Vila Vita Parc – Algarve, Portugal
One of the first luxury resorts in the Algarve, Vila Vita Parc continues to set the bar very high. In over fifty acres of subtropical planted grounds, sitting right on top of the cliffs next to one of the coastline’s finest beaches, and with something for everyone, it’s little wonder guests come back time and again. Sympathetically built – low slung and whitewashed, in traditional Portuguese style with Moorish influences, cool and decorative interiors, it’s a relaxed and welcoming resort.
You just have to look at the very long list of awards won, from luxury destination to best Spa, and from accolades for hospitality to its cuisine, and you know you’ll be looked after.
At A Glance
Luxury Family Hotel
Why We Love It:
For its family offering - everyone is happy here & the sea views are stunning!Style:
Contemporary Portuguese chic.Location:
In the heart of the Algarve, set in 54-acres perched above the Atlantic Ocean.Rooms:
203 rooms, suites & villas.Swimming:
7 pools & a glorious beach.Children:
With a crèche, Kids club & teens club, there is plenty to keep children busy. There are activities & facilities to cater for all ages.Accessibility:
A selection of adapted rooms for those with reduced mobility.Open From:
All year round.rooms
Dotted about the grounds, with views of the gardens or the ocean, each room, suite and villa is remarkably spacious and brings elements of the ocean inside. Cool, airy and bright, with polished wooden floors, local ceramic tiles and hues of white and blue throughout, they are sophisticated, fresh and refined. The variety of rooms and suites means there’s something for everyone – families, couples and even regular Spa users.
food
It’s safe to say, whatever your palate, you’re spoilt for choice here and you really are taken on a culinary journey around the world. There are 12 restaurants, all producing excellent cuisine, from rustic Algarvian dishes at Adega, iconic favourites from Southern Italian at Giardino and classic fine dining with Portuguese roots at Atlantico, to Japanese at Mizu Teppanyaki and Moorish decoration at Aladin Grill fine dining.
There’s casual dining and more formal options – Bela Vita Bar & Brasserie serves à la carte Italo-American food whilst Whale has an informal menu with coastal inspired cuisines from all over the world to suit the whole family. Down on the beach, serving freshly grilled seafood, Arte Náutica restaurant offers an elegant beach viewing and Praia Dourada and NANA on the beach are great places to chill, with light trendy food. Top of the food chain is Ocean – the resort’s signature fine dining restaurant – with two Michelin stars and views of the ocean. Dotted amongst all these are pool bars and coffee lounges – so whatever time of the day or evening, there’s somewhere to relax and soak it all up. And we can’t not mention the Wine Cellar, with over eleven thousand bottles of wine from which to choose!
activities
Where to start? There’s just so much to do and you don’t have to go very far to do it. The resort offers lots for active guests, as well as those who are just seeking some rest and relaxation. There are seven pools – one heated indoor, three outdoor (one of which is adult only) and three outdoor pools for children.
Vita Vila Parc has two clay, floodlit tennis courts and a multisport court; there are bicycles to explore the locality and there’s a nine-hole pitch and putt, and eigheen-hole putting green and another eighteen mini-golf course. More recent additions include two pickle ball courts, one paddle tennis court and a golf simulator. Further afield, serious golfers are spoilt for choice with the range of championship courses. At Armação Beach Club, just a short shuttle away, there’s an array of water sports, from dinghy sailing to windsurfing, from waterskiing to kayaking. Guests can also go diving and snorkelling on the beach in front of the resort, as well as paddle boarding. The resort has four elegant yachts available for guests to go on private luxury sailing trips, of half or full day, along the Algarve’s beautiful coast of sandy coves and enchanted caves and grottos, we definitely recommend a day exploring on them. The area has a wealth of things to do, from horse riding to deep sea fishing, as well as exploring the villages along the coast or the unspoilt landscape inland. The Vila Vita Spa by Sisley Paris is a world of well-being in a luxurious ambience where guests may choose from the most extensive international menu of spa services, from beauty care and revitalizing treatments to pre-ageing/anti-ageing therapies. The gamut of facilities comprises fourteen treatment rooms, a yoga & pilates pavilion and the unique HYPOXI Studio, to redesign your body. The Health Club has an indoor/outdoor pool, relaxing area with sauna, whirlpool, Turkish bath, ice grotto and plunge pool, as well as the EnerGym with the most advanced exercise equipment. Classes and instruction range from Yoga, Pilates, aquarobics and stretching to personal training. And if you need a spot of retail therapy, the resort has its very own shopping village, the V-life Shops. That should all keep you busy for a while.
family
With so many facilities for children, Vila Vita Parc is an ideal family resort. The Annabella’s Kids Park hosts all kinds of fun activities for children between four and eleven, ranging from sports to arts and crafts and an adventure playground. For younger guests, the fully equipped crèche is staffed by a professionally trained team. The crèche has chargeable morning and afternoon sessions. Babysitting can also be arranged.
Older children are just as well catered for, with a Teen’s Club with daily supervised activity sessions, and a range of sports and wellbeing sessions. The accommodation is perfectly set up for families with extra beds or interconnecting rooms, and you’ll also find children’s menus in most of the restaurants.
sustainability
Vila Vita Parc is actively committed to environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices. Most noticeably, the resort is dedicated to supporting the community, with the majority of staff being local – most of whom have worked here for a substantial period of time. This is noticeable in the incredible service. Waste is reduced by using recyclable materials and single-use plastics have been eliminated.
Water is recognised as a precious commodity, and the resort has its own desalination plant providing water for the pools and gardens. There are complimentary electric car charging points in the resort, and a shuttle service is provided for guests and staff to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Finally, the resort’s location in a rich natural habitat brings responsibilities. The Vila Vita Parc works closely with local wildlife organisations to protect and preserve it.
Location
Algarve, Portugal
In the heart of the Algarve, close to the village of Porches – 40 mins drive west of Faro, 2.5 hours from Lisbon.
