Anantara Vilamoura Algarve
Nestled in one of Portugal’s most sought-after coastal spots, this five-star resort combines laid-back Mediterranean charm with genuine family-friendly appeal. Located a short drive from Faro Airport, Anantara Vilamoura is ideally placed in the heart of the Algarve. The famous Vilamoura Marina, with its bustling array of boutiques, bars and waterfront restaurants, is just minutes away, as are Vilamoura’s beaches—Praia da Falésia being the closest, around a 10-minute drive away. The hotel provides a regular shuttle service for both. The resort itself is surrounded by lush landscaping and some of the region’s top golf courses. It has everything you could hope for from a high-end holiday: luxurious amenities (a beautiful spa, well-equipped gym, access to golf), an impressive range of dining options and, importantly, there's always the option to ship your kids off to the kids' club if you're craving a bit of 'me' time on a sun-lounger. Staff go out of their way to ensure families feel at ease.
Accommodation
Suites and rooms feel luxuriously spacious. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interiors with natural light, and many rooms also have private balconies overlooking the nearby fairways or pool.
Food
There's a wide range of dining to keep everyone happy here. Four on-site restaurants offering diverse cuisines, including child-friendly options, means variety for fussy eaters isn’t an issue. Victoria Restaurant – the main buffet restaurant - is perfect for breakfast with a wide selection of fresh pastries, fruit, and hot dishes. The dinner buffet often includes local Portuguese fare. Ria restaurant specialises in seafood and is inspired by the nearby Ria Formosa lagoon. Ria offers a casual yet sophisticated setting. Think grilled fish, shellfish cataplanas, and fresh salads—ideal for a sunny lunch. And Sensai Restaurant offers Asian-fusion dishes, from sushi rolls to fragrant curries. It’s a hit for older children and teenagers who love exploring new tastes. Palms Pool Bar is a relaxed option for quick bites and refreshing drinks. Their mocktails were a hit with our child. If you’re a fan of local delicacies, don’t miss the Algarve’s fresh seafood specialties—Dover sole, octopus salad, and clams steamed in garlic and white wine. There are also plenty of kid-friendly options like pizza, pasta, and grilled chicken, so nobody will be storming off in a hangry mood here.
Family friendly?
This is a the place to come if you'd appreciate a bit of help with the childcare so you can finally finish a book. When it comes to catering for families the excellent kids’ clubs has to be the pièce de resistance. Over 4s can be left here all day, should you fancy a day to yourself, and under 4s can attend the club chaperoned by a parent. The kids’ club has loads of toys, activities, a playground and friendly staff on hand, so you can rest assured your children are getting the best care and enjoying their holiday too. There’s extra activities you can pay for, including mug painting, mocktail and pastry classes for 4+ kids, too. Babysitting in the evenings is available at an extra charge. There’s even a kids’ table at the breakfast buffet, entertaining activities for kids around the pool, including a visit from a falconer during our stay, and family rooms have a private area outside with a baby-safe gate leading into your own stretch of pool. Plus, there’s a dedicated children’s pool and separate areas for adults. You can't get much better than this when it comes to fun family holiday while also being able to maintain a sense of who you were on vacation before kids.
Overall impressions
Despite travelling with our boisterous two-year-old, we left Anantara Vilamoura feeling refreshed and reset because of the fantastic child-appropriate amenities on offer. Holiday successes with young kids are really about finding somewhere where they’re busily and happily entertained while you’re able to unwind and steal some moments to yourself, and that was actually possible here. From its outstanding kids’ clubs and generous selection of dining options to its proximity to the region’s best beaches and surrounding activities, we found it an experience that was both luxurious and managable. While the need for a shuttle to reach the shore might not appeal to everyone, it’s a small trade-off for the high standard of hospitality. Parents in need of some pampering can retreat to the resort’s spa. I had a very relaxing massage where they used local elements like salt and almond oils. There’s also a well-equipped gym, plus opportunities for tennis and nearby golf, which we didn't get involved with. And don’t forget to admire the art– striking textured art is on display all around the resort and really sets it apart from more generic interiors. The route to the spa especially feels like you’re in an art gallery. Overall, it was a brilliant experience and an unforgettable holiday I was still recommending to people long after we arrived home.
Inspiring Travel offers a seven-night holiday to Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort from £911pp based on two sharing on a b&b basis and including return flights and transfers. Inspiringtravel.co.uk/ 01244 729 525
Pine Cliffs Resort - The Algarve
Sitting above Praia da Falésia, which was this year crowned the World's Best Beach 2024 by TripAdvisor - no mean feat - is a real jewel in the crown of the Algarve. Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort, is just 30 minutes from Faro airport and close to Albufeira - and has become renowned for being one of Portugal's most lusted after holiday destinations. Surrounded by shady pine trees, the vast five star resort has some of the most beautiful views in the Algarve from its cliff top situation (does the hotel name make sense, now?) - and from the very edge of that cliff is the perfect bar, Mirador, where you can watch the sunset every evening.
