My husband celebrates his birthday at the end of November and it’s always a struggle to buy him the right gift. I feel like material gifts don’t make him truly happy, and if he needs anything, he just buys it throughout the year anyway. As I come from Slovakia, whenever we visit my country, we stay in a hotel with a spa – and this is something he really enjoys. Since we normally stay in hotels in the Algarve during the summer season, I never looked for a hotel with wellness here. Until this year.

After a thorough search for a hotel with a spa and great cuisine, I found Vale da Lapa, located near Carvoeiro. Vale da Lapa has recently been honoured with two awards at the 2025 World Luxury Travel Awards: Best Luxury Villa Resort in Portugal and Best Luxury Villa in Europe.

This hotel is also kid-friendly, which made it a perfect choice for us, as we were planning to go with our four-year-old son. Children up to 12 stay free and receive complimentary meals when parents book half board.

We visited the hotel outside of the main season, so everything felt quiet and peaceful, really a stay to recharge your batteries and enjoy the beautiful Algarvian weather. We were lucky enough to catch sunny and really warm days.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a kind receptionist who gave us all the information we needed. Then we headed to our villa. Vale de Lapa is a village-style resort and consists of villas only, including luxury villas with private pools. Our villa was a two-floor unit with a fully equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large balcony and a great patio with a dining table.

Relaxing moments at D’Spa

We enjoyed the sunny afternoon on our patio and then we headed to the spa. In our rooms, we had gowns and towels ready. D’Spa is a place to enjoy organic, vegan treatments, relaxing massages, and a calm atmosphere. A lovely lady working in the spa explained all the treatments and everything the spa offers. The heated pool, jacuzzi and sauna were a great way to spend our evening, when it got a bit chilly outside. The variety of treatments is designed to improve health and well-being, including traditional, holistic massages, rituals and body therapies. They also offer a couple of massages and a family massage for parents and children. After our experience, we stayed in the quiet, relaxing zone, where you will find several loungers and refreshing drinks.

Credits: TPN; Author: Tereza Pedro;

Dinner at Serenata: Mediterranean flavours

We opted for full board, so after the spa came time for dinner. You can choose a starter, main course and dessert. The restaurant, Serenata, serves Mediterranean flavours all day and always offers a daily special for dinner. The kid’s menu offers great options and my son’s favourite spaghetti, which he is really picky with, so I was amazed when he ate the whole portion.

My husband and I went for steaks. I had entrecote with chimichurri sauce, served with sauteed potatoes and glazed vegetables, paired with a glass of red wine. I have to say that the food in this restaurant has an amazing presentation. Congratulations to the chef! After the delicious main course, we chose cheesecake and panna cotta for dessert, again beautifully presented with flowers and a scoop of ice cream. And I have to mention, the flavour matched the presentation.

A sunny morning and a lovely breakfast

The next day we woke up to a sunny morning again and we headed for the buffet breakfast. Hot and cold dishes for every taste and we loved the pancakes! After this, we went to the kids’ playground, where there is also a kids' club (which is open during the main season). Afterwards, we wanted to explore the resort better, so we took a walk. The gardens and nature are beautifully maintained, with exotic plants, greenery, lakes and lounge areas with benches to sit and enjoy the views. The stunning environment was one of the highlights of our stay. For people seeking a more active stay, the hotel offers paddle courts and a multipurpose sports field.

Credits: TPN; Author: Tereza Pedro;

Lunch with a view

Later, we had a light workout in the gym located in the same building as the spa. Then we returned to the restaurant where you can dine indoors, or on the terrace with garden and pool views. This time, we chose outdoor seating above the outside pool. The menu is the same as for dinner, but with plenty of options. From fish and meat to pastas and pizzas. Still full from breakfast, my choice was burrata salad with strawberries and raspberries. I love burrata but had never tried this combination, and it turned out amazing. My husband tried their black pork cheeks in red wine, and our son had a hamburger, which looked more like a regular adult dish than a kids’ one! We asked if we could visit the restaurant even if we weren’t staying at the hotel, and the answer was yes; the restaurant is open to the public. I definitely recommend this place, either for a special occasion like in our case or even for a “normal” dinner or lunch, when you want to enjoy a perfect meal with stunning views.

Before checking out, we visited the lobby market, offering local wines and products from local artists. A great way to bring home something special to remember your stay.

A short trip that meant a lot

This short trip reminded us how important it is to slow down, enjoy moments as a family, and treat ourselves now and then. Vale da Lapa gave us exactly that, and it’s a place we will remember for a long time.

To book your stay, you can visit their website https://www.valedalapa.com/