Algarve, Portugal

VilaLara Thalassa Resort

A luxury resort set on 11 acres of magnificent seaside gardens

Enjoy direct access to the buttery sands of the Algarve

Rising from the cliffs of Praia das Gaivotas, VilaLara Thalassa Resort tops the list as one of the best luxury hotels in Portugal. And for good reason: set on 11 leafy acres of magnificent seaside gardens, this destination resort invites guests to enjoy the beauty of the region with direct access to the buttery sands of the Algarve. VilaLara Thalassa also benefits from a central location – it is an easy 30 minutes drive from Faro’s airport.

Facing the sea, the resort consists of 104 junior suites, 7 suites and 12 apartments, each of which is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. What’s extra special about this retreat is that it features 5 swimming pools (one heated), 3 tennis courts and 1 Padel court – making it the ideal base for families traveling to the Algarve region.

There is also an immense focus on personalised wellness. Vila Thalassa resort has one of the best thalassotherapy centres in the world, in partnership with the acclaimed Longevity Medical Spa. Everything here is completely customised, with treatments ranging from anti-ageing, detox and slimming. Anti-ageing checkups are also available.

Much like its beautiful setting, the restaurants at the hotel are also known to be exceptional. Where possible, ingredients are locally sourced and of course seafood takes the centre stage at each of their 3 dining venues. Guests also get to enjoy a variety of local Portuguese wines.

Highlights

Direct beach access

104 Junior suites, 7 suites and 12 apartments

5 swimming pools (3 seawater, 1 heated)

Wellness centre with Thalassotherapy and medical spa

3 dining venues

Koala kids' club and babysitting services

3 Tennis courts and 1 Padel court

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Plan your trip to Portugal

Whatever you want from your adventure in Portugal, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Places to combine VilaLara Thalassa Resort with

Six Senses Douro Valley surrounded by lush greenery

Douro Valley

Six Senses Douro Valley

Set on a wide bend of the Douro river amid wonderful woodland, Six Senses Douro Valley occupies a thoroughly renovated 19th-century manor house with fabulous views out over the surrounding vineyards. The interior blends original features and monumental beams with contemporary artwork. Many of the rooms feature vast floor-to-ceiling windows and wonderful views. Suites overlook the Douro, and there is a selection of multi-roomed apartments and a villa with its own pool for the utmost privacy. Three restaurants and a range of dining areas celebrate the region, with seasonal produce from the fertile valley and the estate’s organic gardens. Sample some of the Wine Library’s hundreds of vintages with nightly tastings, or watch the sunset with a cocktail on the terrace. An expansive spa has ten treatment rooms and there is both a heated indoor and scenic outdoor pool. Many of the experiences here are, naturally, wine-focused. Vineyard tours, port tasting and unique harvesting experiences are complemented by trips to explore the historic towns and villages that dot this UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The adventurous can head out hiking, mountain biking and canyoning, while river cruises are a more relaxed way to spend an afternoon.

Alentejo

Sublime Comporta

Surrounded by a stunning 17-acre estate of umbrella pines, cork trees, wild sand dunes, wildflowers, rice fields and a stretch of pristine, white-sand beach, Sublime Comporta is a fabulous contemporary retreat a little over an hour from Lisbon. There are 14 white, minimalist, rustic bedrooms spread between the main building and a nearby annex, as well as a selection of beautiful 2, 3 and 5 bedroom ‘cabana’ villas. The chic restaurant, Sem Porta, celebrates seasonal local produce and producers in a relaxed, modern setting. Think fresh oysters and sea bass with herbs and vegetables from the organic twinned with wonderful regional wine. There’s also a cocktail bar as well as another drinks venue by the swimming pool. Activities in the surrounding areas include horse-back riding on the dunes, fields and deserted beaches of Comporta, picnics on private lakes, excursions out with a local fisherman, wine tasting and excursions to discover Portugal’s only resident dolphin community, though sitting back and relaxing is the order of the day here. Sublime Comporta’s spa offers a wide variety of treatments in indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a sauna, steam bath and a heated indoor pool with all organic products.

Alentejo

Craveiral Farmhouse

Blending in its surroundings, this modern farmhouse sits minutes to some of Alentejo’s best beaches. Craveiral Farmhouse plays host to 38 self-contained cottages, three swimming pools, one indoor, one restaurant with garden products and organic food, a nature interpretation center, an orchard, a farm with animals, and all the space of the world, between countryside and sea. The game-changing accommodation operates with sustainability at its very core – from the restaurants’ offerings to the array of activities and experiences made available to guests. There are daily bike excursions, farm animals to entertain small ones all day long, or head out for a surf lesson before coming back to pick your very own vegetables from the on-site garden. The possibilities are endless…

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Porto

This hotel was the family home of the Yeatmans, the British owners of a large port business. A hillside position on the banks of the River Douro in the heart of Vila Nova de Gaia and next to ancient port houses puts the hotel in a prime position for epic views and interesting activities. The decor is classic and elegant, in keeping with the family’s heritage. The 109 rooms and suites feature antique artefacts and pictures from different Portuguese wine producers, opening out onto private balconies overlooking the river and the city’s historic centre. Be immersed in the city’s culture in the ADF Suite, where the bed head is an original barrel top and the domed oak ceiling mimics the enormous oak barrels used in wine production. A highlight of a stay at The Yeatman is dining at the two gourmet restaurants. Enjoy imaginative cuisine where the traditional flavours are reinterpreted and presented immaculately. The restaurant is bright and airy and offers spectacular views over the river. There’s a comprehensive list of Portuguese wines and food and wine pairing menus take you on a journey through Portugal’s diverse and varied wine regions. Relax and unwind at the hotel spa which offers a range of rejuvenating treatments, using natural ingredients from the surrounding vineyards. There is also an indoor and outdoor rooftop pool – take a dip in the evening and admire the twinkling lights of the city laid out before you.

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Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline