Regency Salgados Hotel & Spa ★★★★

When you arrive at the Regency Salgados Hotel & Spa, it will be love at first sight, with the sparkling pool to the front, trendy food truck and green spaces dotted around the building. The lobby is breathtakingly bright, leafy themed carpets decorate the marbled floor, while the copper-coloured reception certainly stands out.

In the Superior Ocean Room, we appreciated the spacious, bright interior, a soft grey carpet to cuddle your toes before sinking into the spotless white bed sheets. From the balcony, we could watch the buckling of waves in the distance with a tea or coffee in hand. Breakfast is served in the sunny terrace of Nvy restaurant, ideally next to the pool and garden, with an ocean breeze and characteristic country scents kissing the air. From eggs Benedict to pancakes with maple syrup, or a hearty English breakfast, you have plenty of options to choose from.

While the kids splash in the pool, enjoy a massage at the Pearl Marine Spa, which also provides couple massages to share with your loved one. The spa also boasts a sauna, Turkish bath, ice bucket – if you’re brave enough, and sensory showers for unbridled relaxation. The closest beaches are Gale West and Salgados, a white, sandy shore flanked by dunes, marshlands and a wooden promenade. Algarve Shopping Centre is a short distance away, packed with stores, eateries and a cinema, as is the old town square of Albufeira.

At Regency Salgados, you won’t go hungry, with the exquisite cuisine of Nvy restaurant, Blackbird Bar and the authentic food truck by the pool. Nvy restaurant is a wide open, luminous room, where comfortable, soft, lime and green coloured chairs ensure you dine in luxury, while the ample space between tables leaves plenty of room to stretch your legs. The Blackbird Bar features signature cocktails like the Regency Expresso with a touch of cocoa, or tantalising mocktails like the Passion Coller. A lovely end to any evening, after a day of sandy beaches and whitewashed fishing villages.