Set in the dramatic, copper-red cliffs of the southern Algarve just outside Albufeira, this award-winning, family-friendly complex comprises a luxury hotel, apartments, villas and residences, with a golf course, tennis courts, children's village, health club and plethora of pools. A glass-fronted lift takes you down the cliffs to reach its private beach, while the Mirador Champagne Bar clings to the cliff-edge and offers romantic sunset views. Rooms are spacious and atmospheric, with terracotta-tiled floors and balconies. 

A slew of activities are available from watersports to football academies, kids' clubs to yoga retreats. The food is also excellent, with nine venues including a steakhouse pairing the likes of tomahawk and chateaubriand with local wines, and fish restaurant Mare. The highlight had to be the 'Senses of the Algarve' treatment at the Serenity Spa, which saw me smothered in thick, chocolatey carob oil, wrapped up like a cocoon and left for 15 minutes so that I smelt like a cake for the rest of the evening.

Book it: €198 per night for a one-bedroom Garden Suite (room only)Pinecliffs.com/en