Luxury in the Algarve at VILA VITA PARC Resort and Spa
Thirty years ago in the small Portuguese town called Porches in the Central Algarve, a place with a population of roughly 2,00 people, sits the VILA VITA Parc Resort & Spa. Porches is mainly known for its ceramic production, wine, and is home to secluded picturesque sandy beaches with distinct mesozoic limestone cliffs that tower above the Atlantic Ocean. It is there where Reinfried and Anneliese Pohl, a wealthy couple from Germany, fell in love with a piece of land where they built the resort which is now an award-winning five-star luxury resort that spans 54 acres and is part of the Leading Hotels of the World.
VILA VITA Parc Resort & Spa was built with Moorish influenced design and offers true Portuguese hospitality with high attention to detail and personalized friendly service, while incorporating the best of Portugal into the resort. The dining options include eleven restaurants and six bars, ranging from rustic Portuguese to casual and fine dining, including the signature gourmet restaurant Ocean, with 2-Michelin-stars. Guests have the option of staying in one of their stunning 203 rooms, suites, apartments, or for extra privacy there are six charming fully equipped luxury villas. All are decorated with ceramics and pottery from the town of Porches which tie the resort to the community. In fact the community is very important to the resort, as I traveled through the Algarve and mentioned the luxury hotel every local I encountered knew of it.
VILA VITA Parc is truly deserving of its five star rating with seven outdoor swimming pool, one indoor pool, eleven shops, two floodlit tennis courts with one multi-sport court, a nine hole pitch and putt practice course, an eighteen hole putting green, mini golf, and a private yacht. Faro International Airport is around 35 minutes from the resort, Lisbon International Airport is roughly two and a half hours by car, and Sevilla Airport is a two and a half hour drive away. Or, if you are seeking an unbeatable view and convenience guests may take advantage of an exclusive helipad on the property to shuttle you directly from one of the nearby airports.
The resort has traditionally been known as a summer destination with peak season falling between June and September and most guests coming from Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States and usually staying around a week. However, since the introduction of the pandemic the hotel has seen an influx of local Portuguese guests seeking a luxury getaway. I was there in April and the hotel was nearly fully booked, this is a growing trend the resort has seen in recent years and it appears to be enduring. VILA VITA Parc Resort and Spa is seen as the jewel in the crown of the owning family's investments in Portugal.
The resort is more than luxurious, it is also sustainable. They have invested substantially in a water filtration system where sixty percent of the water used comes from the ocean, therefore they do not rely on the precious resources of the small town in which they are located. VILA VITA Parc has a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. The resort actively reduces waste and does not use plastic straws, they go further by protecting important natural habitats within their property. Their local Armação Beach Club is working towards becoming the first eco beach in Portugal. VILA VITA Parc has also adopted a "farm-fork philosophy".
The resort uses a preponderance of locally sourced food and the menus at their restaurants change depending on the availability of whatever is in season. Herdade dos Grous is their organic local farm and winery and a hideaway for relaxation and recreation with its spacious grounds and an artificial lake. It is a place for horseback riding, bird watching, olive oil production, and wine tasting. The winery uses old grape varieties Trincadeira and Arangonez that produce extraordinary, full-bodied wines. Their earthy flavors and spicy fragrant accents come from a soil that is rich in magnesium and contains predominantly chalk, clay and sand. This is perfect for wine enthusiasts and if you need more the resort's cellar is stocked with more than 11,000 bottles of wine including the famous Portuguese Vinho Verde or "green wine".
The resort's cuisine has been described as "deliciously diverse" with a culinary world that is an extraordinary gastronomic adventure making it a magnet for gourmets from all continents. With choices that range from modern Japanese cuisine to the sweet simplicity of the Algarve's rustic cooking, the Resort offers a wide selection of restaurants and bars, each with distinctive style, menus and ambience. And the food is truly extraordinary! The staff adds to the experience as they speak 35 languages and represent 40 different nationalities. You can enjoy the various cuisines by taking a stroll or making use of the golf carts that shuttle you around the massive and beautiful resort.
The spa is truly extraordinary and awarded; In collaboration with the iconic French skin-care brand, Sisley Paris, it serves as a sanctuary of wellness. Its design is inspired by the region's captivating caves, natural stones and exquisite tones of blue and green reflecting the many hues of the Atlantic Ocean. An extensive menu of treatments, packages and massages are available and take place in one of their 14 treatment rooms on Gharieni treatment beds. The staff utilize an advanced scientific approach, the finest natural ingredients, including plant extracts and essential oils, all rigorously selected for their biological properties and according to how they favorably interact with the skin. Alternatively guests may engage in yoga in a bright and spacious fitness studio with floor to ceiling windows, or get an anti aging or stress relieving treatment.
The hotel has begun to celebrate by commemorating 30 years and their accomplishments. Between April and November 2022, there will be thirty weeks filled with thirty exceptional events ranging from art, culture, gastronomy, wellness and lifestyle are planned to celebrate the hotel's continuing innovation and creative vision, qualities that have seen VILA VITA Parc Resort & Spa transform over the past three decades into a highly respected, leading voice on the global luxury travel stage. You can partake in special events at their awarded state of the art spa or even drop in on one of their culinary events where they are featuring chef who have a combined 51 Michelin stars.
VILA VITA Parc is the true embodiment of a luxury resort with a stunning location that overlooks with direct access to Praia da Cova Redonda Beach below a high cliff that sits on a small sandbank. The Algarve region is beautifully sculpted by erosion. The ocean is made up of every shade of blue and is mostly calm, warm and inviting. It is no wonder that the hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Rua Anneliese Pohl, Alporchinhos
8400-450 Porches · Portugal