Pine Cliffs

Pine Cliffs

Pine Cliffs

Pine Cliffs | NCG Top 100s: European Golf Resorts

There is something for everyone, literally. Pine Cliffs is a stunning resort in a stunning location. Situated on the Algarve, and just 30 minutes from Faro International Airport, Pine Cliffs is in an incredible place, and with golfing delights down the road, including Dom Pedro and Quinta do Lago, to name a couple.

Pine Cliffs may only have nine holes on its golf course, but what a layout it is. Perched some 200 feet above the golden beaches and blue water of the Atlantic Ocean, the location of the golf course at Pine Cliffs is one that is unique to the area. The Devil’s Parlour - the par-3 6th - is one of the most photographed holes in all of golf, and it is not difficult to see why. A 200 yard carry over the shoreline, with anything pulled left flying into the Atlantic. Tricky just about covers it as a description. 

In terms of accommodation, Pine Cliffs can offer something for all types of guests looking for a stay in the southern part of Portugal. There are four main accommodation options at the resort. The Pine Cliffs Hotel has been around for three decades now, and has been joined in recent years by the Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites, Pine Cliffs Residence and Pine Cliffs Gardens, the latter of which is a sublime set of brand new one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

The world class spa and wellness centre located at Pine Cliffs is part of the Serenity group, and is one of three locations in Europe. A range of treatments, massages and services are available at Serenity, which features a Turkish bath, Himalayan salt sauna, hydrotherapy pool, outdoor jacuzzi and more.

Bringing the kids? They will love it at Pine Cliffs. Recently named the Best Family Resort in the world, Pine Cliffs is the home to Porto Pirata, a 7000 square metre on-site children's village for children ages six months to eight years, manned by a highly qualified team of professionals.

Pine Cliffs is pretty much perfect in every department, and if you’re looking for a trip to the Atlantic coast at the southern tip of Portugal, then Pine Cliffs should definitely be in the mix. 

 
 
Visit the Pine Cliffs website here.

Pine Cliffs Overview | NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts

9-Hole Challenge

Unlike a lot of resorts on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list, Pine Cliffs has just one golf course. That singular golf course has just nine holes. And yet still, it is an incredible place to visit to play the beautiful sport.

The Pine Cliffs Golf Course sits 200 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, with stunning views out over the blue waters and the golden sands. Set on the cliff top, the dark red sandstone cliffs contrast beautifully with the luscious greens of the golf course.

World-renowned golf course architect Martin Hawtree was the man behind the design of this 9-hole jewel, with Pine Cliffs becoming just another to add to the list of incredible golf courses he has worked on. He wanted to keep the natural surroundings intact when designing the course, and he has done that brilliantly.

The par-3 6th hole is one of the most photographed holes in all of golf. The championship tee on the 6th is known as the Devil’s Parlour. The tee sits on the other side of a ravine, with players having to hit a shot of more than 215 yards to find the centre of the 6th green.

Pine Cliffs Golf Academy

The Pine Cliffs Golf Academy aims to help all those that come through its doors, with a team of qualified PGA professionals and an array of the latest technology on hand.

The Academy is the home to a stunning driving range with both grass and matted tees so players can practise year-round. There is also a putting green behind the driving range which runs at the same speed as the on-course greens. The dedicated short game area has the option for both chipping and bunker play.

The Pine Cliffs Golf Academy is also the home to an indoor video swing analysis room, which is equipped with the latest V1 swing analysis software. The software helps to analyse faults and points for improvement and it is a handy tool during tuition and lessons.

That tuition comes in a range of formats, and from the aforementioned team of professionals who have a combined 20 years of experience. From individual lessons to group clinics, there is coaching available for all golfers at the Pine Cliffs Golf Academy.

Incredible Accommodation Options

Pine Cliffs is the home to several stunning accommodation options for all guests. There is the stunning Pine Cliffs Hotel, and the immaculate Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites. From there, the newest places to stay in the resort are the Pine Cliffs Residence and the Pine Cliffs Gardens, which are both sublime family-oriented apartments. 

Pine Cliffs Hotel
The Pine Cliffs Hotel initially opened in 1992, and has recently been renovated to add to the luxury of the accommodation. The hotel’s traditional Portuguese design has had a contemporary touch added with the renovations.

There are more than 200 spacious rooms and suites at the Pine Cliffs Hotel, all of which are light and airy. There are five categories of rooms, with every single room having a private balcony or terrace to enjoy. 

Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites
The Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites are a selection of exclusive apartments at the Pine Cliffs Resort. Traditional Portuguese architecture is mixed with a modern interior design to create sublime spaces for guests to enjoy.

There are 148 properties at the Ocean Suites at Pine Cliffs. The range of one-and two-bedroom apartments are stunning, and feature beautifully furnished living areas and stylish en-suite bathrooms. Each apartment has its own balcony, while there are also two Presidential Suites which take the luxury up another notch.

