IT was more than a decade since I’d last been in the Algarve.
At that time I’d become rather depressed by the level of cheek-by-jowl holiday apartments and hotels all over its attractive coastline.
The roads weren’t great, and it just seemed, well, all a bit passé and tired.
I wasn’t really in a hurry to return, as you can imagine, but when I did, earlier this year, I found things had improved considerably, with far better infrastructure and some impressive new resorts.
I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I returned again a few weeks later, and in May I went out to a specific resort that had been opened three years earlier that I’d heard good things about.
Set within 20 acres of leafy garden and pine forest, with the beach as its backdrop, EPIC SANA Algarve at Falesia Beach, Albufeira, is the first resort for the leading contemporary Portuguese hotel group SANA Hotels.
It’s all very “designery”, and they have a file-full of architects and interior designers who have worked on the place in order to reflect the surrounding landscape of sea and woodland.
If I’m being really honest, (I’m old enough to remember the 1970s!) it all looked decidedly 70s to me, but no doubt for younger folk it all seems very cutting-edge.
The only bit I definitely do not recall as a teenager in the 70s was a bright, lime green loo roll, but yes, as part of the overall look, this indeed was what awaited me in my lovely spacious beach-view room.
There are 160 rooms and two suites at the main building, 24 Deluxe Garden Suites located in a separate area and 43 Resort Suites with separate kitchens and living areas.
The room I had was very comfortable with a massive bed, coffin-shaped bath (actually a tad uncomfortable if you’re trying to submerge without wetting your hair), a superb shower, massive TV and beautiful balcony.
It also had great blackout curtains, one of my favourite things in any hotel room for a good night’s kip.
What stood out in this resort was the staff. They were – to a man and woman – professional, friendly, and couldn’t do enough for you.
And I spoke to lots of other Brits to ensure that it wasn’t just because they’d sussed out who I was, and yes, everyone raved about them.
If you don’t want to, you never need to leave the resort and could easily while away a few days or even a week here.
Leisurely pursuits include five outdoor pools, including two especially for children, one adults-only pool, one heated indoor swimming pool, complimentary children’s clubs, a multi-sports field for tennis and volleyball, a state-of-the-art fitness centre with studios for aerobics and yoga classes and a Sayanna Wellness Spa – two floors of treatment rooms with private outdoor terraces.
The spa includes a Vichy shower room, outdoor pavilions and tents for garden spa experiences, a Jacuzzi with views of the Atlantic Ocean, a sauna, Turkish hammam and relaxation pool. It’s a great facility and the key driver for a lot of their business.
They have three separate restaurants – Al Quimia, Abyad and Open Deck, and two bars, Bluum Bar and ByEpic Bar, which also offer a wide range of dining experiences from Mediterranean-inspired to fresh, grilled seafood and healthy salads using local vegetables.
At Al Quimia,the Gourmet Restaurant, head chef Luis Mourão serves a modern and creative take on Portuguese gastronomy, accompanied by the best local wines.
The outside restaurant and bar, Open Deck, is a relaxed, contemporary setting that overlooks the garden and pool areas and serves light snacks and al fresco grill at dinner.
By far the coolest location in the hotel is Bluum Bar where they serve great cocktails and the resident DJ is open to playing music from the last century!
This summer they have a campaign that is focused on their usual offering of daily activities, such as Moonlight Reggae at the beach, fashion shows and sunset pool parties.
There’s always something going on at this resort, whether you want an intensive workout routine from one of their resident physical trainers, or to just chill by the pool and be spoiled in the spa.
My only disappointment (and I did tell the general manager this at the time, so I’m not saying anything they haven’t heard) is that, with all that space, why on earth don’t they don’t have hot tubs?
Maybe next year?
The price ranges are – summer, from £180 B&B, autumn, from £150 B&B.
Book at algarve.epic.sanahotels.com
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