Pine Cliffs Gardens

Excellent resort if you take it for what it is. I have stayed in the Pine Cliffs resort 7 times now since 2016 (4 times in the Gardens). I have loved every vacation there. I have read many good and bad reviews about the resort, and I can see both sides. It’s a beautiful resort, the gardens, pool areas are kept immaculate. From the Pine Tree gardens on the top of the cliffs to the pools to the beach area, it offers plenty of variety. There are plenty of pools are very rarely did I ever feel it was too busy. I always felt everyone has plenty of space. The accommodation is superb, the hotel offers more a traditional flavor where the ocean suites and garden suites are more modern. if you have a family and don’t want the chaos of breakfast then I recommend looking at the garden suites or the ocean suites they have a nice little kitchen where you can get your own breakfast without a lot of the fuss that comes with breakfast at the hotel. Food at the resort is good albeit a little overpriced for what you get. There are plenty of Restaurants to choose from. Mirado is a must for a few drinks (and nibbles) on an evening, gorgeous views as the sun goes down. If you’re only eating at the hotel though you’re missing out. Over the road from the resort there are some cheap and cheerful eateries and a nice bar. Olhos de agua is a 15 min walk (5 min drive) and has some lovely restaurants. Then 1520 mins each way you have Vilamoura or Albufeira. We always hire a car, and it adds so much more to the holiday been able to visit a different place each night or having a day trip out. The only negatives I have found are the following, but they have never spoilt my holiday and are minor inconveniences. Also in Aug 2024 I thought service was much improved over previous years. Zest is much improved and staff far more helpful. 1 - Pools are not heated - once you in through your fine and not much of an issue Julyaugust 2 - Staff - most complaints about the resort come down to this one. It doesn’t really bother me much, and rarely have I witnessed it, but this is my take on it 2a - Some staff are helpful; some are a little less so and you feel your more of a pest than a guest (check in) ** - if you get the attention of a staff member say at a restaurant and ask for something and it’s not there set task, it’s as if you have asked for the world, you can almost see the misery in their eyes. at times I felt bad and almost said its ok its ok ill just not spend my money I don’t want to trouble you. - Update Aug 24 - Many improvements made here A+ 2c - staff in some areas seem that they have just been put there and they have no clue what they are doing there. i.e., zest. 3 - Towel cards - When you check in you get a card for each guest. This is a pain and towel cards end up been the underground currency at this resort. It causes undue stress and annoyance. if there’s one thing, I don’t need on holiday its worrying about towels. 4 - If you get a suite w

Sticky tables everywhere, awful food in all resort restaurants apart from Mare. I’ll never understand the good reviews. This is not a 5 star resort. The staff look incredibly miserable too. Not their fault but makes you wonder if they have good working conditions. Avoid at all costs if you want a true 5 star resort.

The Garden Suites are the newest rooms at Pine Cliffs and they are stunning! We previously stayed at the Pine Cliffs Hotel in 2019, and we can’t fault it, it was lovely but the Garden suites are so luxurious and modern!! The beds are so comfortable, the kitchen is fully equipped with plates, cutlery, cups etc and if you are self catering there is a FABULOUS supermarket just around a 5 minute walk from the Garden suites. The pool is lovely, and is often fairly quiet because the Garden suites are towards the back of the resort. It’s about a 10 minute walk to breakfast, which is no problem, it’s a lovely walk, and you get to see a lot of the resorts (including some adorable cats). Everything is clean!!! The cleaners are fabulous and so kind!! We are returning in a few weeks, for the 3rd time in the past year, what can I say, we LOVE IT! The balconies are a lovely size, we were absolutely blessed last time with 2 MASSIVE balconies, can’t even explain how amazing it was to sit on them after dinner and play a game of UNO with the family!! Best resort, fully worth of its 5 stars!!

We had a 2 bed apartment during the October half term week in the new "Gardens" section of the Pine Cliff resort. The apartment had everything we needed, was really modern, great location near the pool and not too far to walk to the main resort area, and the housekeeping each day was fantastic. The pool in this area was far too cold though, it was more like an ice bath experience. The resort on the whole is kept very clean and has some unbelievable views over the cliffs and the coast. It does have a luxury feel to it in most parts like the ocean suites reception and the champagne bar. The main negative for us was that the resort clearly charges (overcharges) for everything they possibly can. For example; to book onto a group gym class its minimum 15 euros and to flood light the tennis courts its an additional 5 euros charge (that's on top of the 40 euros for the hour)- all other 5 star resorts we have stayed in these have been included. What I thought was particularly ridiculous was that I ordered a hot water with a slice of lemon at the golf club house and this was 4 euros! We have stayed all over the world in 5 star resorts and I fully understand paying a hotel premium but the charges here were just petty and worse than we have experienced even in places such as Dubai.