Pine Cliffs Residence
2007 saw the opening of Pine Cliffs Residence, which is mainly seen as the family side of the resort. The Residence was designed with families in mind and there are more than 150 suites on offer, all surrounded by the flora and fauna of the resort’s gardens.

The suites at Pine Cliffs Residence are available in both two- and three-bedrooms, and offer all the comforts that a family could need. The range of Comfort, Garden Access and Penthouse suites all feature well-equipped kitchenettes and an outdoor furnished terrace.

Pine Cliffs Gardens
The final piece of the puzzle at the Pine Cliffs Resort is the Pine Cliffs Gardens, which are the newest selection of accommodation at the resort. The Gardens is a range of luxury apartments which are also ideal for family holidays. 

In line with the aesthetic of the entire resort, traditional architecture has been fused with contemporary modern design to create a range of 87 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment suites, which are surrounded by the gardens and pine trees at the entrance of the resort.

Serenity - The Art of Wellbeing

The Serenity Spa is the wellness facility at the Pine Cliffs Resort, and it offers up a relaxing place for its guests to unwind and to forget about the stresses of daily life. It is a peaceful hideaway, with a range of facilities for guests to enjoy.

The Serenity at Pine Cliffs features sensory showers, herbal and Himalayan salt saunas, a hydrotherapy pool and a Kneipp pool, ice source, Turkish bath, outdoor jacuzzi, and relaxation areas, all with the intention of helping guests relax.

There are also a range of treatments and massages on offer at the Serenity. There are both full body and localised massages, while the array of treatments includes facial treatments, CBD treatments and more. 

Porto Pirata

The Porto Pirata is the kids club at the Pine Cliffs Resort, and offers a fun and safe space where children are encouraged to have fun and make new friends. 

There are two life-size wooden pirate ships perched on the cliffs. These multi-functional ships anchor the Porto Pirata, which is a 7,000 square metre children’s village.

The Porto Pirata is aimed for children between the ages of six months and eight years, with kids being supervised by qualified professionals. There is also a bouncy castle, mini-golf, trampoline and a basketball court among the activities that kids can have fun with.

FAQs about Pine Cliffs

Where is Pine Cliffs located?
Pine Cliffs is situated in the centre of the Algarve, resting on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean to its south. It is located halfway between Albufeira and Vilamoura, in a true golfing paradise in the south of Europe. 

What is the nearest airport to Pine Cliffs?
Like many resorts on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list, the nearest airport to Pine Cliffs is Faro International Airport. It sits just 20 miles to the east of Pine Cliffs, and operates daily flights to the majority of European countries, including several destinations in the United Kingdom. 

What golf facilities does Pine Cliffs offer?
As well as the stunning 9-hole golf course, Pine Cliffs is also the home of a state of the art Golf Academy. There is a driving range and short game area for guests to practise their skills on.

The Pine Cliffs Golf Academy is also the home to an indoor swing studio, where golfer’s swings can be analysed and improved by qualified PGA professionals. The Academy offers help for golfers of all levels and ages.

Does Pine Cliffs offer golf lessons?
The team of qualified PGA professionals at the Pine Cliffs Golf Academy are on hand to help golfers from all walks of life, whether they be beginners in the game, or experienced golfers looking to fine tune their swings. 

The dedicated short game area has been constructed with tuition and coaching in mind, so the team of professionals can help golfers to improve their putting, chipping and bunker play.

What are the green fees at Pine Cliffs?
You can choose to either play 9 or 18 at Pine Cliffs, depending on whether you want to go round twice and face the Devil’s Parlour. 

At its most expensive, 9 holes will cost €65, with that coming from February-May and October-November. At all other times of the year, a 9-hole round is €55. Those prices rise up to €90 and €75 for an 18-hole round at the same times, respectively. 

Is Pine Cliffs suitable for families?
Pine Cliffs has been named the Best Family Resort recently, and it is obvious as to why. Porto Pirata is the hotel's 7,000 square metre on-site children's village, which features two full-size wooden pirate ships.

Children aged six months to eight years are welcomed at Porto Pirata, where they can enjoy the two ships, along with a basketball court, 18-hole mini-golf course, kids swimming pool and much more.

What accommodation is on offer at Pine Cliffs?
There is a stunning range of accommodation on offer at Pine Cliffs, from the main hotel to sublime apartments. The Pine Cliffs Hotel, Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites, Pine Cliffs Residence and Pine Cliffs Gardens all offer something slightly different, with plenty of choice to decide on the perfect place to stay during a stay on the Algarve. 

What other resorts are nearby?
Within half an hour from Pine Cliffs, there are a number of resorts who also have a spot on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list.

Vale do Lobo, Quinta da Marinha, Quinta do Lago, San Lorenzo, Dom Pedro and Vila Sol are all within a short drive from Pine Cliffs down the Portuguese coastline. 

 
 
Visit the Pine Cliffs website here.