StyleNest visits a Portuguese palm fringed paradise, in November.
Bring a whole new meaning to ‘Winter Blues’ this year. Just think about how much better you would feel lying by a turquoise pool, taking in the rays with clear Azure skies ahead and only 2.5 hours from home! With more and more people shunning the traditional skiing holiday for warmer climes, it’s no surprise that Quinta do Lago will soon become your new family favourite.
Just a 20 minute drive from Faro airport lies the prestigious Quinta do Lago or ‘Quinta’ resort, offering luxury shopping boutiques, award winning golf courses and white sandy beaches Average November temperatures in Quinta range from 19°C – 22°C with around 6 to 8 hours of sunshine during the day. It can get slightly cooler from December through to February but even at that, temperatures average around 16°C with 6 hours of sun per day. It’s a great destination for families in search of winter sun who don’t want the stress and expense of a long haul getaway.
Our tour guide informed us that many VIP’s come to the Quinta area and feel relaxed in the knowledge that they are far from the prying paparazzi lens. As we drove up to the sophisticated palm tree-lined entrance of Martinhal Quinta, we were greeted by a friendly security team and instantly felt very safe and welcome.
The newly opened Martinhal Quinta is the sister resort to the flagship five star Martinhal Sagres, renowned for their luxurious family holidays, which has seen them win countless design and industry awards. Their family friendly ethos is clearly top of the agenda as everything has been thought out carefully to incorporate every little thing you might need during your stay. The on-site shop is so well stocked that the baby food section rivals my local supermarket. StyleNest loves the bespoke “Baby Concierge” service. Think of it as your very own Mary Poppins, on hand to help with everything from supplying buggies and nappies to bottle sterilizers, cots and baby food. There are 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses, or 3, 4 and even 5 bedroom villas to rent. Each residence boasts large living areas; a well-appointed kitchen and our favourite- a private garden and pool. We also made the most of the breakfast hamper service, delivered to our doorstep each morning, brimming with pastries, cereal, fresh juice and bread from the on-site bakery and shop, perfect for early risers!
Martinhal beautifully marry luxury holidays with family convenience, with the presence of stair gates and buggy ramps alongside organic NOYA toiletries, Nespresso Coffee and on-site spa treatments.
There is a fully supervised Kid’s Club on-site, offering spacious play areas with lots of wooden toys and artwork to keep the little ones occupied. The trendy outdoor playground has a full size trampoline; we loved the child friendly VW camper van and can see the little ones playing there for hours. For older children, the Blue Room is fully equipped with games consoles, a pool table and giant squishy beanbags and speedy Wi-Fi to upload those brag-worth status updates!
Quinta de Lago is famed for its award winning golf courses- that appeals to golfers of all abilities. There is even a dedicated mini golf course for children! With the sunny weather all year round, the temperatures are cool enough for energetic sports and believe me- the activity list reads like an A-Z sports encyclopedia, with everything from water sports to tennis and horse riding. It is ideal for active families but beyond all that, it’s the perfect place for those (like us) who wish to put their feet up and relax.
Foodies will not be disappointed either, with everything from world class Michelin star cuisine to casual coffee bars on your doorstep. We ate at the recently opened Bovino, a chic steakhouse with breath-taking views over the stunning National Park.
During our visit, we hopped on a James Bond style speed boat from Faro Island and enjoyed a tour across the Ria Formosa, followed by an Oyster tasting on the island of Culatra – a must for anyone wanting to sample local delicacies and experience true Algarvian culture.
“It’s November and I can’t believe we are less than three hours from home!” was the most frequently uttered phrase on the trip. On our last night, we sipped on Portuguese vino with happy hearts and full bellies, taking in the final Algarvian sunset over the Ria Formosa National Park.
Need to Know:
Martinhal Quinta From 129 Euros per night from 1st December to 18th March in two-bedroom house for 7 nights. Breakfast included.
Complimentary kids club from 1st November to 30th April
Complimentary breakfast from 1st December until 18th March. You can choose between a breakfast basket in your house or the “a la carte” menu in M Bar. (Pre booking required)
Martinhal Sagres Active Winter Offer: From 87 Euros per adult per night (half board basis) in hotel room for 7 nights, excluding Xmas and New Year.
Nearest airport: Faro, with flights daily from various UK airports including:
British Airways (britishairways.com) Monarch (monarch.co.uk), EasyJet (easyjet.com) Ryanair (ryanair.com), TAP Air Portugal (flytap.com)
Getting around: Car hire is recommended and there are several firms at the airport. However, transfers to Quinta do Lago can be arranged through Martinhal
The sandy beach is a five-minute shuttle bus ride, or a 20-minute walk from the resort.
Boat Trips www.algarvewow.com
Discover Quinta do Lago www.quintadolago.com