Distance from airport - 35 minutes by car or taxi from Faro airport

Let me start by saying that Vila Vita Parc is the perfect place for families and couples alike and it’s the ideal half term escape, I visited in October and the temperature was idyllic - 21 degrees during the day and chilly enough for a cardi or pashmina at night. Just 40 minutes west of Faro, Vila Vita Parc, is a rejuvenating 5 star beachside resort spread over 55 acres of landscaped gardens and waterfalls. Couples come here for a pampering and revitalising retreat, and families come here for a sophisticated holiday; either way Vila Vita has perfected the knack of making you feel at home as soon as you arrive. Family room options include the 2 or 3 bedroom white washed villas or the Oasis Parc family suites with a practical layout and the perfect proximity to the main pool. If you’re travelling with other families or friends you may prefer to book Vila Trevo or Vila Praia, which sleep up to 10 and have their own cliff top pools. Couples should book one of the ocean view rooms in the adults-only Residence; fresh and bright they have their own little terrace or balcony.

Activities

No less than eight pools are spread across the estate including heated baby pools and a large indoor pool; some of them have swim-up pool bars serving an exotic selection of healthy smoothies, milkshakes and non-alcoholic cocktails. Adults can rest easy in the knowledge that the most striking pool in the resort is for adults only. The Annabella Kids Club, which includes a crèche, is open every day and is great for younger ones who enjoy trampolining, climbing frames and art & crafts, leaving teenagers to have a game of tennis, mini golf, volleyball or go on a day trip to the nearby Zoomarine where there are water slides and the chance to swim with dolphins. Don’t be alarmed if you're after some peace and quiet; Vila Vita has separate family areas and adult-only areas allowing the two to co-exist happily side-by-side.

The revamped Clubhouse features a new infinity pool with massive day beds dotted around in the shallow waters and a new large roof terrace with faded Moroccan fabrics has a laid-back Ibizan vibe. 

Food and Wine

From barefoot beach feasting at Arte Nautica, a 10-minute shuttle ride away, to rustic Portuguese dishes at Adega, most of the restaurants have an extensive children's menu. Adega is the most relaxed, authentic and atmospheric restaurant in the evenings for families, serving traditional Portuguese dishes, whilst the Atlantico has the best sea views and the most seductive al fresco evening setting for all ages over 6. Book the babysitter and dress up for an elegant dining experience at adults-only Ocean, one of only 2 two-Michelin star restaurants in Portugal, where fish and seafood are the focus and Austrian head chef Hans Neuner’s mantra is to ‘keep it simple’. 

Most of the wines, honey, olive oil, hams and meat are from the hotel’s organic estate, Herdade dos Grous in the Alentejo region and a visit there makes a great day trip out; 173 acres are used for cultivating award-winning wines, 25 acres of land are used to grow olives, and Iberian pigs and cattle are raised on over 1000 acres of pastures. Cafe Bica in The Piazeta, serves pastries and coffees and the most sublime pastéis de nata, a Portuguese specialty and one that is well worth the guilty pleasure! The food by the family pool is lacklustre; for lunch we recommend you head to The Whale which is open for lunch & dinner and serves local grilled fish, wood-oven pizzas and homemade pastas, a hit with all ages. 

Five of the hotel’s 10 restaurants have been given a complete overhaul as well as four of their bars, with tantalising new menus to match, making Vila Vita one of the best gourmet boltholes in Europe.

Breakfast is a buffet feast with an extravagant selection of organic home-reared meats, organic local cheeses, homemade granola, fresh juices, freshly baked pastries, eggs, 5 different types of breads (including gluten-free) and an array of organic jams and honeys most of which are from the estate in Alentejo. Those on a detox have a choice of over 20 fresh fruits and there is a juicing corner with a daily concoction and where you can select the fruit and veg you would like and top it off with chia seeds or spirulina. Sit on the sun terrace outside and watch the waterfalls come to life at the newly revamped restaurant Belavita - early risers will be pleased to know that breakfast starts at 7.30am. Service at breakfast time in the Bela Vita restaurant is either right on the money or a little too laid back so be prepared to be assertive. Adults, and children over 12, can head to the sophisticated Atlantico for an a la carte breakfast where you can soak up the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean in peace. Japanese restaurant Mizu is sure to be a hit with teppanyaki and sushi lovers.

Spa

Revitalise and detox during your stay at Vila Vita where complimentary daily yoga and Pilates classes bring energy and serenity to your stay. Three different yoga classes are offered here based on Hatha Yoga: Power Yoga, Wake Up Yoga and Yoga & Meditation, all of which are adapted to suit the group of individuals in the class. With two heated pools, a fully-equipped gym (with personal training sessions), ice grotto and sauna all within the health club it has never been easier to keep in shape on holiday whether your aim is to lose weight, find inner calm or increase fitness. 

As well as understanding the importance of being active Vila Vita values the importance of relaxing and unwinding. Located in its own building, the Vila Vita Spa by Sisley offers guests a range of wellbeing therapies and beauty treatments. Inner beauty and holistic health are the main focus of the spa, and treatments range from a luxury manicure, hydrating facials and Thai massages to body scrubs, bathing rituals, Osteopathy and Reflexology. There are also treatments specifically tailored for happy and moody teenagers including full body massages, manicures using chemical-free organic nail polish and facials geared towards unpredictable teenage skin.

Style - luxury, family-friendly resort

Why Book? Fantastic value luxury hotel, sunny most of the year. Plenty to do for all ages and wonderful food.

Rates at Vila Vita Parc start at £174 per night including breakfast. Book here.