Victoria Golf Resort & Spa

On arriving at the hotel, a helpful assistant took our bags and we went to check-in. The process was simple enough, though at several hundred EUR the credit card approval taken for incidental expenses felt a little steep. We were shown to our room by another super-helpful person, who showed us the basics of the room (handy, because the walk-in wardrobe is cunningly concealed in the wall panelling). The safe was big enough for our three laptops, which made a pleasant change. The room itself was perfectly comfortable and spotlessly clean. There was a big seat on the balcony, the bed was suitably enormous, and the bathroom was spacious and surrounded by sliding walls (so you could have it open to the room or concealed). A separate toilet is always welcome, and this is what we had. There was plenty of free bottled water, and although there wasn't a mini-bar there was a fridge so you could buy your own beer and keep it cool. Having dumped our stuff we headed to the rooftop bar, which had very lovely views and good service. The seating area wasn't vast, but it was big enough for the people there. Similarly the lobby bar was very comfortable and the service was good, but on the couple of occassions I used it there was hardly anyone using it (we'll come back to that). Although a 10-minute drive from Vilamoura, the hotel wasn't badly placed because the Uber service in the area was spectacularly good. Even when travelling as a group of six there was no problem getting a car or minibus big enough to fit all of us in - and the Uber prices in Portugal are ridiculously low. Breakfast was pretty good - a huge selection and an egg/omelette station. The hot selections didn't vary much, but as there was such a range of other stuff that didn't really matter. The staff were very efficient getting coffee and drinks (food was self-service, coffee was brought to you) and there was plenty of space so we never failed to get a seat. And there were three very inquisitive local cats pottering about, waiting for spillages! The coffee thing makes sense, actually - I've stayed at so many hotels where you queue for a fortnight behind a line of guests who can't figure out how to make the machine generate brown liquid. The pools were similarly clean and there was no problem getting a sunbed, though to be fair we were there in September and so we missed the mainstream summer period. Drinks service was good, and the cafe by the pool had an OK menu - not extensive, but fine for a simple snack at lunchtime. The IBI (International Beer Index - the price of a pint) was EUR6.00, which was a tad steep but still cheaper than home. I can't opine on the hotel restaurants' dinner offerings because we ate out every night. All good so far, then, so let's have a look at the areas for potential improvement. Interestingly, the venue has the opportunity to address all of these, as I gather it's about to close for a 12-month refurbishment to make it into a Fairmont-branded property. First annoyance was the lobby bar. I'd used it a couple of times, and on the second occasion my wife came down at about 17:30 to join me and the bar was closing - for good, as the end of the season was nigh. We went up to the rooftop bar, which was - guess what - also closed for good. We pointed this out to the staff - noting that the sign for the rooftop bar was still showing it as open - and they said: "Ah, sorry, that shouldn't be there - but the bar outside the front door is open". No, it wasn't - it didn't open until 18:00. They seemed to reverse their decision on the lobby bar as it appeared to have reopened the next day, but the electronic signage for the rooftop bar is still there as I write this. Another annoyance was the one I find in so many hotels, namely that the rooms were designed by someone who has apparently never stayed in a hotel. No USB sockets by the bed (and only one mains socket on each side). Shower toiletries in small tubes with microscopic writing that nobody without 20/20 vision can actually read and whose recyclability I'm uncertain of. No shelf in the shower to put said toiletries on. TV that takes so long to start up that by the time you've got Sky News on it's time to turn it off again and go out. The final gripe wasn't down to the hotel, but to the fact that it's also a popular conference centre. It only happened on one afternoon, but the gang of loud, American conference-goers shouting at the top of their lungs was more than a little annoying. (And that's not discriminatory, merely factual - they were loud, and they were American). Do the positives outweigh the negatives? Of course. The bar thing was just a bit of confusion. The room design is probably down to the age of the hotel, and I'm guessing the new Fairmont that opens next year will have addressed them all. And the conference noise was a one-off. Great hotel, then, excellent service, as clean as anywhere I've stayed, and not badly placed to get to nearby towns like Vilamoura and Loule vis ridiculously inexpensive and highly available Ubers.

I stayed here 5 years ago and was excited to take my daughter for her 30th birthday gift. I was very disappointed with how it has changed since changing ownership. No welcome drink on arrival, room looking tired, drains for shower and sink blocked (water flooded into bathroom area) Spa out of action with no communication about this prior to or after booking. Main pool more like a children’s playground with inflatables and balls. (Missing tiles) Shuttle to the harbour limited to three times a day and always full. Sun lingers seen better days and some had mould. The beach towels were shabby and stained. I believe this is no longer a 5 star hotel and apologised to my daughter for telling her I was treating her to one! Feels like they are running out of money and I can’t see it lasting as a luxury destination for much longer.

Lovely hotel, ideal for couples, groups, families who prefer a quieter a stay. Located a short Uber ride from Vilamoura - which has lots of shops and places to eat and about 45min drive from faro airport. There seems to be a high staff turnover, however everyone is very nice and helpful. Everywhere is very clean and the place is well looked after. We did however notice that our bedsheets weren't changed during our 7nights stay at all - I assumed these should be changed at least once during a week stay. We spent time by the pool (the main pool where the water was warmer) and absolutely loved it and we used the kids club facilities - which is very nice and our daughter loved it. We had breakfast included and were not disappointed at all - a good variety of food, all very good quality. The hotel has a very good location for anyone who rents a car and wants to explore outside Vilamoura. Overall value for money.

Loads of positives to this hotel for people reading recent reviews ! Staff are great Shuttle to Marina a good touch Plentiful comfy good Sunbeds Only eaten at palms but very nice Palms staff really good Breakfast very good / excellent I think a welcome drink should be added - 5 star and all that - would be nice touch after long journey Cleaning / turndown service very cursory really could be better Palms pool has music, kids and is nice vibe other one a bit dead Golf extorniate Rooms are nice - tv could maybe be better but don't agree they all need updating Spa currently broken but decent gym

Had 2 rooms for my party of 5. Rooms were beautifully furnished extremely comfortable and spotlessly clean. Hotel facilities are wonderful with a good selection of restaurants (we ate in the bar for food) and breakfast buffet was fabulous Lots of hotel grounds to explore with more than one pool. 10 mins by an Uber to the marina though a good Italian restaurant is very close by the hotel Would definitely return, thank you