Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Beach Resort, Golf & Spa 5*

With 383 rooms split between marina-facing and ocean-facing sides, Tivoli Marina Vilamoura feels like a proper resort rather than a small hotel with a pool. Rooms are set up for golfers, couples and families alike, with air-conditioning, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, a safe and a minibar as standard. If you like a quieter wind-down after a round, it's worth opting for an ocean view, while marina views put you right on top of the action for evening drinks and people-watching.

For groups travelling together, the big win is convenience. You've got space to spread out, plenty happening on-site and the marina is only moments away, so nobody's relying on one organiser to keep the week moving. It also suits mixed-ability trips where some of you want 36 holes and others would rather do the beach club and a late lunch. Balconies are standard across most rooms, giving you somewhere to sit with a beer after golf, and there's enough storage to keep clubs and luggage out of the way without tripping over them all week.

The health club makes recovery easy, with sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, Turkish bath and a gym if you're keen to keep moving between rounds. After a long day on the Old Course or Victoria, the steam room and jacuzzi see plenty of use, and the setup is far more comprehensive than the token spa facilities you get at some golf hotels. It's the sort of place where you can actually unwind properly rather than just ticking a box.

Breakfast is served in Voyage Restaurant each morning, with enough variety to fuel a full day on the course, and the layout means you're not queuing for ages or fighting for a table even when the resort is busy. For families or groups with different tee times, the flexibility around breakfast hours makes life easier, and the quality is consistent across the week rather than dropping off after the first couple of days.

The private beach sits just beyond the hotel, offering direct access to the sand and 300 days of Algarve sunshine per year. It's a quieter alternative to the pools when the resort gets busy, and it's genuinely only a minute or two from reception, so you're not hiking across a massive complex to get there. The beach setup includes loungers and shade, so it's a proper option for non-golfers or anyone taking a rest day rather than just a token add-on.

Pepper's steakhouse brings an American feel with quality cuts and evening entertainment, making it a solid choice for groups looking for a good meal and a lively atmosphere. Oregano Restaurant handles lunch with fresh pasta, crispy pizza and salads, while Voyage Restaurant serves breakfast each morning. The variety keeps things interesting across a week-long stay, with enough options to avoid repetition. Pepper's is the easy shout for a lively group dinner, while the marina gives you loads of walk-out options if you fancy mixing it up without booking taxis.

Beyond the resort, Vilamoura's marina delivers quality dining within walking distance. Casa del Forno covers Italian favourites, while Ostra d'Ouro Grill at the marina specialises in seafood. For drinks in the sun, Purobeach outlets by the pool and beach offer a relaxed setting with views across the water.

The five-star setup includes two outdoor swimming pools, an indoor pool and a full health club featuring sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, solarium, Turkish bath and gymnasium. The private beach sits just outside, accessible in seconds from the hotel and offering a quieter alternative to the pools when the resort gets busy. With 300 days of sunshine per year, the outdoor facilities see plenty of use, and the indoor options provide backup when the weather turns or when a post-round recovery session is needed.