Secretplaces has been in search of especially beautiful and authentic places to stay in the Algarve for more than 22 years.
The Algarve is blessed with a mild climate, a beautiful coastline where orange coloured cliffs surrounding small beaches with impressive rock formations rising from its crystal clear water lead over to endless long beaches with golden sand and grass covered dunes. Its interior delights us with rolling hills covered with orange and olive groves interspersed by majestic carob trees. The historic centres of the towns and villages have somehow maintained their original Portuguese traces.
So much beauty has made the Algarve one of the main European tourist destinations with all the downsides that come along with this kind of development. Large parts of the coast have been built up with resorts and hotel complexes, golf courses and apartment buildings. But there are still many hidden gems in the Algarve that have escaped mass tourism and have lost nothing of their original charm. They are mostly in the Eastern and Western Algarve, but with small towns such as Silves and Ferragudo, even the central part of the Algarve has its treasures. On the Eastern Algarve, with its sandy islands that form part of the natural Ria Formosa park, towns such as Tavira, Olhão and Vila Real de Santo Antonio spring to mind. In the west it is Sagres, Lagos and the village of Carrapateira on the Vicentina coast with its unspoiled beaches.
Where better to enjoy these beautiful spots in the Algarve than in one of our carefully selected boutique hotels, charming guesthouses or stylish bed and breakfast in the Algarve. We have put together a list of our favourite places to stay in the Algarve. These are the best, but you will find more of our handpicked boutique hotels and bed&breakfasts in the Algarve on our website.
Our 6 favourite boutique hotels in the Algarve
CASA MÃE
Boutique hotel - Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
With its world famous coves and beaches, Lagos in the Algarve is home to the stylish boutique hotel Casa Mãe, a celebration of the joy of living and the slow pace of life. Casa Mãe with its 16th century walls and its terraced vegetable garden is a place full of heritage, now revived and combined with modern creativity.
22 rooms - prices from 180,00 € per day
COLÉGIO CHARM HOUSE
Design boutique hotel - Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
Surging from a former manor house that had later been transformed into a school, the Colégio Charm House finally appeared as a charming boutique hotel after years of careful restoration. The architecture and the original walls and stones were honoured and modernity, comfort and luxury touches were added. The 20 suites are uniquely decorated in a beautifully achieved combination of modernity and tradition.
19 rooms - prices from 180,00 € per day
CONVERSAS DE ALPENDRE
Boutique hotel and guest house - Vila Nova de Cacela, Algarve, Portugal
With a perfect blend between rural feel and sophistication, the stylish country inn Conversas de Alpendre in the Algarve will provide you with all comforts and amenities to spend an invigorating holiday. Portuguese materials, textiles and the typical “azulejos” have been used in the decoration of the 12 beautiful rooms and common areas. A boutique hotel that will let your soul dangle.
12 rooms - prices from 180,00 € per day
GRAND HOUSE
Luxury Hotel - Vila Real de Santo António, Algarve, Portugal
Grand House Hotel
Located on the banks of the Guadiana river that separates the Algarve from Spain, the Grand House is a luxury hotel with charming combination of Art Nouveau and Baroque styles. This beautiful boutique hotel offers 5 star service in a relaxed atmosphere. A perfect base to discover the Eastern Algarve.
30 rooms - prices from 260,00 € per day
SÃO PAULO BOUTIQUE HOTEL - SPBH
Boutique Hotel - Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
Tavira is probably the most authentic town in the Algarve, and the marvellous São Paulo Boutique Hotel an ideal place to experience it. Set in a beautiful 18th century house, typical of the Algarve, it has all the charm of a historical building whilst also providing faultless modern day comfort. The hotel only has 5 rooms and is located in one of the lovely ancient squares of the city of Tavira, the Jardim da Alagoa.
5 rooms - prices from 110,00 € per day
VILA MONTE FARM HOUSE
Luxury hotel - Moncarapacho, Algarve, Portugal
With a concept a bit different to the other boutique hotels in this list, the design hotel Vila Monte Farm House lies a bit back from the coast in the wonderful hills of Moncarapacho, just northeast of Olhão, Algarve. Light colours, art and open spaces characterize this stunning resort. Two swimming pools, an inhouse golf course and lots of activities will delight sports enthusiasts.
53 rooms - prices from 250,00 € per day
Our 5 favourite bed and breakfasts and guest houses in the Algarve, Portugal
CONVENTO
Boutique bed & breakfast - Olhão, Algarve, Portugal
The fishing town of Olhão has been an insider secret since quite some time. It is also the location of two of our favourite small hotels and bed and breakfasts in the Algarve. One of them is the Convento, a magnificently designed and decorated boutique hotel. It has 9 airy. white and light filled bedrooms as well as a fabulous roof terrace from which you can enjoy the views of the sea and the white roofs of Olhão. It even has a plunge pool for hot summer days.
9 rooms - prices from 145,00 € per day
CASA CÉU GUEST HOUSE
Boutique bed & breakfast - Olhão, Algarve, Portugal
Casa Céu is our other charming bed and breakfast in Olhão is not only located in one of the most authentic towns of the Algarve, but it is also close to fine sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters. Casa Céu is an oasis of calm and peace, making it the perfect stay for a romantic escape. Two of the rooms also have a private terrace, from where you can watch the colourful sunset while sipping a cocktail or a good local wine.
4 rooms - prices from 105,00 € per day
CALÇADA GUESTHOUSE
Bed & breakfast - Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
The Calçada Guesthouse, an enchanting bed & breakfast and holiday home in the heart of the historic centre of Tavira in the Algarve. It has six individually furnished rooms, some open onto the small living area at the front of the building with a magnificent view, others have a private terrace. Tavira is one of the most architecturally attractive cities in the Algarve and the cafes, restaurants, museums, galleries, castles and Roman bridges are within walking distance.
6 rooms - prices from 90,00
PENSÃO AGRICOLA
Boutique bed & breakfast - Conceição de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
Located in one of the most beautiful areas in the Algarve, the boutique hotel Pensão Agrícola is surrounded by fertile land and nature and not far from the historical centre of Tavira and the old fishing village of Cacela Velha. With a combination of a hip and nostalgic flair, each individual room welcomes its guests with its very special Portuguese charm. The interior decoration consists of lovingly preserved antique furniture and valuable family pieces, which give you insights into the past of the houses owners.
11 rooms - prices from 150,00 € per day
FORTE DE SÃO JOÃO DA BARRA
Historic bed & breakfast - Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
This stunning bed and breakfast is set within the walls of a fort that goes back to the 17th century when it was built to defend the port of Tavira from attack. It is peaceful here and the austere yet sophisticated decoration with period pieces and numerous contemporary paintings and sculptures, just adds to the feeling of tranquillity. Enjoy breakfast on the terrace watching the incoming tide turn the estuary into a huge lake.
10 rooms - prices from 120,00 € per day