The Residences at Victoria by Tivoli ★★★★★

They say we can't have it all, we modern women. We can't have a fabulous job, gorgeous kids and the perfectly put-together life we see in the magazines. I don't know about you, but I have that one friend who is the exception to the rule, lovely Rachel, always effortlessly put together and now complete with a bright red Maxi-Cosi swinging at her side and her positively gorgeous baby Ella invariably babbling happily inside it. She's the kind of woman I'd love to hate, but as it turns out, she's also a total sweetheart, so instead I gave in to the urge to adore her and make use of her impeccable taste when it comes to choosing hotels. This time, my husband and I are headed for the five-star elegance of the Residences at Victoria along with Rachel, her husband (also gorgeous, of course) and their picture-perfect little one...

"We always stay in apartments now" she tells me as we drive up to the apartment, savouring the pretty views from our air-conditioned hire car. "It's more comfortable" she adds, "and it means we don't upset the neighbours when Ella's making a fuss". Looking across at the cherubic face that smiles out from the car seat between us I can't for a moment imagine what she means. I take her point about comfort, though. Unloaded and shown at once to our private apartment, we find it a haven of carefully considered details and thoughtful touches. Spacious and light, each couple has their own room and a cot is already laid out for the use of the smallest member of our party. Cleaning is done on a daily basis, we're told, so there's nothing more for us to do but drop our things and enjoy a restful few days in the company of our nearest and dearest. I'm starting to see why Rachel always gets it right, she's excellent at outsourcing to the right kind of people!

Quickly unpacking our things and slathering Ella in a layer of sun cream that appears to be a solid inch thick, we head for the outdoor pool to make the most of the last hours of late afternoon rays. I stretch my legs in the pool, perfect for a gentle workout, before I join Rachel in the paddling pool where Ella is splashing with unrestrained glee. The gents, meanwhile, have disappeared off in the hire car to get the measure of the nearby golf courses and figure out their plan of attack for the coming days. Sitting pretty in between no fewer than five golf courses makes this their dream destination. They start with the most famous, the Victoria, designed by the legendary (I'm told) Arnold Palmer and home to the Portugal Masters. That ought to keep them busy for a while.

Sliding by in a heavenly haze of silent nights between the sleeping golf courses (and no, not a peep out of the baby) and delicious days lounging on the pristine beaches under the dramatic cliffs or strolling through the vast marina lined with elegant boats, our holiday draws to a close. We may be leaving the Residences at Victoria behind us, but it'll be a long while before I lose the glow of its picture-perfect life...