A HOTEL at a world-famous seaside resort has been named the best beach resort in Europe.
Pestana Alvor Praia was named Europe‘s Leading Beach Resort at the World Travel Awards, dubbed the ‘Oscars of Tourism’.
The resort, in the Algarve, has won the award for 2024, after winning it back in 2022.
It overlooks Três Irmãos Beach which is often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
And the hotel itself has a huge outdoor swimming pool with sea views as well as sunloungers.
If you dancy staying inside, there is the Magic Spa which also has its own pool.
Of the 202 rooms, most have private balconies as well as beach views while some even have private plunge pools.
Family holidays are catered for too, with kids up to 12 having free accommodation, as well as a Free Kids Club.
Along with the Almofariz buffet restaurant, there are two bars – Bar D. Henrique and Bar Oceano.
Previous guests have rated it highly too, with one calling it a “hidden gem”.
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Another said: “[The hotel] is probably the best hotel along this part of the coastline”.
Others raved about the beachfront location as well as the kind staff.
Rooms can be found for as little as £92 a night, and flights to the nearby Faro Airport start from £14.99.
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It can also be booked as a holiday package with both TUI and British Airways.
One of the cheapest we found was with LoveHolidays, with seven nights, breakfast and flights costing £385pp.
Weather in the Algarve can reach 30C in the summer, as well as remain around 18C even in the colder months.
Not only are flights less than three hours, but Portugal is also a relatively cheap holiday destination, with wine costing just a few euros.
The Algarve was even named the best value holiday destination by the Post Office earlier this year.
The study found a coffee could cost as little as 88p, while a small bottle of beer can be purchased for as little as £2.20.
Other destinations in Portugal have also been praised for their value for money, including Lisbon, which was named the “least-expensive city in Western Europe” by the Economist Intelligence Unit earlier this year.
Here another hotel to book this summer, with the Spanish resort named the “best in the Med” by TUI.
What is a holiday to the Algarve like?
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited some little-known islands off the coast of the Algarve.
“As part of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, the five inlets are accessible by a short boat ride from Faro.
“Ilha Deserta, also known as Barreta, is often called the Caribbean of Portugal thanks to its golden sandy beaches.
“It takes just 20 minutes to get there, with ferries costing barely a few euros.
“Another island is Isla Armona, which is a bit more built up with houses and cafes.
“It still remains quiet however – the boat gets onto the island at one end, with along single path winding through the tiny cottages to the beach on the other side.
“However, this beach is just as quiet, with just a small bar serving drinks and snacks.”
Or there is the beachfront Turkish hotel that has “mastered family holidays“.
Fancy a long walk? Europe’s longest hotel is opening this year too.