Perched above the cliffs of Porches in the Algarve, Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa stands out as one of Portugal’s most complete and refined hotels. Opened in 1992 and continually updated, the resort combines direct access to a private beach with a wide array of wellness, leisure, and culinary offerings. It is home to 12 restaurants and 7 bars—from the relaxed poolside Whale Bar to the Two MICHELIN Star fine dining restaurant Ocean.

One of the most well-traveled hotspots on the European beach circuit, the Algarve region of southern Portugal is packed with its fair share of big-time resorts — and it’s the contrast with this backdrop of uniformity that makes a newly renovated 19th-century residence like the Bela Vista so appealing. Thankfully, the building stayed in the family over the years, so the redesign wasn’t a scorched-earth overhaul.

Initially it was a private home, in a Moorish-villa style that’s still very much in evidence in the exquisitely detailed lobby and the hand-painted tilework; today just enough of that style remains to lend Vila Joya some personality without turning it into some kind of theme resort. These days it’s the perfect blend of home and hotel — 13 rooms and suites, tucked away in a residential neighborhood on a stunning piece of coast, just steps away from the beach.

The entry-level suites provide plentiful space and comfort, while an upgrade might net you a jacuzzi and a private terrace; the Family Apartment sleeps up to six, and the Tree House is unique, standing 20 feet above the ground, resulting in a panoramic view. Heritage architecture meets contemporary design, and classic Portuguese tiles and fabrics sit side-by-side with Bluetooth speakers, Nespresso machines, and sleek modern bathrooms.

The laid-back seaside town of Tavira, on Portugal’s Algarve coast, is the setting for Colégio Charm House — in the 18th century an aristocratic palace, in the 20th a Catholic boys’ school, and in the 21st, thanks to its family owners, a stylish and rather luxurious 20-room boutique hotel. It is a mile or so from some fantastic beaches, but the hotel’s swimming pools — one central public one and a few smaller private ones — make a persuasive case for keeping it local.

3HB Faro feels something like a resort. Its rooms and suites number just over a hundred, and come equipped with substantial comforts — some of them feature hydromassage tubs or jacuzzis on private terraces. Meanwhile a focused color palette and an uncluttered approach to decoration results in a handsome and photogenic look. The spa and wellness center is an extensive one, featuring an indoor pool and a sauna and Turkish bath alongside its gym and treatment rooms.