If you are looking for luxury hotels on the Algarve offering outstanding culinary concepts, I have you covered!

The breathtakingly beautiful Algarve in the south of Portugal, stretching over 200 kilometres from Vale do Lobo in the east to Lagos in the west, certainly needs no introduction. A rugged coastline with dramatic cliffs, pristine wide sandy beaches, stunning whitewashed coastal towns, and an abundance of local golf courses makes this area one of the most popular tourist destinations across Europe.

The region is home to many luxury hotels that offer beautiful accommodation coupled with a range of other exceptional experiences, in one of the most spectacular coastal surroundings imaginable.

On top of all this, the Algarve is also a food lovers paradise. The local cuisine is firmly focused on fish and seafood but likewise includes excellent pork and lamb from the nearby Alentejo region. With a wide range of places to eat, from simple beach-side bistros to fine-dining at several Michelin-starred restaurants, there is something here for everyone.

As a food and wine lover who visited the area several times in the last few years, I stayed at some of the region’s leading hotels known to combine luxury accommodation with outstanding culinary experiences. And I could not have been happier. Indeed, it’s fair to say that the Algarve currently sets the bar for luxury lodging with an award-winning food offer – without the need to leave your hotel.

My top 5 Algarve luxury hotels with outstanding culinary concepts

There are many lovely hotels located at every corner of the Algarve that would make for a wonderful base from where to explore the area’s splendid beaches and coastal towns. But if you are looking for a place to stay that combines unique luxury accommodation with outstanding culinary experiences, I recommend checking out my top 5 Algarve luxury hotels spotting some of the area’s best restaurants on-site.

Pousada Palacio de Estoi

Where: Estoi, near Faro

Distance to Faro airport: 15 minutes

Why this is the perfect luxury hotel for food lovers: The stunning rococo palace surrounded by a small private garden reminding you of the stunning gardens of Versailles is full of charm and character.

Carefully restored before turned into a hotel in 2008, Palacio de Estoi today is the perfect mix of old and new, spotting frescoed ceilings, Baroque-style sofas and chairs, chandeliers, statues, wood panels, beautiful antique plasterwork, and paintings in the historic palace while rooms, a spa area with gym, a small indoor pool and the outdoor pool area are located in a modern wing built in 2008.

Owing its name to the businessman who finished the construction of the historic 18th century palace in 1930 and later was named Viscount of Estoi by King Carlos I, O Visconde restaurant offers a small seasonal menu firmly focused on regional produce. You can either sit in the relaxed modern atmosphere inside or during the summer months on the terrace overlooking the garden and surrounding area.

Important facts to know: The hotel is not located close to the beach.

Conrad Algarve

Where: Almancil

Distance to Faro airport: 20 minutes

Why this is the perfect luxury hotel for food lovers: Built in a palatial resort style typical for the Algarve, combining a hotel and private residences, Conrad Algarve boosts two large outdoor pools along with a nearly 2,000 sqm spa with two additional, more secluded indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, relaxation areas with heated mosaic loungers, and even small private balconies outside of the treatment rooms to wind down and relax for a while.

The 134 rooms and 20 suits designed by Miguel Cancio Martins breath contemporary chic and offer all the amenities you’d expect from a 5-star hotel. But what makes Conrad Algarve a gem for foodies are the various dining options. From the relaxed all-day restaurant offering a Portuguese-style menu to Lago Lounge including a sushi bar, and the absolute highlight, the Michelin-starred Gusto by Heinz Beck, there is not shortage of excellent food.

Important facts to know:

• The hotel is not close to the beach.
• There is a free shuttle to the beach (running from spring to autumn), however, sun lungers at the hotel’s own beach area cost an additional EUR 25 per day!
• The breakfast area can get busy when occupancy at the hotel is high.

Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Adults Resort

Where: Vilamoura

Distance to Faro airport: 25 minutes

Why this is the perfect luxury hotel for food lovers: Understated luxury, high-class service, large Spa facilities and ample leisure activities are part of the Anantara DNA. Throughout the hotel, you will find strong regional touches such as the use of local woods, cork and local pottery, artwork and paintings.

