I went on holiday and a major UK celebrity was having dinner on the next table | Europe | Travel

Enjoying a sun-drenched holiday at a luxury five-star resort on the Algarve is already special. However, when you find yourself just a few feet away from the legendary Sir Tom Jones, you know it’s going to be an extraordinary experience.

I found myself at the magnificent Pine Cliffs Resort’s 21st Summer Gala in Albufeira, Portugal, watching the charismatic heart-throb still commanding the stage into his eighth decade. This spectacular sell-out event is the highlight of the social calendar each year, with thousands of hotel guests and locals all vying for tickets to the black tie spectacle.

A stroll into the Golf Academy the venue for the evening unveiled the roster of incredible stars who have headlined the event in previous years: Dionne Warwick, Gloria Gaynor, UB40, Michael Bolton, Ne-Yo and Kool and The Gang, to name just a few.

This ultra-glamorous evening marked the beginning of my indulgent short break at one of Europe’s premier resorts.

Pine Cliffs is truly a visual delight. Lush green grass, dotted with guests lounging on sunbeds, leads down to striking orange cliffs that appear as though they’ve been sculpted from clay.

Pine trees dramatically cling to the sandstone sides above the award-winning Felesia Beach below, all under a bright blue cerulean sky.

Sweep down the cliffside using the panoramic lift to the beach where a decked pathway leads you to sun-drenched sands and a secluded lounging spot. That’s how I kicked off the day – but after a lively night, my return up the boards was a stark reminder of the previous evening’s festivities.

Hence, seeking refuge, I found solace at the sublime Serenity Spa the Art Of Well Being.

There, an exceptional therapist melted away remnants of stress. I indulged in the signature « Senses of the Algarve » massage, which transformed me within fifty minutes into a rejuvenated woman.

Next stop was the Thermal Oasis, resembling a healthful Tardis with tunnels to sensory showers, saunas, steam rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, and even an al fresco hot tub.

Award-winning family activities

For those craving activity, Pine Cliffs Resort offers plenty. Tee off on their scenic nine-hole, 168-acre golf course, sure to delight novices and pros alike, featuring the notorious Devil’s Parlour that demands a 646ft drive over ravines to a slender green. Tennis aficionados can revel at the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, boasting top-notch floodlit courts, including clay, and a fresh padel court, plus specialized coaching clinics and kids’ classes.

Renowned for its child-friendly vibe, it’s clear why Pine Cliffs has scooped up the title of « Best Family Resort in Portugal » by the World Travel Awards no less than six times.

The children’s village, Porto Pirata, is a testament to the resort’s commitment to family fun. Spanning 7,000 sq ft, it boasts two life-size pirate ships, a kids’ swimming pool, bouncy castle, basketball court, toy car racetrack and mini-golf.

There’s even a children’s football academy in partnership with Estima Sports, offering daily training sessions and tournaments led by qualified coaches. For tech-savvy tweens, a games room packed with the latest gadgets is sure to impress.

So many places to eat and drink

But it’s not just about the kids. The resort also caters to adults with nine restaurants and two bars spread across its expansive grounds.

The sprawling 72-hectare resort offers a range of luxury accommodation options, including Pine Cliffs Hotel, Pine Cliffs Residence and Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites all part of The Luxury Collection.

This ensures plenty of space for everyone to enjoy themselves without feeling overcrowded or competing for the best spots. With six pools on site, there’s no shortage of sunbeds either.

One evening, I found myself enjoying gin cocktails at the new Sunset pop-up gin bar, overlooking the terracotta cliffs with a stunning view that felt exclusively mine.

Nearby, the Miramar champagne bar was a romantic spot for friends and lovers to sip bubbly while taking in the far-reaching views of the sandy beach below.

For those looking to elevate their evenings, the rooftop terrace of the chic Mare restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere with DJs spinning tracks as you sip on cocktails and watch the sunset over the beach.

Pine Cliffs is a paradise for gourmands, boasting an array of exquisite dining options. At Corda Cafe, lunchtime sees the outdoor terrace come alive with the aroma of sizzling fajitas being served to eager patrons.

Despite the sweltering 28C heat, I couldn’t resist sampling the prawn fajitas, and I can attest that they were definitely worth breaking a sweat for.

One evening at the bustling pop-up Rohini by Little Miss India, I indulged in a feast of aloo tikka chaat, succulent potato patties with lentils, sweet yoghurt, malai broccoli drenched in a cashew and cheese sauce, followed by a sumptuous paneer tikka masala and lamb korma mulghai.

Another night led me to the Italian-inspired pop-up Portofino by MIMO, located in Lemon Square. This lively trattoria, a hit among families, showcases pizzas and pastas straight from a wood-fired oven amidst live cooking demonstrations.

During a visit to Zest Pool Bar, the barman boasted of crafting the « best pina colada in the world ». As someone who considers themselves a connoisseur of the drink, I took it upon myself to verify this claim and I must say, he did not disappoint.

A subsequent visit to the Zest cafe helped counterbalance the effects of numerous pina coladas (it would have been impolite to sample just one for a fair judgement). I felt instantly rejuvenated after devouring a green goddess salad accompanied by an almond joy smoothie.

One standout experience was dining at the hotel’s signature restaurant, O Pescador. With its terrace overlooking the ocean, it serves up incredible seafood dishes sourced locally.

I also spent a glorious afternoon basking in the sun, sipping on a delightful Sancerre and indulging in a sharing-style lunch of crumbly fish tacos, melt-in-the-mouth black squid calamari, and a platter of the freshest seabass, salmon and octopus I’ve ever tasted.

It seems Tom also gave his seal of approval, as I spotted him dining here with friends on several occasions!

At Pine Cliffs, the focus is on soaking up the scenery, savouring the fantastic food, and luxuriating in the opulent surroundings.

Echoing Tom’s sentiments as I made my way back to the Green Green Grass Of Home, I realised that my few days here had created memories I will cherish forever.

*The headline act for the Pine Cliffs Resort’s 2025 Summer Gala is yet to be announced.

Book the holiday

• British Airways flies from Gatwick to Faro, Algarve, Portugal, starting at £98 return in March. ba.com
• Rooms at the Pine Cliffs Hotel near Albufeira, Algarve, start at around £200 a night B&B. pinecliffs.com
• More info at visitportugal.com/en