THE LOWDOWN

The purpose built luxury resort of Vilamoura, in the South of the Algarve, is where you’ll find Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort, perched elegantly opposite a lovely marina on one side and a long sandy beach on another. Roughly 30 minutes from Faro airport, it’s a convenient location for family holidays, but also offers more adult charms, with an adults-only pool area, the stylish beach club, Purobeach, directly across from the hotel (run separately), and six world-class golf courses in close proximity.

The hotel, built 30 years ago, has just had a substantial redesign and refurb across its 383 bedrooms, public spaces, pool and gardens, incorporating new art works from prestigious names such as sculptor João Cutileiro.

THE VIBE

Plenty of glass to show off the views, an elegant spa and new hot spots like the rejuvenated Argo Bar overlooking the marina add to an air of quiet confidence.

Already established as one of the top hotels in the area, the significant refurb has given this nine-storey hotel a new polish, though it’s been more about bringing it up to date than anything particularly radical or futuristic – the landscaped gardens for example, have 70 new palm trees for more shade, and the pool has a new shallow area where guests can put their loungers in the water.

SCOFF & QUAFF

The food here is excellent, starting with a buffet breakfast that runs the gamut of fruit and pastries through to egg station. You can sit inside (which I found a bit canteeny) or outside (much lovelier, overlooking the pool). For lunch you can eat under canopies at Oregano, for pizzas and pastas. Particularly impressive is Peppers steakhouse – very stylish fine dining, with an elegant private dining area. Not where you’re going to take the kids after a day at the beach, but perfect if you’re left them at home.

I was due to try out Kiin, a new eco  outdoor cocktail and tapas bar designed sustainably and serving only organic cocktails and tapas (a first for the Algarve apparently) but it wasn’t yet open so if anyone gets to it before me, let me know what you think!

Finally, at Purobeach across the road on Praia de Vilamoura, in fresh, minimalist white is a fabulous option for lunch or dinner as the sun goes down, specialising in sea food with a side order of live DJing outside on the beach. Loved it.

PILLOW TALK

Elegant and comfortable without quite making it to ‘OMG’ levels. All 383 rooms have marina or ocean views, and are generous in size – family rooms, for example, have 49sqm with gorgeous exterior lounge and terrace. Expect stylish touches like the piped bed linen, a cocktail ready for you in the room on arrival (a smart touch), retro arm chairs and, of course, those views.

FACILITIES

You’re in the Algarve, you’ll be wanting a swimming pool. The gently shelving pool here is ideal for families, as you can keep an eye on little ones from your sun lounger. There’s a second small children’s splash pool, and an adults only Purobeach Villamoura pool, with live music and more of a party vibe.

The spa here is worth a detour, 2400 sqm of tranquility that includes 11 treatment rooms, each with a private outdoor terrace, sauna, steam room, and indoor swimming pool.

Plenty of wood, glass and indoor plants in the décor makes it feel calming and I can vouch for the massage. There’s also a large fitness room though, if you’re thinking of running, it’s just as easy to step outside the beach side of the hotel and run either way on the promenade.

KID-FRIENDLY?

The pool, outdoor playground and beach make life easy for parents, though be aware that the ‘kids club’ room with games and drawing equipment, is not somewhere to drop your children while you skip to the bar area – you have to supervise them (doh) , so it won’t suit those parents needing comprehensive childcare.

ACCESSIBILITY

Yes, two rooms have been adapted for guests with disabilities. On the Praia de Villamoura beach, there are toilets, facilities suitable for wheelchair users, along with a tiralô – a free of charge tricycle for disabled bathers.

OUT AND ABOUT

The first thing you’ll probably do is walk around the Marina for an hour but actually in some ways that’s the least interesting bit of the area. It’s a head-scratching mix of head-turning wealth and tacky tourism, with the multi-million pound yachts and convertible Bentleys sharing marina space with the likes of Pizza Hut.

A much better option is to take a boat trip – 45E per person takes you on a five hour trip around Rio Formosa, a gorgeous nearby lagoon and natural park with white sand beaches and bracing waters. Ask the concierge to book you into Café Marretas, at Ilha da Culatra for lunch (an extra cost). The restaurant is entirely unpretentious but the food is incredible.

The nearest towns to Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort with cultural interest are Loulé town or Faro – both within 30 minutes. Want to do something more entertaining for the kids? Waterparks are my idea of hell but if you or your kids want to career down one of the biggest water rollercoasters in the world all power to you! Aquashow Park is just a few minute from Vilamoura.

Around 7km away from the hotel is Praia da Falésia, one of the more striking beaches in Southern Algarve, with its golden sands and famous orange cliffs, and with its high pines and natural park above, no buildings to blight the view.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Ideal for stress-free breaks – Faro is an easy 2 hour flight with plenty of airline options, and the transfer is quick. If you’re after a family-friendly pool, stunning beach and things to do with the kids, you’re set.

Not for: Culture vultures will want to swerve. There’s no stepping out your door to explore 14^th century streets here, or haggle prices with an artisan here. Parents with very young children looking for fly-and-flop holidays will need to arrange childcare or learn to make sandcastles with one eye open.

Tivoli Marina Vilamoura, Marina de Vilamoura, 8125-901 Quarteira, Portugal. Tel: 00351289303303. BOOK HERE

Rates at Tivoli Marina Vilamoura start from €300 per night (approx £260), for a Premium room including breakfast for two people.