Gold Weekend in Portugal
Usually I wouldn’t opt for a hotel located on a golf course, but I absolutely loved it. The views were just stunning, and you are close to the Vilamoura’s beaches, marina and nightlife, including Puro beach Vilamoura. Just go to reception and request the complimentary shuttle service which is around a 10-minute drive. We took a taxi back late one night and it was just €9 back to the hotel which we thought was cheap. They also have a couple of Anantara Tuc Tuc rides which are great fun!
Things to do close by would be Golf at the Victoria Golf Course, Cliff Richards Vineyard, Aqua Show Park, Catamaran Boat Tour or Adventure Golf as well as visiting the Marina area or just enjoy a wonderful spa treatment at Anantara. The hotel was lovely, I thought the rooms were spacious and well designed with a lovely balcony and day bed. The bathroom was huge with sliding glass doors and all the amenities you could ask for. The walk-in wardrobe was disguised into the wall which was a clever idea. Staff were just lovely, so friendly all through our stay.
There is an adult only pool and area which is great, however, I did notice this pool wasn’t heated whereas the main pool was. The main pool was stunning and plenty of very comfortable loungers awaited. The food at breakfast and lunch was stunning with lots of choice. For a livelier evening head down to the Marina.
As the Anantara is also linked with the Tivoli hotel you can go down to the Marina and use the sunbeds at the Tivoli. You also get a discount off in their restaurants. You can also park here free if you have a hire car.
The Anantara has a very relaxed and peaceful hotel and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
On the Friday night we transferred to the Tivoli Hotel for drinks before heading to Puro Beach Club where we had dinner and entertainment for the evening. The Tivoli hotel is in a perfect position for those guests who like to walk out from the hotel onto the marina. I didn’t see the rooms only the main areas, but I thought it was a lovely hotel.
On Saturday we headed to the Albufeira marina to join a catamaran cruise and once finished we enjoyed a lovely lunch at a local Irish Pub before returning to our hotel. In the evening we ate at the ll Lamparo at the Vilamoura Marina which was lovely.
On the Sunday a few of my colleagues headed out to the Conrad for brunch which they thoroughly enjoyed. I believe there is a little more going on at the Conrad than the Anantara, so it seems in Vilamoura there is something for everyone’s taste.
In the evening we headed out for our Gala Dinner which was held at the stunning Pine Cliffs Hotel. Wow I just loved this property and for me this is in such a stunning location.
So, this was my first visit to this area of Portugal and I will be back. For me I would choose a hotel which is positioned away from the marina, so you get the best of both worlds.