An oasis of peace in the Algarve
how many times have you wished stop time and teleport to another place? To a place where the protagonist is you, where to disconnect, not think about anything, pamper yourself and be pampered.
And set to dream, let's dream big: a flower tub in Bali, a bungalow over the ocean in Tahiti, a Thai massage in Chiang Mai… Stop. Wake up. You don't need to spend twenty hours on a plane (not counting layovers) in search of refined and attractive Asian luxury. The ultimate oasis is next door – literally.
The locality of Vilamoura has earned the title of most exclusive destination in the Algarve: one of the most wonderful marinas in Europe, golf courses, luxury hotels, beach clubs from which to watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand, local cuisine and, of course, wine.
Golfers paradise
In the location of the old Tivoli Victoria, we find the ** Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort **, the first of the chain in Europe after the acquisition of Tivoli by the Asian group.
There is no Anantara like it, for something its maximum prays: “Life is a journey” (the life is a trip) . Each hotel adapts to the environment and acquires the DNA of the place where it is located. Thus, Anantara Vilamoura constitutes a tribute to the Algarve region, without losing the essence of that Asian luxury that characterizes each of its hotels.
A hotel where nothing is left to chance so that you are the one who leaves everything. Switch off the mobile phone. Or better yet, ask them to store it for you at reception. We have come to escape.
WHEREVER YOU LOOK: THE ALGARVE
Just a few minutes ago we got rid of the mobile and we have already begun to feel a strange and pleasant sensation of peace.
Around us, the marble monopolizes the hotel lobby, forming a relaxed contrast with the Wicker furniture and ceramic objects. There is no detail that escapes the essence of the Algarve, everything has a story, a why, a reason why it is there.
The Algarve touch fills every corner
In the corridor that leads to our room, there are photographs, sculptures and paintings that make up a wonderful gallery of Portuguese art with artists such as: Gabriela Albergaria, Adelina Lopes, João Louro or Pedro Calapez.
A tray with fruit and chocolates welcomes us. And what a welcome: Looking out onto the terrace, we see a huge green carpet that stretches out as far as the eye can see.
There are no buildings, no roads. The only four-wheeler is a miniature golf cart that goes away crossing the Victoria Golf Course, the best golf course in Vilamoura, designed by Arnold Palmer.
The Algarve seal has also been printed in the room: ceramic trays, cork objects, hand-woven pieces... all from the hotel's collaboration with local artisans through the Rate Project.
This initiative brings together designers and artisans to make contemporary pieces with traditional techniques and materials. In the hotel there is a small shop where you can buy these items as well as the possibility of participating in workshops.
The Junior Suite, decorated with handcrafted pieces and Elemis amenities
A DIP OR A FEW HOLES?
There are four pools to choose from but we don't doubt it: we go straight to the jewel in the crown: Palms pool. A perfect rectangle flanked by palm trees and Balinese beds where you can forget about the world.
Aren't you one of those who get wet? why don't you try a golf lesson before lunch?
They also impart yoga and tai chi classes in the midst of nature. Can you decide?
EMO: the restaurant where the wine is chosen first and then the menu
EMO: WHERE YOU CHOOSE THE WINE FIRST AND THEN THE FOOD
Here the protagonists are not the cod, the octopus or the prawns, but the 400 references housed in its cellar. It has been included in the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards 2018.
The “EMO experience”, as he calls it Bruno Viegas, executive chef of the hotel, begins with the choice of wine, or rather, of the wines. Once each broth is selected, it is accompanied by delicious Portuguese dishes such as grilled octopus, monkfish in caldeirada sauce or cod with rice.
The local product rules, but here they do not go around with terms like 'kilometer 0' or 'farm to table'. If Bruno wants a tomato, some parsley or some sweet potatoes, he just has to go out to the garden that he has in the hotel garden to get the ingredients you need.
The special menu changes with the season and the one prepared for us looks very good: 'O Figo de Pita'. Or what is the same, a menu where the fig plays the main role.
To get started, Ceviche Corvina (with leche de tigre, fig, sweet potato and salicornia), as a main dish graffiti supreme with bela-luz thyme and for dessert fig textures (with Jivara 40% chocolate). Each dish washed down with a different wine from the region.
