Algarve

Holidays by Destination Europe Portugal Algarve Hotels 

The tour operators are usually the best way to make bookings with any of the hotels which are particularly geared to families. However, if you want more inforamtion than the operators offer, or to contact them directly, some details are as follows:

Le Meridien Dona Filipa

Vale do Lobo, 8136 Almancil, Algarve
+351 89 394 141
UK 08000 282 840
US 1 800 543 4300 (for others see web site)
Operates a children's village for 3 to 12 years, and sports and learning programme for children.

Le Meridien Penina

PO Box 146, Penina, 8501-952, Portim?o, Algarve
+351 82 415 415
+351 415 000
UK 08000 282 840
US 1 800 543 4300 (for others see web site)
The first of the five-star hotels to offer a children's clubs, operates a Penguin Village for younger children plus a junior academy with sports activity for 8-15 years Easter to October and Christmas. Penguin Village facilities must be confirmed with the room reservation giving the name and age of the children.

Hotel Quinta Do Lago

Almancil, Algarve 8135 024
+351 289 350 350
A member of the Orient Express Hotels, offers an activity programme for children 3 to 10 years generally Easter and July and August. In addition to a pleasantly shaded play area plus children's pool and an indoor play room, there is a programme of an hour in the morning daily of mini-golf, fun gym, Lego building, painting, table tennis, water games, sailing, tennis, canoeing, football, and picnics.
Babysitting is available on request at around £6 per hour, double after midnight.

The Sheraton Pine Cliffs

Praia da Fal?sia, P.O.Box 644, 8200-909 Albufeira, Algarve
+351-289 500 24
Just west of Vilamoura, winner of Europe's leading resort award in 2002, an extensive property including the Sheraton Algarve Hotel, the Pine Cliff Vacation Club, plus Residences, ie self-catering apartments and townhouses. Facilities include, golf (course and academy), tennis, watersports (with access to the Falesia beach via a lift), health club, beauty salon and five restaurants, plus bars, in and outdoor pools.
For children is the Porto Pirata a self-contained village for children six months to 12 years with an 18-hole mini-golf facility, two purpose-built wooden ships, a swimming pool, separate pool for remote control boats, playground, bouncy castle, bicycle track, and basket and volleyball pitch. A children's restaurant is reported to offer healthy snacks, bouncy castle, pool, baby sleeping area and nursery for toddlers. The team running the centre organises a daily programme of activities including Fun Tots Tennis, treasure hunts, crazy golf, face painting, mini Olympic games, cycling, swimming, go-karting, and for teens there is a games room with video games and snooker. A full day in the club costs around €30