A Relaxing Babymoon in the Algarve

With our little one due in just a few months, we knew this would probably be our last trip abroad as a couple for a while. We’ve been joking that our adventures are about to look very different and possible will include less mountain summits and sunrise hikes, and more nappies, bottles and sleepless nights. So, before life changes forever, we decided to hit pause.

We booked with Jet2holidays, and honestly, I don’t think I can go back to doing it any other way. They took care of everything, from the flights, to transfers and hotel. It was all wrapped up in one smooth booking which was a change for me as I literally plan holidays for a career. 

Normally, I’m deep in tabs comparing prices, mapping out transfer times, and stressing over whether I’ve remembered to sort luggage allowances. This time? I just packed our bags, grabbed our passports, and off we went.

Wine & Books By The Sea

For our stay, we checked into Wine & Books By The Sea, a newly-opened hotel just outside Albufeira in the Algarve.

When we started looking at where to go, the Algarve felt like the obvious choice. It’s only a short flight from the UK, the weather is reliably warm, and it’s the kind of destination where you can be as active or as relaxed as you want.

We love the Algarve and have visited so many times before, so we already knew how beautiful the coastline was, and after a busy few months with work and preparing for maternity leave, slowing down was exactly what we needed for our family holiday.

Although we spent most of our time relaxing, it’s easy to see why so many people return to the Algarve year after year. Between the golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, charming towns and endless restaurants, there’s something for everyone.

If you are looking for a hotel like this in a different area of the Algarve check out other hotels in the Algarve.

First impressions were brilliant, with an epic lobby which really welcomes you. The hotel has a really calming atmosphere with beautiful contemporary interiors, spacious rooms and immaculate public spaces.

Everything felt fresh, modern and incredibly well-designed, with a stunning pool area, which quickly became one of our favourite places to spend an afternoon, while the beach was only a short walk away down a boardwalk.

Our room was also fresh and modern, with a open-plan style design, bathroom and double bed space. As we had our older daughter with us, we also had a pop-up bed for her in the room, and a beautiful balcony looking out over the Salgados Golf Club. 

Because the hotel has only recently opened, there were a few moments where the team were still finding their rhythm. Everyone was friendly and eager to help, and while the service wasn’t always completely polished, that’s something I’d expect to improve quickly as the hotel settles into its first full season.

Overall, it’s a beautiful hotel in a fantastic location and somewhere I’d happily return to.

• Location: Beachfront setting on Salgados Beach, surrounded by the protected Salgados Nature Reserve
• Unique Concept: Built around Portuguese wine, Portuguese literature, Local gastronomy
• Accommodation: 250 contemporary rooms and suites, with views of the sea, golf course, gardens, or pools
• Beach & Nature: Direct access to Salgados Beach via a boardwalk, close to the Salgados Lagoon, where you can spot flamingos and other wildlife
• Dining: Multiple restaurants featuring Portuguese cuisine, seafood, Italian dishes and Asian cuisine
• Wellness & Leisure: Outdoor and indoor swimming pools, full-service spa The Library Spa and Fitness centre

The Local Area

Although this wasn’t a sightseeing-heavy holiday, we still managed to explore a little of the local area of Salgados. On most mornings we explored the immediate local area, and started our day with morning walks down by the beach, and then on one day we head down to Armação de Pêra. 

Armação de Pêra is a popular seaside town known for its long sandy beach, relaxed atmosphere, and convenient location for exploring the central Algarve. And seemed like such a popular spot when we visited, with beaches full of locals and tourists, enjoying the beach and ocean. 

This is also where we joined our Benagil Cave boat trip, jumping onboard with Aurora Boat Trips for a two hour trip, before exploring the local town and grabbing lunch. 

The Algarve coastline is every bit as beautiful as people say, with dramatic cliffs, golden beaches and crystal-clear water stretching for miles. If you’re someone who likes mixing relaxation with a little exploring, the Algarve strikes a great balance.

Why book a package holiday?

I don’t think I appreciated how valuable an easy travel day was until I became pregnant. Usually, I’m the one organising airport parking, checking transfer times, comparing flights and making sure every tiny detail has been booked. This time, everything had already been sorted for us.

From the moment we landed, it was stress-free. The transfer was waiting, the bags were whisked away, and before we knew it, we were pulling up to what would be our base for the next week — the Wine & Books By The Sea.

From arriving at the airport to landing in Faro and being taken straight to our hotel, the whole journey felt effortless. It meant we could actually enjoy the excitement of going away rather than worrying about logistics. When you’re travelling at 26 weeks pregnant, convenience suddenly becomes a luxury. 

We took flights from London Luton Airport and took flights to Faro with Jet2. 

Is the Algarve good for families?

Although this trip was technically our babymoon, I found myself looking at everything through slightly different eyes. Every beach suddenly became, “That would be lovely with a toddler” or “I wonder how easy this would be with a baby?” and it’s easy to understand why the Algarve is such a popular destination for families.

The beaches are clean and spacious, the sea is calm in most areas, restaurants are welcoming and there’s such a relaxed atmosphere wherever you go. We come back to Portgual every year, so I am sure this will be a spot we come back to time and time again in the years to come with our tiny travelling companion.

What is there to do in the Algarve?

Coastal Highlights

• Visit Benagil Cave, the Algarve’s famous sea cave with its natural skylight
• Explore Ponta da Piedade near Lagos, known for dramatic cliffs, sea arches, and turquoise water
• Walk the Carvoeiro Boardwalk for spectacular ocean views
• Discover the rock formations at Algar Seco

Best Beaches

• Praia dos Três Irmãos – famous for caves and rock formations
• Praia da Marinha – often ranked among Europe’s most beautiful beaches
• Praia do Camilo – picturesque with wooden steps leading to a secluded beach
• Praia da Falésia – a long beach backed by striking red cliffs

Historic Towns

• Explore Lagos’ old town with its cobbled streets, marina, and historic centre
• Visit Silves Castle, one of Portugal’s best-preserved Moorish castles
• Wander Tavira, a charming riverside town with Roman bridges and architecture

Outdoor Activities

• Go kayaking or paddleboarding along the coast
• Learn to surf on the wilder west coast
• Take a boat trip through the Ria Formosa Natural Park

Overall

This holiday wasn’t about ticking destinations off a bucket list, chasing adventure or squeezing every possible activity into a week away. Instead, it gave us something we probably needed even more. More time to relax, enjoy each other’s company and to have a seamless experience from start to end before becoming parents. 

I’ll remember those quiet morning walks along the beach far more than anything else and standing by the sea, feeling our little one kicking away, knowing that life was about to change forever. And booking this trip with Jet2 made this memorable trip made this even more possible, due to it’s seamless process of having everything part of your package, so you can instead sit back and enjoy the warm Portugese sun. Honestly, I couldn’t have imagined a better place to do it.

This trip was gifted by Jet2holidays for the purposes of this review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Jet2holidays

Jet2holidays is a Which? Recommended Provider, offering great-value package holidays to sun destinations across Europe from 13 UK airports. You can enjoy a huge choice of 2-5 star accommodation, with holiday ranges including activity-packed Family Favourites, amazing All Inclusive getaways and sun-soaked Luxe Collection retreats. And each of our ATOL-protected package holidays includes return flights, 22kg baggage and hotel transfers, for just a £60pp deposit.