The adults-only Palms Pool

The background

Sun, sea, pristine beaches and world-class food and wine; it’s easy to see why Portugal consistently ranks high for holidaymaking. The majority of tourists head to the colourful capital, Lisbon, which – fun pub quiz fact – is said to be a whole four centuries older than Rome, and, in recent years, the country’s second-biggest city, Porto. Down in the south, where temperatures remain pleasant all year round, the Algarve is also having a moment. In fact, the region has just been crowned Europe’s Leading Beach Destination at the 2023 World Travel Awards – scooping the accolade for an impressive 10th time. Also this year, Expedia ranked the Algarve second in its top 10 European destinations, while – interestingly – Lonely Planet described the region’s west coast as ‘refreshingly underdeveloped’, highlighting, in particular, its ‘soaring cliffs, sea caves, golden beaches and scalloped bays’ that attract only around four of Portugal’s 27 million visitors every year.

Anantara Lounge & Bar

The space

The Algarve is home to around 100 beaches with more than 125 miles of picturesque coastline. While the west coast of the region may be a little more rugged, in the swish marina resort of Vilamoura, just half an hour from Faro near the Spanish border, things are decidedly more upscale. Amid the many four- and five-star hotels in Vilamoura (Portugal’s largest marina), the Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort is the crown jewel. Its prize location is directly opposite the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course (where the Portugal Masters takes place) and a mere 10-minute drive from the Marina. This sprawling 280-room hotel was the European debut from the Anantara brand, a luxury Thai hotel group that’s now expanding rapidly throughout the continent. Anantara took over in 2017, but this year has seen a major refurbishment with the introduction of 30 new swim-up family rooms and new dining experiences. The makeover has clearly paid off, as this year it scooped Portugal’s Leading Resort 2023 award at the World Travel Awards. The large, modern hotel is cleverly divided to accommodate both family-friendly and adults-only stays; centred around two 30m swimming pools complete with swaying palm trees, a bar and comfy day beds. The décor is chic, marble-clad minimalism (keep eyes peeled for the fantastic contemporary art dotted throughout) with thoughtful touches, such as cork headboards and woven rugs made by local artisans. There are four restaurants (plus additional lounge, pool bars and the newly launched Botanic gin bar), a gym and luxurious spa complete with (surely) Portugal’s most Instagrammable indoor pool, clad in gothic black and overlooking the outdoor terrace, golf course and Marina in the distance. 

Spacious accommodations with chic, minimalist decor

Our stay

We stayed in the Golf View Suite, a large 861-sq ft room with separate living area, sizable modern bathroom and a sweeping balcony with daybeds overlooking – you guessed it – the iconic golf course. Even if you don’t know your birdie from your bogey, the pristine lawns and lake make for a pleasant view. Other accommodation include suites, deluxe rooms and the new family swim-up rooms that lead directly to the Cascades Pool.

The terrace at Sensai Restaurant

Food & drink

Anantara’s four restaurants have a distinctive yet cohesive identity within the hotel. The central Victoria restaurant is where breakfast is served; an impressive buffet affair with local delicacies such as Portuguese omelettes and pastel de nata – and baked beans for the Brits. Next-door is the new La Cucina restaurant, with an elevated yet informal Italian-inspired menu and exceptional homemade bread. One of the two standout restaurants is Ria, open for lunch and dinner, which specialises in fresh, traditional seafood caught just a few miles away and serves as a ‘tribute to Portugal’s rich culinary scene’. Second is the brand-new Sensai Restaurant, a high-end Asian fusion eatery with Portuguese flourishes. Try to secure a table on the terrace so you can soak up the blissful views as the sun sets (glass of local wine in hand, of course). Another must-try culinary experience is Spice Spoons, a charming half-day excursion and cooking class. Accompanied by a chef from the hotel, you’ll be whisked away to the nearby historic market town of Loulé, reminiscent of the Andalusian cities of Seville, Granada and Córdoba with its Arabic heritage. It’s definitely worth coming back to explore all its winding cobbled streets and hidden shops. As part of the Spice Spoons experience, however, you’ll visit Loulé’s famous fresh food market to take in the sights, sounds and smells. The Portuguese are very proud of their abundant local produce: seafood, figs, carob and almonds. But you’re here to shop for the ingredients for cataplana, a traditional Portuguese fish stew cooked in a copper clam-shaped pot of the same name. Back at the hotel, you’ll learn to make the dish alongside the chefs in an open kitchen, then enjoy the fruits of your labour at Ria Restaurant, which overlooks the Palms Pool. Truly, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Spice Spoons experience

Experiences

The Anantara brand is famed for its extracurricular experiences. On our visit, we enjoyed a tuk-tuk tour with a local guide. The excursion includes a stop-off at popular surfing spot, Falésia Beach, which is surrounded by ethereal redstone cliffs. The tour also whizzes by the marina, local beach town Cavacos and Quinta do Mel, a former honey farm-turned-upmarket boutique hotel and cafe. The hotel can also arrange a cruise along the famous Ria Formosa estuary and even a romantic hot air balloon ride to soak up all that award-winning scenery from a new perspective. If that all seems a bit high-octane, you can also rent bikes to explore this pretty neighbourhood at a leisurely pace.

Anantara Spa

The bill

Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort offers Deluxe Rooms from €330 per night, based on two sharing, including breakfast and taxes.

For further information, please visit anantara.com