Famous around the world for scenic golf along the Algarves coast, we take a look at what this luxurious, award-winning destination has to offer for a golf holiday.
If the Algarve is heaven, then you can guarantee we’ll be bringing our clubs. Set dramatically against the glistening backcloth of the Atlantic Ocean, the region has long been the favoured destination of golfers in need of a winter escape, and with good reason.
From the spellbinding sunsets to the manicured fairways, everything seems that little bit better in the Algarve. It’s the luxurious Quinta do Lago, an award-winning destination in the centre of the region, that perfectly encapsulates this philosophy.
Quinta do Lago is by no means a hidden treasure. Long the playground of the rich and famous, the Portuguese resort has been setting the bar for luxury living in the area for decades. It’s a tradition that looks set to live on for years to come, with new additions, The Magnolia Hotel and a ground-breaking new sports facility, The Campus, elevating the venue to heady new heights.
But what makes Quinta do Lago so special?
Quinta do Lago may be the ''IT'' destination for the rich and famous, but with the recent opening of the super trendy Magnolia Hotel, this exclusive stretch of sun-drenched coastline just got a whole lot more affordable.
Inspired by the American motels of the 1950's, the Magnolia opened to plenty of fanfare in November 2017 with the singular objective of making the resort more accessible to those of us without the disposable income to indulge in its luxurious lakeside villas.
Magnolia has staked its claim on attracting a younger and trendy crowd so expect plenty of Instagramable flourishes, like the retro pool, palm-tree tiled bar (the gin supply is plentiful) and pastel interiors.
Don't worry, guests at the Magnolia still have access to the resort's many facilities. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Pure, the resort's clean-eating restaurant, go dolphin watching, or better yet hone your game on the resort's world-class practice facilities.
Since its infancy, Quinta do Lago has been setting the bar when it comes to golf in the region. Forty-years on and the resort continues to be the Algarve's premier golf resort, with three award-winning golf courses, the South, North and Laranjal, all of which are ranked among the top courses in Portugal.
Nestled in the Rio Formosa Nature Reserve, there's nothing manufactured about the three delightful courses. Set among umbrella pines, wildflowers and lakes, the South course is widely considered to be the finest course at the resort.
Nonetheless, the North, having recently received a massive overhaul, is equally enchanting, with funnels of pine trees lining the sandy fairways and exceptional bunkering.
The Laranjal offers a much more open affair set amid a mature orange grove, completing the trio of courses. It's little surprise that Quinta do Lago has twice been named ‘Europe’s Best Golf Destination’ at the World Golf Awards.
Quinto do Lago has been repositioning itself as more than a golf course in recent years. No longer simply an oasis for the wealthy to retire, the resort is now an adventure paradise for all members of the family.
The multi-sports activity centre, The Campus, is the latest addition at the resort and looks set to be one of the most popular additions to date.
Tennis Court, The Campus
The Croatian national football team were among the first to be welcomed to the facility, which includes a €1 million training pitch. A state-of-the-art gym, padel, championship standard tennis courts, a lively sports bar and a cycling station, which was overseen by double Paralympic gold medallist Mark Rohan, complement the football academy. The campus is set to welcome Europe’s top teams during the sport’s off-season.
You can't mention Quinta do Lago without talking about Bovino. Even for golf-lovers, this high-end steak-house is about as heavenly as Quinta do Lago gets. Add in the award-winning mixologists, who may well have mastered the art of the perfect cocktail, and its little surprise the restaurant is among the most popular tickets in town come to Portugal Masters week.
Don't forget to take your drinks up to the rooftop terrace, the views at sunset over the Ria Formosa might well be as memorable as the steak, and that's no mean feat.
Bovino Restaurant
Published
Senior Groups European Travel Consultant
As the Official Golf Tourism Operator of the PGA TOUR and with over 25 years’ experience, Golfbreaks is one of the world’s longest established and most trusted golf travel companies. We organise golf breaks, holidays and tournament experiences for more than 200,000 golfers annually at over 2,000 resorts and golf courses in the UK, Europe, and further afield.
