Portugal | A Peaceful Retreat in the Portuguese Algarve

North of the bustle of the Algarve beach towns sits Vila Monte Farm House, a relaxing retreat in the Portuguese countryside.

When most people visit the Algarve they opt for a resort on the beach or a place in one of the many Mediterranean vacation towns along the coast. On this trip I chose to stay a bit inland. I wanted to find the bustle when I felt like it rather than be enveloped by it. I couldn't have chosen a better spot for the end of my Portugal road trip. Full disclosure, if you're looking for a party this is not your place.

The Vila Monte resort property is gorgeous. Divided with intimate gardens, pathways, ponds, and lounge areas, the layout conspicuously hides the breadth of the property. There are 55 rooms at the resort but it feels as if it's even more of a boutique. There are two pools (and two pool bars!), one for all ages and another for adults only. I was pleased to see guests respect the division, keeping the adults pool splash-free and on the quieter side.

Each room was well appointed with little extras like bath salts, flowers, a pashmina for the cool nights, hat for poolside convenience and an umbrella I was happy I didn't have to use. The hotel has two restaurants on property in addition to room service. I enjoyed the more casual restaurant, they served regional fare and the soups were fantastic. I was less impressed with the higher end restaurant, I didn't feel the cost was worthwhile and would have preferred to go into one of the nearby resort towns to find a nicer meal. The service was outstanding in all parts of the hotel, from the valet to the front desk to the bars. I was never far from someone to assist when needed and each person went out of their way to ensure I was comfortable during my stay. During a big football match, the hotel staff rearranged the lobby furniture to create a comfortable viewing area and extended hotel service to accommodate the crowd.

Location-wise the hotel is quite convenient if you have a car. There was plenty of parking and there were numerous day trips for anyone interested in breaking up their stay. Several towns are within 20 - 30 minutes of the hotel as are several of the more beautiful beaches. The hotel also offers a daily shuttle and short boat ride to one of the sand islands off the coast and can include lunch, chairs and other extras if desired. Down the street there is also an olive oil plantation that's open to visitors. During my stay I went into Tavira to check out the small town one morning and have lunch on the square. Another evening I drove into Almancil to enjoy dinner at the Michel Star restaurant Sao Gabriel. I have a separate blog post for that memorable meal.

I couldn't be more emphatic for my recommendation of Vila Monte if you're looking for a quiet and relaxing piece to your Portugal vacation.