Six of the best resorts on the Algarve

published 7 July 2014

For glamour

Areias do Seixo

"Opulent burnished golds, pendulous woodburners, chandeliers, rich velvets and elaborate mirrors add up to a lot of bling too." Doubles start from £245, including breakfast (I-escape.com;00 351 261 936340).

For luxury and golf courses

Conrad Algarve

If your budget stretches to it, book the "spectacular" roof garden suite, which incorporates a private pool in thesitting area. Rooms cost from £268, including breakfast (Conradhotels3.hilton.com; 00 351 289 350700).

For boutique personality

Bela Vista Hotel & Spa

The L'Occitane Spa offers treatment rooms, a hammam and a sauna. Outside, "palm treessurroundthe hotel's pool, and beyond liesthe sea". Rooms cost from £122, including breakfast (Hotelbelavista.net; 00 351 282 460280).

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For large groups

Casa do Dragao Azul

Just because it is a villa doesn't mean you'll have to fend for yourselves a cook/maid "works five days a week, providing breakfast and lunch, plus dinner at extra cost if required". Prices start from £11,270 for seven nights based on eight sharing (Cvvillas.com; 020-7563 7999).

For self-caterers

Aldeia da Pedralva

The area "offers plenty of activities", including surfing, hiking, biking and diving. Prices start from£58 per night for a one-bedroom cottage (Aldeiadapedralva.com; 00 351 282 639342).

For families

The Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel

Martinhal.com

Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.

Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.

Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping, among many other titles both online and offline.