Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa, Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal

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  • uggboylovestravel
    Participant

    Our 5 nights/6 days stay experiences, October 2016

    In 2015 my fiancé and I had agreed to requalify for the Hilton’s loyalty program Hilton Honors gold status, so in January 2016 we pre-booked stays accordingly to achieve our goal.

    One of those was the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa. We stayed for 5 nights in October 2016.

    The property has won many awards including Portugal’s Leading Resort 2016 at the World Travel Awards.

    We organized our transportation from Faro Airport with Yellow Fish, which came highly recommended by Tripadvisor members. It was good, reliable and affordable.

    When we were dropped off at the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas we were impressed by the Moorish design and elegant entrance.

    The bell captain greeted us warmly and took our luggage. We were accompanied to reception. Janine checked us in efficiently. Since the resort is large, she provided us with a map and explained all necessary features including the shuttle service to the center of Vilamoura incl. Marina and the beach as well as giving us the tip, that a Spar supermarket was ca. 20 minutes’ walk away.
    The lobby was large and thanks to an atrium and floor to ceiling windows filled with day light.

    There was a butterfly artwork installation. It reminded us about Polish Hilton properties (Gdansk and Warsaw), which have similar ones.

    Within the lobby were the Rubi Bar to the right, a golf and gift shop, a small library at the Hilton Vacation Club Office and Moscada, the all-day dining buffet restaurant and the fine dining Cilantro to the left.

    Meeting rooms were in the basement with access to the outdoor waterfall and swimming pool, where Aquarela, another restaurant was located.

    Other facilities included the 7 Seven Spa, 24 hour fitness center, tennis courts, Paradise Island Kids’ Club and teenager arcade, a golf simulator and snooker room.

    As Hilton Honors gold members we were upgraded from a King Deluxe Pool View Room to a King Deluxe Plus Pool View Room with two balconies.

    The room felt more like a junior suite.

    There was a small hallway.

    The bathroom was to the left.

    The room was open plan and contemporary like the hotel. A partial wall was dividing the seating area from the bed room.
    There were two flat screen TVs, one mounted on the wall of the bed room and the other could be watched from the seating area with modern art above the sofa, a coffee table and two small side tables. Interesting enough there was only one remote control. It functioned with both.

    We were happy with the choice of around 100 local and international channels.

    Like the hotel itself, the room was contemporary and beautiful. We loved that we had two balconies. One was furnished with two loungers, the other one had two chairs and a small table. We enjoyed sitting or lying there and enjoying the sun.

    The color scheme was white and grey. The furniture was made from blond wood.

    The views were over the poolscape and the surrounding villas.

    The bed was king sized. It was comfortable and allowed for restful sleep. Beside it was a chair with ottoman
    Artwork was contemporary and made of tiles.

    A writing desk, credenza, wardrobe with safe and tea/coffee making facilities completed the amenities of the room.
    24 hours in room dining was also available, which we used once after a tour we took to Sao Vicente, the most South Western Point of mainland Europe. We had booked it via our hotel.

    It included a bottle of still water, two hot chocolates, one Algarvian salad, one penne Bolognese, one ravioli and one white and milk chocolate cheese cake.

    It was all delicious and of high quality.

    The bill was 61.50 Euro (ca. 70.20 USD).

    The bath room was divided into two rooms.

    The shower, bidet and toilet were in one and the other contained the bathtub and sink. Amenities were Peter Thomas Roth.

    The water pressure was very good and there had been no problems with temperature fluctuations.

    There were two hairdryers. The one in the bathroom overheated fast, so it was better to use the Corgi professional one, which reminded us about the Philips branded at the Inntel Hotels Art in Eindhoven (please see review).

    We loved relaxing in our room or strolling along the pool and appreciated the gift we received as golds (two bottles of still Luso water, tomato chutney and locally produced fig and mint liquor).

    As guidance I noted that main courses at Cilantro started from 26 Euro (ca. 29.70 USD).
    Buffet dinner at Moscada was 27.50 Euro per person, ca. 31.40 USD per person.

    As golds we also had free buffet breakfast. The quality and choice was good, but didn’t vary much, but we didn’t mind. It included among many other items French Toast, pancakes, fried and scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, grilled tomatoes, olives, sardines, cold cuts, cheese, muesli, cereals, bread and much more.

    Other specialties like Eggs Benedict or smoked salmon with caviar could be ordered and were payable. The charge for the Eggs Benedict was 7 Euro/ca. 8 USD and for the salmon with caviar 10 Euro/ca. 11.45 USD.

    For tea drinkers a selection of teas was placed on the table together with sugar. Hot water was brought to the table. This solution was much better than self-service and felt more upscale too.

    We used the shuttle bus regular to Vilamoura. It left on the hour between 10.00 hours and 12.00 hours and 14.00 hours to 17.00 hours. In the evenings from 19.00 hours to 21.00 hours it was scheduled half hourly. During off season the timings are not as regular, since we received a notification about the time table change.

    Free WIFI access as golds was also very good and stable throughout the resort.

    Another plus was the close proximity to Willies Restaurant, which holds one Michelin star since 2007. We had once dinner there, a review will follow.

    Check out arrived as always too soon and it was time to take a taxi to the Conrad Algarve, located in Quinta do Lago, ca. 20/25 min. driving distance from the Hilton where we stayed another three nights/four days.

    Would we return? We would, if we wanted a romantic golf resort at a peaceful and quiet location within walking distance of Willies in upscale and beautiful Vilamoura

    Please see:

    || HILTON VILAMOURA AS CASCATAS GOLF RESORT & SPA || VILAMOURA || ALGARVE || PORTUGAL || OUR STAY INCL. KING DELUXE ROOM PLUS WITH POOL VIEW, BREAKFAST AT MOSCADA, ROOM SERVICE DINNER AND MORE || OCTOBER 2016 || HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ||

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/uggboy/albums/72157680176673185/with/32239211335/

    || HILTON VILAMOURA AS CASCATAS GOLF RESORT & SPA || VILAMOURA || ALGARVE || PORTUGAL || OUR STAY INCL. KING DELUXE ROOM PLUS WITH POOL VIEW, BREAKFAST AT MOSCADA, ROOM SERVICE DINNER AND MORE || OCTOBER 2016 || HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ||

    Would we recommend this resort to a friend? YES!
    Would we want to enjoy this resort again in our future? YES!

    Thank you and safe travels.


    LuganoPirate
    Participant

    Great review Uggboy. It’s a great place and you describe it perfectly.
    By any chance did you get to eat at the nearby Villa Joya? It’s a 2* Michelin and an amazing restaurant. The hotel is also fabulous with just 12 rooms from memory.

    We just came back from an stunning 4 days at the Vidago Palace Hotel in Vidago not far from Porto. It’s a Leading Hotel and well worth a stay should you be in that area.


    uggboylovestravel
    Participant

    @LuganoPirate, thanks for your compliments.

    No, we haven’t stayed or visited Vila Joya so far but we did hear a lot about this resort and their culinary offerings, it’s on our radar. Nearby the Hilton we enjoyed Willie’s, it’s a 1* Michelin star restaurant and while staying at the Conrad Algarve we enjoyed dinner incl. at Gusto by Heinz Beck and the nearby Sao Gabriel 1* Michelin star and had lunch and a tour of the Hotel Quinta do Lago, lunch at Brisa do Mar there overlooking the estuary, memorable, it’s also a member of LHW. Thanks for the Vidago Palace recommendation, much appreciated and well received. Again, thanks @LuganoPirate.

    Cheers & Safe Travels.

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