A sun-drenched holiday at a luxury five-star resort on the Algarve is already special. But when you find yourself just a few feet away from the legendary Sir Tom Jones you know it's going to be an extraordinary experience.
I found myself at the breathtaking Pine Cliffs Resort's 21st Summer Gala in Albufeira, Portugal, watching the hip-thrusting heartthrob still owning the stage in his eighth decade. This fantastic sell-out event is the talk of the town every year, with thousands of hotel guests and locals all vying for tickets to the black-tie spectacle.
A stroll into the Golf Academy, the venue for the evening, unveiled the line-up of the incredible stars who have headlined the event in previous years: Dionne Warwick, Gloria Gaynor, UB40, Michael Bolton, Ne-Yo and Kool and The Gang, to name but a few. This ultra-glamorous evening marked the beginning of my indulgent short break at one of Europe's top resorts.
Pine Cliffs is truly a sight to behold. Lush green grass, dotted with guests lounging on sunbeds, leads down to striking orange cliffs that appear as though they've been sculpted from clay, reports the Mirror.
Pine trees dramatically cling to the sandstone sides above the award-winning Felesia Beach below, all under a bright blue sky. The experience begins with a breathtaking panoramic lift descent down the cliffside to the beach, followed by a stroll along a wooden walkway leading to a secluded lounging area a serene start to any day. However, after celebrations the previous evening, the journey back up proved taxing, prompting a visit to the exquisite Serenity Spa the Art Of Well Being for some much-needed rest and rejuvenation.
At the spa, an adept therapist melted away any remnants of stress with the signature "Senses of the Algarve" massage, which transformed me into a revitalised version of myself in just fifty minutes. Venturing further into relaxation, I discovered the Thermal Oasis, akin to a maze of serenity, complete with sensory showers, saunas, steam rooms, a hydrotherapy pool and even an outdoor hot tub.
For the more active guests
But for guests seeking vigour and vitality, Pine Cliffs Resort lays out a feast of activities. Golf enthusiasts can revel in the scenic nine-hole, 168-acre course towering over the cliffs, suitable for rookies and seasoned players alike, highlighted by the daunting "Devil's Parlour" hole. Furthermore, the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy serves an ace for sporty travellers with its impeccable floodlit courts, including two clay surfaces, a cutting-edge padel tennis court, alongside customised coaching clinics and kids' classes.
Pine Cliffs' commitment to families has earned it the accolade of "Best Family Resort in Portugal" six times at the World Travel Awards.
The children's village, Porto Pirata, is a testament to the resort's commitment to family fun. Spanning 7,000 sq ft, it boasts two life-size pirate ships, a kids' swimming pool, bouncy castle, basketball court, toy car racetrack and mini-golf.
There's even a children's football academy in partnership with Estima Sports, offering daily training sessions and tournaments led by qualified coaches. For tech-savvy tweens, a games room packed with the latest gadgets is sure to keep them entertained.
Places to eat and drink
But it's not just about the kids. The resort also caters to adults with nine restaurants and two bars spread across its expansive site.
The resort, which spans a massive 72 hectares, offers various high-end accommodation options including Pine Cliffs Hotel, Pine Cliffs Residence and Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites all part of The Luxury Collection.
This means there's ample space for everyone to enjoy themselves, while maintaining an air of exclusivity without feeling overcrowded. With six pools on-site, there's no shortage of sunbeds for guests.
One evening, I found myself sipping gin cocktails at the new Sunset pop-up gin bar, overlooking the terracotta cliffs, feeling as though I had the stunning view all to myself.
Nearby, the Miramar champagne bar was a popular spot for friends and couples, who could be seen enjoying glasses of bubbly while taking in the breathtaking views of the sandy beach stretching into the distance.
If you're looking to amp up your evenings, the chic Mare restaurant offers a roof terrace that's perfect for sipping cocktails and grooving to DJs as dusk descends on the beachside vibe.
Pine Cliffs is a paradise for gourmands, boasting an array of sublime dining venues. Lunchtime at Corda Cafe sees the outdoor terrace come alive with the bustle of waiters delivering smoking hot fajitas to food enthusiasts.
Despite the sweltering 28C sunshine, curiosity got the better of me, and I opted for the prawn fajitas — a choice that proved itself more than worthy through every delectable, sweat-inducing bite.
One evening, the vibrant Rohini pop-up by Little Miss India served up a feast of flavours from scrumptious aloo tikka chaat to succulent malai broccoli bathed in a rich cashew-cheese sauce, followed by a delightful paneer tikka masala and tender lamb korma mulghai.
Another enchanted night saw me whisked away to the heart of Italy at Portofino by MIMO, amidst the authentic buzz of Lemon Square's popular pop-up trattoria. Specialising in wood-fired pizzas and fresh pastas, it's a dream spot for families seeking a taste of Italian zest.
Meanwhile, at the Zest Pool Bar, a bold claim from the barman piqued my interest as he boasted of concocting the "best pina colada in the world". As someone with a refined palate for coladas, I assumed the role of judgeonly to find his claim utterly indisputable.
A subsequent visit to the Zest cafe helped balance out the effects of numerous pina coladas (it would have been impolite to sample just one for a fair judgement). I felt instantly rejuvenated after devouring a green goddess salad accompanied by an almond joy smoothie.
One standout experience was dining at the hotel's signature restaurant, O Pescador. With its terrace overlooking the ocean, it serves incredible seafood dishes sourced locally.
I also spent a glorious afternoon basking in the sun, savouring a delightful Sancerre and indulging in a sharing-style lunch of crumbly fish tacos, melt-in-the-mouth black squid calamari, and a platter of the freshest seabass, salmon and octopus I've ever tasted.
It seems Tom also gave his approval, as I noticed him dining here with friends on several occasions!
At Pine Cliffs, the focus is on soaking up the scenery, relishing the fantastic food, and luxuriating in the opulent surroundings.
Echoing Tom's sentiments as I made my way back to the Green Green Grass Of Home, I realised that my few days here had created memories I will cherish forever.
*The headline act for the Pine Cliffs Resort's 2025 Summer Gala is yet to be announced.
Book the holiday
- British Airways flies from Gatwick to Faro, Algarve, Portugal, starting at £98 return in March. ba.com
- Rooms at the Pine Cliffs Hotel near Albufeira, Algarve, start at around £200 a night B&B. pinecliffs.com
- More info at visitportugal.com/en
