A weekend to remember: Celebrating 25 years of Golfbreaks in the Algarve

Having been lucky enough to work at Golfbreaks for over 20 years, I've been truly spoilt with some of the golfing experiences I've had to date; but this golf weekend was ultra special.

We were celebrating a huge company anniversary milestone of 25 years by thanking those who've been with the company for over 15 years. So, the stage was set for it to be a special weekend!

There are some obvious reasons, one of the most important being the business tends to get a little quieter around this time, but just as important, flight prices are better value than peak season months, and the Algarve typically boasts some incredible weather, even in November.

It's our number one European golfing destination for a reason. Great access from all major UK airports, a short flight and transfer time, and a pretty strong bet that it's going to be better weather than the UK. Plus, a huge choice of incredible hotels and some of the best golf courses in the world.

An early flight time had a core group of 16 of us, up at the crack of dawn, heading to Gatwick for a 09:30 flight. The 25th celebrations started early with a visit to the Gatwick No 1 lounge where food and drink were in plentiful supply.

We did a bit of scouting around for a deal so worth doing a bit of research here if you are thinking of booking an airport lounge. Thankfully, the flight was on time, and we even landed ahead of schedule.

From hitting terra firma to meeting our trusted transfer partner ‘Bravo Tur’ for our onward journey couldn’t have taken more than 40 mins. Just another reason to travel to the Algarve - travel is seamless.

The brief from the leadership team was to ensure there was a touch of WOW factor over the weekend. So, what better way than to start with lunch on a deserted island. The launching point to this incredible place is at a small jetty in Faro, just a 10 /15 min transfer from the airport.

There are two ways to get across the island, by ferry or by speedboat. Getting across by speedboat is spectacular, although does require good weather, but it does leave you with the feeling of being in a Bond movie.

Lunch at Estaminé was the perfect start to a celebratory weekend. They serve fantastic seafood dishes but will cater for meat eaters and vegetarians if required. After lunch, we were sped back to the Faro jetty, and “coaxed” into a rooftop bar (Lab Terrace Sunset Bar) to watch the sun descend on a fantastic afternoon.

Following a few sundowners, it was off to our accommodation for the weekend - the Conrad Algarve. Hilton views the Conrad Algarve as one of its flagship hotels, and it’s easy to see why. Admittedly their prices are not for the faint-hearted but only the very organised will be able to secure ‘standard’ rooms here because the hotel sells out so quickly.

One of the huge benefits of the hotel is its location. Just a stone's throw from Quinta Shopping and the bustling Cheeky Pup where live music will take you into the wee hours. Watch out for those early tee times. It’s hard to overstate the luxury this hotel offers, from breakfast to a sumptuous dinner, and post dinner cocktails, it’s the perfect base for a truly five-star experience.

Day two saw the golfers in our group head to Quinta do Lago North, a 5-minute transfer from the Conrad. Quinta do Lago has been setting the benchmark of quality European golf for a few years now. They were one of the few to invest in their product over the pandemic and have come out firing on all cylinders.

As expected, the North course was in incredible condition, greens quick and true, and fairways welcoming a half-decent drive. The 25th celebrations cemented with the CEO’s team taking the winnings… only fair really!

The non-golfers of the group opted for either a spa at the Conrad's divinely luxurious spa facility which comes complete with a rooftop pool, or an excursion to the nearby Vilamoura marina where the boutique shops and people-watching catered for the day.

In the evening the long service team headed to Bovino, a steak restaurant 10 mins from the Conrad Algarve. This is a must for golfers staying in the area. We were treated to a sharing menu, which comes very highly recommended. This restaurant is outstanding if you're keen on meat but will cater to all tastes and requirements. They also do a killer cocktail and have an expansive wine menu. After Bovino, the group resided in the Cheeky Pup for the second time in a row.

Day three saw an unlucky few return to normality, whilst us fortunate ones in the group remained in the Algarve for one last day. The golfers headed to the Dom Pedro Old Course in Vilamoura, 20 mins from Quinta do Lago.

The Old Course, part of the Dom Pedro collection, is one of the very best courses in Portugal. It retains a traditional feel as it winds through beautiful cork trees, and it's always in top condition. Rumours are that prices are increasing so best get there ASAP.

Lunch on both days for the golfers was a buggy picnic. This is a great way to re-fuel mid-round and still have an appetite for a hearty evening meal.

The final evening saw the team head into Faro to a recommended restaurant, Lodo another great experience with a very warm welcome. My only tip here is to ensure the serving staff have a notepad and pen.

To draw the weekend to a close a few hardcore went to a cocktail bar, Columbus, whilst the remaining group headed back to the hotel.

As weekends go, this was pretty special and a real treat for a group that has been with Golfbreaks for over 15 years. The Algarve was the perfect destination to celebrate all that Golfbreaks has achieved, and I look forward to many more wonderful shared experiences and successes to come.

If you need any more convincing, speak to our team of experts who all have their own incredible experiences to share.