Just one year after opening its doors, StyleNest headed to Portgual’s premier holiday district to stay in five-star, luxury hotel, the Conrad Algarve.
Before you even reach the Conrad Algarve you’re treated to five-star luxury. A delayed, four hour and early morning train journey from Lisbon was instantly forgotten once we were greeted at Faro’s train station by a smartly dressed Conrad representative, holding up our name not on a sign, but an iPad. A 25 minute car journey through the town of Faro, onto the motorway and off into the winding roads lined with luxury golf courses and pristine holiday homes of Quinta do Lago led us to the Conrad.
The Conrad puts other Algarve five-stars to shame, and trust us there are plenty of them. Proudly placed at the end of a palm tree lined drive sits the six-storey, bright white hotel – an architectural meringue popping out from the green fields of the Algarve.
Inside, the Conrad is lit up with natural light thanks to the beautiful dome shaped atrium and the Portuguese blue skies above.
After a swift check-in and a welcome fresh orange juice we were led up to our suite. Dripping in unadulterated luxury, the Conrad’s rooms and suites come complete with everything from TVs in the bath to huge rain showers, Nespresso coffee machines to entertainment systems. Our beautiful suite, decorated by acclaimed interior designer, Miguel Cancio Martins was decked out in soft creams, silvers, and masculine greys, whilst out on our private balcony we could look down onto the pool’s beautiful infinity pool, towering palm trees and the Algarve’s rolling fields of crops behind.
Although the Algarve is blessed with no less than 300 days of sunshine a year, we managed to pick the one-week in the Portuguese calendar when the heavens had opened. The beach may have been off limits but the Conrad had plenty to keep us entertained, from the plush spa to fine dining. In fact nothing at the Conrad is too much to ask, one other guest wasn’t sure what to do with himself during the unexpected rainy period, that the Conrad arranged for him to go wine tasting despite the wine tasting venue being closed that day. No request is too much to ask at the Conrad.
Eating is at the heart of what the hotel offers, and no more so than when it’s wet and windy outside. The Lauro restaurant serves up classic Portuguese dishes with a modern twist – the Cataplana is a must-try not only for the fresh seafood and rich flavour, but the sheer look of food envy on every other diner’s faces when it’s served up from a great big traditional copper pan.
Breakfast is served in the Lauro too and it’s a gluttonous, indulgent affair. From fresh fruit salads to steak and eggs, the menu is vast and varied.
But it’s the Conrad’s fine dining restaurant that is the real show stealer, Gusto By Heinz Beck. Michelin-star chef, Beck heads up the kitchen bringing a menu that is modern and imaginative. We worked our way through the tasting menu, which showcased the incredible produce, especially fish and seafood, the Algarve has to offer. Well balanced, exquisitely presented and paired with some of the most beautiful Portuguese wines we’d ever had, even seven courses down we felt full but not sluggish – a true representation of how Beck creates the perfect menu. The dinner was topped off with a decadent chocolate trio of desserts sat on top of Nutella space dust – a cheeky and fun end to an unforgettable meal.
After a few gin and tonics – the Portuguese takes their G&Ts very seriously, mixing them with botanicals to highlight each gin’s natural flavours and serving them up in huge copa glasses – we headed up to bed for a well deserved sleep.
Our final day at the Conrad had come, and despite the rain still trying its best to dampen the mood it was unsuccessful. We headed to the Conrad’s spa and health club where everything from facial and body treatments to a state of the art thermal pool suite and hair appointments are available.
After a good few days of over indulgence we treated ourselves to the Conrad’s Signature Facial which uses bespoke Aromatherapy Associates products to bring your skin back to calm no matter how many desserts and glasses of wine you’d sunk. It did just that and our skin was left glowing and healthy looking.
We also sampled the Miracle Body Refinement treatment, which was without a doubt one of the best treatments we’d ever experienced. A series of deep tissue massage movements and body brushing was used over the thighs, tummy and buttocks. In all honesty it was quite painful, but as they say, no pain no gain and afterwards we’d lost an incredible 2inches. Well worth it, especially after three day of fine dining and one too many glasses of wine.
With much disappointment it was time to leave, and as we did so the sun decided to show. Talk about sod’s law. We’ll just have to revisit to see what the Conrad’s like when the sun’s got his hat on.
Need To Know:
Rooms: 154
Rates: Doubles from €209 per room per night
Facilities: 2 outdoor pools, 1 indoor pool, Kids’ Club, Games Room, Concierge, various restaurants and bars, golf, tennis courts, spa. In the room: free WiFi throughout, 42” flat screen TVs with surround sound, in-room entertainment and media centre, DVD player, MP3 sound system, security safe, Aromatherapy Associates toiletries, fully stocked mini bar, Nespresso coffee machine, robes and balcony.
Check in time: 3pm
Check out time: 12noon
How to get there: The Conrad Algarve is located a 25minute drive from Faro airport or Faro train station. Regular flights operate from London daily, including EasyJet, British Airways and Ryanair.
Conrad Algarve, Estrada do Quinto do Lago, 8135-106 Almancil, Algarve, Portugal Tel. +351 289 350700
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