Olá!
Welcome to the beautiful Algarve! Home to the most glorious natural scenery, beautiful white sand beaches and some of the most decadent culinary experiences the world has to offer! This region of Portugal is just teeming with life, with endless things to do and endless gorgeous places to stay, these are some of Panoptic’s picks for your must-dos in the Algarve
Top Hotels in the Algarve!
1. The Epic Sana
The Epic Sana enjoys some of the most gorgeous scenery the Algarve has to offer. Set in a painstakingly landscaped pinewood and backing out on to the sea, the landscape is stunning. The hotel has access to dramatic cliff-tops that look across picturesque white beaches and crashing blue waves below – if watching the sunset with a glass of Vinho Verde in hand sounds like a dream then this hotel is for you.
The Epic Sana is complete luxury, with a wellness centre and spa, glorious indoor pool, and not to mention five different outdoor pools to choose from, you’re spoiled for choice. You’re not only spoiled for choice with pools, after a hard day of soaking up the sun, there are four different restaurants and the chic Bluum bar to choose from that mean that the delicious delights of Portugal are never far from reach – sample the gorgeous Algarvian wines and delicacies they have to offer, we promise you won’t regret it.
Not only that, but if a more active holiday sounds more your style then The Epic Sana also boats a fitness centre and multi-sports court so you can blow away the cobwebs and get the blood pumping under the glorious Portuguese sun.
If you choose to stay at the stunning Epic Sana they ensure the luxury experience permeates your entire holiday. They begin with collecting you from the airport with your own driver and then whisk you away to the hotel where the decadence never stops. The hotel is decorated in a chic modern and contemporary design, which begins in the huge open plan lobby and extends to your spacious rooms. All of the rooms at the Epic Sana come with a balcony that looks out either onto the pool, the pinewood or the beautiful sea and the rooms are decked out in all the mod-cons, such as a complimentary wi-fi, a flat-screen tv and an integrated in room sound system – oh, not to mention the customary fluffy white robe and slippers!
2. The Conrad hotel
The Conrad hotel is paradise in Portugal! The five-star resort is true and complete luxury. The hotel is a perfect combination of modern design, wonderful service, and unabated decadence. The indoor-outdoor spa offers cutting edge treatments such as oxygen fusion and inhalation therapy, overnight wellness retreats as well as a glorious poolside relaxation area and a romantic VIP couples suite. However, if you can’t stay still, then the Conrad hotel is a golfers paradise. With 6 golf courses within a 4km radius of the stunning Quinta do Lago resort and a diligent concierge on hand to deal with lessons bookings and transport to these world class courses for you; how could you ever say no?
As much as all the relaxing and golfing sounds like a dream come true, if like us here at Panoptic events, the grind never stops, and you work around the globe then the Conrad has you covered! With a business centre, eight different meeting rooms, and a total of 517 square metres of events space, this hotel means that you don’t have to pick between chasing your goals and travelling the world, this hotel is perfectly equipped with the facilities to allow you to do both, although no one is stopping you from taking your laptop over to the side of the Conrad’s fabulous infinity pool and working away with a cocktail in hand while perfecting your suntan.
If you’ve worked up an appetite from your busy day, whether that’s been golfing, relaxing, or working away then the Conrad definitely has you covered! The hotel features a number of trendy spots for eating and drinking. The hotel has 2 decadent restaurants to chose from, although we must highlight the amazing Michelin starred Gusto. The glorious restaurant is helmed by 3-Michellin starred Chef Heinz Beck and is a leading spot for luxury dining in the Algarve. Fusing sleek Scandinavian design and delicious Mediterranean cooking, this one is absolutely not to be missed! A must for any trip to the Algarve.
3. Dom Pedro Marina
The recently renovated Dom Pedro Marina is a gorgeous golf resort situated just a stones throw from the gorgeous beaches of Vilamoura. The hotel is elegantly designed, with distinctive terracotta architecture, you couldn’t miss it! The hotel boasts views across the beautiful azure sea and onto the stunning Vilamoura International Yacht Marina for a true luxury setting. Furthermore, the hotel is only a short stroll away from the cosmopolitan Vilamoura, meaning there is always something going on. At the Dom Pedro Marina you’re within arms reach of dozens of trendy restaurants and bars to offer you a taste of Algarvian nightlife. However, if you don’t fancy heading out the Dom Pedro has you covered with two gorgeous restaurants specialising in Italian and Portuguese cuisine
The Dom Pedro Marina, just like the Conrad hotel, is a haven for golfers. With a range of breath-taking golf courses catered to different levels of play – this golf resort has absolutely everything you need for your golfing getaway.
The hotels rooms are bright, airy and modern and range from simple double rooms to VIP Presidential Suites with their very own hot-tub on the balcony for a completely decadent experience. Completely pamper yourself and gaze out across the beautiful Atlantic from the true luxury of your own private spa.
