Stunning beaches, outstanding scenery and hotels that really know how to cater to all ages; these are the best family-friendly hotels in Portugal.
There are so many reasons that parents love Portugal. To start, at just a two-and-a-half hour flight from London (and with no time difference to the UK) it’s possibly the most accessible Mediterranean destination for a sunny break. And sunny it is; with 3,000 glorious hours of sun recorded every year, it’s easy to see what makes this country so popular. Add to that the beautiful rugged beaches, nature reserves, activities (golf topping the list with many championship courses) and plenty of pretty villages and marinas.
But what keeps families coming back year after year is the excellent selection of hotels and resorts that welcome children with open arms. With kids’ clubs for tiny tots, advanced sports academies for older kids and adrenaline sports for teens – plus plenty of outings and excursions that families can enjoy together – these five-star properties offer a wonderful base from which to explore the country. These are our favourite family friendly places to stay in Portugal.
The Viceroy at Ombria, Algarve
The new kid on the block, The Viceroy at Ombria Algarve opened its doors last October and is already making a name for itself as a great spot for families. Set back from the coast in a lush pine forest, it feels rural, unlike the classic beachy setting of other Algarve properties. But if waking up to sea views isn’t a priority, this hilltop retreat is a great option. Choose from beautifully appointed bedrooms and suites, or the gorgeous one- and two-bedroom residences that, with small kitchens, are ideal for families. Guests can enjoy activities including hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding; olive oil tastings; picnics in the valley; vineyard tours; the dreamy spa; and an 18-hole golf course. For little ones there’s a great kids’ club – The V Team Kids Club offers everything from arts and crafts to a large outdoor playground, as well as babysitting services. A highlight this Easter is the arrival of the Sharky and George team; the much-loved kids’ entertainers will be providing their very own brand of super-cool kids’ amusement to families staying over that period. Expect youngsters to have a wonderful time – and be suitably tired at the end of it all.
Quinta da Comporta
Comporta is home to some of Portugal’s most sought-after hotels; a place where in-the-know locals and well-versed Europeans flock to enjoy golden beaches and vast open spaces. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more aesthetically pleasing spot than Quinta da Comporta; just steps from the sand, this rustic-chic property is elegant and child-friendly. While there’s no kids’ club, there’s plenty to keep young guests occupied – the main attraction is the stunning beach, that seems to go on forever: this is bucket-and-spade heaven for kids, so pull up a lounger and let them potter beside you. There’s also the spectacular 40-metre solar heated infinity pool overlooking the beach. As a wellness-led resort there are treatment programmes, yoga and gym sessions at the Oryza Spa for grownups, while kids will love bike rides, walking trails and picnics on the sand. Boat trips visit other local Blue-Flag beaches, and flamingo or dolphin-spotting can be arranged. Stay in a fabulous three-bedroom Pool Villa with white-washed walls, rattan finishes, four-poster beds – plus your own private pool to splash in. With an outdoor play area, kids’ menus, cots, high chairs and babysitting available, the Quinta da Comporta team understand that family travel can (successfully) coexist with relaxing, stylish getaways.
Martinhal, Sagres
The Martinhal name is synonymous with family-friendly five-star luxury, and the Portuguese Sagres property lives up to the task. A spacious resort on the tip of the Algarve, it’s set in a protected national park with access to a private, 700-metre beach. Popular activities here include surfing, hiking, jeep safari, horse riding and boat trips, while the mini-golf course, pétanque and a fitness trail designed for children make this a truly family-focused stay. Parents will enjoy chilling out at the Finisterra spa while their children make the most of the kids’ clubs with dedicated clubs for all ages, and there’s a crèche for babies as young as six months. Get active at the excellent watersports centre, where kids and adults can try their hand at windsurfing, stand-up paddle and kayaking with qualified instructors, plus there’s tennis, football and paddle academies, and swimming lessons. Choose from accommodation that includes classic hotel bedrooms, suites, and six-bedroom villas (ideal for multigenerational groups), and for dinner there are seven restaurants with super kids’ menus (there’s even a variety of fresh purees for babies). Make the most of the excellent baby-concierge service by pre-booking complimentary essentials such as cots, sterilisers and baby baths.
Pine Cliffs Resort, Algarve
One of the Algarve’s most well-known family-friendly hotels, Pine Cliffs Resort, Algarve has become a place that parents rebook year on year. Sporty kids will be in their element here; there’s the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy with five floodlit courts – two clay, three hard, and one padel – where beginners can take lessons and proficient players can improve their game. Footballers, check out Pine Cliffs Football Academy with Estima Sports – a mix of technical drills, match-related games and tournaments. Or practice your swing on the stunning golf course perched 200 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, or at the state-of-the-art Golf Academy – manned by a team of Internationally Qualified PGA Professionals. Pine Cliffs feels more like a village than a resort, with a beautiful beach, seven outdoor pools (there’s an indoor heated one too), 15 restaurants, plus a spa and fitness centre. Stay in luxury self-catering villas, enormous family suites or the most recent addition – Pine Cliffs Gardens – which offers 87 one, two and three-bedroom apartment suites with fully equipped kitchens. The final jewel in Pine Cliff’s crown for families is the childcare; book with Scott Dunn and you’ll have access to their excellent Explorers Kids Club, or the resort offers its own kids’ clubs and babysitting services.
Sublime, Comporta
Sublime is one of Portugal’s most exciting hotels. A 17-acre estate, on a stretch of coastline between the Sado Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, this is a property that takes pride in its environmentally friendly credentials. Solar panels are used for heating, and the organic garden provides over 300 varieties of herbs, vegetables and edible flowers – used in the on-site restaurants. Minimalist design and sleek-yet-natural architecture blends into the lush surroundings; the hotel has 23 rooms and suites, but it’s the five-bedroom cabana-style villas with fully equipped kitchens that are ideal for families. There’s no kids’ club but activities for children include tennis and paddle courts, bike riding, family cooking lessons and kids yoga, while the concierge team can organise everything from sailing to dolphin watching or horse riding. Be sure to visit the hotel’s beach club too: with pristine white sand and a crystal blue sea, it’s a dreamy place to spend the day. There’s also a children’s pool, and the restaurant caters well for youngsters with an extensive kids’ menu. Babysitting is available, but this hotel is probably best suited to families who don’t need to factor in buggies and high chairs any more.
The Conrad, Algarve
There’s a lot to be said for a short transfer when travelling with kids, so look to Conrad Algarve, just a 20-minute drive from Faro Airport. Set between the idyllic Ria Formosa Nature Park and the Atlantic coastline, the hotel has a slick, minimalist feel and, with its Michelin-starred restaurant Gusto by Heinz Beck that offers a nine-course tasting menu, six championship courses and bespoke wellness programmes, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a hotel better suited to grown up guests. Children, however, are made to feel most welcome, making it one of those special places where both parents and kids get the holiday they want. There’s the Little C Palace Kids’ Club for those aged three to twelve; it’s packed with fun activities, babysitting, a dedicated children’s pool and a huge playground. Add to this tennis courts, two very-child-friendly restaurants and over 12 room categories to choose from (you can add a cot and a highchair to any) and all the boxes for a great family break are ticked. If you fancy stepping out of the resort, hop on the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus to spend a day at nearby Vale do Lobo Beach with striking red cliffs and crystal clear sea, or let the concierge plan a family friendly outing or a boat trip.
Lead Image: Martinhal
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