Sometimes the hardest part about picking the perfect hotel is the laborious process of trying to find somewhere that ticks off a certain criterion. This criterion might involve a series of diverse activities both inside and outside of a hotel to meet the interests of a family or a group of friends, like trying to combine poolside downtime and piña coladas with a trip to town or a post-dinner hike. Preferably all four.
Tivoli Carvoeiro ticks more boxes than your average Algarvian resort. For one: there’s a beach right on its doorstep. The hotel is also located amidst a backdrop of impeccable vineyards and a quaint old town ideal for ambling. The foodies will be pleased to learn that there’s not one but three restaurants on the hotel grounds, and the true urbanites will be delighted to discover a beach-chic rooftop bar for cocktails and cosy catch-ups. Happy exploring.
The Vibe
On arrival, the wide glass windows and low ceilings immediately imbue the surroundings with an elegant but chilled-out vibe. The current design focuses on an airy and light atmosphere rather than excess five-star opulence. Interior designers, Broadway Malyan, transformed this area of the hotel during a major refurbishment programme, opting for a space that offers glimpses of the ocean coquettishly peeking in from various corners of the hotel.
The Rooms
The 248 rooms too were redesigned with floor-to-ceiling windows and extended balconies to offer more depth and contact with the sea, whilst also overlooking the shimmering pool and wrought limestone rocks. Inside, the light and airy theme continues with simple white walls to match a soft blue colour palette. The bathroom showcases contemporary design with a seductive walk-in shower, twin sinks and zero clutter.
The Restaurants
Tivoli Carvoeiro’s versatility derives from its variation of restaurants and bars so you can lunch in a different location to breakfast, which is always a factor that sets a good resort apart from a great one. We were fortunate enough to get a taste of each, lunching at Azur Bar with an ocean view and local wines aplenty. Make sure to enquire about the catch of the day to sample Portugal’s freshest seafood and opt for the authentic cataplana, which might be the region’s best-known dish cooked in a clam-shaped copper pan thought to have been invented during the Algarve’s long period of Moorish rule.
The One restaurant is a must for fine dining with expert wine pairing. The Med is where you’ll also find the breakfast buffet comprised of fresh fruits, pastries, local cheeses and so much more. By night, it transforms into a cosy and romantic setting for more traditional regional dishes, including grilled octopus with mash potato, and veal carpaccio with a modest dash of parmesan cheese.
The Activities
Two outdoor swimming pools, a private beach and a full-service spa are just a few activities on the agenda at Tivoli Carvoeiro. It’s an adventure in itself clambering down the make-shift steps and jagged rocks to the beach, but completely worth the climb. Two guests were climbing back up as we ventured down, soaked from head to toe and breathless from swimming to the sea caves. They explained the best way to go about handling the waves, which had become slightly more energetic by this point in the afternoon, though calm enough to dip and gallivant closer to the shore.
For anyone suffering from cabin fever, there’s wine tasting at Quinta da Vinha vineyard and guided hikes across the sort of soaring cliffs that draw over four million visitors to the Algarve each year. The Sete Vales Suspensos is one of the most picturesque Algarve routes featuring secluded beaches, copper cliffs and dramatic coastal landscapes that stretch far and wide for 5.7km.
Don’t Miss
The hotel’s sleek Sky Bar is the ideal spot to lounge with a fruity cocktail backdropped by wide open skies. The white and wood décor feels contemporary and offers a laidback aspect to the rooftop, mixed with a chic and cool elegance. Cocktails are abundant, as is the vast ocean view melding with the melting sunset.
Nightly rates at Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort start from £89 for a double room on B&B basis. For more information, please visit:
https://www.minorhotels.com/pt/tivoli/tivoli-carvoeiro
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