Anantara Vilamoura boasts spacious rooms with large balconies, three outdoor pool areas along with several outdoor patios/terrasses where you can settle down to enjoy a light lunch or some drinks mean plenty of options to spend a relaxed day within the grounds of the hotel. Add to that the nearby golf courses and various nearby beaches, and this is the perfect place for an extended weekend stay.

There are several dining options, form the all-day Victoria Restaurant to seafood heaven RIA with the catch of the day served poolside, the intriguing Spice Spoons offering local Portuguese cuisine or a private dining experience tailored to your own taste.

Important facts to know:

• Vilamoura Marina and the beach are around 7 kilometres away. A free shuttle service is offered by the hotel.
• Adults only.

Vila Vita Park Resort & Spa

Where: Porches

Distance to Faro airport: 40 minutes

Why this is the perfect luxury hotel for food lovers: Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, 54 acres of tropical gardens are home to a mixture of buildings offering guests a choice of different rooms and suites with ocean-view terraces/balconies or private villas with their own private pools. Vila Vita Park is refined luxury with beachside feeling.

Dining options range from casual beachside dining to Michelin-starred experiences. The various restaurants offer Italian (Giardino), Portuguese (Adega), Mediterranean (Atlantico), seasfood and grilled meats (Aladin), and sushi and Japanese cuisine (Mizu Teppanyaki), and each one alone is worth a stay. For those still not convinced, there is also the on-site wine cellar Cave de Vinhos, build eight metres deep into the underground. The collection of more than 11,000 bottles composed of 1,200 different wines is the largest collection across Portugal which makes the wine and cheese tastings offered here a real excitement.

Important facts to know: The hotel offers a wide variety of special experiences, from cooking classes to art workshops, wine tasting experiences, spa and wellness classes and treatments, along with special seasonal culinary events.

Bela Vista Hotel

Where: Praia de Rocha Beach, Portimao

Distance to Faro airport: 60 minutes

Why this is the perfect luxury hotel for food lovers: Nestled on top of the rugged cliffs of Praia de Rocha beach in Portimao offering sweeping views this little jam has its very own personality and style, along with a staff that will spoil you in any possible way.

Composed by a striking villa build in the early 20th century, Bela Vista was allegedly the first hotel to open in the Algarve. There are a couple of rooms and suites in the historic mansion while most are in the modern wing, the only ones also guaranteed a balcony or terrace. Kept in blue and white with little thoughtful touches of decoration, the cozy rooms along with the spectacular sea view breeze pure beachside living.

While all this is already more than enough to chose Bela Vista Hotel, most guests will come for an additional reason. Michelin-starred VISTA restaurant by chef Jo?o Oliveira is currently one of the most acclaimed restaurants on the Algarve. Whether it is the 12-course seafood menu or the vegetarian option, both offer a refreshing creative take on the traditional Portuguese cuisine.

While you can’t miss the exceptional menu by chef Jo?o Oliveira at VISTA, if you stay more than one night, don’t bother to look elsewhere for food than the small bistro. The seabass in salt crust was one of the best I ever had.

Important facts to know:

• Praia de Rocha as a location could be considered a bit of a downside. It is one of these ‘built-up’ areas with large higher-rising hotels and apartment buildings dating to the early 1970s. The pedestrian main street is lined with bars/nightclubs, restaurants, and shops belonging to multinational mainstream brands.
• Just below the hotel lies Praia de Rocha beach, the largest and most frequented beach on the Algarve during the summer months. As soon as the weather gets warmer, and therefore more visitors will arrive, entertainment programmes on the beach will skyrocket. Including music playing 7-days a week from late morning into the early night. Therefore, timing your visit to Bela Vista is crucial.

Are you planning a trip to the Algarve anytime soon? Then booking at one of these five hotels not only guarantees you top-notch dining experiences. Each of them is conveniently located to explore the main attractions of the Algarve.