Property
The Sheraton Pine Cliffs Resort is quite simply the ne plus ultra of luxury family resorts. Set in pine forests overlooking miles of unspoiled beaches and the clear blue sea, its beauty is unsurpassed. Rooms and suites are designed to anticipate your every whim (and at these prices, they’d better be) with all the usual upmarket amenities plus comfortably furnished tiled terraces overlooking the land, gardens, or sea.

Location
The Algarve is Portugal’s southernmost region, and the town of Albufeira offers year-round sun, seafood, and laidback luxury. If you tire of the Sheraton’s sleek luxury, numerous rugged coves and quiet villages dot the entire coastline and beckon to be explored. Albufeira’s entire seafront is pedestrianized, making it an extremely safe and pleasant place to stroll with small children.

Sleeps
2-8.

Highlights
Take it from my husband Rich (who once took the most expensive cab ride in the history of Portugese tourism due to inattention to geography): Fly into Faro, not Lisbon.

Good to know
As of spring of 2007, there is a project underway to install new sewers and drains and to create pedestrian streets and squares in old Albufeira. Snoop around a bit online to check progress (and chaos) before booking a trip.

Contact
www.pinecliffs.com

March 29th, 2008 | by Jamie Pearson