It’s not every day that you run into a famous singer while on holiday in the Algarve. But this is Pine Cliffs Resort and Ronan Keating is about to hit a few golf balls around the stunning course with his wife, Storm, before performing at the annual Summer Gala. We exchange pleasantries and I’m pretty sure he’s going to have more luck around the course than I did. As I slip away they head for the first hole and their swings show that they know what they are doing. I gave up trying to knock my balls over the ‘Devil’s Parlour’ on the sixth hole after three attempts landed in the gorge.
The rest of the course was surprisingly achievable for a novice like me and my partner, Terry. We managed to avoid the plethora of bunkers – more from good luck than expertise. This scenic course is a challenge for any veteran golfer with a lovely mix of 3 and 4 pars while the glorious views only enhance the experience.
Pine Cliffs Resort offers much to see and do. The drive from Faro airport is just over half an hour to this charming resort, that’s spread over 168 acres on the ochre tinted cliffs of Falésia. It’s very easy to kick off the shoes and slip into the flip flops without leaving the resort for the duration of a stay here but Pine Cliffs is ideally located to explore both lengths of the Algarve. Whether it’s the rugged coast and sweeping Atlantic views of the west or the wetlands and nature reserves of the Eastern Algarve that appeals to you, you can travel to both sides in about 45 minutes.
Our stay is set around the highlight of the Algarve’s social calendar – The Summer Gala. In its twenty second year, it’s a delight to be here when an Irish performer is the headline act. Previous acts have included famous faces from both sides of the Atlantic such as Michael Bolton and Dionne Warwick and most recently Sir Tom Jones in 2024.
The evening starts on the red carpet with performers dressed in costumes to reflect the turquoise blue coastline. They play violins and dance playfully with guests as we enter the Moet et Chandon bar where the football arena is transformed into a glittering stage and dining area for the Summer Gala. Keating performs all the Boyzone hits and his own solo favourites and follows up with a surprise guest, fellow band member Shane Lynch who shouts from the stage that we are all in his backyard – he’s just another Irish person smitten by this coastline. Ronan had the huge crowd bopping along and left us mesmerised with fantastic fireworks to finish off the show. However the night went on at the After Party with DJ and music until the small hours.
Pine Cliffs is a resort known for serving the needs of families with plenty of well organised activities for kids at the Porto Pirata (pirates port). On previous occasions I have stayed in the Ocean Suites, tastefully and sympathetically designed in harmony with the traditional elements found all over the Algarve. Our two-bedroom-suite included two bathrooms and a spacious living room/kitchen area that leads on to a massive balcony from all rooms. Everything we needed from cooker to coffee machine to ironing board was included in the suite catering to the needs of younger children too.
This time we are staying in the hotel and our large room has a balcony with seating area for enjoying the peaceful ambience amongst the pine trees. There are eight swimming pools in the resort to relax beside. Other facilities include bike hire to explore the lush green surroundings.
You can be as busy or as lazy as you like at Pine Cliffs but one of the resorts highlights is the Serenity Spa. One of the nice additions to treatments at the resort is the emphasis on holistic health care. You can enjoy a full medical checkup as part of the treatments on offer.
My therapist gave me the signature massage that worked wonders on a pulled muscle that’s been niggling underneath my right shoulder blade for weeks. Guests have free use of the special thermal suite after booking a treatment for the rest of the day. With a wide range of rooms including salt chambers and hamman this spa has everything you need to treat health issues as well as enjoy beauty rituals. One of the best activities is to take a walk on the resort’s beach and with 5km to choose from it’s a wonderful way to start the day.
The tennis school, led by the former British No1 player and TV sports presenter and commentator Annabel Croft, is a big draw for families and tennis players. I’ve noticed the addition of even more paddle tennis courts this year as the craze sweeps through the tennis clubs of Europe. Pine Cliffs’ state-of-the-art tennis facilities include floodlit courts, two clay courts and three hard courts that can be booked by the hour or as a block for the week. Beyond tennis, the Basketball court is something the whole family can play together as well as the crazy golf.
Pine Cliff’s list of specialty restaurants includes Rohini, adding flavour and spice to the resort with the Little Miss India Menu, while Portofino is the Italian themed Trattoria where you can enjoy pastas, risottos and one of the most delicious and largest calzones outside of Italy. With fifteen restaurants in total we were spoiled for choice. Mare at Pine Cliffs is located right on the beach and the perfect spot for lunch. As to be expected the seafood options were plentiful and the cocktail list was extensive. The lovely thing about dining here is you can pop upstairs and book one of the luxurious cabanas to do a spot of private sunbathing that includes a waiter service.
For guests choosing the healthy option, Zest offers excellent value for breakfast or a light lunch with juices, smoothies and salads that are delicious and nourishing. Another popular spot, especially for lunch, is Corda Café where we sampled the flavours of the Mediterranean mixed with Mexican dishes. From burritos to fajitas, there’s something for everyone. It’s located beside one of the eight swimming pools and overlooks the decadent swim up bar.
Breakfast was full of choices too with a menu and buffet on offer. We indulged on wagyu and chateaubriand at the Piri Piri Steakhouse where staff are experts in catering for carnivores. The extensive menu includes delicious cocktails and of course Piri Piri Chicken. Being a seafood lover I saved our visit to O Pescador fish restaurant for our last night and here the dining experience includes picking out your own fish before it is prepared. The sea bream we chose was boned and served on a silver platter with a mouth-watering garlic sauce.
The fruit and vegetables in the Algarve are of a different quality to anything we find at home and reflected in the cuisine. That’s why I usually stop off at Olhao Market to buy some garlic before leaving my car back to Faro Airport. This time we used Visacar, a local operator and a pleasure to deal with – meeting guests at car park 4 makes it quick to pick up and drop off. Hiring a car makes it easier to take in some of the regions natural and cultural spots. Not to be missed are the flat lands of the Ria Formosa – a nature reserve and tropical paradise not far away from the jagged cliffs of Faleisa but an entirely different landscape filled with birds and sealife. A sea safari is one of the best ways to explore the reserve and the islands of Farol and Culatra – here you’ll find a taste of the Caribbean much closer to home. Other highlights easily reached on a daytrip include the walled town of Silves, peaked by a striking medieval castle.
There’s something refreshing about returning to somewhere you’ve been before and finding a new experience each time. I’ve been waxing lyrically about this part of Europe for years and delight in finding excuses to revisit Pine Cliffs. For me the Algarve is constantly full of new surprises, and like Ronan I was just ‘Lovin’ Each Day’!
Factbox
For everything you need to know about the Algarve visit www.visitalgarve.com
Two adults can stay in a Pine Cliffs Hotel Deluxe Room with Resort View from €364 per night. Price based on September 2025 stay.
For more information and to book, please visit: www.pinecliffs.com or call +351 289 500 100.
Michelle hired from Visacar Rental Car Hire
+351 968 577 135 / +351 289 248 062
bookings@visacar.pt
