Since 1992, when VILA VITA Parc first opened its doors, the resort has blossomed into a world-leading destination that is now a magnet for globetrotters and gourmet lovers from around the world. Travelers who are looking for exceptional, authentic cuisine, vibrant interiors, local community experiences to really explore the region, and to simply enjoy Portuguese hospitality at its most welcoming. For this reason, to celebrate its 30 years, between April and November 2022, 30 weeks filled with 30 exceptional events ranging from art, culture, gastronomy, wellness and lifestyle are planned to celebrate the hotel’s continuing innovation and creative vision, qualities that have seen VILA VITA Parc transform over the past three decades into a highly respected, leading voice on the global luxury travel stage.

LET’S CELEBRATE: 25 CHEFS, MORE THAN 50 MICHELIN STARS, SHINE IN THE NIGHTS OF VILA VITA PARC

VILA VITA Parc, a member of the prestigious The Leading Hotels Of The World, will bring together a unique constellation of more than 50 Michelin stars and 25 renowned chefs from Portugal and around the world for a series of fine dining experiences and haute cuisine events to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The celebration, which began on the 26th of April, will take place for 30 weeks of 30 exceptional events, until November, focusing on various themes such as art, culture, well-being, lifestyle and gastronomy. The latter is a fundamental pillar in the identity of Vila Vita and, therefore, the program was easily composed for the celebration, as a result of the experience and success had in the numerous gastronomic events held previously at the resort. The programme is divided into six main themes and renowned chefs such as Hans Neuner, José Avillez, Rui Paula, Henrique Sá Pessoa, Benoit Sinthon, Gert de Mangeleer, Paolo Casagrande, Klaus Erfort or Peter Knogl, among others, will be part of this historic celebration.

Reach for the Stars, Portugal Edition

All six chefs in Portugal with 2 Michelin stars will, for the first time all together, present us with a fantastic feast at the Atlântico restaurant.

Reach for the Stars, World Edition

Gourmands, foodies and all lovers of excellent gastronomic experiences will be delighted with this unique concept where 10 chefs from different countries, all with 3 Michelin stars, will descend, together with the best wine producers, to the Clubhouse of VILA VITA Parc, for a memorable evening of brilliant cuisine, in an eclectic setting with world-class wines.

Reach for the Stars, Asia Edition

Four international chefs specializing in Asian cuisine will take over the kitchen of the elegant Mizu Teppanyaki restaurant at VILA VITA Parc on four different dates.

Reach for the Stars, Green Edition

A unique opportunity to meet some of the most commendable “green” Chefs in the field of sustainability and see how they use these practices to create incredibly tasty dishes, worthy of being included in the famous red guide.

Passionate about Algarve

To pay tribute to the region that Vila Vita is truly a fan of, the best Chefs in the region will combine their culinary repertoire in a series of delicious dishes for dinner at the Adega restaurant. Celebrated Algarve winemakers will also join the chefs and live entertainment will be part of the tribute to the region’s rich culture and history.

La Bela France

Three renowned chefs, two of whom are currently based in Portugal and one in France, will create a fabulous banquet at the resort’s Bela Vita Bar & Brasserie restaurant, on three different dates, in order to celebrate the Portugal/France connection in the field of gastronomy.

Once upon a time…

Turning back the clock, VILA VITA remembers the opening of the first 60 suites, along with the Clubhouse building, tennis courts and Piazetta. The following year saw the inauguration of the main hotel building, adding another 73 rooms and suites. This was followed later the same year by the opening of the Residence with 29 rooms and suites in a stunning cliff-top location, also housing what is now Ocean restaurant. From the outset, the resort, which became a member of The Leading Hotels of the World in 1995, set a standard of luxury and service that saw it immediately recognised as one of the best in the region. But who could have guessed back then that VILA VITA Parc would become one of the finest resorts in Europe?

Wine Cellar & Spa Additions

Investment and innovation has been relentless over the years; in 1998 came the opening of the Cave de Vinhos, the resort’s wine cellar, and followed in 1999 by the VILA VITA Vital Spa along with three suites. It was around this time that today’s Managing Director Kurt Gillig arrived at VILA VITA, originally as executive chef and later becoming director of food & beverage before taking up the reins as General Manager in 2010.

Reaching for the stars

Kurt Gillig’s love of food and wine is something that has become embedded in the DNA of VILA VITA Parc, helping to establish it as a true destination for epicureans. In 2007 he recruited Austrian chef Hans Neuner to take over the kitchen of Ocean restaurant. They aimed for the stars, literally, and the first Michelin star was awarded in 2009, followed by the second in 2011.

Time to update

2012 saw the start of a major refurbishment project: first came the original phase of the Oasis Parc suites and the new Oasis Pool and Palm Bar, next came the renovation in the main building, of all rooms and suites completed in 2014, followed by the Residence in 2015. Alongside, the original cliff-top villas – Vilas Praia and Trevo, were redesigned, each in their own unique style, and a further three premium villas with their own private pools, were added, Vilas Atlântico I and II and Vila Almar. The final phase of project was completed in 2018 with the VILA VITA Spa by Sisley Paris.

Culinary world

Working with international architects and experts in the field of contemporary restaurant design, a project was sketched out. The refurbishment of Ocean, in early 2016, with a contemporary new ocean-themed design concept, was a taste of what was to come. The Clubhouse was rebuilt with a new infinity pool. Inside, only the Aladin Grill restaurant is recognizable from the original project, adding the Whale, Atlântico and the new fine-dining Japanese Mizu Teppanyaki restaurant, along with the Manzar Terrace & the new V-Club disco.

New horizons

VILA VITA Parc is the jewel in the crown of the owning family’s investments in Portugal but their love of the country has taken them far beyond the confines of the resort and even of the Algarve. In 2000, they invested in Herdade dos Grous, a 730-hectare working farm with livestock, vineyards and a winery in the Alentejo region. In 2012, another wine estate was acquired in the north, Quinta do Valbom, a magnificent site in the Douro region where high-quality red wines and Port wine are produced. In the Algarve, other investments include the VILA VITA Collection of luxury villas overlooking the beach in the seaside villages of Salema, Galé and Armação de Pêra.

A little big family

With an average of 500 staff, reaching above 700 in the high season, the resort is the largest employer in the local Lagoa municipality. The dedicated staff has helped win many international awards, including World’s Leading Green Resort at the World Travel Awards in 2015, an important recognition of the VILA VITA’s ongoing dedication to sustainability. At VILA VITA Parc, they believe in something bigger than themselves that is self-sustaining and for the benefit of the whole of Algarve. The essence of the experience they deliver to customers must be enriching, enlightening and memorable – to an exponential degree. What they can control – the flawless travel experience – is what they shine at, day in and out. Reducing waste, conserving resources, promoting the local community, and protecting important natural habitats are just some of the ways where VILA VITA Parc is working towards a greener, better future.

The meaning of luxury to VILA VITA Parc

Luxury is not easy to define. Could be a state of great comfort, elegance, uniqueness or just the ability to not have to think. The word Luxury is really personal and has lots of subjective connotations. Considering all the interpretations or expectations, at VILA VITA Parc they work hard on exceeding the possibilities taking care of each detail. They want to deliver more than just luxury, delivering memories and stories.

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