Luxury Albufeira hotels for a sumptuous sun holiday

Your eyes are drawn to the water the moment you step in your room at Tivoli Marina Hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows give views over the Atlantic ocean or Villamoura Marina, while simple brown and cream toned furnishings bring a calming vibe. Throw open your balcony doors and let the sea air invigorate you.

Trade the view in your room for one from the waterside and book a table at Pepper’s Steakhouse. You can dine by the side of the marina as the sun sinks – a romantic setting for dinner for two. Specialising in steaks, the menu has prime cuts from local farms – try the succulent filet mignon with a full-bodied merlot to match.

At the spa, therapies use natural elements like sand and sea salt from the Algarve. Relax together with the Elixir of Love for Two treatment – a 90-minute massage using chocolate-scented oils. Afterwards, head for a round at the nine-hole Pinhal Golf Course, a 5 minute drive away.

Gather the girls and recharge at Hotel Sao Rafael Atlantico. Once you’ve checked in, head straight for the spa, where you can rest in the sauna or dip into the Jacuzzi. Treatments include holistic aromatherapy massages that envelope you in essential oils. Zen found, step out on the warm sands of Sao Rafael beach.

Rooms are peaceful looking out over the sea or the gardens. Wake up, slip on your complimentary robe and sip a freshly brewed Nespresso on your balcony. When you’re ready to start the day, keep the pace slow and sit in the shade of a palm tree by one of the three pools.

Watch dinner being prepped in front of you at the Raw Food Bar show cooking station. Reserving a table is a must if you want to try bites like the California – a refreshing mix of mango, salmon and Japanese mayo.

Connect with nature at the Vidamar Resort Hotel. Dive into one of the three saltwater pools or raise the adrenaline with kitesurfing at Salgados beach, steps away. The gardens are home to 1,200 palm trees and plenty of flora, grab a book and take a break amid the greenery.

Minimalist decoration in guest rooms keeps the views of nature the focal point. Pamper yourself with the Herba Logica toiletries before ordering fresh pastries and fruit to have on your balcony. You can even add a bottle of bubbly to make a special occasion pop.

Craving wood-fired pizza or risotto? Book a table on the terrace at the Mamma Mia restaurant, where soft lighting creates a sophisticated mood and the sea air is refreshing. Dishes like risotto served with fresh shrimp give a taste of the sea – pair it with a crisp Portuguese Sauvignon.

Wine and dine with a view at the Moonlight Restaurant at Salgados Palace. With space for just eight diners, the terrace area is an intimate choice for a romantic meal. Look out over Salgados beach while you try Mediterranean fusion dishes like tasty pork belly. For dessert, a sweet such as the chocolate caramel symphony is a sharing treat.

The red cliffs of Falesia Beach are a 28-minute drive away, head here for soft sand and a swimmable coastline. If you’d prefer to stay in the resort, dip into the Turkish bath at the spa. Try a nutritious body wrap to get your skin glowing before a day at Salgados beach, a 15-minute walk away.

Each guest room has soundproofing and heavy curtains to help you sleep easily. In the morning freshen up in your cabin shower and snuggle into your complimentary bathrobe. Help yourself to a freshly brewed Americano from the coffee machine before heading for breakfast.