My unforgettable stay at Vila Vita Parc

Last August I visited this legendary hotel for you. Here are my impressions.

At Little Guest, we visit each and every establishment in our collection before recommending them to travelling families which use our services to book their family holiday.

It was in this context that I was lucky enough to stay at the Vila Vita Parc Resort Spa.

Inaugurated in 1992, the hotel quickly established itself as THE most beautiful hotel in the Algarve. Owned by a wealthy German family, the hotel is the object of special attention from the members of this family who personally take care of the decoration and many other aspects. This is why Vila Vita feels like home.

The attention paid to the decoration and to the smallest details is truly impressive. Works of art are combined with exceptional materials such as linen, silk, marble, natural stone and wood. The whole forms a refined but not pretentious universe. The restaurant with its self-service buffet is a good example of this atmosphere. I visit a lot of hotels, but I have never seen such a refined buffet restaurant, far from the image one usually gets of this type of place.

The resort is arranged around a large park with lush vegetation. It is good to stroll around this domain which includes a 9-hole golf course and a sublime park with a fountain under which swans and ducks refresh themselves.

The endpoint of the resort offers a breathtaking view of the ocean and the surrounding ochre cliffs. This is where an infinity pool is located, offering one of the most instagrammable spots in the area. In order for children to avoid putting themselves in danger by walking on the edge of this pool, access is reserved for adults only. But rest assured, just a stone’s throw away, the hotel has installed a superb paddling pool surrounded by beautiful swings!

This part of the hotel offers direct access to a pretty little cove protected from the wind. You will have to go down a wooden staircase to get to this beach. For families with strollers or grandparents, the hotel also put in place a free shuttle to another beach where there is no need to go down the stairs. On this beach you will find one of the hotel’s restaurants, allowing you to spend the whole day at the beach, having lunch in front of the waves at lunchtime.

The hotel offers services worthy of a palace in a relaxed atmosphere. The catering is varied, refined and very affordable. At lunchtime, for example, you can expect to pay between €10 and €15 for a starter and between €20 and €25 for a main course.

The minibar in my room was in the image of this establishment which advocates home-made and local products. The traditional MM’s and Pringle’s were replaced by a chocolate bar prepared by the Pastry Chef, home-made biscuits and chips.

On arrival at my room, I was treated to a bottle of wine straight from a vineyard owned by the owners of the hotel. This local wine is also served in the different restaurants of the resort.

My room had a magnificent view on the sea. The bedding was very comfortable. I recommend families to stay in the two-bedroom Duplex Suites, some of which have an incredible rooftop where you can relax.

I, of course, visited the hotel’s kids-club and crèche. It is a very beautiful place with an indoor part and a large outdoor playground, protected from the sun by the shade of the maritime pines. The staff is very friendly and the activities are varied. I appreciated the impeccable cleanliness of the place and the impressive size of this area dedicated to children.

Shopping enthusiasts will appreciate the small village made of wooden huts with straw roofs. These small shops offer original local creations and international brands such as Etro or Villebrequin. The children’s shop is very well stocked.

During my stay, I met a lot of children. Vila Vita is indeed a family-run hotel and is designed above all to welcome families.

If you like peace and quiet, refinement, way of life, decoration and gastronomy, the Vila Vita is made for you. Believe me, you will spend an unforgettable holiday here.

Have a great holiday!

Jérôme