Name: Pine Cliffs Residence
Address: Praia da Falesia, -, -, Portugal, ALBUFEIRA
Telephone: 00351289500100
Price range: from €0pp (7 nights includes flights and transfers)

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Pool

This is *nowhere near* a 5-star resort. Our room was crawling with ants, and even after repeatedly asking for it to be cleaned (multiple times per day), nothing was properly done. When we complained, the receptionist casually told us it’s *normal* to have ants in the rooms. The staff are miserable, unhelpful, and at times outright rude. 

There are **no** warm pools — not one. And most of the sun loungers are the cheap, uncomfortable blue plastic ones you’d expect to see at a budget hotel, not a so-called luxury resort. Only one pool area has proper cushioned loungers.

Nobody working here seems to want to help. There’s no clear system for booking activities, and staff give you the bare minimum of information — if they even acknowledge you at all. Once you finally figure out how to book something, most options are already full for your stay. On top of that, everything costs extra — we were charged €60 for one hour of padel tennis for two people. 

The restaurants across the resort are a total rip-off. The food is bland at best, portions are tiny, and the prices are absurd for what you get. There’s absolutely no value for money here.

The resort layout is awful, especially if you’re put in one of the 2 bed villas in the residence . It’s a 30-minute walk — without kids — from the residences to the hotel or beach lift, because the entire property is split by a golf course. The gym is an afterthought: one small, dated, stuffy room with barely any equipment. No attention to detail, no extras — just sad and neglected.

The female spa staff were a huge letdowns. We were excited to book treatments after hearing good things, but were met with rude, uninterested staff who clearly didn’t want to be there. When we asked for a treatment menu, the answer was a blunt “No,” followed by being told to go look it up online. No help, no explanation, no effort. *we did go to the spa after this experience and were met by a lovely gentleman who helped us however the spa facilities are much to be admired. No warm pool. A dirty jacuzzi and a closed ice bath. 

That same miserable attitude was present during check-in, too. Yes, we got early check-in — but the way the front desk agent handled it was incredibly negative, as if doing his job was a huge burden. Every request felt like pulling teeth. Luggage assistance? A complete ordeal that again seemed like too much to ask by the way the staff responded. 

We honestly feel conned. This resort charges luxury prices but delivers a sub-par, joyless experience. The service is cold and dismissive, the amenities are underwhelming, and the overall vibe is more depressing than relaxing. If you’re looking to overpay for mediocrity and leave your holiday feeling frustrated and ripped off, then by all means — book this place. Otherwise, stay far away.

Stay else where! Sad unwilling to help staff, dirty and full of ants, expensive and poor quality food.

We stayed at Pine Cliffs Residences for 4 nights, booking two 2-bedroom suites for two families. The apartments were spacious, well-maintained, and included a handy kitchenette. The property itself is stunning—expansive and beautifully designed.

We had a few minor issues like some lights not working, but the hotel staff responded promptly and resolved them. I had a couple of more serious concerns as well, and Manager Hui handled them exceptionally—professional, courteous, and helpful.

We opted for the half-board package. The breakfast buffet was excellent with a wide variety of options. The dinner buffet was also impressive, though vegetarian choices were quite limited. While we expected a more international spread, the non-veg dishes were a hit with the rest of our group.

The indoor pool deserves a special mention, and the overall amenities were top-notch. A couple of restaurants were closed during our stay, which was a bit disappointing.

Overall, a great experience—I’d definitely recommend this resort.

Great resort in Algarve

This is not a 5 star resort. The staff are miserable and unhelpful. The rooms are full of ants, they won’t clean them properly when asked (several times per day), in person the receptionist explained this is normal to have ants in the rooms?!?!

The restaurants throughout the entire resort are overpriced, serve tiny portions and the food is taste is average/not good.

There are NO warm pools!

All the sun loungers are standard blue crappy ones, besides one pool which has quality cushioned loungers.

No one at the resort seems to want to help you, no one is there to book activities through or even explain all the options of activities. Once you find the correct place to book each activity individually they’re very busy and booked up for most of your stay. All activities are at additional cost for example padel for an hour for 2 people came to €60.

The resort is huge and it’s a 30 minute walk (without kids walking) from the residences to the hotel/beach lift as you have to go around the golf course in the middle. The gym is stuffy and a dated the way it’s all cramped into one room, I’d expect something more elevated from a 5* resort with things like bands supplied also.

The spa, we had heard such amazing things about and really were keen to book in, again greeted by unhelpful, unfriendly people on the spa desk who when asked ‘do you have a treatment menu please?’ Just gave us an underwhelming and rude ‘NO’ then ‘go online here and look’.

Things that didn’t need to be miserable and unhelpful at this hotel really do just come across awfully from staff. We had this through the check in experience also, they managed to get us an early check in and were actually quite efficient in that sense, but the way the gent on the front desk spun this was so negative and unfriendly, as if every ask was too much and every task was a nightmare that I was asking to check in and for some help with my bags.

Overall I wouldn’t recommend this resort, if you’re after being ripped off for a mediocre stay with negative, unhelpful staff and crap food then great but otherwise don’t bother. We are sadly leaving this trip feeling like we have been conned for a 5* price and way below 5* standard of holiday.

Unpleasant staff, ants, not 5 star

We love the Pine Cliffs Luxury Residence, and the photos attached will confirm this place is indeed luxury. The residence is like a bungalow with access to the large patio via 3 huge glass doors which we left open for those amazing Algarve breezes this time of year. The water pressure, hot water, 2 luxury baths and a luxury shower are like being in a spa, and really enjoyed the luxury bath amenities too. The grounds are meticulous; the area we stayed in was peaceful and quiet (other than a few immature guests smoking or shouting), and we will be booking our return for next winter as soon as the Bonvoy app allows the dates we hope to return for.
Will try to post the full 50 photos allowed (for some reason TripAdvisor algorithms enjoy deleting some of our photos and reviews without notice)... .

Wow: exceeded expectations!!!

Always the best ,from the moment you enter this wonderful hotel it's service with a smile,location is excellent and one of the Algarves finest beaches on your doorstep, can't finish a review without mentioning the breakfast at Pine Cliffs  thank you for hospitality.

Short stay on business

Ideally suited for family stays, the resort provides an array of activities for all ages, including world-class golf, five tennis courts and swimming pools, spa treatments, kids' club, and private access to the beach through the Pine Cliffs Hotel.

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