Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort

We are fans of pine cliffs and have stayed here many times over the years. This was our second stay this year. The hotel and residences are beautiful but on this visit we were surprised at the number of large groups and stag party groups who were staying there. Of course, we have no problem with large groups but we choose pine cliffs for the lovely quiet atmosphere. I love to relax on a sun lounger under the pine trees but this time I had large groups either side of me so I couldn’t relax and instead retreated to my balcony. As we haven’t seen this before at pine cliffs I did some research online and I noticed Pine cliffs advertised on a stag party website so I guess that’s why. One of the groups next to me were very loud and they left their bottles and glasses etc all over the grass, which I then cleared up for them. On our first night we were excited to go for a drink at the champagne bar as that’s one of the reasons we choose pine cliffs. It’s a wonderful experience. Unfortunately it was closed for a private event. The gin bar was also closed as was the beach bar which also has a private event. This is frustrating but clearly pine cliffs is appealing to larger groups. It’s just a shame that couples cannot use all the facilities on offer. The restaurants are expensive so we walk into olhos dagua where there are some lovely restaurants. Versatile restaurant is classy and excellent value so we chose to walk there. Via the beach the walk takes half an hour and is very pleasant but an Uber only takes 5 minutes and is only 5 euros. Our residence was wonderful and a great size. Housekeeping is great and everything is spotlessly clean and well equipped. Our room was next to a road though so incredibly noisy as it was the main road through the resort to the mini market and o grill so there were many deliveries early in the morning. Also adjacent to a busy road just outside of the resort. We kept the ceiling fan on at night to drown out the noise. Balcony was huge with sun and shade so that’s a bonus. The beach is the best part. You can walk for miles and the steps down to the beach are not too arduous. I love pine cliffs but hope they are not changing into more of an events hotel than one where couples and families can relax and enjoy.

Accommodation - we stayed 10 nights in a 2 bedroom garden residence. We found it clean, spacious & peaceful. I would have liked a little more patio space but it was sufficient. S803. The kitchen is well equipped and being able to launder was a bonus. 2 bottles of water are provided daily, but if you want coffee pods replaced then you would need to check out/in daily. They sell them in the shop for 1.50 Euros. I couldn't find them in supermarkets. I have Lavazza at home and these are larger pods. The bathrooms are great, but I think the toiletries provided could be a little better. There are large communal bottles of shampoo, conditioner & body wash. Nothing else such as vanity packs, shower caps, soap etc as would be normal in a Luxury resort. Resort - this resort is huge it can take 30 minutes to get from the residences to the main hotel (especially with children in tow). There are resort shuttles but there are not enough, it's chaotic and haphazard. Not the usual luxury resort facility of a golf cart to your room. We waited 30 minutes at Yakuza on our 1st night. We tried the shuttle a couple of times more but it was poor and unpredictable. In the end when we went to the beach etc.....I drove. It was the same throughout, people stood for ages & gave up & walked. If you go off resort Uber will come onto the site to where you are eg. Block S8. There are car parks so you can also park close to your suite. Pools/Beach - each guest receives a towel card and you exchange this for a towel & return it for your card after. The towels were big and of good quality but one towel each is a little tricky with sticky kids on a beach etc. Without doubt one of the worst things is "Sunbed towel claiming" - at the start of our holiday if you went to the residence pool area after 9am you had no hope of a bed as people claim the beds with their towels/books goods. This is poor culture and the Hotel needs to manage this. People were sitting on towels on the grass with children & there were a third of beds empty round the pool, but claimed with items etc. We spent a lot of time at the Golf pool as this didn't happen there, but it shouldn't happen anywhere. The beach is beautiful, bit of trek but worth it, but again towel culture....we hired a day bed for 200 Euros (you need to pre-book) which was nice but unfortunately next to all the beach hawkers selling goods. We were on the rear one nearest the path. They might want to put up a barrier or manage this better. I didn't feel like I was on a luxury resort at either the pool or beach, there was literally no service (except at the Golf pool where there was food & drink service), you have to make your own bed up everywhere & get your own drinks from the bar. Never saw any beach service staff. I never understand this as the revenue loss must be huge. Maybe if they did this they could afford to put on treble the shuttles? Staff - I found all the staff to be absolutely lovely. Food - Breakfast is a buffet with some egg stations and a large selection. We ate dinner twice at Yakuza which we liked a lot, lunch once at mare which was overpriced for what it was, once for dinner at the residences - o'grill (didn't realise it was a buffet - oops our mistake) and one dinner at O Pescador - I didn't have my glasses on & ordered the prawns for starter....they were pretty but not 78 euros worth. Will attach a picture. We liked lunch at the Golf Club terrace, staff were lovely & we liked watching the golfers. There are restaurants opposite and to the right as you walk out of hotel, we found some nice ones. Kids Club - our boy enjoyed it, met parrots and other creatures, did mini-golf etc. Again kids club staff were lovely. Overall a decent holiday just very frustrating regarding the resort shuttle situation, pool/beach service & the awful sunbed towel culture. The resort succeeds because of the spacious accommodations, but it could do so much better with pool/beach service and properly staffed resort shuttles/golf carts, they make it difficult for you to dine in their own resort.

We just got back from our stay at Pine Cliffs, and absolutely loved our time there. Keep in mind there are no private beaches in Portugal but this hotel is located right near the beach and has beds set out for people, some you can walk up and get and others you can pay to reserve. The beach is and elevator ride down the cliff and a far walk from there. It's a lovely beach but busy. The hotel is beautiful and plenty of pools for families. The reception and housekeeping staff were wonderful and professional. We had a very smooth checkin and out. Restaurants served good food but a bit overpriced at times, particularly the Indian restaurant. The food was good there but the portions were tiny. I don't think I've ever gone to an Indian restaurant that served such small portions. It wasn't just one dish, we ordered 4 dishes for 4 people and the portion size was all anemic. Another thing I didn't appreciate is the weather was scorching, 34-40c, during our stay and we were starved for water. Sometimes they would put 2 smallish size bottles in the room but not everyday. On the grounds of the hotel no one passed out water to the guests. We've been to hotels that do this, especially on hot days when customers can get dehydrated or heat stroke, not to mention the many young children in that kind of heat. The 40c day we were there, even the staff appeared to be suffering! Lastly, it's not the fault of the hotel but it is massive. The receptionist said upward to 3,000 guests. So, it is very busy and lots of families with young children. It just gets congested in places. So, just expect a lot of people. Book all of your restaurants at the hotel in advance if you plan to eat there because they get booked up. There are restaurants a walk outside of the hotel and you can easily get an Uber to the marina for more restaurants and excursions. Taxis and Uber is not too expensive. Overall, we enjoyed the hotel. It is immaculately well kept, housekeeping made up the rooms everyday without having a call to reception, the staff were very responsive to us and helpful. The beach was great even if a longish walk in the hot sun.