Review: W Algarve

What We Loved: The W Algarve felt refreshingly modern and clean, with a distinct style that stood out from other hotels in the area. The customer service was outstanding, and we truly appreciated the spacious room—it made relaxing after a long day incredibly easy.

The complimentary valet parking was a welcome convenience that eliminated any parking concerns, while the pet-friendly policy makes it an excellent choice for travelers who want to bring their pets along on their Algarve adventure.

What We Didn’t Love: Although the beach is just a 10-minute downhill walk from the hotel and offers a more secluded vibe than the busier tourists beaches, it wasn’t exactly the Algarve’s finest. After a full day of swimming, the uphill walk back felt like a mini workout. On the following days, we ended up driving out to some of the region’s more iconic beaches instead.

How to book:  This hotel participates in the Marriott Bonvoy program and typically requires 50,000–105,000 points per night. Longer stays are approximately 20% less due to Marriott’s Fifth Night Free benefit when booking with points. Cash rates range from €500–4,000 euro per night depending on the season and room/suite category, plus taxes and fees.

If you’re booking a cash rate, be sure to get in touch with our travel agency, Prince Collection, for a quote. This property participates in Marriott Luminous, which means we can offer you extra perks like complimentary breakfast, a $100 USD resort credit, and more — all at no additional cost to you. At the time of writing, the property is offering a fourth night free promotion through Prince Collection, but note that offers may vary depending on when you book or travel.

W Algarve – About the Property

The W Algarve represents a completely different hospitality concept from what this southern Portugal region has traditionally offered over the past 30 years—moving beyond the family-oriented, conventional hotels that dominated the region.

Until recently, the Algarve was never really recognized as a luxury destination–a notion that they are actively working to disrupt.

W Algarve – Overview

While only three years old, the foundations were already in place from a property that had sat abandoned for about 30 years before being completely rebuilt as a hotel, giving way to the larger-than-usual footprint of each room.

All 111 guest rooms are identical in size, with the differences being their location and views. The Fabulous rooms are located on the ground floor with direct garden access, the Wonderful suites occupy the middle two floors, and the Spectacular rooms are positioned on the fourth floor offering the best sea views.

This hotel features two-bedroom suites within the main building, plus separate residential units in another building that are privately owned condominiums. 134 units, 111 are rooms, the remainder are suites. The rooms are highly configurable options with lockoff suites, making it well suited for families or groups traveling together.

In addition to the hotel, a separate building consisting of private residences sits on the same property. These residences range from one to four bedrooms and are owned by individuals who use them as full-time homes, vacation properties, or investment rentals.

Many owners participate in the hotel’s rental program, where the property manages the units but maintains strict design standards. Rooms in the Residences can be booked directly on the Marriott website.

The residences mirror the hotel’s style and offer full kitchen facilities, making them popular with families and small groups. Residents enjoy access to all hotel amenities plus their own private pool area.

Location

W Algarve is situated approximately 15 minutes from downtown Albufeira in a quiet, upscale residential area that offers a peaceful alternative to the busy old town.

The area is best explored by car, with several local restaurants within walking distance for dining options beyond the hotel. The Faro Airport is located about 50 kilometers away, and Lisbon Airport is 260km away.

The hillside location offers a more relaxed atmosphere away from the crowds, though it’s less walkable than central Albufeira. The elevated position provides an intimate resort-like feel while still being conveniently close to the town’s attractions.

Booking

My partner and I booked the Wonderful Guest Room for five nights for 244,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. With my Marriott Platinum Elite Status, we were upgraded to the Spectacular Room, which has the same footprint of the Wonderful Room, but is located on a higher floor with an Ocean View.

At the time of my stay, an equivalent room would have cost approximately $1,200 CAD per night.

W Algarve – Check-In Experience

From the moment that we pulled up, we were enthusiastically greeted by the valet and promptly offered a welcome drink of Portuguese wine as they unloaded the vehicle and ushered us toward the check in desk.

Immediately upon stepping into the front door, guests are greeted by an eye-catching art installation. This impressive ceramic wall installation features 613 unique pieces from a skilled Portuguese artisan based in northern Portugal.

The carefully curated display creates a strong first impression and sense of place. I was later informed that the same craftsman also designed custom tableware used throughout the property’s restaurants, creating a cohesive Portuguese aesthetic that connects the visual and dining experiences.

The entrance ceiling design draws inspiration from the natural rock formations found along the nearby coastline, particularly the famous Benagil Cave. This subtle reference to the region’s dramatic geological features creates an immediate connection to the surrounding landscape.

Throughout the property, similar thoughtful references to Portuguese environment, culture, and architecture are woven into the design of guest rooms, restaurants, and common areas, creating a cohesive sense of place that celebrates the local heritage.

The check-in desk is conveniently located down the hall to the right, where the staff provides consistently friendly service. The team has a genuinely welcoming approach that makes guests feel like returning friends rather than strangers.

After reviewing the hotel map with us, the same friendly valet escorted us to our room, carrying out bags for us.