Accommodation
Pine Cliffs has several options when it comes to accommodation with its main hotel, Ocean Suites, residences and villas - and all of them will offer a different experience. We stayed in the Ocean Suites, and our room had its own kitchen (complete with dishwasher and washer/dryer - music to any parents' ears) as well as a balcony for those early evenings when all you want to do is sit in your robe and drink a cold glass of wine - all sun kissed and blissed out. The larger villas obviously cater to bigger groups - and there is a supermarket on site so you can cook for yourself which has big appeal for longer trips.
Food
There are so many dining experiences to choose from there's something to suit every mood - whether you want to keep things casual or enjoy a more dressed up, formal evening. Our favourite restaurant was O Pescador, primarily a fish restaurant with an emphasis on local catches (the sea bass was incredible) which also has excellent vegetarian options, but the O Grill was also perfect with its buffet style dining which is great when you're a larger party, all with very different likes and dislikes. The beach restaurant, called Maré at Pine Cliffs, is the ultimate seafront hangout - it has the most stunning views, and the relaxed dishes (think guac and chips, quinoa salad or burgers) were the ideal way to refuel in between sunbathing, sandcastles and snooze sessions. Coming soon is a new Italian restaurant called Portofino by MIMO.
Family Friendly?
Pine Cliffs Resort couldn't be more family friendly if it tried, but if you aren't there with children this won't impact your stay, it feels utterly tranquil. Every restaurant has a kids' menu and there's ice cream at every turn. Porto Pirata, the hotel's 7000 square metre on-site children's village for children ages 12 months to 8 years, is by far the best kid's playground I've seen on holiday. Supervised by well-qualified staff, children can enjoy their own adventures complete with a basketball court, trampoline, a swimming pool just for kids, and an 18-hole mini-golf course to entertain the whole family.
We travelled with my parents and the resort really was perfect for multi-generational groups - there were serene spots for the grandparents to chill out and read, and many areas for us to spend time together as a family, playing chess or exploring the pirate ships together. The memories we made are magical.
Spa and Wellness
Serenity - The Art of Well Being sits within the Ocean Suites and offers a range of treatments which draw from local produce and practices, and you have to check out the Thermal Oasis pools. When it comes to fitness you are spoilt for choice, with two gyms, an indoor lap pool, eight swimming pools, an active studio (where you can access Pilates classes), bootcamp classes, a 9-hole golf course, and the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy where you can book to play or take lessons. Sunrise yoga is available, and water sports are also on offer from the beach which is just a lift ride down from the hotel.
For more information visit Pine Cliffs Resort's website.
British Airways Holidays offers seven nights, at the 5* Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort, from £399pp, travelling on selected dates between 1 November - 30 November 2024 inclusive. Includes economy (Euro Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport, 1 checked bag at 23kg per person and accommodation. Book by 16 June 2024. For reservations visit www.britishairways.com/algarve
Four Seasons The Ritz, Lisbon
If you’re looking for a quick city break with the beach on your doorstep, look no further than Lisbon. Rich in history and the largest city in Portugal, the coastal town is filled with IG-worthy pastel-coloured buildings and adorable trams that will whisk you from A to B. From climbing the castle of São Jorge and strolling through the Alfama to tasting deciduous food and dancing into the night, Lisbon has dozens of things to offer and is perfect for that girl trip that you’ve been planning for years. But if you’re looking for the best place to stay while in the city, then checking out the Four Seasons Ritz is a must.
Accommodation
Lisbon has a variety of hotels on offer, but none come close to the iconic Ritz in the heart of the city. Only a stone’s throw away from the Estatua do Marques de Pombal and Parque Eduardo, the hotel is perfect for those who love casually strolling through the city at their own pace. Taking over the hotel from the Charles Ritz chain in 1997, the hotel has kept many aspects of the Art Deco aesthetics, including its grand foyer. But of course, the rooms have had an upgrade since the takeover, with the Four Season’s signature bedding, which you can purchase online and a private balcony that overlooks the beautiful city
Food
If there is one thing that is just as important as the accommodation when you go on holiday, it’s the food, and the Four Seasons delivers. From the classic breakfast buffet that includes just about everything you could imagine to the Michelin-starred Cura that you’ll be dreaming off for months after. Headed up by Portuguese Masterchef’s very own Pedro Pena Bastos, Cura takes you on a sensory journey with his meticulous and artisanal dishes that take you around the country. From the succulent merino lamb to the saffron-infused red mullet, the restaurant is perfect if you’re a foodie like me, and if you want to try it all but haven’t can’t fit it all in, their 13-course tasting menu with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks is flawless.
For more information visit https://www.fourseasons.com/lisbon/