4. AP ORIENTAL BEACH
The AP Oriental Beach is a glorious adults only hotel, promising peace, quiet and relaxation. Located in beautiful Praia Da Rocha this hotel boasts a fabulous beachfront location while still only being a short stroll to the resort centre meaning that your trip to the Algarve is really in your own hands.
Choose chill nights at the hotels cocktail lounge or venture out into Praia Da Rocha for a more bustling and lively atmosphere. The choice is also yours when it comes to perfecting your tan, lounge by the gorgeous hotel pool with panoramic views over the sea and comfortable day-beds or head down to the glorious golden sands of the Praia Da Rocha beach and go for a swim in the sparkling waters of the Atlantic..
The AP Oriental Beach is gorgeously outfitted. Taking style inspiration from the east, the hotel features gorgeous artworks, lanterns and rugs that tie in the interior with the name. The rooms are generously proportioned and delightfully modern with lovely balconies which mean you’re never far from a gorgeous view and the eastern inspired décor carries through the rooms too in the little things, such as the Persian inspired windows and door frames – keeping with the carefully curated vibe.
5. Vila Vita Parc
The Vila Vita Parc is a glorious 5 star hotel set in some really, truly stunning scenery. Like the luxury Epic Sana, the Vila Vita Parc enjoys a gorgeous clifftop location, offering the opportunity to witness some of the most gorgeous sunsets in the world. As we suggested with the Epic Sana, these sunsets are best enjoyed with a glass of Vihno Verde in hand!
The resort of the Vila Vita Parc is absolutely sprawling! There are 54 acres of luxury and the hotel puts these to great use, filling them with wonderful pine trees, delicately landscaped gardens and gorgeous beaches. The hotel offers access to the secluded white sand beaches that are nestled bellow the cliffs the resort is perched on so you can truly feel secluded in your own little world of luxury. Furthermore, the Vila Vita Parc also offers yacht tours, excursions to local attractions, 5 different state of the art tennis courts and access to multiple golf courses close at hand, so you’ll never run out of things to do.
If that’s not enough for you the hotel offers fine dining on site and seven different restaurants offering a variety of cuisines mean you’re completely spoiled for choice. Notably the hotel is home to the luxurious Ocean restaurant, holder of not just one, but two Michelin stars. The Ocean restaurant is helmed by acclaimed chef Hans Neuner and was included in the notorious La Liste which compiles the 1,000 best restaurants in the world, with the ocean ranking among the top 25 restaurants in the world in 2020. The restaurant is quietly intimate, only accommodating just about 30 diners which means you’re absolutely guaranteed to have out of this world service – but you wouldn’t expect any less from a restaurant of this calibre. For the true foodies we must mention that the Vila Vita Parc also offers cooking masterclasses in their luxury restaurants. The masterclasses use only the freshest, local ingredients and under the expert tutelage of luxury Chefs they show you how to whip all these fantastic fresh ingredients together into a true taste of the Algarve.
Top Incentives in the Algarve
1. Sea Kayaking
There are multiple companies offering Kayaking experiences and expeditions dotted around the Algarve and from simple day trips to multi- day expeditions it means that this activity is flexible enough to suit everyone’s needs, from the most experienced kayaker to the first timers. Trusted and qualified guides will be on hand to take you to the best spots and make sure nothing goes wrong with their expert knowledge and advice meaning you have nothing but the absolute best time.
2. Jeep Safari Trips
See the Algarve like you’ve never seen it before! Hop into an open top Jeep and take to the wilderness to see the true Algarve. When you venture off of the beaten track you truly get to see all the authentic delights of Portugal!
Cruise along cliff tops and along winding costal roads and gaze out across the beautiful ocean, venture off road and see some dramatic sweeping scenery you might have missed otherwise, drive through traditional Portuguese villages and get a taste of the culture of the Algarve!
Tours range from as little a simple two hour excursion to full day safari trips and are offered from a range of different companies across the Algarve meaning that this excursion can really be tailored to the individual needs of your trip!
3. Yacht Cruise
If you’re thinking of something a bit more relaxing than the invigorating kayaking and safari excursions, then we suggest chartering a yacht and taking to the seas in pure luxury and style. Cruise up and down the coast, push the boat out and take to the sea (make sure you keep an eye out for the dolphins!) or hop from town to town stopping in and enjoying the delights off the different towns along the coast – you’re the captain when it comes to chartering your own yacht.
There are multiple companies that will charter yachts up and down the coast of the Algarve as this gorgeous region has a teeming boating scene. From sailing yachts to motor yachts to adrenaline pumping power boats, we guarantee you can find the boat of your dreams in the Algarve!
Fancy finding out more about the Algarve for your next event?
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