The Anatara Vilamoura falls significantly short of its purported 5-star status. The disparity between the advertised luxury and the actual condition of the property is evident in many aspects. Coupled with inconsistent and inadequate service, this makes for a disappointing guest experience that does not justify this price point, particularly as a family.
The property exhibits clear signs of wear and tear, with poorly maintained hallways, stained or strained furniture, and damaged fixtures. The cleanliness of guest rooms was inconsistent, and the overall ambience is removed from the luxury typically associated with a 5-star establishment. The presence of a construction right next door does not help the situation, as no extra effort seems to be made to clean the red dust from the balconies or chairs. Service levels are consistently unsatisfactory. Poolside attentiveness at the family pool is lacking, forcing guests to actively seek service rather than receiving proactive care. (to be fair to the staff present: there were just too few to cover the whole family pool area and do the towel service and man the pool restaurant, this is a management issue). On the plus side: The family pool is quite warm in temperature which is comfortable for children. There are enough chairs and umbrellas.
The hotel's overall management appears lacking. There was no opportunity to provide feedback upon checkout, and the overall guest experience suggests a lack of attention to detail.