Destinations | Europe

Portugal: a fantastic week at Vila Vita Parc (Algarve)

21 March 2023

Last August, we spent a fabulous week at beautiful Vila Vita Parc in the Algarve region (south of Portugal). We wanted a stress-free vacation in a luxury yet kid-friendly resort by the sea. And we got exactly what we came for!

We travel a lot and visit great hotels all over the world. But rarely have we experienced such flawlessness. Our stay was absolutely EXCEPTIONAL in every way.

In this article, we tell you all about this magnificent place and why we had the time there with our one and a half year old baby.

 

 

Why this resort?

 

J’ai découvert Vila Vita Parc car le resort est labellisé Leading Hotel of the World, ce qui est toujours un gage de sérieux et garantit un certain standing. Il est aussi référencé par le site Little Guest Collection qui propose une sélection triée sur le volet d’hôtels haut de gamme et très adaptés à des séjours avec des enfants.

I found Vila Vita Parc on the Leading Hotels of the World website. I tend to trust the label which is guarantees a high level of service. It is also referenced by the Little Guest Collection, an agency which offers a great selection of top-notch hotels that are very suitable for stays with children.

Vila Vita Parc Private Beach

 

I’ve always said that I would never become the type of person to go somewhere just to hang out in a resort all day. If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that we like to discover a country or region from every angle. Its heritage, its history, its monuments, its gastronomy.

But after a very intense professional year and an intense two weeks wandering around the Alps and then beautiful Périgord, I confess that we needed a real break. Total rest for a few days. I wanted our program to be: relax, eat well, read, sleep and repeat. 

I should specify that I am absolutely not sponsored by anyone to tell you about Vila Vita Parc. We just enjoyed it so much that we wanted to share this experience with our dear readers (lucky you!). 

 

 

 

One week of total relaxation

 

While on vacation, the true luxury when you have a young child, is to be able to relax for an hour or two while fully enjoying your child the rest of the day. It’s also being able to go out to dinner in the evening with your partner while your baby sleeps quietly in your room under the supervision of a qualified babysitter.

The facilities and services offered by Vila Vita Parc allowed us to do just that. Two hours a day at the Baby Club while we were swimming and reading by the pool. And babysitting every night, while we got to try out the various dining options the resort has to offer. It’s the first time in years that we get to relax that much.

 

 

Our detailed review

 

Location

 

The resort is huge and spreads over several hectares. Space is a real plus here. Even at full capacity, it’s impossible to step on each other’s toes! The buildings are beautiful and impeccably maintained, as are the lush gardens, which are truly impeccable as well.

 

 

Second plus, the resort overlooks a pretty private beach nestled at the foot of a typical “Algarve” cliff. It’s sheltered from the wind, which is great when you have kids (and even when you don’t actually) and it gives an impression of intimacy because you’re far from the main beach. We usually went down to the beach after nap time, around 4 p.m. and always found space and sun beds.

 

Private beach

We’d go back there in a heartbeat 

 

If the beach is not for you, the resort has several pools including an infinity pool (adult-only).

 

The main pool

The infinity pool

 

That’s what our mornings looked like!

 

 

  

 

Accommodation

 

We had booked an Oasis Premium suite with a garden and LOVED it. The suite was huge and well-equipped. Perfect for a couple with a baby or a young child. They also give you an ipad with the resort app that allows you to book activities, make requests or order from room service. I must say that it worked super well.

 

Our suite and garden

 

Kid-friendly resort

 

Everything is thought out so that the stay is as easy to manage as can be for parents with young children. In terms of equipment, you will find high chairs and changing tables throughout the resort. In the room, we had a real high-quality crib, a high chair, a changing table/bathtub etc…

In terms of services, Vila Vita Parc has a baby club and a kids club. And what a comfort to be able to entrust your child  to the good care and kindness of qualified professionals! It’s an opportunity to have some time for yourself … to read or swim. The hotel also offers a babysitting service, which allowed us to take advantage of the hotel’s restaurants every night without imposing a late night on our daughter. Finally, there is a great outdoor playground. Expect swings, trampoline, slides: it’s all there!

 

Playground

They even supply the ducks (lol)

 

Dining at Vila Vita Parc

 

Let’s be real. In a big resort, you often find yourself disappoint by the food. Well, I’ll tell you what: we ate very well at Vila Vita Parc! We particularly recommend Mizu (à la carte) and Aladdin Grill.

 

Mizu

 

However, we were extremely disappointed by the 2-Michelin Star restaurant Ocean. Too expensive for what it was and not even at the level of a 1 star restaurant in France.

The breakfast buffet was out of this world and one of the best I ever had. It changed every single day and was always incredible!

 

Breakfast with a view …

 

Room service was overpriced but very fast. Always arrived before 15 minutes. Super effective!

 

Aperitivo in our garden

 

Amazing staff and quality of service

 

You can have the best-looking resort in the world, if you offer poor service your guests will have a poor time. At that level, what truly makes a difference and constitutes real luxury according to us is the quality of service and staff. And for us, this is what really sets Vila Vita Parc apart. The quality of service is truly remarkable, at all levels and in all aspects of the stay. The staff is perfectly trained and genuinely friendly. From the gardener to the receptionist, from the waiters to the nursery staff … Hats off to these incredible people for their sense of hospitality and their sincere kindness. Our entire family had the best time and made long-lasting memories.

 

 

Practical aspects

 

Getting there

 

Faro airport –  2 hours 30 from Paris

 

Airport transfers

 

We used Sunline Transfers both ways with the baby seat (good service and less expensive than the one suggested by the resort).

 

Budget 

 

Luxury has a price, especially when it is high season. So yes, this was a significant budget. However, you can find good rates if you anticipate and go slightly off-season (or at least after the summer break).

 

August 2022

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