Cascade Wellness Resort

Ponta da Piedade is the stretch of cliff south of Lagos where the sandstone has been eaten into arches, stacks and sea caves, and it is probably the most photographed coastline in Portugal. Cascade sits on the headland above it, on Rua das Ilhas, with the coastal footpath running past the property.

That path is the strongest argument for staying here. You can walk out of the door and follow the cliffs to the lighthouse, or down to Praia do Canavial three minutes away, Camilo and Dona Ana in about a quarter of an hour, and Porto de Mós beyond. The walk back is uphill, which is worth knowing at the end of a beach day.

The accommodation is unusually varied. Alongside the hotel rooms, which are large at around 45 square metres, there are one and two-bedroom apartments and villas sleeping up to eight. Rooms are organised into four decorative registers drawn from South America, Asia, Europe and Africa, which sounds gimmicky and in practice reads as variation rather than theme. Sea-view categories cost more and are worth it.

There are three outdoor pools spread across the gardens, a full spa with sauna, hot tub and Turkish bath, a gym, and three restaurants working mostly in a Mediterranean register. Dogs are allowed.

Be clear on the format. This is a resort, and a substantial one, so it does not feel like the small independents elsewhere on this coast. What it does offer is space, facilities and a clifftop position that very few properties in the western Algarve can match, at a price well below the Michelin-listed hotels further east.

Lagos old town is a short drive or a long walk. Portimão airport is about 25 minutes and Faro roughly an hour.