From the moment we arrived at Viceroy, a serene spot located the hills of the Algarve, we were literally wrapped in warmth and greeted with a hot towel and a soothing honey and cinnamon tea. It was the first of many moments of luxury that would follow. We sank into the lobby fire and took in the space, surroundings and stillness around us, which was beyond our wildest dreams and worlds apart from our yesterday. At that moment it felt like we had travelled so far into some into another world, when in reality, we’d just hoped on a two hour flight from Stansted.
The decor at Viceroy at Ombria Algarve was a massage to the senses, especially for anyone who, like me, loves the marrying of creativity and nature. Aspirational coffee table books stacked over art-deco inspired furniture and finished with earthy homeware pieces, the space was curated intentionally to mirror the beauty of the land. The mornings were bright, the sun mirroring the Algarve inspired architecture and bringing the resort grounds to life. Upon waking, there was an immediate need to slow down, take the day as it came, and we did exactly that every morning. This allowed us to be completely present with each other. Whether we were walking, enjoying fresh orange juice and sweet potato waffles at breakfast or having a sun soak, it was my version of complete zen.
Our villa was the cocoon of this retreat, with a palette of ocean blues and crisp whites creating a sense of calm. There was a lot of care added to the room, a charming pop-up tent for our daughter stocked with wooden toys and for me and my partner - locally woven basket bags and hats that were perfect for holiday dressing. At any moment the staff were genuinely available and so caring, personalising our experience more than we could have even asked. There was a relaxed nature around the resort that was infectious, from staff picking us up in lobby cars and letting our daughter pretend to drive to spilling the secrets of traditional Algarve.
We had a short walk on our first evening to dinner at Ombria Kitchen around 9pm. Craving Portuguese flavors, we were welcomed by the ever-gracious Mariana, who set a uplifting tone for our evening. The restaurant’s open kitchen and dedicated team created an atmosphere of effortless sophistication, with a wine specialist on hand to elevate each dish. We started the only way we knew how from our previous trips to the Algarve, with the fresh octopus salad bursting with the fresh, bold flavors of Portugal. We shared the catch of the day, perfectly prepared and sitting on a bed of olive oil soaked potatoes, followed by grandma’s chocolate mousse and caramelized pineapple - a nostalgic, nourishing finish. Nothing beats the feeling of that first meal on holiday, when your body climatises to local cuisine, it always sets you up for a dreamy night of sleep.
Normally, I tend to skip hotel workshops, but something about the idea of candle-making with my family in this intimate setting was exciting to me. The session was led by Sofia, who runs her own natural cosmetic and candle business in a nearby village, and she was welcoming to all our abilities. From a 3 year old play-do expert to my partner who prior to this had just caught several whiffs of candles. She took us through the session with so much play and patience, it was bonding and therapeutic for us as a family and for me personally - a moment of creative escape. I left feeling much more open to workshops after this experience, there was no part of it that felt static and we loved taking part as a family and bringing something home that we’d all created to display on our dinner table.
The grounds of Viceroy mirror an intimate Algarve village with hiking trails to immerse yourself in forests and waterfalls. We embarked on a toddler-friendly hiking trail as recommended to us by the staff. The sun was shining and it was one of those moments where you could feel your nervous system at ease, the beauty of being immersed in mountain scapes and following the sounds of a waterfall just brings you back to peace. We sat down on a stone bench to have our sandwiches and there was a shared feeling of joy and stillness, all of us so present that it’s a memory I still hold dear to me to this day. It ended with one very sleepy toddler on her daddy’s shoulders. The resort was accommodating of an impromptu picnic, any plans we had were made reality without any stress. We made it back in time to watch the sunset with a bottle of wine by the pool, a moment that forces you to wind down into the evening.
Our final dinner at Ombria Kitchen was particularly memorable, a cataplana dish with clams, shrimp, pork and chorizo, a flavourful and warming meal in the evenings when we were reminded that it was in fact still February. I remember dipping fresh bread in this flavourful dish and savouring each mouthful, as it felt so nostalgic of our trips to Portugal. And for the final blissful morning, I indulged in a spa treatment. The experience started with a locally sourced salt scrub, invigorating my skin and a massage with essential oils from regional herbs and flowers, soaking me in the natural fragrances of the Algarve. It was another moment of serene luxury that reflected the resort’s commitment to keeping authentic Algarve at the heart of everything they do.
Prices start at £290/night and stays can be booked via Viceroy at Ombria Algarve.
