The Hidden Oasis: Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa (Review)
Back in 2007, what was then Portugal's first and only Hilton Hotel opened its doors in the middle of the Algarve, Portugal's southern coast. To this day, the hotel can live up to its name and offers a fair alternative to the nearby Conrad Algarve for the more price-conscious Hilton fan.
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LOCATION
Located pretty much in the middle of the two larger towns of Faro and Albufeira in Portugal's largest tourist district of Vilamoura in the Algarve. Vilamoura is part of the town of Quarteira, which also makes up the largest town in the area. The area offers easy access to various golf courses, several beaches, a casino and several other tourist attractions.
The hotel complex consists of multiple buildings arranged in an oval shape around a sprawling courtyard. The courtyard boasts a cool pool area that is great for lounging and soaking up the sun. In addition to the pool, there are also several restaurants, bars, and shops within the complex, offering guests a good range of dining options.
ARRIVAL, LOBBY & CHECK-IN
Upon our early noon arrival at the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa (external link), our taxi was able to pull up right in front of the hotel lobby entrance.
The entrance area of the hotel is expansive and filled with natural light. The three-floor hall features spacious seating areas, access to various hotel facilities, and an elongated reception counter.
To our surprise, our room was ready, and as loyal Hilton members, we received a significant upgrade to the highest room category available. The check-in process was friendly and professional, with our additional status benefits explained to us.
ROOM
TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT WITH POOL VIEW
Our room was a Two Bedroom Apartment with Pool View. It consisted of two bedrooms and a living area with a kitchen.
The living room at the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa offers more than just a sitting area and a large dining table. Unlike a typical hotel room, it also comes equipped with a fully functional kitchen that includes a dishwasher, stove, oven, microwave, and large refrigerator. This means that guests can easily prepare meals for themselves and their companions, and store them without any hassle. Whether you're traveling solo or with a group, the kitchen is a fantastic feature that adds convenience and flexibility to your stay.
For added convenience, the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa provides a washing machine with an integrated dryer in a closet adjacent to the kitchen. This means that guests can easily do their laundry without having to leave the comfort of their apartment.
Adjacent to this was the master bedroom. It contained a king bed, a small armchair and a TV and had direct access to the bathroom, which was modernly furnished and came with a bathtub and a walk-in shower.
The second bedroom is actually a connecting room to a Twin Deluxe Room, and is described separately below. Since we arrived as a couple the second room was totally unnecessary for us, but of course we were happy that our loyalty was appreciated so much and used the room as a luggage room.
Another highlight was the large balcony that belonged to the apartment, which really offered a lot of space and a beautiful sunny view of the large courtyard with the pool area of the hotel. It was equipped with a dining table for four people.
These apartments offer the perfect blend of a luxurious hotel room with a full range of services, as well as a fully-equipped kitchen, along with a washing machine and dryer. This makes them an ideal choice for travelers who are staying for an extended period of time, or with more family members. By utilizing the kitchen facilities and laundry amenities, guests can save money on dining out and laundry services, all while enjoying the comfort and luxury of a five-star hotel.
TWIN DELUXE ROOM WITH POOL VIEW
Our second room, as mentioned, was a regular Twin Deluxe Room with Pool View, accessed through a connecting door. It contained two twin beds, a small desk, and a dresser with a TV above it. Of course, there was also a separate bathroom and another balcony overlooking the large main pool.
HOUSEKEEPING
The Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa's housekeeping team impressed us with their attention to detail and efficiency. Our room was impeccably clean and the team made sure to keep it that way throughout our stay. The team was extremely friendly and a language challenge was solved straightforwardly by simply handing us a phone with an English-speaking staff member who helpfully translated. Perfect solution!
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BREAKFAST
At the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa, guests can enjoy a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection of items, including an egg station. Although the food presentation and quality may not be extraordinary, the breakfast provides a solid start to the day. The hotel's outdoor seating area is a pleasant spot to enjoy breakfast in the sun, but was unfortunately closed during our stay.
LOUNGE
Unfortunately, the hotel does not offer a lounge.
RESTAURANTS & BARS
The Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa offers a range of dining options to satisfy every craving. During our visit, not all of the F&B outlets were open as we were there before the start of the main season. Nevertheless, we would like to give a brief overview:
Aquarela
Aquarela is a seasonal restaurant open from April to October. Enjoy poolside views as you savor the delicate flavors of Mediterranean Barbecue, fresh seafood, and a wide range of salads. Relax to the sound of waterfalls while sipping on fruit smoothies and cocktails.
