Spa Spy: Serenity - The Art of Well Being Spa at Pine Cliffs resort, Portugal

The view at Pine Cliffs resort, the Algarve, overlooking Falesia beach
The view at Pine Cliffs, the Algarve, overlooking Falesia beach

Our sleuth investigates the curative claims of wellbeing retreats worldwide. This week: the calming effects of the scenic Serenity spa at the Pine Cliffs resort in Albufeira, the Algarve, Portugal 

 

The spa 

The Serenity Spa at Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort, has been lavishly decorated in a Middle Eastern meets Portuguese style with 13 treatment rooms. They are each given a different international flavour to suit the treatment on offer: from the Oriental room with its Thai massages to the hammam. Portuguese tiles are dotted throughout. 

Some of spa treatments make use of the local natural resources, such as a scrub using local salt and sand from the Ria Formosa to the carob powder used in a body wrap.

The Aurum suite, which has been used for birthdays, anniversaries and even marriage proposals, is particularly impressive, with its Swarovski crystal chandelier and gold leaf walls. Couples can enjoy fizz, a jacuzzi and ‘experience showers’ here - a type of disco shower with its own sound and light show. 

 

The relaxation room in the Serenity Spa at Pine Cliffs
The relaxation room in the Serenity Spa at Pine Cliffs

The thermal spa area is free to spa guests who book a treatment, 30 euros for all hotel guests, or 50 euros as a one-off for non-guests and is definitely worth exploring for the disco showers alone.

There is a hydrotherapy pool with water jets to pummel the back; herbal or salt sauna, outdoor jacuzzi (which is unusual for Portugal), or dry floatation bed which is supposed to make you feel as though you have had a restful night's sleep. 

There are myriad 'wellness' programmes available, including  five core programmes that encompass all aspects of a healthy lifestyle, including spa treatments, healthy meals, yoga and fitness classes. 

The hydro pool in the Thermal suite at the Serenity Spa
The hydro pool in the Thermal suite at the Serenity Spa

The symptoms

Both Mr and Mrs Spa Spy are in need of some serious rest and relaxation after the relentless enslaught of three small children at our heels. Stress levels are high; patience levels are low. 

The prescription

A two night stay at the hotel with a 50-minute ocean view massage for couples (€150; £139), plus lunch at the Zest restaurant with its healthy food and juice menu to round off all holistic angles. 

The lobby in the Pine Cliffs hotel showing Eastern and Western design influences
The lobby in the Pine Cliffs hotel showing Eastern and Western design influences

The procedure

Set in the private Tabu garden, two beds are set up side by side under a sheltered canopy to protect us from the glare of the intense sun. The therapists start the full body massage at the same time working from the feet, up the arms and vigorously kneading out the bumps and lumps in the back with soothing, sweet almond oils. 

The Verdict

A couple’s massage with a view is taken to the next level here: our eyes look straight out over the dramatic cliff drop, pine trees and freewheeling seagulls to the sea - and it mesmerising. It’s almost too hard to lie still with the head down when there is such a beautiful real life painting to witness. We both leave on a huge natural high. Endorphins bounce off the body; happiness is restored to body and mind.

A room in The Residence at Pine Cliffs
A room in The Residence at Pine Cliffs

The feel-good factor

This luxurious, sprawling resort hotel’s most striking feature is its cliff top location - and everything has been maximised to take fill advantage of its incredible natural setting. From the lift which transports you down the cliff face to the stunning Falesia beach below; to the cliff-top Mirador champagne bar for sun-downers; to the spa treatments and yoga sessions which can be arranged outdoors so you can transport yourself to an even deeper level of relaxation.  

If you’re on a bit of a health kick and keen to maintain a guilt-free glow it’s worth having lunch at the Zest restaurant which specialises in organic raw foods, juices and tonics. The almond milkshakes and soba noodles are particularly good.

The Zest restaurant at Pine Cliffs
The Zest restaurant at Pine Cliffs

Otherwise there’s a restaurant (11 in fact) to match your every food whim, whether it be a slab of beef at the Piri Piri steakhouse or a crustacean platter at the O Pescador or more casual dining at the club house or pool side bars.  

The huge pirate ship in the Porto Pirata kids club is a big hit with the little people. There is also a splash pool and bouncy castle and plenty of toys to keep them entertained with parents can enjoy a spa treatment or two. There’s also a junior club for older children with many sporty classes on offer.

One of many pools at the Pine Cliffs resort
One of many pools at the Pine Cliffs resort

For the more active of you, there’s a well equipped sea-front gym, fitness classes and personal trainers on speed-dial; golf course, Annabel Croft Tennis academy; water sports at the private beach club; outdoor and indoor pools.  

The golf course at the Pine Cliffs resort
The golf course at the Pine Cliffs resort

The resort is only a 30 minute drive to Faro airport and 10 minutes from Albufeira, although you can understand why many do not choose to leave the hotel during their stay.  

A seat with a view at the Pine Cliffs beach club
A seat with a view at the Pine Cliffs beach club

The Details

A two-bedroom resort-view Pine Cliffs Ocean Suite suite starts from €335 (£308) per night including an excellent buffet breakfast. 

 

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