It's the kind of designer country house that you expect to hear about in the UK not the golf course capital of Portugal: a 19th-century country house surrounded by 5 acres of gardens that has been revamped to create a modern hotel. Only this time, it's not owned by an eccentric aristocrat, and it's not quite like you'd expect.
In fact, the modernist building doesn't shriek '19th century' at all, filled with colourful sofas, stark walls, huge windows and underfloor heating. It's a stunning Grand Design in an area full of largely indistinguishable hotels. Vila Valverde has 15 rooms and 2 swimming pools (one indoor, the other outdoor), and is surrounded by beautiful grounds, creating a lovely feeling of calm. Bedrooms are huge and their large windows let the nearly-year-round sunshine in; there's also a restaurant/ breakfast room and communal terrace and pool area.
Around an hour west of Faro airport, it’s very close to the Algarve's popular beaches, including Praia da Luz, so you can indulge in a host of watersports. Hire a car and explore the hidden coves if you want something more secluded, head up into the hills to walk in spectacular scenery, or tee up on the 18-hole championship Boavista golf course.
Highs
- A stunning design aesthetic, and beautifully peaceful and quiet (no kids under 10 allowed)
- Fantastic gardens and panoramic views of the mountain landscape and sea from the top terrace, with its rattan sofas
- Romantic rooms are spacious with large bathrooms, living areas, glass doors to private terraces, and espresso makers
- The secluded outdoor pool is lovely, with a raised deck with sunloungers, and a sandy stretch with parasols
- A good base for active types who will be out and about during the day - we think it's ideal for older couples and golf fanatics
Lows
- There's a lack of atmosphere, especially in the restaurant and lounge - even though the hotel was full when we visited, it still felt empty and rather sterile
- There's no proper bar, or bar service down by the pool, and it's a long walk from the pool to your minibar
- The service isn't overwhelmingly warm and friendly - they prefer to leave you to it, to the extent where reception is often unmanned
- Some guests have raved about the style and decor; others find it a little heavy, boxy and clunky
- There's a minimum 3-night stay
Best time to go
Temperatures in July and August can hit 40 degrees in the Algarve. Spring flowers bloom in April and May, the sea is nice and warm in September and October. The hotel is closed end December to mid January.
Our top tips
Swim with dolphins at the excellent Zoomarine near Albufeira. If you'd prefer to stay dry, there are regular sealion and dolphin shows, plus a very good aquarium.
- Boutique Hotel
- 15 rooms
- Breakfast (+ other meals on request)
- 10+ year olds only
- Open all year
- Pools
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
Vila Valverde's rooms are very spacious, with large windows and glass doors to let in all that Algarve sunshine - although chances are you'll be out making the most of it rather than lounging indoors.
There are 15 of them, 10 Standards and 5 Superior doubles. The former have a desk and easy chairs; the latter are more like junior suites, with a large seating area including a sofa. Both room types have a terrace or balcony for enjoying the weather, and all overlook the gardens. Beds are queensized or twins, and some Standard rooms have a sofabed for extra guests.
The best rooms are those on the ground floor, with a private terrace. These are Standard numbers 1-5, and 6, a Superior.
There isn’t anything particularly unique about the décor, although the superior doubles have modern four-posters with flouncy curtains (they'll probably inspire a love/hate debate). In both room types you'll find small Buddha statues, fluffy white bathrobes and minibars, flatscreen TVs and underfloor heating. We found our room got rather hot and stuffy as the air con wasn't working.
Bathrooms are large and modern, separated from the bedroom by a clear glass wall, meaning your activities in there might not be as private as you'd hope. Some are shower only, others have a bath too. You get Molton Brown toiletries.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Minibar/fridge
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast runs from 8-11am, and offers a good if generic European-style buffet including fruit, bread, pastries, cold cuts, eggs, waffles, cereal and anything else you'd expect. We thought it was a shame the pastries weren't fresh.
Light meals and snacks including soup, sandwiches and salads can be ordered for lunch, and the restaurant has a daily changing dinner menu - let them know in advance that you'll be dining in. It's not the most atmospheric room in the building, though we like the rose-design chairs, and while dinners aren't a gourmet feast, they sound good. Expect a European/Mediterranean-style 3-course meal with 5 choices for each course. Perhaps carrot and orange soup for starter, veal cutlet for main and chocolate fondant for dessert. When we stayed the menu was in German, but they are in the process of printing English menus.
There are plenty of rustic hillside restaurants nearby (a couple within walking distance), serving traditional Portuguese food including local game - be warned: it's not universally sophisticated and can be very meat-heavy. Those with a taste for seafood will be very happy in towns like Sagres where the catch of the day is the best thing on the menu. Vila Joya in Albufeira is one of Portugal's finest restaurants, around an hour's drive away.
Features include:
- Minibar/fridge
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Relax in the tranquil gardens, swim in the pools and sunbathe
- Take to the water. The nearby beach Praia da Luz is popular with British holidaymakers and can get busy, but it's still lovely. You can hire canoes, banana boats, jet skis, motorboats, windsurfers, pedalos and anything else you can think of
- If you prefer solitude with your sea views, hire a car and explore the unspoilt beaches nearby. Batata, Estudantes, Canavial, Dona Ana and Comito are little coves worth seeking out
- Play golf. The hotel can arrange green fees at Boavista, an 18-hole championship course
- Go horse riding in the mountains, where the rugged hills, orange groves and tropical plantations offer a varied landscape
- Get hiking. Coastal trails, wooded valleys and dramatic hills around Monchique are ripe for exploring
- Go sailing, big game fishing or scuba diving. The hotel has guided trips and can arrange bespoke lessons for a fee
- Visit Lagos, a bustling tourist town with a busy beach. The cultural centre has regular exhibitions and the fish market is fun
- Explore Sagres, a popular wind and kitesurfing destination. The Cabo de S.Vincente lighthouse 6km from Sagres is the most southwesterly point in Europe
- Go dolphin or whale watching in season from Porto de Baleeira
- Visit Monchique, a pretty hillside town with a taste for Piri-Piri chicken and a small thermal spa
- Get healthy with the hotel's gym facilities. There's regular aquafit and aqua aerobics in the pool, a sauna, massage area and gym. Some incur an extra fee
- Take a day trip to Lisbon or Seville. The hotel can arrange guided tours for a fee; both are a 3-hour drive away
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Windsurfing
Kids
The hotel caters for children aged 10 and over; those under 10 are only accepted by special request.
There are no baby or child facilities apart from extra beds.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Extra Beds Available
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Vila Valverde is in the Algarve on the outskirts of Luz, on the south coast of Portugal close to Lagos.
By Air:
The closest airport is Faro, about an hour's drive from the hotel. Lisbon is the alternative, roughly 3 hours away. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
The hotel offers transfers from Faro - see Rates - but we'd recommend hiring a car.
By Car:
It's an easy drive west along the coast from Faro and should take around an hour. From Lisbon, there are toll roads and the drive should take a little under 3 hours. For car hire we recommend Holiday Autos, which offers competitive prices and discounts for internet bookings. Cars can be picked up on arrival at the airport or in larger towns.
By Bus
There's a fairly regular bus/coach service from Faro's main bus terminal to Lagos taking just over 2 hours. It's a 15-minute taxi ride from Lagos to the hotel.
By train
The Linha do Algarve is a scenic way to view the coast en route to the hotel. Take the train from Faro station, 5 minutes from the airport, and allow 1.5 hours to reach Lagos station. The hotel is a 15-minute taxi ride away.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book with i-escape.com.
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