Anantara Vilamoura in the Algarve is an ideal destination for families looking for a sunny beach holiday this autumn. Here’s why.
Just a short flight from the UK (and no time difference) makes the Algarve very appealing to those with young children. Better still, summer might be over in the UK but Portugal’s coastline sees warm sunshine well into October, making it a great spot for a half-term break.
The Vibe
When it opened in 2017, Anantara Vilamoura in Portugal’s Algarve was the first European outpost of the Asian hotel chain, and its signature slick design and quality shines through in everything from the chic interiors (think clean lines, brass finishes and crisp white bedding) to the cabanas by the pool and the discreet, but uber friendly service. In 2024 it’s still as shiny and new as if it opened yesterday.
The hotel is divided into two sections: one for adult-only designed experiences including 20 recently-built suites, the spa and gym, and private cabanas by the serene Le Palms Pool Bar – where poolside butlers bring everything from sun cream to sangria to oysters. The other side is for The Family Resort, which features family suites (some are swim-up), a 30-metre pool with cascading waterfalls, a paddling pool and a superb kids’ club. The restaurants straddle both: all welcome children but some are more suitable for older families, as they feel slightly more grown up and formal. The two-sides to this hotel mean that everyone gets to relax and choose what works best for them on different evenings. Overall the emphasis is on ensuring that you’ll find whatever you are looking for, whether that’s a family break or some grown-up time out.
The Food + Drink
Anantara Vilamoura’s seven restaurants offer an incredible choice. Breakfast is a crowd-pleasing (and especially child-pleasing) buffet in the Victoria restaurant with options to suit everyone, from the health conscious (egg-white omelettes and salads), the hearty (full English), the delicious selection of pastries, and a special kids’ buffet table featuring fruit and pancakes – the stuff of dreams for hungry little people in the morning. Victoria restaurant also offers a family buffet menu at night, ideal for when you want casual dining at your own pace.
Ria restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, offers freshly-caught Portuguese seafood (the enormous tiger prawns are a particular highlight) and on Saturday nights the chef sizzles up a barbecue dinner on the pool deck; an informal and fun evening with children in tow. Sensai’s Asian fusion menu is Thai-inspired with highlights including sea bass and shrimp curries – with beautiful views from the terrace across to the sea, the vista is as good as the cuisine. There’s a spin-off sushi restaurant in the lobby and two poolside bars: Cascades by the kids’ pool serves easy-to-eat fare including burgers, pizzas and hearty salads until 6pm.
All the restaurants are very welcoming to children, with a dedicated kids’ menu (the same across all sites) including burgers, chicken nuggets and spaghetti bolognese, but the chefs are equally happy to make small portions of main-menu dishes for more adventurous little ones to try. For adults in need of a night cap, Botanic is the child-free cocktail lounge to visit, leaving the kids under the watchful eye of one of the hotel’s babysitters.
The Rooms
Family suites are beautifully designed with a large lounge area including a sofa bed and enough space for at least one more bed or cot. Sliding doors lead to the master bedroom, then onto the family-style bathroom with a large bath and walk in shower. A large balcony with a huge sofa and armchairs wraps across both – meaning there is space to escape to when you’ve got the kids to bed. Some rooms are swim-up; their balconies (with child gates on) meet with the edge of the pool at the family swimming area. Handy if you want direct access to the action, but worth noting this also means you can see and hear it all too. For those travelling without children, there are 20 new suites of the 110 available on the adult-side of the hotel; allowing the welcome possibility of a lie in.
The Child’s Play
Along with the child-friendly dining options and the large pool area (with a retro ice cream cart in the afternoons), there are tons of family experiences and facilities, including an excellent kids’ club. Here a huge room containing a dedicated baby area and imaginative play toys – including a toy kitchen, and a large crafting space – meets a brilliant playground outside, which helpfully remains in shade all morning. The programme of events is extensive with hour-by-hour scheduling including activities ranging from bracelet making to archery and theatre workshops. Children from the age of four can attend for free; those under four need to be supervised by parents or a bookable nanny. Babysitting is also available. Once a week the hotel screens a kid-friendly movie by the pool; staff serve cones of popcorn to viewers in their deckchairs.
The To-Do List
Anantara Vilamoura is within easy reach of many world-class golf courses and backs directly onto the large Dom Pedro Victoria (currently under redevelopment until the end of October 2024). Other sports include cycling, tennis and horse riding. The stunning Praia do Poço Velho beach, with wide sandy stretches and dramatic cliffs is a 20-minute car ride, or a 30-minute cycle (you can rent bikes from the hotel). Or head to Falesia Beach for a private family surf lesson that the hotel’s concierge can arrange. Marina de Vilamoura, where you can find more bars and restaurants, is a 15-minute drive. For the more culturally adventurous, head 20 minutes to Loulé, where small scenic villages filled with historic and cultural treasures overlook the sea.
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