Teeing Off on the Algarve Coast

With over 65 million golfers in the world, almost anywhere you travel there are luxury golf hotels and luxury golf packages competing for your business. Obviously, some golf travel destinations stand out from the crowd. Basking in over 300 days of sunshine and pleasant year-round temperatures, the Algarve Coast of southern Portugal is one of the premier luxury golf travel destinations in Europe. Gently rolling hillsides are blanketed with fig trees, fragrant blossoming orange and almond trees complemented by long stretches of golden sandy beach framed by rugged cliffs and secluded grottos. This secluded, yet easily accessible, paradise is one of the premier golfing destinations in Europe. Faro, the capital of the district, has daily flights from most major European cities and the U.S., connecting through Lisbon.

Savvy golfers and jetsetters have discovered an Algarve golf nirvana at the Hotel Quinta do Lago. This five-star golf resort, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, has been named Best Golf Resort Hotel in Europe by Hertz International and is a Golf Magazine Finest Golf Resorts in the World Silver Medal award winner. Set amid 1,680 acres overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the famous Ria Formosa Estuary, the four diverse golf courses set in undulating hills around Hotel Quinta do Lago are a feast for the eyes. High-risk tee shots, long drives, water and sand traps offer challenges for golfers of all levels. After a day on the links work out the kinks with a swim in the indoor or outdoor heated pools, at the gym, sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi or world-class spa. Watch the sunset paint a daily masterpiece across the lagoons. Later, savor a romantic dinner under the stars before retiring to a lavish guest room or sumptuous suite at Hotel Quinta do Lago for a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s game.