The resort itself is very attractive and peaceful. You approach by following the signs located by the Sesmarias water tower, which will bring you to closed gates that open on request.

Upon arrival you are immediately welcomed by stunning gardens. Gardens come in two categories, landscaped and ‘manicured’.

Landscaped is the overall design and appearance of the gardens, but when it looks as if each individual blade of grass has been cut with nail scissors, then you really appreciate the care that has been poured into every aspect of the gardens. Vale d’ Oliveira gardens are definitely ‘manicured’.

Parking is plentiful, and you just walk past the tennis courts to the health club itself. The dedicated reception staff are really helpful and friendly and you feel welcomed straight away. They will supply you with towels and a key to a changing room locker.

Around reception is the heated indoor pool, which is surrounded by plenty of picture windows and plentiful light. As you swim you can look out into the surrounding countryside for a very relaxing experience.

Also next to reception is the gym, which appears to have everything a gym lover could wish for, not least a personal trainer if you really want to work on your health and fitness. There is also a Jacuzzi and sauna and everything is immaculately maintained and cleaned, nothing is out of place.

During the day there are various activities you can get involved in, from water aerobics to swimming classes to Pilates, Yoga and Zumba.

A few steps away there is an outdoor pool and a ‘health conscious’ restaurant/ snack bar.

In the hotel building you can find a Lisvaýa Spa with a vast choice of treatments from facials and massage through to a detox, body nourishment and lymphatic drainage.

Membership can be purchased on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis, making it easy to try out all of the facilities and to see if they suit your needs.

The Vale d’ Oliveiras health club is well worth a visit if you are health and exercise conscious.

You can phone the health club direct on 282 380 560 or for further information, please visit www.valedoliveirasresort.com


Author

Resident in Portugal for 50 years, publishing and writing about Portugal since 1977. Privileged to have seen, firsthand, Portugal progress from a dictatorship (1974) into a stable democracy. 

Paul Luckman