QUINTA DO LAGO RESORT 5*
Location: Quinta do Lago estate, Almancil, 5 miles East of Vilamoura
 
Quinta do Lago is a famous name in Portuguese golf, having been awarded many prestigious professional and amateur events. Its two outstanding championship courses are among the best in the Algarve, and are the perfect complement to the excellent resort hotel.

South Course - Quinta do Lago's South Course is one of the most prestigious in the Algarve, having hosted the Portuguese Open on eight occasions. Measuring 7,095 yards, the layout is cut through the undulating hills and pine forests, and was designed by William Mitchell.

The South Course is certainly a stiff test, even for low handicap players, with strategically positioned bunkers, threatening water and severely sloping greens. The course is demanding, but should not overawe the average golfer, and with superb views on a number of outstanding holes is a fantastic place to enjoy a round of golf.

North Course - William Mitchell joined forces with Joseph Lee to create Quinta do Lago's North Course, which opened to visitors in 2000. The North is 6,561 yards from the championship tees, and is generally similar in style to the South.

Distance from the tee is not of great importance on the North Course, but being accurate is crucial. There are a number of tricky dog-leg holes, while the North is most renowned for its par-5s, particularly the closing hole, which demands a fine drive over water and between the encroaching fairway bunkers.

Laranjal Course - The latest championship course at Quinta do Lago has been carved out of an orangery by Santana da Silva. Measuring 7,065 yards the par 72 layout consists of well guarded greens that provide a great all year surface and testing narrow fairways. The scenic location is complemented by the beautiful features of the course, umbrella pines, corkoaks, orange trees and five lakes which form part of the water recycling system.

THE LAKE RESORT 5*
Location: Vilamoura, 14 miles NW of Faro

The Lake Resort is an outstanding 5* development, situated at the heart of the popular resort town of Vilamoura.

There are 192 deluxe hotel rooms and suites, in addition to 95 apartments, all featuring private balconies that look down over the private lake, the marina, or the Falésia beach. The hotel's ethos throughout is simplicity combined with luxury, and as such, the rooms are not overly ostentatious, but they are finished with the finest touches like sumptuous bedding and linen, and stunning bathrooms.

For families travelling with small children, parents may appreciate the Koala Entertainment Club and the baby-sitting service, while the excellent facilities and proximity to Vilamoura's endless delights make the Lakes an outstanding luxury option for your next trip to this popular holiday destination.

Golf at the Lake Resort:

Vilamoura - Old Course, Victoria Course, Laguna Course, Millenium Course, Pinhal Course

Quinta do Lago - South Course, North Course

Vale do Lobo  - Royal Course, Ocean Course
Pinheiros Altos Course

SHERATON ALGARVE PINE CLIFFS 5*
Location: Maritendo, in between Albufeira and Vilamoura
 
Surrounded by magnificent pine trees, the Sheraton Algarve Hotel overlooks mile upon mile of unspoiled golden sandy beaches, and is one of the Algarve's most prestigious and exclusive resorts.

The luxury 5* hotel is a fine example of traditional Portuguese architecture, with considerable Moorish influence, while inside you will find a tranquil and airy environment. The hotel has a total of 215 exquisite guest bedrooms, all fully air-conditioned, including a number of opulent suites. The rooms are decorated in a simple, elegant style, but exude pure luxury.

For a special occasion, be sure to choose one of the sea view rooms, from which you can gaze out over the Algarve's famous coastline from the idyllic cliff-top location.

With the legendary nine-hole Pine Cliffs golf course on site, the Sheraton Algarve has it all, and is perfect for a luxury holiday in Southern Algarve.

VALE DO LOBO RESORT
Location: Vale do Lobo, 3 miles SE of Vilamoura
 
The prestigious Vale do Lobo estate is home to two terrific golf courses, whose delightful blend of links and parkland styles make it one of the most attractive and dramatic golfing destinations, not only in the Algarve but in the whole of Europe.

Royal Course - Vale do Lobo's Royal Course is a spectacular cliff-top course, whose iconic 16th hole has effectively become the face of golf in the Algarve. Although it is a par-3, the green is set 238 yards away on the opposite side of a plunging cliff; standing on the tee facing the stunning sandstone cliffs is undoubtedly one of the most exhilarating experiences in world golf. The legendary Henry Cotton's design has been revised by Rocky Roquemore in recent years, and continues to delight visitors year after year.

