TIVOLI is a heritage Portuguese luxury hotel brand dating back to 1933. For nearly a century the brand has been defining Iberian luxury, with each property enjoying its own distinct personality while displaying the highlights of the local culture.
We had the pleasure of staying at Tivoli Marina Vilamoura on the sun-drenched Algarve coast. This towering hotel enjoys views of the glamorous yacht-filled Marina on one side and azure Atlantic waters on the other. The hotel also enjoys its own private sandy beach, family-friendly pool and, officially, the best bar in Portugal.
A view of the hotel and pool
Named after the mythical Greek ship that carried Jason and the Argonauts, The Argo bar has certainly created its own legend, winning multiple awards including best cocktail bar by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, best cocktail bar on the Iberian Peninsula and best hotel bar at the Lisbon Bar Show.
Bar manager/head mixologist/creator extraordinaire Nelson de Matos takes drink-making to a whole new level. The ‘Did You Have Your Veggies’ cocktail is undoubtedly the most memorable cocktail you will ever taste. De Natos explained to us that it takes days to make as the flavours of radish, coriander, parsnip, celery, cucumber, mustard, peppers and mustard are captured before being infused with premium gin. It’s like the freshest, most delicious salad you’ve ever tasted but in a glass. These aren’t just drinks, these are Michelin star worthy creations.
Purobeach in collaboration with Guess
Next door is Pepper’s steakhouse and, just as The Argo is so much more than a cocktail bar, Pepper’s is so much more than a steakhouse. The menu starts with fresh oysters and caviar and journeys through to such creative imaginings as prawn velouté with lobster and Granny Smith apple tartar through to acorn-fed Iberian pork and steaks from around the world, ranging from eight days dry aged to 21 days. Even the burgers are extraordinary – the steak used for these is 35 days dry aged, which is practically unheard of, with additional toppings including foie gras, lobster and truffled brie.
The Argo cocktail bar
The Argo and Pepper’s alone are worth the visit but added to this there is also Purobeach, the beachside restaurant which offers a staggering array of fish and seafood caught fresh daily, and Glee, a patisserie, chocolaterie and coffee house offering sumptuous treats and excellent Portuguese coffee.
Wandering between these heavenly eateries, the white sandy beach, the poolside buzzing with Ibiza tunes and the spa are the very definition of a holiday. There is also an excellent kids club for little ones.
by Nicola Kavanagha