Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites, Algarve

We spend 9 days here in June and were very happy. The grounds are really clean and well maintained. Lots of pools and sun loungers. Access to beach is good given the hotel is elevated. We stayed in an apartment which was really nice. Good little kitchen, beds very comfortable and house keeping in every night. Food was excellent and the staff very friendly. My son is a coeliac and the staff were very attentive. Each morning at the buffet they would make him a separate breakfast which was really appreciated. Two negatives; the location of olhos de agua is a bit of a nothing village and the cost of half board which you are going to have to take if you have kids. The restaurants ouside dont look much. We didn't really drink in the bars on site as they were very expensive. We went to the Brothers Bar across the road which was more reasonable (and better atmosphere).

Place was great except that our one shower (thank goodness we had another one) kept overflowing and after 3 attempts did not fix. We were told we would be accommodated for our inconvience with a certain percentage taken off our room; nefer happened. When I emailed Bernardo Reis to inquire he never bothered to respond.

I rarely post on trip advisor but felt I needed to put out a more balanced view of the Pine Cliffs resort. We arrived last Sunday (28th June) and honestly given some of the recent reviews I was very nervous and had low expectations!! But wow was I wrong!! It is a 5 star resort not like other so called 5 star resorts we have stayed in in The Algarve. The resort is really fantastic and has everything you need for a relaxing family holiday. The pools and toilet areas are spotless and areas are cleaned every evening and sun loungers reorganised. I have attached the view from our apartment of one of the pools - no rush to reserve sun loungers - it’s still pretty much empty at 10am. This is mainly due to the number of pools dotted around the resort and the beach. And there are towel huts at all the pools despite what other reviewers have said! The beach is beautiful and has a bar and loads of sun loungers. The atmosphere around the hotel in the evening is pure holiday chill. There is a burger van on the lawn for a different dining experience. There is also a small ice cream stand on the lawn so after dinner we have walked there for ice cream. The hotel have also a huge screen on the lawn to watch the World Cup which has created a really special experience for our kids. We have had no issues with staff and our check in was very pleasant. There are staff members everywhere and all of whom have been very helpful when needed. Our apartment is immaculate and very comfortable. We have all the mod cons- dishwasher, washing machine/ tumble dryer, x 2 coffee machines ( pod & filter, the pods are replaced daily) and even have a water filter machine so we don’t need to buy bottled water. The resort itself is immaculate, with paths and lawns well maintained creating beautiful walking paths around the resort. We have not had need to use the golf buggy transportation as everything we have needed to access so far is only a 5 minute walk ( beach, pools, reception). The kids soccer academy is about a 20 minute walk but as we have a car we will drive there. We here is a 10% service charge on all food and drinks but staff have been very forthcoming and have to be paid on purchases. So for anyone traveling here in the coming weeks do not believe everything you read on trip advisor!!!

Fraudulent charges to room. Forged signatures. No proper controls in place and putting the blame on new staff which is unfair. Proper measures and controls should be in place.

I am currently at the Pine Cliff resort now with family and cannot understand the negative reviews on here. The complex itself is stunning, rooms immaculate and all staff so far have been so friendly and helpful. Never any problems with beds around the pool unless you sleep till noon- 10.30 plenty of availability. I’m staying bed and breakfast and the choice is unreal, but people complaining saying it’s the same things everyday. Definitely beats a bowl of cornflakes and a slice of toast ( which we all know that’s what everyone has), however I may be wrong, I’m sure the complainers are having mackerel fillets and dried apricots with little espressos. Not really sure what people’s expectations are but this has far exceeded our’s. Reading previous reviews left me feeling a little anxious of coming to Pine Cliffs but I think it’s a case of “ you can’t please all of the people all of the time”. I assume it’s more the type of people writing the reviews than the resort ( I’d love to know the type of lives they live as I seriously cannot find fault with the complex) My only negative, and it’s a choice, is the pricing in the resort. I do find it excessive and overpriced but a €5 Uber can take you pretty much anywhere if you want a decent drink / food without paying Pine Cliffs prices. My advice would be, ignore the haters, try it for yourself and hopefully you will have the same experience as us. Well done Pine Cliffs!!!