Ocean Course - The Ocean Course differs greatly to its neighbour; while the cliff-top Royal demands accuracy above all else, the Ocean allows golfers to use their creativity to great effect. Many of the holes run alongside a nature reserve, before the course winds down to the shoreline, where you can enjoy unparalleled views up and down the coast. The Ocean is a combination of two nine hole loops designed by Sir Henry Cotton, and is a gem of a course that will satisfy even the most demanding golfer.

FORMOSA PARK HOTEL & APARTMENTS 4*
Location: Almancil, 5 miles East of Vilamoura
 
On the fringes of the amazing landscape of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and adajacent to the Formosa Park Hotel, lies Pinheiros Altos, and excellent golf course that was originally designed by the American, Ronald Fream for its opening in 1992.

Pinheiros Altos Course - The 6,615 yard layout received a welcome boost when the renowned Peter McEvoy and Howard Swan reworked many of the holes, sharpening up the design and modernizing it to meet the demands of the modern game. The predominant characteristic of Pinheiros Altos is that the two nines are vastly different in character; the outward half winds through the lovely pine trees, traversing the sandy turf of the coastline, while the closing stretch is distinctly more undulating, and is punctuated with a number of challenging water hazards.

Pinheiros Altos is also fortunate to have a fantastic practice centre, helping to underline it as a quality golfing destination, perfect for a round during your next trip to the Algarve.

VILA SOL ALGARVE, RENAISSANCE SPA & GOLF RESORT
Location: Morgadinhos, Vilamoura, 14 miles NW of Faro

Located in some 150 hectares of beautiful landscape, Vila Sol's championship golf complex is one of the most environmentally harmonious in the world, whose efforts culminated with the award of the Green Flag certification by the Green Globe organisation.

Set amid the abundant fauna, animal and plant life, including striking fig and almond trees, Vila Sol has three nine-hole loops which were the first in Portugal to be designed by the renowned architect, Donald Steel, and were chosen to host the PGA European Tour Portuguese Open in 1992 and 1993.

Prime Course - The Prime loop is considered by locals to be the most difficult at Vila Sol, measuring 3,544 yards, where negotiating the tough opening holes requires accurate and powerful driving. The penalties for missing the fairways are severe, so placing the ball strategically from the tee is of paramount importance.

Challenge Course - The Challenge loop - 3,383 yards - is generally known as the back nine of Vila Sol's testing championship layout, but as opposed to the exacting tee shots of the Prime, its main defences are the heavily undulating greens. Be sure to keep the ball below the hole, as putting downhill here can be treacherous to say the least.

Prestige Course - The Prestige is Vila Sol's shortest nine, at 3,367 yards, but is certainly no pushover; while Steel only worked a mere five bunkers into his design, he skillfully manipulated the indigenous features of the land to create a demanding test. The fairways are narrow on the Prestige, so be sure to keep it straight from the tee.

Vila Sol is also home to a comprehensive golf academy, where the lessons and clinics utilise the latest tuition technology, and can be tailor-made to target specific areas of weakness.

DONA FILIPA & SAN LORENZO GOLF RESORT 5*
Location: Vale do Lobo, 3 miles SE of Vilamoura

San Lorenzo Course - San Lorenzo has long been considered by many people to be Portugal's finest course, and is firmly established in the upper echelons of European golf. The course opened in 1988, and was designed by the American architect Joseph Lee.

The fortunate creator was blessed with an unimaginably beautiful blank canvas as San Lorenzo sits in the Ria Formosa nature reserve, a vast park which is home to terrific plant and wildlife species. There are many different styles of golf at San Lorenzo, as you wind through the terrific pines, lakes, and private villas, while the course also works its way out to the coastline.

There are countless spectacular holes, like the third, a par-5 towards the ocean which gets the juices flowing, before the course builds up to a magnificent crescendo with the closing stretch; the 17th is a daunting test, while the closing hole is a classic ‘risk/reward' hole, where the intrepid golfer must strike a good approach shot to reach the spectacular semi-island green.

San Lorenzo's considerable reputation is not for nothing - this terrific course will not disappoint should you visit during your next golf holiday in the Algarve.