Fab Quinta do Lago resort in the Algarve offers so much more than golf.

Quinta do Lago translates from Portuguese to English as “Country House of the Lake”, which is certainly grand but simply does not do justice to this absolutely magnificent five-star resort.

- By Tim Bond

Located in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, it styles itself as Europe's “finest golf, leisure and lifestyle resort”, and when visitors first lay their eyes on it, that's hard to disagree with. Expect a scrupulous “Clean & Safe” (certified by Turismo de Portugal) destination nestled in the Formosa Natural Park, a wetland of international importance with a maze of canals, islands, marshes and barrier islands, stretching 38 miles along the Algarve coast.

Guests can also anticipate world-class golf - including the €7million upgraded South Course - amid exquisite restaurants, a premier sports hub, boutique hotel and a glorious sandy beach.

Plus protecting the environment has been a key policy for Quinta do Lago, including nurturing existing nature trails and building on just 9% of its site, leaving the remaining as vast untouched green spaces. Fancy a tour?

Where to stay

The four-star Magnolia Hotel is a boutique property with 74 rooms and seven cottages on the doorstep of the resort.

Inspired by Palm Springs, it pays homage to the mid-century motor-hotel era with relaxed accommodation and amenities including a heated outdoor “Miami-retro” palm-fringed pool area, colourful restaurant, cinema, gymnasium, and spa.

Guests can enjoy poolside events, access the numerous facilities, and head to Atlantic Ocean beaches.

Sporty guests can play tennis, golf and padel, try cycling and kayaking and join in football camps, with much of the focus at the state-of-the-art The Campus multi-sports hub.