The Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort | Our Experience

Today I want to tell you all about mine and Tuula's experience at the luxurious Pine Cliffs Resort. It is a beautiful plush resort in the Algarve region of Portugal. The purpose of the 4 day break was to recharge with a little down time, a little exercise and absorb enough sun to get us through some bleak winter months back here in the UK. 

We arrived at the airport and greeted by Rui our driver. These arrangements for pick up and drop off can be arranged with the hotel ahead of time through special amenities. From there we wove through the almond and fig trees of the Algarve. The valleys of which are encased with the pine cliffs that eddies alongside the Atlantic Ocean. 

Upon arrival we were treated to a greeting and welcome tour with Maria and Inês. Together they laid the foundations of what was to be a magical stay. We toured the event spaces, the Serenity Spa, the restaurants, the tennis courts and the courtyards before checking in to our spacious suite overlooking the garden terraces. 

To say Pine Cliffs Resort is picturesque might be stating the obvious, but the surroundings which offer the convenience of beach sunsets truly add to an unfettered tranquillity which was at the heart of our experience. It's also a great place for photo shoots as I hung around the Lemon Square getting some snaps before we dined at the O’Pescador seafood restaurant in the grounds. 

The next day we woke early and enjoyed a buffet breakfast at the Jardim Colonial which had everything. The breakfast bar is open from 07:30 - 10h30. We took some light strolls along the beach and Tuula and I exploited the surroundings to get some photos with some casual outfits for upcoming campaigns. That girl loves a costume change let me tell you. 

One of the things on my to-do list was to try the Codfish Workshop at the MIMO Algarve restaurant. (By the way all these restaurants are on the grounds but felt like you’e in a small Portuguese village). During the day MIMO Algarve functions as espresso bar, gourmet shop and cooking school, where you can learn recipes and unveil secrets about food and beverage. MIMO also has al fresco dining, where we tried tapas dishes including the sardines, octopus and the chorizo which is grilled over firewater on our table. At night, Lemon Square is amplified, you can taste wines and snacks on the outdoor terrace or make a reservation for the renowned Chef's Table, which brings us a special menu with wine pairing. 

After such a feast we enjoyed a relaxing Thermal Oasis at Serenity Spa. We kicked back and enjoyed various treatments and massages. Tuula had a facial and I opted to relax in the indoor hydrotherapy pool some more. After that we had some nibbles and a bottle of blush Rose from MIMO restaurant that we finished on the beach, catching the last of the sun.  

In the morning it was time to include the fitness element to our trip. The gym has all the amenities and lucky for me, was more or less empty. After a warm up on the treadmill and some light weights I enjoyed a spot of tennis at the Annabel Croft Tennis academy. It would be disingenuous to say I rolled back the years, and my "infamous" cross court backhand still had the whip and venom that it did twenty years ago, but that would be a lie. Still it was fun, and I got to refresh some techniques and it’s all about the enjoyment. All levels are catered for.

Quick shower and it was time to relax. We enjoyed some Caesar salads at Maré beach bar and restaurant whilst being serenaded by ocean waves. It's truly a unique beach/dining experience. For the rest of the afternoon we frolicked on the beach, relaxed, took some time to savour the sun.

This hotel and location has all the trappings for a romantic couples retreat. There are family activities and if you're into golf, there is one hole (par 3) that you have to hit over the beautiful pine cliff ravine on to a small green. I lost a couple of balls but well worth it! The temperatures at the end of Sept beginning of Oct average about 25 degrees C in the day and about 15 in the evening.

Our last night at the hotel we dined on the outside terrace, beneath the pine trees of the Piri Piri Steakhouse. The prime meat was grilled to perfection and paired with the best Portuguese wines selected by their sommelier. An incredible experience all round, I miss the place already. 

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The Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort:  
- £210.00 per night based on 2 adults sharing a deluxe room with an ocean view, including breakfast in November 2022
 - Websites for more information: www.pinecliffs.com / www.serenity-spa.com