EMO's special menu dessert: can you take the picture before you sink your teeth into it?
Although they will make you want to repeat at EMO, stop by the rest of the hotel's restaurants: Estuary –with fresh fish and seafood of the day–, Victory –international cuisine with Portuguese touches–, Anantara Lounge & Bar –to take the famous Portuguese tapas, the petiscos–, Palms Pool Bar –to have a cool drink by the pool– and Cascades Pool Bar –in the exclusive area for adults–.
AND SPEAKING OF WINE…
Forget the tastings, cellar visits, and any other wine-related activities you've done so far. The Anantara Vilamoura has a very special worker: the Wine Guru –yes, you read that right, a Wine Guru–, although he prefers to be called Bruno Cunha.
“This work is very versatile, since it encompasses all responsibility for the hotel's cellars –with 420 labels and 2,200 bottles–. The philosophy of the Wine Guru consists of work with experiences Transmit everything I know, all the magic of the world of wine, to the clients” explains Cunha.
Both Brunos (chef and guru) work hand in hand in search of the perfect balance between food and wine. Among the most demanded experiences are the master classes, both in groups and more privately.
In addition, the hotel has a boutique with a wide variety of labels as well as compotes, jams, fruits and other typical products of the Algarve.
Bruno Cunha, the Wine Guru
During the months of this summer the wine nights, in which different producers will be invited to show their wines and offer tastings to the attendees. With a different theme per week, the Wine Nights will take place every Thursday in July and August.
THE ANANTARA SPA: ASIAN LUXURY WITH THE SMELL (AND TASTE) OF PORTUGAL
Vilnius Theodore, in front of the spa, he has something: call it energy, call it good vibes, call it charisma. His presence fills the room with peace and tranquility and our body begins to go into a trance.
Like the rest of the hotel, the philosophy of the spa is centered on find the local (without losing that Asian touch that characterizes Anantara) . That's why they use local products combined with Thai techniques.
“We use almond milk, citrus fruits, aromatic herbs and of course wine!” says Vilna. “People often demand relaxing treatments but we also have a special golf ball massage for our neighbors, the golfers,” he explains.
In the aesthetic section we find body treatments, manicures, pedicures and facials with Elemis products.
The relaxing pool with views of the Anantara Spa
OUTSIDE THE HOTEL
Yes, it will cost us, but at some point we will have to go out to get to know the region. First, why don't we get our feet dirty with sand? The hotel offers a free service that takes you by tuk tuk to Falesia beach, about 5 minutes.
Have a cocktail at Purobeach Vilamoura while the dj starts playing the first songs of the afternoon.
If you are the cook of the house, you cannot miss the experience Spice Spoons, in which you will visit the town of Loule, in whose market we will buy the ingredients with which to prepare a typically Portuguese menu. The star dish? The wonderful cataplana, based on fish and shellfish.
Golfers paradise
The boat ride through Ria Formosa you will fall in love forever with the Algarve. Do you prefer to contemplate it from the air? There is also excursion in a balloon
INSIDE, DO NOT DECAY
The new program of summer activities arrives ready to liven up the nights with the singer Katie Quinton (every Wednesday at the Anantara Lounge) and the party Remix the Classics, with great classics ranging from the 50s to the present.
The Cascades Pool, adults only, will become the perfect place to enjoy the sunset with the guest DJs who will liven up the Sunset Parties.
For cinephiles: during July and August, the Movie Nights. On Sundays animated films will be screened, on Mondays great classics from the 90s and 2000s.
Yes, there is still more: another of the star proposals of the summer transports us to the United States of Prohibition: the Speak Easy Bars, to have a cocktail in secret locations distributed throughout the resort from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
The main pool: to swim by day and dance by night
IS THIS A SPECIAL OCCASION?
The experience Dining by Design It consists of a sunset dinner at the top of the hotel enlivened with some romantic fados, with a chef and butler just for you.
We got to the room to close the suitcase and we already started to miss this place in the Algarve. Wait a minute, they left something on the nightstand: a Belém cake, I can't think of a better way to end the Anantara experience.
Dining by Design: a very special dinner