarve in Quinta do Lago has luxurious modern style, excellent service and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Best for: Food lovers
3. Viceroy at Ombria Algarve
- Loule, Algarve
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Viceroy at Ombria near Loulé is great for golfers, with a spectacular spa, luxurious rooms and a peaceful setting.
Best for: Golf and spa
4. Hotel Quinta Do Lago
- Quinta Do Lago, Algarve
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Hotel Quinta do Lago has direct access to the Ria Formosa Nature Park and the beach, stylish rooms and an à la carte restaurant, and it is perfect for honeymoons.
Best for: Honeymoons and nature
5. Epic Sana
- Albufeira, Algarve
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Epic Sana in Albufeira has a luxury wellness centre, a fantastic range of facilities and sumptuous restaurants in lush surroundings.
Best for: Families and spa lovers
6. Domes Lake Algarve Residences
- Vilamoura, Algarve
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Domes Lake Algarve Residences in Vilamoura has direct beach access, a salt-water lake, three pools and a choice of restaurants and bars.
Best for: Space for families
7. Monte Rei Golf and Country Club
- Vila Nova de Cacela, Algarve
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club in the eastern Algarve has the Monte Rei North course on site, with one round of golf included.
Best for: Serious golfers
8. Victoria Golf Resort & Spa
- Vilamoura, Algarve
- 5-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Victoria Golf Resort & Spa in Vilamoura has modern rooms, pool-access rooms and impeccable service.
Best for: Vilamoura golf
9. Cascade Wellness Resort
- Lagos, Algarve
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Cascade Wellness Resort in Lagos has a gorgeous cliff-top location, five outdoor pools and a wide range of activities, and it is perfect for spa lovers.
Best for: Active wellness
10. Jupiter Marina Hotel
- Praia Da Rocha, Algarve
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
- Adults only
Adults-only Jupiter Marina Hotel in Portimão has a rooftop infinity pool, a luxurious spa with indoor pool and a complimentary bus to Praia da Rocha.
Best for: Adults-only value
Where to stay in the Algarve
Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo: the Golden Triangle, with golf, beaches and the most exclusive hotels. Vilamoura: a smart marina and golf courses. Albufeira: lively, with great beaches. Faro: a charming old town, close to the airport. Lagos and Portimão (west): dramatic cliffs and sea caves.
How we chose these hotels
We sell 106 hotels in the Algarve. To build this list we started with the 23 five-star hotels, then read what our guests say: every hotel here is well rated on TripAdvisor. We spread our picks across different resorts so you can compare areas, and we only include hotels you can book with us today as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
Things to do in the Algarve
Take a boat trip to the Benagil sea cave, walk the cliff-top Seven Hanging Valleys trail, kayak around Ponta da Piedade near Lagos, explore the lagoons of the Ria Formosa and play some of Europe’s best golf courses.
When to go and getting there
The Algarve is one of Europe’s sunniest regions. July and August are hot, typically around 29 °C, with warm, calm seas on the south coast, though the Atlantic is cooler than the Mediterranean. May, June and September are the sweet spot for beaches without the crowds, and spring and autumn are perfect for golf and cliff-top walking. Winters are mild and bright, which makes the region a favourite for winter golf. Flights to Faro take around two and three-quarter hours from the UK, and transfers to most luxury hotels are short: Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo are about 20 minutes from the airport, Vilamoura around 30 minutes, and Lagos about an hour.
Eating and drinking in the Algarve
The Algarve has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in Portugal, many of them in luxury hotels. Away from fine dining, look out for cataplana, a seafood stew cooked in a copper clam-shaped pan, grilled sardines in summer, and fresh oysters from the Ria Formosa lagoon. Wines from the Alentejo, just to the north, are excellent value, and the region’s almond and fig sweets make a lovely souvenir. For a memorable evening, book a cliff-top table at sunset near Carvoeiro or Lagos.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the most luxurious area of the Algarve?
The Golden Triangle of Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura.
Is the Algarve good for golf?
Excellent. It has some of Europe’s best courses, with hotels such as Viceroy at Ombria and Monte Rei.
When is the best time to visit the Algarve?
April to October for beaches; spring and autumn for golf and walking. It is mild in winter too.
How long is the flight to Faro?
About two and three-quarter hours from the UK.
Find your Algarve luxury holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer to compare these hotels.
Keep planning
- All Algarve hotels
- Portugal holidays
- Best golf resorts
- Best hotels in Madeira
- Best honeymoon hotels in Europe
- Best hotels on the Costa de la Luz
- Best family hotels in the Algarve
- Where to stay in the Algarve
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
