High summer in the Algarve is what European holiday dreams are made of: coastal clifftop morning walks and long lazy days in sweltering sunshine, afternoons spent sipping fruity spritzes by the pool. Golden hour drinks effortlessly unfold into long balmy evenings, sampling delicious local food before dancing the night away. The W Algarve, perched above the Atlantic on the clifftops of Albufeira, is a stylish retreat for partygoers to relax and unwind in. Yet it’s also a hub of activity in the summer months, with an exciting programme of events that bring a lively atmosphere to this luxury hotel.
There’s nothing quite like summer in the Algarve in Portugal, with fresh seafood dinners enjoyed on sun-drenched terraces and a unique blend of party-meets-wellness offering at resorts. Energetic evenings spent dancing under the stars are tempered with invigorating clifftop walks the next morning. It’s the perfect place to let loose, but also recharge.
The W Hotel is an exciting new addition to the Algarve, having launched in 2022, offering a party atmosphere teamed with laid-back luxury. While there are plenty of resorts in the Algarve, the W sets itself apart thanks to its modern, design-led approach, with curated spaces that subtly nod towards Portuguese culture with a contemporary twist. W Hotels (offering an impressive portfolio of 70 hotels with more projects in the pipeline) have a distinctive feel, known for their colourful interiors, often created in collaboration with contemporary designers and artists.
How to Do High Summer in the Algarve at the Stylish W Hotel
The W Algarve has established itself as the most compelling addition to the Algarve’s luxury hotel scene since opening in 2022, combining a genuine party atmosphere with the kind of design-led, laid-back luxury that the region does so well. Perched on the clifftops of Albufeira above the Atlantic, the resort encompasses six dining and drinking spaces, a high-tech gym, and the indulgent AWAY spa, all created in collaboration with Hong Kong designers AB Concept. Peak season in the Algarve runs through July and August, and the W leans fully into that energy with a curated summer events programme that draws a stylish yet fun-loving crowd well beyond the usual resort guests.
From AURA ONE Cliffside DJ Sets to Paper Moon Rooftop Dining, the W Algarve Has It All
The highlight of the hotel’s summer programme is AURA ONE at AIR, a cliffside DJ event series perched above Praia do Evaristo with raised decks among the trees, a killer sound system, and sunset views that make every set feel cinematic. When the party winds down, the W Algarve’s dining offer is genuinely exceptional, from poolside bites and colourful cocktails at SIP @ WET to handmade pasta and fine wines at the showstopping rooftop Paper Moon restaurant. Guests can also enjoy guided boat or kayak tours of the famous Benagil Caves, clifftop walking routes, and wine tasting sessions at Vino by Paper Moon. There’s nothing quite like summer in the Algarve in Portugal, and the W Hotel makes every golden hour feel like the best decision you made all season.
The W Algarve collaborated with forward-thinking Hong Kong designers AB Concept on the sprawling resort, which encompasses six different areas to drink and dine, a high-tech gym, and the indulgent AWAY spa, which offers modern treatment options such as detox massages and sculpting facials, as well as a zen-inducing thermal circuit.
Peak season in the Algarve is July and August, when you’ll find bars full of partygoers into the early hours, an assortment of cultural and food festivals and live music events taking place on packed-out terraces. The hub of the action is undoubtedly Albufeira, particularly the area known as ‘The Strip’ (Avenida Francisco Sá Carneiro), but if you’re looking for a more refined approach, hotels like the W Algarve offer more curated events with a stylish yet fun-loving crowd. Party season extends into September, when the weather is still warm and inviting, but the crowds start to dissipate.
AURA ONE at AIR
AURA ONE kicked off the hotel’s programme of events in style on 14th June 2025 with Sona, Mambo Brothers, Andre, and W Algarve’s resident DJ, Pippa, on the decks. This signalled the beginning of an exciting programme of summer events, ranging from relaxed sun-kissed DJ sets by the cliffs to late-night lounge sessions. The unique setting of AIR, perched on cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean, only added to the atmosphere.
AIR is W Algarve’s most coveted sunset spot, looking over Praia do Evaristo in Albufeira — and the venue has a full roster of events throughout the season, from live music and DJ sets to vibrant themed evenings. The bar usually has a more bohemian feel, offering light Mediterranean bites and cocktails perfect for sipping during golden hour. But during the AURA ONE parties, the area is transformed with raised DJ decks among the trees and flashes of strobe lighting the atmosphere compounded with a killer sound system.
While you may have missed the opening party, the AURA ONE Finale is set to take place later in August or early September. Last year, AURA ONE’s closing party took place on Saturday, 24th August 2024, with guests enjoying sunset views over the cliffs from early evening and dancing into the night. Last year saw headliner Emanuel Satie alongside Last Men On Earth, Rick Offen, Awk, and W Algarve’s Pippa — watch this space for news on the upcoming lineup for 2025.
