Kurt Michael Gillig is the Managing Director of Vila Vita Parc in the Algarve, a role he has held since joining in 2000 as Executive Chef. Born in Austria, Gillig trained at some of Europe's most celebrated Michelin-starred kitchens before bringing that culinary vision to Portugal's Algarve coast. Over 25 years, he has transformed Vila Vita Parc into one of Europe's finest beach resorts, growing its restaurant portfolio to 13 venues, including the two Michelin-starred Ocean. His vision centres on authentic Portuguese hospitality, personalised guest experiences, and placing the Algarve firmly on the world's gastronomic and luxury travel map.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE VILA VITA PARC EXPERIENCE IN ONE SENTENCE?

Vila Vita is where the untamed soul of the Algarve — its cliffs, its light, its generosity of spirit — is distilled into the excellence of hospitality, offering a 'world of experiences' within 22 hectares (54 acres) of subtropical paradise by the sea.

WHAT TRULY SETS THE RESORT APART IN THE ALGARVE?

Warm Portuguese hospitality, authenticity and innovation — and I would add the sense of spaciousness and privacy, much of it provided by our unique location, which is highly valued by our guests. Above all, it is the people. I have a team, many of whom have been with us for over a decade, guests feel that loyalty and that profound sense of being at home. You cannot manufacture that kind of atmosphere — it builds over time, and we have been nurturing it since 1992.

It is the depth of our roots — we are not a hotel that arrived in the Algarve; we grew from it. Fifty-four acres of clifftop gardens, an extensive gastronomic offering ranging from traditional Portuguese to international fine dining, including a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, and an unexpected underground wine cellar, recently renovated and expanded. A beach accessible only through our grounds, four yachts available to our guests, and a diverse wellness offering that includes the Spa by Sisley Paris, a new Reformer Pilates Studio, plus padel, pickleball and tennis courts, and a golf simulator, just to name a few. It is an experience, and a true sense of place, that can only truly be understood when you stay with us at Vila Vita.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE DESIGN AESTHETIC OF THE RESORT, AND HOW DOES IT REFLECT THE SPIRIT OF THE ALGARVE?

We have always stayed true to the vernacular of this region — the whitewashed walls, the architecture, the azulejo tilework, the Porches pottery. It is important for us, not only from an aesthetic standpoint, but to provide a stage for the Algarve in all of its richness and diversity, showcasing the region and making it known to everyone who stays with us. A good example is our V-Life Store, where we feature only Portuguese design brands.

The gardens, the materials, the colours — everything here is connected to the culture and landscape around us. It could not be any other way – otherwise, it would be a resort that could be anywhere in the world.

WHAT DINING EXPERIENCE IS A MUST?

Ocean** is the obvious answer, and for very good reason — it is our two-Michelin-starred restaurant, with Hans Neuner at the helm for nearly twenty years, and a setting above the Atlantic that is truly special.

But I always tell guests not to overlook what we offer across the entire resort. There are 13 restaurants, a wine cellar located eight meters underground, and seven bars — each with its own personality. Aladin Grill and Atlântico restaurants are both recommended in the Michelin Guide. Mizu Teppanyaki, our contemporary Japanese restaurant, is a favourite, as is Adega, our traditional Portuguese restaurant. Beyond the resort, on the beach we have three restaurants and, in the nearby village, a Bavarian-inspired restaurant, Vila Vita Biergarten, which is also very popular with the local community.

With this rich portfolio, the true “must” is that guests are able to enjoy a different dining experience every day of their stay. The diversity of our gastronomic offering is one of the things I am most proud of.

ARE YOU REIMAGINING WELLNESS FOR TODAY’S TRAVELER?

I think what has always worked at Vila Vita is that wellness here is not just about treatments; it is about the whole environment. The climate, the sea air, the gardens, the pace of life on this part of the coast. What we are doing now is making that intentional – we have created bespoke multi-day wellness journeys that align with each guests specific goals – whether that is recovery, transformation, or simply rest in its most restorative form.

It is a holistic integration of mental, emotional, and physical health. Whether it is the Golden Quartz -our awarded signature treatment - or the wellness-integrated therapies with Icoone and Indiba treatments at our Spa by Sisley Paris, aerial yoga in our specialized studio, Reformer Pilates, a digital detox, floating and sound meditations with personalized nutritional plans, we treat wellness as a lifestyle that guests can take home, not just a 60-minute massage.

The future of wellness is deeply personal, and we want to meet every guest exactly where they are.

WHAT SURPRISES GUESTS THE MOST WHEN STAYING AT THE RESORT?

Guests are often surprised that a resort of this size can feel like a private, boutique estate embraced by nature and sea views. As I mentioned, you can only truly understand every detail I have been describing when you visit us and experience it for yourself. It goes far beyond what any description can convey.

WHERE IS THE MOST INSTAGRAM ABLE SHOT ON PROPERTY?

I always say the Manzar Terrace during golden hour. The pink-orange light in the sky, reflected on the Atlantic in the background, is quite something — especially with a refreshing cocktail before heading to dinner. But honestly, wherever you turn on this property, the Algarve does most of the work for you. The bougainvillea, the cliffs, the sea, the quality of the light here in the south — we are very fortunate to have such a naturally beautiful setting. No special effort required.

WHO IS THE IDEAL GUEST FOR YOUR PRIVATE VILLAS?

We welcome many guests who want the full resort experience — restaurants, beach, spa — but who also need their own space and privacy. Our villa guests tend to know exactly what they want — and they appreciate it when we have already anticipated it.

Our villas are designed for multi-generational families or discreet high-profile guests who seek the exclusivity and seclusion of a private residence — complete with a personal butler and chef — while still having access to all our five-star resort facilities.

WHICH TWO VILLAS ARE YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE AND WHY?

That is a difficult question in the best possible way — each villa has its own character. But if I must choose - I have a particular affection for properties that make you feel completely at one with the Algarve, with just the cliffs, the sea, and the sky. I also love the larger estate-style villas, where an entire family can be together with real space and privacy, while still having everything this five-star resort offers just a call away. That combination of seclusion and access is very rare.

Vila Trevo: for its dramatic clifftop setting. It offers a level of privacy and an Atlantic view that feels as if you are at the edge of the world.

Red Chalet (Vila Vita Collection): Part of our off-site portfolio of private villas, it is a century-old chalet directly on the sand in our neighboring fishing village and embodies the barefoot luxury that is so essential to the true Algarve spirit.

A special mention must go to our ultra-luxury Vila Azzurine, which is not available online or via any channel other than directly with us, or exclusively through Four Hundred by Design. This villa is truly one of a kind in Europe!

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE FOUR HUNDRED MEMBER TO KNOW ABOUT VILA VITA PARC AND VILA VITA COLLECTION?

That our core values, established in 1992, are stronger than ever — even as we grow and evolve. The Vila Vita Collection and Herdade dos Grous, our wine estate in the Alentejo, have all been created to deepen the experience of our guests. We are not just a hotel, or even a resort; we are a family, and we genuinely mean that. What we can control — the quality of the experience, the warmth of the welcome, the attention to every detail — is what we focus on each and every day.

The Vila Vita Collection is our way of extending our hospitality beyond the resort gates. While the resort is a large property, the Vila Vita Collection offers ultra-private, standalone luxury villas in some of the region’s most charming villages, such as Salema, Galé, Guia, and Armação de Pêra. It allows you to live like a local in a “masterpiece” home, with the invisible yet expert hand of Vila Vita’s personalized service and management ensuring everything is perfect. Come and see for yourself — I believe you will feel the difference.