Vila Joya

The hotel is an amazing enclave in the Algarve. Small number of rooms with plenty of space to relax by the pool/beach. We stayed in Suite Saudade which was next to the spa but still very quiet. It has a nice sitting area, comfortable bed, and an amazing spa like bathroom. The gym is small and they are working on expanding the spa so continuing to improve on the amenities offered. We enjoyed Vila Joya Sea (beach shack) so much the first night that we booked a reservation on our last night as well. There we many things on the menu and with only two of us we did our best to try as many as we could (do not miss the beef quesadilla - the meat comes from the Michelin restaurant). We also enjoyed dinner at Vila Joya (Michelin restaurant) and it was incredible. We have had the great fortune of enjoying a number of Michelin restaurants around the world and we can tell how this has maintained its stars for so long - an amazing journey. We chose not to rent a car while there and spent most of our days relaxing by the pool or walking along the beach. Staff was very attentive. There is not a lot to do in the surrounding area and the hotel is in a residential area (cars line the street each day to go to the public beach) but you feel very secluded in the hotel. A great break in the middle of our travels in Portugal.

It’s been a few years since we last dined at Vila Joya and we’re looking forward to an exceptional culinary experience. I can’t say that we were disappointed however would suggest that quality has been substituted by quantity to the detriment of the overall experience that is no longer up to the standard expected of its 2 Michelin stars. Service was however excellent but the food heavy and just too much !!!

Vila Joya is a precious little gem on a small cliff of Algarve. A private house transformed into a luxury guest house with 13 rooms all different and with their own character but all with a view to the Atlantic Ocean. Personalised and all with handpicked furniture and style, the exquisite touch of the owner Joy. A warm welcome from her and her extensive team, relax and let them pamper you. Fitness centre, tennis court and charming spa to enjoy in between meals at the beach, the pool or the 2 star Michelin restaurants. The beach and pool restaurants have nothing to envy to the Michelin restaurant, all the culinary and F&B teams are doing a fantastic job and Joy is running a tight boat. Don’t miss the raspberry cheesecake, any fish cooked to perfection, the spectacular breakfast is a must with a large cold buffet, à la minute hot dishes and freshly squeezed juices. Don’t look for a cookie cutter experience, you are not a guest, you are family and nothing is too much to please you and it is a surprise and delight in every corner, from your bathroom to the grounds, inspiration is everywhere and the only reason for you to leave will be because you already know you will be coming back.

Vila Joya lived up to both name and reputation, and exceeded all our expectations. We feel very fortunate to have had the privilege to stay here, and also to have dined at both the 2 Michelin Starred restaurant, and the beach restaurant, Vila Joya Sea. LOCATION We chose to stay at Vila Joya for one night as a stop on our road trip, from Quinta do Lago to Comporta, and the location was very convenient. About 45 minutes’ drive from Faro airport, just along the coast from Quinta, this is a discreet hotel tucked away on a beautiful stretch of sandy beach, perfect for relaxing or exploring the Algarve. Vila Joya is a c.20 minute drive from the famous Praia Marinha, which I would highly recommend visiting if you have time. You should go early during the summer, as the car park gets full, and there is plenty to do there (you can take kayaks and kayak through the rock formations). It’s a great day out! We then drove directly to Comporta the, and the drive took us around 2-2.5 hours on the inland motorway. You could make a 1 or 2-day road trip out of it, taking your time to drive all the way up the coast (we bumped into another couple who did this in 1 full day, and said it was very enjoyable). HOTEL The property is hidden away, subtly set back off a residential street and accessed through a discreet electronic gate that hides the expanse of garden oasis behind. The property is traditional in style, laid back and cosy (it feels more like you are being welcomed into the villa of close friends, rather than staying in a luxury hotel, in a good way). With sweeping sea views, a majestic and lush garden, large swimming pool and two sandy beaches, this has to be heaven. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind, and make memories to last a lifetime. ROOM The room was very relaxed, spacious and comfortable. It had a classic design with a large and comfortable bed, seating area and large en-suite shower room. Our room lead out onto the terrace next to the restaurant, with steps leading down to the pool in the garden, and the beach beyond. The sea view from our room was heavenly! DINING: Vila Joya Restaurant We decided to go for the Special Chef's Menu (c.€250 per person + wine pairing), and we were so happy with our decision. The restaurant (and chef) has 2 Michelin Stars for a reason, with the utmost attention paid to each and every tiny detail. The sunset view was spectacular, service was impeccable, with courses served in a seamless and elegant dance, 'serenading' us through the evening. Each course was carefully prepared, and the food was delicious - there wasn't a single bite left on our plates. The pacing and timing was perfect, and there was a good balance between savoury courses and sweet. The menu only lists 4 courses, but there are plenty of treats and surprises along the way. If you are visiting Vila Joya, this is an experience not to be missed! You can also book as an external guest, but be sure to book in advance as it gets fully booked pretty

To start the restaurant is expensive 600-700 euro for two. But with that out of the way it is great! Dishes are outstanding!! Staff also really special. Maybe one minus point i asked a glass of redwine and it costed 35euros slightly over the top i would say. But great evening out thanks everyone…

We went to their restaurant with friends who had been before and we had an amazing afternoon. The quality of the food was second to none and the service was equally first class. This isn't a restaurant to visit on a budget by any means but as a treat it was absolutely everything we'd hoped for. No skinny Michelin * portions here either. We lost count of how many separate courses there were and they were all, without exception delicious. Definitely an Algarve bucket list and I'd challenge anyone to find better quality and prepared food anywhere !