Vila Sol Spa & Golf Resort

Just returned from a short break at the 5 star Vila Sol Spa and Golf Resort.
We had a perfect time, my husband and son played golf on the fantastic course at Vila Sol, my husband said it was one of the best courses he has ever played, he said tee 1 to 18 was slightly better than from the 18th to 27th, but all nice anyway.
Our golf tariff was included in the holiday deal but the boys needed a buggy which was 50 Euros per buggy.
The pool was slightly heated making it perfect to swim and not too chilly, pool towels all provided which was great because you don't need to bring towels with you. A lovely seating /sun lounging area very clean and well throughout.
We stayed in a garden room combined with a garden suite, which consisted of two bungalow type rooms with interconnecting doors.
The garden room had two single beds with lovely fresh white linen and full bathroom and the garden suite had a very large super king bed and a sitting room area with settee and table and chairs and a full bathroom.
The accommodation was well appointed and very comfortable, crispy white clean sheets and pillows and maid service twice daily was a real treat.
The breakfast was great, plenty of choice and well presented buffet style, the evening meals Gourmet Style in the Green Pines restaurant was a dining experience food fantastic and beautifully presented with the service second to none, the approx rate per person was 40 Euros with wine.
Nothing was too much trouble for the staff.
We enjoyed drinks on the large terrace overlooking the golf course and lake; this was lovely in the late evenings (still very warm then). Drinks were approx 3 Euros for half beer and 3 Euros for a small house wine, cokes were 3.50 Euros (quite expensive).
The beach was closed unfortunately for May apparently it opens in June so a little disappointed but the staff said we could go down and take a look anyway. The courtesy bus from the resort will take you there free of charge.
What a magnificent beach and very private.
Taxi's from Vila Sol into Vilamoura were approx 5 Euros one way, it is about 10 minutes drive away, it is not possible to walk down as it is like a country lane for best part of the way with no shops or buildings so a taxi is the only way.
We ate a couple of times in Vilamoura Marina but preferred the food at the hotel. The ice creams were good in Vilamoura though. Vilamoura was not too busy this time in May in fact not much going on there.
We did go on a rib ride out to sea to see dolphins and the caves and booked through Polvo Water Sports on the Marina front, a trip well worth doing because you got to see the whole coastline of Albufeira and Vilamoura, the trip cost 35 Euros each.
Also booked Zoo Marine to swim with the dolphins there a trip with life time memories - fantastic experience a must do (cost 140 Euros per person with the coach service included but the gate price for the rest of the park was 21.50 Euros each adult.
The Zoo Marine coach picked us up from the Vila Sol free of charge, excellent service.
We as a grown up family of 5 recommend the 5 star Vila Sol Hotel if you would like an up market quiet break of pool, beach and golf and fine food.
I would say it is not for young children as there is not much to do for them, although there is a crèche. We found with our teenage children that we had a full action packed afternoon and that after the evening meal and a couple of drinks on the terrace we were all ready for a good night’s sleep ready for the golf or trips the next day.
Full sky television in room as well so some good movies for later at night. No entertainment at the hotel. Our teenagers had a great time for the 5 days we were there, but they said if we were on a fortnights holiday they would need to have entertainment at the resort.
I can't express enough how helpful all of the staff were from the reception to the dining room waiters, to bar staff. The Portuguese have certainly got charm in this line of work.
Vila Sol has lots of nice touches and little surprises as you go along which put a real "icing on the cake" feeling we will be booking again next June.
When booking be careful that you ARE situated at the hotel as we were first offered the vila sol village which is too far away from the main hotel with restaurants etc.
It is a short bus ride from the village to the hotel.