W Algarve – Spectacular Room

The Spectacular Room lives up to its name. Stepping into the Spectacular Room delivered an immediately impressive experience. The space felt airy and vibrant, with a modern design that managed to feel both fresh and intentional.

The welcome amenity that greeted us on the living room table was a handwritten card, a bottle of sparkling wine and a cookie designed to look like a traditional blue and white Portuguese tile.

The designers successfully incorporated authentic regional elements throughout the room.

The bed’s headboard echoes the distinctive architectural shapes found in traditional Algarvian villages, while the mini bar draws inspiration from the characteristic chimneys that define the local skyline.

W Algarve – Spectacular Room bed

A large, plush sardine adorning the bed added a playful Portuguese touch that we particularly enjoyed. While we hoped to purchase one as a keepsake, the hotel doesn’t currently offer them for sale – though they certainly should consider it given their charm.

W Algarve – Spectacular Room bed

We also particularly enjoyed the balcony and ocean views from the fourth floor. It is possible to have the same room at a more modest price point on a lower floor; however, you would not have an ocean view.

The exception to this would be when staying in a twin room with single beds, you’d have a larger bathroom and smaller living room space.

While the bathroom was large enough to accommodate us both, mirror space was limited, which could pose a challenge for two people getting ready at once.

During my stay, the hotel graciously offered a behind-the-scenes tour, showcasing some of their most exceptional suites, including the WOW Suite and the Extreme WOW Suite.

The Extreme WOW (EWOW) Suite serves as the W Algarve’s presidential suite, boasting a two-story layout with a private pool, terrace, and premium amenities.

The WOW Suite also features a two-story design with a rooftop terrace, and select units include a private plunge pool.

W Algarve – Food & Drink

W Lounge

The bar area features live DJ performances in the evenings and incorporates striking design elements inspired by the local coastal environment.

Similar to the main entrance area, the design in the ceiling draws from the natural erosion patterns of nearby rock cliffs, while seating areas mimic decorative seashells and oysters, adding authentic maritime touches.

A nod to Moorish design is incorporated above the main bar. The color palette reflects the varied hues of the sea, creating an immersive oceanside atmosphere.

Dining

With breakfast included through my Platinum Status, we took full advantage of Market Kitchen, the hotel’s main dining venue. The restaurant features distinctive tile work that reflects local design traditions and serves both buffet breakfast and dinner.

The menu specializes in Portuguese cuisine while incorporating popular international dishes from other Market Kitchen locations at W Hotels worldwide.

For breakfast, we received an a la carte menu to order from, with the added option of selecting items from the extensive buffet.

Each morning, we chose something different from the menu, including eggs benedict, avocado toast, and pancakes, while supplementing with fresh fruit, toast, and bacon from the buffet selection.

The combination proved delicious and provided excellent fuel for a full day of exploring the Algarve.

Beyond Market Kitchen, the hotel offers several additional dining options for guests who prefer to stay on-property. Paper Moon serves Italian cuisine for dinner, while Beyond Sushi provides Japanese dining in the evening.

Vino, the hotel’s wine bar, offers an ideal setting to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. For a more relaxed experience, casual food and drinks are available near the pool area.

W Algarve – Other Facilities

The Away Spa’s aesthetic features natural materials like wood, stone, and water. Traditional touches include Portuguese tiles, fishing buoys, and bobbin lace details that reflect local culture.

The spa offers a mix of contemporary wellness treatments and traditional healing approaches, providing a relaxing environment that draws inspiration from both the Algarve’s coastal setting. Guests can enjoy a variety of traditional spa treatments, or visit the wet spa circuit outdoors.

The fitness facilities are well equipped, with various options for cardio and weight training. A group fitness schedule is circulated and while we didn’t participate, the classes appeared to be well-attended.

W Algarve – Fitness centre

The pool area offered ample space with plenty of seating options, though our early June visit may have meant fewer crowds than during peak summer months.

While the pool and facilities were excellent, the setting felt somewhat enclosed, surrounded by the hotel on one side and private residences on the other.

Given the proximity to the ocean, the lack of any sea views from the pool area was a notable missed opportunity that left the space feeling disconnected from its coastal location.

W Algarve – Pool

Guests can explore additional areas of the property, including a small playground and a grassy clifftop area that offers ocean views for lounging.

A short path leads off-site to the nearby rocky beach for those seeking direct coastal access; however, the beach itself is mediocre compared with other beaches in the area.

I was informed that tennis and pickleball courts are planned for the near future, which will expand the on-site activity options for guests.

Conclusion

The W Algarve provided a welcoming retreat that felt like coming home each time we returned from exploring the region. The customer service was exceptional – staff were consistently friendly, enthusiastic, and genuinely caring throughout our stay.

Having visited other parts of the Algarve previously, we appreciated the hotel’s peaceful location away from crowded tourist areas, though guests without a car might find it somewhat isolated.

The clean, vibrant, and modern design aligned perfectly with our preferences. Despite the hotel operating at near capacity during our pre-peak season visit, it never felt busy or overcrowded – a testament to the thoughtful property layout and skilled management.

At roughly 48,000 points per night, we felt we received excellent value and would gladly return, whether using points or paying cash.