The Algarve is only a 3 hour flight (or less) from the United Kingdom, Ireland and many other parts of Europe.
Flights arrive daily to the region’s sole international Airport, Faro Airport. During the busiest summer months of July to September there are several each day. The Algarve attracts over 10 million visitors per year and this is not surprising with many of the countries best beaches, golf courses and hotels located here along with a spectacular coastline. With the Algarve’s year-round balmy climate, it has everything that a holidaymaker could possibly ask for and more!!
Ask most people about what springs to mind when they picture the Algarve, and their response will more than likely involve golf. The Algarve has become one of the world’s leading golf destination with the first golf course opening up back in the 1960’s; The Championship course designed by Sir Henry Cotton Course at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort, to the award winning San Lorenzo, and a host of others, the Algarve is a golfer’s paradise.
The JJW Hotels are a deluxe hotel chain offering a great location from Faro Airport, to the golf courses and the beaches. These excellent hotels offer a luxurious and relaxing base for your visit to the region, allowing you to explore the sights and sounds at your leisure. Since it was founded in the late 1980s, JJW Hotels have built a strong portfolio of hotel brands from economy through to mid- range and luxury. Unlike many other hotel operators, all JJW hotels are wholly owned assets.
JJW Group owns a number of luxury properties, including the following:
DONA FILIPA HOTEL
The Algarve was recently voted Europe’s top golfing destination by the Global Tourism Company IAGTO. The same company also recognised Dona Filipa Hotel as the finest hotel in Portugal for golfers.
Dona Filipa Hotel in Vale do Lobo offers everything that a golfer could possibly require from their golfing holiday. Although the hotel and golf course are not adjacent to each other, both are located in the stylish area of Vale do Lobo. Faro International Airport is located approximately 15 minutes’ drive from both, making it possible to simply get a taxi in preference to renting a car.
Attractive and magnificently located 200m from the Vale do Lobo Beach, Dona Filipa Hotel welcomes all with a touch of glamour and the essence of true quality service. The Hotel has recently finished a major renovation, upgrading all public areas – including lobby, lounge and bar – along with all rooms and suites at the beachfront Vale de Lobo property. The new interior design concept both embraces the elegance and charm of the Dona Filipa Hotel, whilst paying homage to its traditional Portuguese style.
The hotel offers three types of Golf Packages, namely “The Unlimited Golf Package”, “The Short Break Golf & Spa Package” and “The Golf Spikes & Spa Package”. These packages are designed to offer golfers flexibility and value across one, three or seven nights. They also offer various prices, depending if you would prefer the Classic Twin Room or an Ocean Suite with panoramic views.
THE FORMOSA PARK APARTMENT HOTEL
The Formosa Park Apartment Hotel is a modern, 4-star resort hotel near Almancil in southern Portugal that offers guests 61 suite apartments, all fully equipped and furnished to the high standards of comfort. It is easily accessible from nearby Faro International Airport and located a mere 750-meters from the famous Ancão Beach and location in the heart of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve a protected area of outstanding beauty that encompasses the endless beaches nearby. With two outdoor pools, children’s playground and babysitting services, fresh local & international cuisine served in the restaurant it is the ideal family resort location for a relaxing family holiday.
PINHEIROS ALTOS
Pinheiros Altos is established as one of the most prestigious and successful premier golf and leisure resorts in Europe. The resort is located in the heart the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, a nationally protected area known for its outstanding splendour; 15-minutes from Faro International Airport; and 5 minutes from extensive unspoilt beaches.
Pinheiros Altos holds the prime position in Quinta do Lago, and holds the most prestigious location in the ‘Golden Triangle’ (Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura). Pinheiros Altos is an independent 27-hole course designed by Ronald Fream and Jorge Santana. The course has an unusual layout with three nines of contrasting character - ‘The Pines’, ‘The Corks’ and ‘The Olives’. The Pines, as its name suggests, meanders through typical Algarvian pine woods whereas many water hazards must be negotiated coming home. The rest is much flatter but the holes work their way through a series of lakes requiring accurate driving and precise iron play.
The greens have a reputation for being the most difficult to read and to hit because they are small and undulating and usually in very good condition. The course embraces part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, making this another course of beauty and challenge for players of all standards.
SAN LORENZO GOLF
The San Lorenzo Golf Course was opened in 1988, designed by American golf architect Joseph Lee who takes full advantage of the wonderful topography on the Quinta do Lago estate with beautiful Bermuda grass fairways undulating pine woodland and borders the Ria Formosa Estuary. One of the most famous golf courses in the Algarve, available exclusively to guests of Dona Filipa Hotel, Formosa Park hotel, and of course, to those who are lucky enough to be private members.
The San Lorenzo Golf Course has been awarded the C of E for 2014, meaning it is ranked among the top 10 percent of all attractions by real-life visitors. The San Lorenzo Golf Course is laid out in a figure of eight and at the heart lies the San Lorenzo Clubhouse with a golf pro shop, comfortable changing facilities; welcoming bar and restaurant.
The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence is one of the most recognised and coveted hallmarks of quality for tourist destinations around the world, which San Lorenzo has been recently awarded.
PENINA HOTEL & GOLF RESORT
Only a short drive from Portimao is the stunning Penina Golf Resort. Set in a vast 360 acre estate, Penina offers golf enthusiasts a complete golf break. Voted Portugal’s Leading Golf Resort by the World Travel Awards, Penina Hotel & Golf Resort is the glittering jewel in the Algarve’s crown.
The Hotel boasts a selection of 188 traditionally designed and decorated rooms and suites with expansive amenities, leisure facilities, kids club, several restaurant and bar locations and entertainment available throughout, make it one of the finest resorts in the Algarve.
PENINA GOLF
Positioned in the Western Algarve, Penina Hotel & Golf Resort is widely renowned as the true home of Portuguese golf. This is the only resort in Portugal to offer three golf courses... one of which, The Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course (often referred as the grandfather of courses in the Algarve), is the first 18-hole course to have been constructed in the Algarve - and is legendary for some of the finest and most challenging golf in the world, set in a stunning 360 acre estate, amidst an impressive array of natural landscape surroundings. The marquee Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course has hosted 10 Portuguese Opens and scores of other prestigious tournaments. The Academy course and the Resort course both provide a golfer the opportunity to fine-tune one’s short game, while providing gentle training grounds for beginners. The greens are relatively small and therefore accuracy off the tee and for approach shots is required and it also provides players the opportunity to fine tune their short game.
Onsite is one top golf clinic designed to meet your needs and is home to two PGA professionals. The Academy also boasts a state of the art driving range, considered one of the best in Europe that caters for up to 70 golfers and includes 12 covered practice bays.
Regardless of what you’re after from your holiday; a family relaxing break, the promise of sun-drenched days at the beach, golden stretches of coastline, beautiful rural countryside, historic landmarks and cultural locations – all make it the perfect holiday destination with golf at the top of the list.
FURTHER READING
www.jjwhotels.com
www.donafilipahotel.com
www.formosapark-hotel.com
www.pinheirosaltos.com
www.sanlorenzogolfcourse.com
www.penina.com