Restaurants at W Algarve
For those staying at the W Algarve, the choice of restaurants is exceptional, with six different dining options. Highlights include SIP @ WET, a fun poolside spot offering casual bites with influences from Mediterranean to Asian and Mexican, served alongside colourful cocktails and spritzes.
Market Kitchen is the main breakfast venue, with a vast buffet offering usual staples like yoghurt, nuts, and granola with fresh fruits, freshly baked breads, and savoury breakfast treats, as well as a hot menu that guests can order from with some inventive options (we loved the avocado and smoked salmon croissant). It’s the kind of place where a morning mimosa fits in perfectly with the experience.
Market Kitchen is also an excellent option for a delicious lazy lunch. We feasted on local olives seasoned with herbs, seabass with a zingy coconut sauce and fragrant rice, and crisp cold rosé. Dessert was a theatrical affair, with a praline chocolate bomb filled with caramel sauce and decadent mousse. But the highlight of the menu had to be the traditional Cataplana, a rich fish stew local to the Algarve served in a pot by the same name. If you want an authentic and comforting meal, this hearty stew is ideal.
The elegant Vino by Paper Moon offers wine tasting sessions for a refined evening with rooftop views. There’s also a unique menu with grilled seafood and meat kebabs served alongside bread, juicy olives, a selection of cheeses, and charcuterie boards.
Tinned fish, while it might not sound especially glamorous, is also an option on the menu, served with fresh bread and olive oil — and it makes a surprisingly satisfying accompaniment to the wine. Sardines, in particular, are a delicacy of the area; there’s even a Sardine Festival in Portimão (taking place from 5th to 10th August), which celebrates the humble fish with a variety of local dishes served alongside live music.
But the most showstopping restaurant at W Algarve has to be Paper Moon, which celebrates classic Italian dining. The restaurant is owned by the iconic Milan‑based Paper Moon chain, with a refined elegance as a common theme throughout all their restaurants. The rooftop setting makes for an unforgettable evening with handmade pasta and fine wines as the focus of the menu. Fresh fish and seafood are a prominent feature of the menu, putting Algarve ingredients in focus.
Rooms at W Algarve
Rooms at any W hotel are always vibrant and playful in style with plush amenities that make each stay as comfortable as possible. The W Algarve rooms and suites are dressed in blue and gold tones and incredibly spacious, coming complete with comfy robes, cosy slippers, a coffee machine for that all-important morning moment on the balcony, and sweet-smelling toiletries lined up in a huge shower.
There are 134 rooms and suites divided into five categories from ‘Wonderful’ to ‘E-WOW’, as well as 83 larger Residences in an adjoining building (what a life!). My room had a large private balcony that overlooked the pool and WET deck, which always feels lively but never too raucous. If you want to push the boat out, the E-WOW Penthouse has epic views over the coast and its own private six-metre rooftop pool.
Activities at W Algarve
The W Algarve is a sprawling resort with plenty to offer guests, in addition to days spent relaxing on (very comfy) loungers or soaking up the sun while enjoying the delicious dishes at one of the hotel’s restaurants. ‘Whatever/whenever’ is the W brand‘s motto, and this translates to having the freedom to do as you please and craft your own holiday experience.
Enjoy a session with a personal trainer at the hotel’s high-tech gym or indulge in a soothing treatment at the AWAY spa. There’s plenty to do off-site, as well, with some beautiful beaches in easy reach. Take a stroll down the hill just outside the hotel to the pretty Evaristo beach, which is right in the middle of the Algarve, or explore more secluded coves like Galé, Praia de Arrifes, and Praia de Castelo.
W Insiders — who head up guest relations at the W Algarve and offer their insider knowledge of the hotel and local area, as well as curated experiences — can help with routes and also provide a walking tour around the local nature spots. A morning clifftop walk just outside the grounds of the hotel is a scenic experience that allows guests to soak in the area’s awe-inspiring natural beauty. Guests can also enjoy guided tours to other areas of the Algarve, on land and sea. The hotel offers boat or kayak tours of the famous Benagil Caves and coastal coves, as well as guided trips to the likes of Ria Formosa, Tavira, Monchique, and historical towns like Silves and Faro.
If you’re visiting the W Algarve, we recommend booking a wine tasting experience at Vino by Paper Moon. Not only will you try delicious regional Portuguese and international wines guided by a sommelier in an intimate setting, but the views from this rooftop spot are truly magical at sunset.
Need to know
The W Algarve is 35 minutes away from Faro airport and around three miles away from the well-known party destination of Albufeira, which also has a picturesque old town if you venture away from the bright lights of The Strip.
Rooms start at £329 during peak season, but prices can vary throughout the year. The hotel is open all year round. To find out more or to book a room, visit marriott.com/en-us/hotels/faowh-w-algarve.
