Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve

The apartments make a good base for exploring the Algarve or just unwinding somewhere beautiful. I’ve stayed at Pine Cliffs eight times since 2016 and have enjoyed every trip, though I understand both the praise and the complaints. The grounds are immaculate, from the Pine Tree gardens on the cliffs down to the pools and beach, and there are enough pools that they rarely felt crowded. In May 2026, during half term, it was busier than I’d seen before, and there seemed to be fewer loungers out than on earlier visits. For families who’d rather skip the hotel breakfast rush, the Garden Suites and Ocean Suites have small kitchens for making your own. The hotel accommodation feels more traditional, while those suites are more modern. Food around the resort is good but a bit pricey, and there are plenty of restaurants. Mirado is lovely for a drink while the sun goes down. There are cheaper, casual places and a nice bar across the road, restaurants in Olhos de agua about a 15-minute walk or 5-minute drive away, and Vilamoura and Albufeira roughly 15-20 minutes away. We always rent a car, which makes it easy to try a different place each night or take a day trip. A few small hassles haven’t spoiled a holiday for me. The pools aren’t heated, though once you’re in, it’s fine, and it matters less in July and August. Service can be uneven: some staff are helpful, while others can make you feel like a nuisance, especially at check-in or when you ask for something outside their usual task. I’ve occasionally seen staff who seemed unsure what to do in their area, including at Zest. That said, service had improved by August 2024, and Zest and its staff were much better then. I’ve also noticed the towel card system can be a pain, with the cards becoming a kind of underground currency around the resort. If your suite has a kitchen, pick up washing-up liquid and cloths at the supermarket across the road. It would be handy to have those on arrival, though in August 2024 we were left some supplies, which was great. The cleaning staff deserve a special mention. The apartment was spotless every day. This isn’t a place where staff cater to every whim, but it is a beautiful Algarve apartment resort where you can relax or head out and explore. We’ll be back.

The setting is lovely, but I hadn’t expected loud, cheap disco music right by the most expensive ocean-view rooms. I complained, and nothing changed. Instead, I was told they were legally allowed to play it under their license. Even in the room furthest from the pool, you could hear the music at full volume inside the bathroom.

The staff are friendly and helpful, and they do try to make renting a car easier. I wish it were simpler, though. I’d give them an A+.

The beach area was a mess: cramped, chaotic and poorly arranged, with the beach club feeling more like a bazaar than a five-star place. Staff were hard to find, seemed uninterested and untrained, and there was no welcome or help with luggage. Check-in felt like a self-service hostel. If there are managers, I didn’t see them. Rooms were basic, with cheap materials and little refinement. Cleaning was barely a surface wipe: rubbish was left behind, and towels and amenities weren’t replaced. The towel cards felt like ration tickets. The restaurants were overpriced, and extra charges showed up on the bill. Keep a close eye on it, because add-ons and forced tips made the billing feel dishonest. None of the pools were heated, and they were freezing. Security felt minimal, with just one person at the gate for a huge complex. The whole place came across as a commercial machine crammed with guests and selling overpriced food and drinks. Some residence guests seemed to pay much less and then filled the grounds, so there was no sense of exclusivity. There was no early check-in or late check-out, and no proper place to shower or change if arriving early or leaving late. The public toilets were filthy. If this is part of the Luxury Collection, someone at Marriott has a creative sense of humor. This was one of my worst “luxury” hotel stays. The only luxury was the price tag. It deserves a full investigation by Marriott headquarters, and my checkout regret was the closest thing to a luxury experience.