Viceroy Ombria Hotel. Discover A Luxury Village Concept In Ombria.

Lynne Coates enjoys a stay at the luxurious 5* Viceroy Ombria Hotel in the Algarve

Woken early by the dawn light, I wander out onto my balcony as a golden Algarve sunrise casts morning shadows over luminous white buildings. I’m staying in the Viceroy Ombria Hotel, part of an innovative village-style development seamlessly integrated into the Algarvian Barrocal natural landscape.

The Ombria village is a pioneering concept by the Finnish family-owned Pontos group, using Bioclimatic architecture, traditional methods, and locally sourced materials, with a genuine commitment to sustainability and the environment. Through its generation of employment, business opportunities and support of local cultural and sports activities, the village is benefitting both locals and tourists.

I take some time to figure out the smart lighting system with its finger-touch panels and automatic sensors, (whatever happened to simple switches?) but I eventually get the hang of it, and begin to enjoy all the luxurious touches in my super-suite. Comprising a living area with kitchen facilities, a generous-sized double bedroom adorned with beautiful furnishings, and a separate dressing area with his and hers wardrobes.

A fabulous bathroom has a free-standing bath with fold-back shutters, I look forward to having a soak with a view. A separate walk-in shower is huge. I lust after the deliciously scented toiletries contained within beautifully decorated Portuguese ceramic jars, and even a matching waste bin. I am tempted to linger in this luxurious suite, but I need to explore as there’s so much in this complex to discover.

The luxurious 5* Viceroy Hotel, has one hundred and forty-one rooms, six restaurants, five heated pools, a state-of-the-art spa, techno-gym, kids club, and eighteen-hole golf course, recently named ‘Best New Golf Course’ at the prestigious World Golf awards. An authentic recreation of an ancient castle that once stood on the land, has become a social hub for guests, with a sports club, bar, and restaurant.

Case E Fora serves Portuguese and international food, open for locals and guests, with live screened sporting and music events. A central alfresco courtyard, with tables and chairs, is a popular meeting place, where, during the day, ‘Café Central’, exudes aromas of coffee and freshly baked breads.

The courtyard, also used as a venue for outdoor cinema screenings, seasonal and cultural events, ensures the village’s popularity with the locals. Wellness and the environment are entwined in the Viceroy ethos, and the spa, immersed within the natural landscape, provides a perfect sanctuary. Occupying three floors, with intimate treatment rooms, private suites, and indoor/outdoor pools.

Therapists collaborate with local artisanal growers of herbs and flowers, curating unique products for use in therapeutic and pampering treatments. I don’t have time for any treatments in the spa, but wearing my complimentary Viceroy sun-hat, I head down to the hotel’s main pool area, where, surrounded by creamy-white loungers and discreet cabanas, shimmering infinity pools prove irresistible. With panoramic views of the Barrocal Algarvio mountains, the poolside bar, Salpico, is the perfect place for a sundowner.

Dinner in the Ombria Kitchen, an indoor/outdoor contemporary-style restaurant, is a gastronomic journey. Chefs, working in an open-plan kitchen, create everything from pizzas to gastronomic delicacies. I’m mesmerized by the chefs skilful, gueridon, flaming chorizo, delighted with my perfectly cooked bacalhau, and seduced by dessert, a ‘light as a cloud’ meringue, all beautifully complimented with a superb Alvarinho.

Breakfast is a feast, a sumptuous buffet choice includes freshly baked breads and mouth-watering pastries, a wonderful selection of cheeses, cold meats, and fresh fruits. Hot dishes are served at the table, and include a delicious version of Shakshuka, (my favourite), creamy goats cheese omelette, waffles and every-way eggs.

Viceroy Ombria is perfectly located to explore some lesser known, authentic Algarvian towns, such as Loulé, Tavira, and Olhão, from where you can take a water taxi to visit the beautiful Ria Formosa Islands. The hotel can arrange active tours such as, Jeep safaris through the dramatic Monchique Mountain ranges; visits to nearby vineyards for wine-tasting lunches, or hiking routes along the coastal paths of the magnificent seven valleys.

For those of us who simply need to relax and escape everyday life, Viceroy Ombria delivers first-class unwinding. A perfect combination of all-encompassing luxury, harmonising with nature, makes this hotel difficult to leave and impossible to forget.