Modern, elegant, and surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens, Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa sits just moments away from one of the finest golf courses in Portugal.

Celebrating a wedding anniversary, I wanted to do something a bit different, something that would take us out of the everyday routine. At the same time, it had to be family-friendly so our son could come with us and enjoy it too. That balance can be tricky, but this time I think we got it exactly right.

While browsing options, Hilton Vilamoura immediately stood out. The promise of multiple restaurants, a kids’ club, beautiful pools, and, what really caught my attention, the largest spa in Portugal. Coming from Central Europe, where wellness culture is part of everyday life, I miss it here in the Algarve. So, discovering that something on that level existed right here in Vilamoura felt like finding a hidden gem.

The five-star hotel itself is set within five acres of landscaped gardens, with six pools featuring cascading waterfalls. It is also positioned right next to two golf courses, including the well-known Pinhal Golf Course. It already sounded promising before we even arrived.

Our Apartment

We booked a two-bedroom apartment, which turned out to be a great choice for a family stay. One bedroom had a king-sized bed with direct access to the terrace, while the second had twin beds—perfect for our son. There were also two full bathrooms (always a win), and a fully equipped kitchenette with everything from an oven and microwave to a washing machine and coffee machine.

I always say that the first thing I notice when I walk into a room is the view, and this one did not disappoint. There was a lot of greenery, palms, and beautifully maintained gardens. Our apartment also faced the golf course, so we could watch players in action from the balcony. I would have happily stayed there longer, just enjoying the view, but with our schedule, it didn't last long.

Lunch at Rubi & Pool Time

Our afternoon plan was simple: a pool and a kids’ club. But hunger came first, so we headed to the hotel’s restaurant, Rubi.

Open all day from 11 am until 1 am, I initially thought it would be just a casual snack bar. That turned out to be completely wrong. The menu is much more extensive, with a strong selection of fish and meat dishes.

We both chose steak, and it was excellent. What made our son happiest, though, was the sweet potato fries. He had been asking for them for a while, and somehow, we had not found them anywhere recently, so this was a small victory. They were definitely worth the wait.

Sitting on the terrace, just steps from the main pool, felt relaxed, quiet, and very much in holiday mode. The service was exactly what you would expect from a five-star hotel, attentive without being overwhelming.

Credits: TPN; Author: Tereza Pedro;

After lunch, our son was already impatient to get to the pool, so we ordered cocktails to take with us and headed straight there.

There are several pools around the resort: five outdoor pools with children’s areas and one large indoor pool. My favourite had a waterfall feature, and even though it was April, the weather was already warm enough to enjoy being outside. It was still nice to know the indoor option was there.

Paradise Island: A Kids’ Dream

We were curious about the kids’ area, Paradise Island, and it completely lived up to its name.

It is not just a small playground; it is a full experience. There are multiple outdoor play zones, including a wooden house at the top of a slide, a zip line, climbing walls, a basketball area, and even a large boat-style playground.

At the mini club, activities are organised every hour, including art workshops, sports games, team activities, and themed days.

Credits: TPN; Author: Tereza Pedro;

Dinner at Cilantro & Evening Atmosphere

The resort offers several dining options, including three à la carte restaurants and two bars. For dinner, we chose Cilantro, a fine dining restaurant led by André Simões.

The concept focuses on Algarve flavours, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and local producers. Their new summer menu felt fresh and thoughtful, with a mix of risottos, seafood, steaks, and plant-based options.

Another detail I liked was their sustainability approach, incorporating herbs and vegetables grown in the hotel’s organic garden.

Later that evening, we stopped by the gym, which is open 24 hours a day. It is always a bonus when you want to balance out all the good food.

Breakfast & Slow Morning Moments

The next morning, we were not even that hungry after dinner, but of course, we still went to check out breakfast.

We were greeted by the same waiter who had served us the day before, and he helped us choose a table and guided us through the options.

Overall, the selection was excellent, with dishes from different cuisines. I tried an Egyptian dessert that was surprisingly delicious. I also loved the small cups of chia pudding and oats with almonds. If I had had a stronger appetite, I could easily have stayed there, trying different things for hours.

But my son had other plans. Straight back to the pool.

The Spa Experience at 7Seven Spa

While the rest of my family headed off, I took some time for myself at the 7Seven Spa, and this was one of the highlights of the entire stay.

The spa spans an impressive 2,800 square metres and is inspired by the concept of the seven chakras, energy centres that help balance body, mind, and spirit.

I started with the thermal circuit, which includes hydrotherapy pools, water jets, and relaxation beds. From there, I moved through saunas, an aromatic Turkish bath, which is great for the respiratory system, and cascade showers designed to revitalise the body.

One of the most distinctive parts was the contrast tunnel, which combined water, light, colours, and aromas into a very immersive experience.

Of course, I could not leave without a massage. I chose the Tranquillity massage, which was deeply relaxing, exactly what I needed.

Final Thoughts

Later that day, we reunited at the pool. We enjoyed live music on one of the terraces, which was the perfect way to end the weekend. During this time of the year, it runs on Wednesdays and Sundays, and in summer, there is even more frequent evening entertainment.

A few extra details are worth mentioning. The hotel offers a free shuttle to and from Vilamoura Marina several times a day. There is also a tourist train with 12 stops that can take you to the beach or simply around the area.

Overall, Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort and Spa offer exactly what we were looking for, a relaxing yet engaging stay. Whether you are a golf enthusiast, a spa lover, or simply looking for good food and quality family time, it brings all of that together in a very natural way.