The former VidaMar Resort in Albufeira, open since 2013, will be reborn in February 2026 as the Wine & Books by the Sea Algarve Resort, following a €12 million rebranding and repositioning by PBH Group.
The transformation brings the Wine & Books Hotels brand – already established in Lisbon and Porto – to the Algarve for the first time.
“The Wine & Books Hotels signature is about expressing what Portugal is and what it means to be Portuguese, with literature, gastronomy and national wines as its foundation,” said Carlos Saraiva, PBH Group Chairman. “The essence of this project is, in a way, to act as messengers of Portuguese culture through a rich, disruptive and complementary tourism and accommodation experience. This new investment in the Algarve reaffirms our strategy and seeks to raise the destination to a new level of quality, excellence, exclusivity and personalisation.”
The redesigned resort will feature 250 rooms, including suites, family options and sea-view accommodation. Facilities will include four outdoor pools, two indoor pools, a spa, gym, kids club and event spaces, all set within the protected Salgados nature reserve.
Gastronomy is central to the brand’s ethos, with five restaurants at the resort offering a mix of Mediterranean, Asian, Italian and Portuguese cuisine.
The new look comes courtesy of architect Joana Saraiva, whose design takes inspiration from the surrounding dunes, palms and lagoons.
“The soft tones inspired by the sand dunes, combined with dry greens reminiscent of the palms, lagoon and golf course, create a serene and welcoming atmosphere where comfort is our priority,” she explained. “The iconic bookcases, a symbol of the Wine & Books Hotels brand, are given prominence, alongside warm woods and traditionally crafted furniture that reinforce the authenticity and artisanal character of the project.”
