Vila Vita Parc

This 180-room, cliffside resort in the Algarve is an all-encompassing retreat on Portugal’s southern coast.

• The opulent spa suites adjacent to the massive spa
• The meticulously manicured green spaces that surround the resort
• The two-Michelin-starred restaurant Ocean, a national icon

A 45-minute drive from Faro Airport, Vila Vita Parc is located in Porches, a seaside oasis. The hotel is beloved for its bottomless inventory of amenities and services—a  trip here is an escape in the truest sense of the word. Rooms are spacious and simply-but-beautifully decorated, seamlessly blending together the stunning outdoors with the indoor spaces. Few guests, however, spend much time in their rooms with seemingly endless amenities, activities and dining options.

Foodies appreciate the breadth of dining options at Vila Vita Parc. Ocean, Chef Hans Neuner’s two-Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant, is nothing short of a legend in Portugal. Choose from three, five or six-course menus which, depending on the often-changing selection, might include a delicious rock octopus paired with bone marrow—an inventive take on 'surf and turf'. So momentous is a meal here that diners are requested to don their most elegant piece of eveningwear for dinner. The nine other on-site eateries and cafes are sure to delight, too. Arte Náutica serves perfectly grilled seafood and meat in an atmospheric location right on the beach. And there is no more romantic setting for Portuguese small plates than at the lakeside Adega.

A day at Vila Vita Parc could be spent chartering the resort's 72-foot yacht, swimming in one of the property's six pools, playing tennis, going windsurfing or playing 18 holes of mini-golf. The only appropriate way to end such adventures would be to visit the nearly 12,000-square-foot spa, a wellness destination offering everything from anti-aging facials to five-day fitness programs.

If you do need to leave the property, the resort’s location in the center of southern Algarve makes cultural sights such as medieval fortresses and local fishing villages easily accessible.

Anyone looking for a luxury escape will appreciate the no-holds-bar approach to hospitality at Vila Vita Parc. Families will love all the targeted amenities, including the well-equipped kid’s club for children as young as six months.