Here on the eastern coast, you'll find a rare pocket of the Algarve that hasn’t been over-developed. Set amidst protected pine forests, you're only a short hop across to Spain, and a 15-minute stroll down to a magnificent sandy beach with a handful of low-key restaurants and bars.
Most of its suites have bijou kitchenettes and sofabeds, so it’s especially handy for families or as a base for longer stays. Design is sleek and clean, with good use of slate and mosaic tiles. This boutique hotel cleverly blends a homely, honest feel into a contemporary open-plan style. But there's a touch of soul, too. We found the service absolutely charming. Their popular restaurant A Terra serves hearty dishes from the wood-burning oven, and they have an exclusive beach restaurant too. For those in search of local produce (including the famous Castro Marim 'flor de sal'), there's a small deli corner which is great for gifts. We left with the following words chalked up on their reception blackboard: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page!" Indeed. Praia Verde is a page not worth skipping.
Highs
- We loved the relaxed, friendly, open-plan vibe and delicious food
- An easy 15-minute walk to one of the Algarve's best beaches, which has a choice of seasonal restaurants, kiosks and bars, in addition to the hotel's own
- A great, unspoilt location, with lots to do (cycling, dolphin watching, castles); and Seville is only 1.5 hours drive away
- Affordable family suites and free kids club during the summer months
- Less than a 45-minute drive from Faro airport
Lows
- The hotel was renovated and extended in 2025, with a new spa, pool and suites which we haven't yet seen
- With 84 rooms it's larger than most i-escape properties, but we loved the friendly atmosphere
- Pine trees obscure much of the view from lower-floor rooms
- You'll probably want a hire car – there are few shops or transport links nearby
- Suite kitchenettes are pretty basic but useful for preparing snacks
- Baby cots
- High chairs
- Bath
- Stroller
- Potty & toilet seat
- Changing mats
- Steriliser and bottle warmer
- Baby monitor
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
Babysitters can be arranged through reception
Free kids' club space open year round for kids 4-10 year olds to play, paint and draw. Sometimes, depending on the season (eg Easter holidays) and numbers at the hotel, complimentary organised activities are offered such as: treasure hunts, Easter egg painting, pizza/cookies workshops, beach games, T-shirt decorating, baking days, decorating mugs, and cinema sessions and pyjama party nights in the evenings for the older kids. Sessions are usually 1000-1300, 1400-1800, 1900-2230.
Children's menus are available and the atmosphere in the restaurant is relaxed and friendly. The pizzas were a winner with our daughter.
- Small playroom near reception
- Books and toys
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Playground with swing
- Movie nights with popcorn
- Boutique Hotel
- 84 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily); seasonal beach restaurant
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Walk to beach
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
Accommodation comes in 4 flavours. Suites on the 1st (ground) floor, look into the pine woods, while others on the 2nd floor have sweeping views over the treetops. All Suites are equal in size and share the same simple design; the beds are so comfy that I slept for 10 hours on my first night. You also have a balcony, separate living room with sofabed as well as a kitchenette with hob, microwave and Nespresso machine (chopping boards, toasters and kettles are available on request). Compact bathrooms are generally black slate with powerful rain showers; bathrobes can be requested. The beds in Deluxe Mezzanine Rooms are separated from the seating area by a glass balcony.
On the top floor are the light-filled, adults-only Sea View Rooms, where you can soak up ocean scenery from your balcony. They are considerably more stylish in decor, with designer lampshades, rustic desks, and pops of colour from beautiful patterned cushions. Sea View Rooms have a walk-in shower in their lovely all-white bathrooms; Superior Sea View Rooms and Deluxe Sea View Rooms have a standalone tub, too.
We're yet to see the new Praia Suites for ourselves, but as most come with a private terrace and/or private pool, we think they could easily be the favourite choice. The Praia Family Suite has room for two extra beds, comfortably sleeping 4.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Central heating
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
The stylish restaurant, A Terra, offers tasty, rustic dishes such as braised baby chicken (with herbs from the garden), cod with chickpeas and coriander, or local fish stew served in a black Le Creusot casserole dish. Windows open out for alfresco dining and it has a welcoming feel, with big wooden tables, flexible eating times and a relaxed vibe. Don't miss the crispy pizzas from their wood-burning oven and tempting desserts including a carob crumble and homemade raspberry sorbet. We ate very well.
Breakfast is a buffet of delicious just-baked breads and pastries (don't miss the kiwi and pumpkin jams), cereals, fresh fruit, healthy juices and scrambled eggs. In summer you can get light lunches by the pool - sardine sandwiches, steak burgers. An impressive gin menu offers over a dozen varieties for a stiffening aperitif.
And, exclusive to Praia Verde guests, is The Beach Restaurant, right on the sands, which has a seasonally changing menu of light coastal dishes – such as fresh fish or pasta – and fun Friday and Saturday summer nights which feature DJs, oysters and tapas. They'll even bring your food to your lounger for you.
Just ask reception for local restaurant suggestions if you want to eat out, they have a list of good ones.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Hob or stove
- Kids' meals
- Kitchenette
- Microwave
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Head down to the sandy beach (15 mins' walk) – shallow waters, great sand-castling, an and a scattering of seasonal bars and restaurants. In the evening for late-night clubbing hotel guests get priority access to Clube Praia Verde
- The hotel can help arrange brilliant activities, including fishing trips, dolphin watching, picnics on the beach, bird watching in the marshlands, or golf tee times (there are 6 courses within 12km)
- Lounge by the pool or relax at the pool bar; if it gets too hot there's plenty of shade
- Visit Castro Marim (7km) for its castle and fort - the hotel can lend you bikes for a small charge; or drive to Tavira, one of the prettiest towns in the Algarve, (17 km / 15 mins' drive)
- Pop across to Spain: the coast between Mazagón and Matalascañas has wild pine-shaded beaches and massive sand dunes; the town of El Rocio is like a Western filmset; and Seville is only an hour and a half away
- Chill out at the hotel. Enjoy a massage in the dedicated treatment room, there's a menu of options; borrow a book from their collection, or enjoy a black and white movie projected onto a wall in the lounge area
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Dolphin watching
- Golf
- Gym
- Horse riding
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
Best Time to go
Our Top Tips
Try and book as high a room as possible. During the night you can watch the sea sparkle with lights from the boats fishing for squid.
Location
Praia Verde is in a residential villa development near Castro Marim, in the Eastern Algarve, southern Portugal. It's 50km (45 mins) east of Faro and 8km from the Spanish border.
By Air
Fly into Faro (58km) then hire a car. You can also fly into Seville in Spain but make sure you're allowed to take your hire car across the border. You can park for free at the hotel.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Faro 58.0 km FAR
- Seville 165.0 km SVQ
Other:
- Beach 0.2 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km
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Our guests' ratings...
Based on 8 independent reviews from i-escape guests