Arrival/Check-in: We arrived at Vila Vita Parc exhausted after an overnight flight followed by a long layover before our connecting flight and, finally, an hour’s drive on unfamiliar roads. What a pleasure, then, when the front desk clerk greeted us by name as the valet quietly scooped our bags from the car. Our senses awakened, we began to notice our surroundings: a comfortable lobby leading to a sitting area and an expansive balcony beyond. Head Butler José Vila-Nova approached to introduce himself and escort us to our room. (30/30)

Guest Quarters: Our fourth-floor room located in the main building near the entrance to Vila Vita Parc’s sprawling landscape opened to a small foyer with a guest bath on the right. We proceeded into the comfortable living area divided into lounging (sofa, chair, coffee table) and dining (generous round table with banquette seating) space. Sliding glass doors opened onto a balcony set with chairs and ottomans in addition to chaise longues. The balcony also fronted the bedroom (accessed from inside via a door from the living area) with its own sliding glass doors. The bedroom featured a king-sized bed, an armoire and a chest of drawers; large closets lined the hallway leading to the master bath with a separate water closet and double sinks. (30/30)

Services/Amenities: Housekeeping delivered fresh fruit and bottled water every day, in addition to fresh flowers set in the living area and in both bathrooms. The multi-lingual staff switched seamlessly among languages, at times carrying on simultaneous conversations in Portuguese, German, French, English and Spanish. Someone was always on hand to answer questions about the area or offer tips for exploring — complete with a local map to help us navigate. We sampled several on-site eateries in addition to room service and were disappointed only once — a letdown I’d like to chalk up to early-season opening pains. I indulged in a couple of spa treatments. Both were phenomenal, but spa administration seemed a bit disorganized. (37/40)

The Experience: While we wanted to explore the Algarve, it was difficult to pull ourselves away from the serenity of Vila Vita Parc.

Total Score: 97/100

Vila Vita Parc Algarve

Alporchinhos
P-8400-450 Porches
Portugal
tel 351 282 31 01 00
Vila Vita Parc Algarve