Cilantro
Cilantro is a seasonal restaurant with an Italian-inspired menu featuring unique flavors of coriander and the essence of the Algarve. Chef André Simões creates a delicious sensory experience for guests. For an intimate dining experience, a private area seating up to 16 people is available.
MY.AL.MAR - Tapas by the Sea
MY.AL.MAR is a seasonal restaurant open from May to October, featuring magnificent sea views, delectable tapas, and a peaceful vibe that promotes well-being. Enjoy the sunset with an excellent range of premium drinks while taking in the breathtaking views of the sea.
Moscada
Moscada is the restaurant where the breakfast buffet in the morning is served.
Rubi Bar
Rubi Bar is the perfect spot to relax and unwind. Watch your favorite sporting events on TV from a luxurious leather chair in a refined atmosphere. Choose from a selection of cocktails and gins mixed with homemade tonic water and try a variety of snacks including Hilton Classics and tapas. Later, sip a cocktail and dance the night away to live music. Rubi Bar is ideal for a night out or a relaxed evening with friends.
ROOM SERVICE
The hotel offers room service 24 hours a day, so it's easy to enjoy a meal on your own balcony, dining table or even in bed.
GYM
Keeping up with your fitness routine while traveling can be a challenge, but the hotel had us covered with its well-equipped gym. The gym had a pleasant size, not too cluttered, and offered a great selection of equipment to keep us on track with our fitness goals.
What we loved most about the gym was the outdoor covered balcony, where we found a few bikes set up. This gave us a unique workout experience, with the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views while cycling.
Overall, the gym exceeded our expectations and provided us with everything we needed for a great workout.
POOLS
The hotel's pools are the perfect cool-down spot, especially the area surrounding them with its lush palm trees. With six pools to choose from, guests can find the perfect place to take a dip and soak up some sun.
One of the highlights is an adults-only pool area a bit off to the side, where you can enjoy some peace and quiet. In addition to the pools in the spa area, there is also another indoor pool, but the window front can be opened in warm weather, so you can enjoy the fresh breeze there as well.
Overall, the hotel's pools offer a range of experiences for every mood and preference, from lively and bustling to quiet and relaxing. With plenty of palm trees providing a tropical vibe, the pool area is a true oasis that guests won't want to leave.
SPA
The spa area at Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa is a true gem, and it's the largest spa facility in Portugal. Guests can enjoy a wide range of treatments, including massages and beauty sessions, to help them relax and unwind.
But the real standout feature of the 7 Seven Spa (external link) is its extensive list of facilities. Guests can take a dip in the indoor thermal pool, detox in the Turkish baths, sweat it out in the saunas, or experience a refreshing shower in the special "experience shower." And if that's not enough, the spa even boasts a serene zen garden, perfect for finding inner peace.
To top it all off, the spa also offers complimentary classes in yoga and pilates, making it the perfect place to find balance for both the body and mind.
Guests who are Gold & Diamond members can enjoy free access to the spa, while other adults can enjoy it for a daily fee of €35. It's also worth mentioning that the spa provides bathing caps, which are sometimes obligatory in Portugal, free of charge - a thoughtful touch that many other places charge extra for.
Overall, the 7 Seven Spa is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
OVERALL SERVICE
The team at Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa truly goes above and beyond to make guests feel welcomed and appreciated. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and friendly greetings that set the tone for our entire stay.
What really stood out to us was the team's approachable nature - they were always available to answer any questions we had or provide recommendations for things to do in the area. We felt like we could approach anyone at any time and they would be happy to help.
And it wasn't just the front desk staff - everyone we encountered, from the waitstaff at breakfast to the housekeeping team, was friendly and eager to make our stay as comfortable as possible.
Overall, the team's dedication to providing exceptional service really made our stay at Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa special.
STAY DETAILS
We spent two nights at the hotel in the second half of March 2022. Rates for the standard room are usually between 130 and 400€ depending on the season.
STATUS RECOGNITION
We were pleased with the level of status recognition we received during our stay at Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa. We were provided with complimentary breakfast, upgraded to the highest bookable room category, and granted free access to the spa. Additionally, we received a voucher for two drinks at the hotel bar. Overall, we felt valued as loyal customers and appreciated the perks that came with our status.
SUMMARY
The Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa offers a luxurious environment with a reasonable price ratio. Those who do not want to invest in the more expensive Conrad Algarve, but still want to live in a good hotel of the Hilton chain are exactly right here. Especially the apartments in the hotel with fully equipped kitchen and washing machine offer a good accommodation especially for families, without giving up the comfort of a five-star hotel.
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