Quinta do Lago, one of the most prestigious sport and lifestyle destinations, has further strengthened its world-renowned reputation by climbing to an impressive fifth place in Golf World’s ‘Top 100 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe 2018’ rankings.
The exclusive resort on the sun-kissed Algarve rose four places in the respected list following this year’s refurbishment of the chic 74-bedroom Magnolia Hotel, which now offers visitors a first-class, yet affordable, accommodation option with a range of stay-and-play options.
In ranking it so highly, Golf World said: “We’ve always been a fan of this grand resort on the outskirts of Vilamoura. With two courses in our most recent Golf World Top 100 Courses Continental Europe ranking, and a third that could genuinely compete for inclusion, the quality of the golf offering has never been in question.
“In our inaugural European resorts ranking in 2016, we docked them a few points because, while there are numerous hotel options on the expansive property, at the time, Quinta do Lago actually only owned villa accommodation.
“We felt this detracted a little from the intimate ‘resort’ experience many golfers want. This has all changed now with the addition of the new Magnolia Hotel. The resort has modern boutique accommodation of the highest quality that also includes a selection of suites and cottages.
“The resort also recently opened a new state-of-the-art multisport hub, The Campus, which offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor leisure facilities. Quinta do Lago remains a fantastic place to play golf and be as relaxed or as active as you want.”
Quinta do Lago is famed for its highly acclaimed three 18-hole championship courses, practice facilities, including the TaylorMade Performance Centre – the only one in southern Europe – and the Paul McGinley Academy.
The iconic and eye-catching South Course, host of the Portuguese Open on eight occasions, continually features strongly in the world golf rankings and is considered by many to be the jewel in the Quinta do Lago crown.
The North Course – redesigned in the autumn of 2014 by renowned American designer Beau Welling and former victorious European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, at a cost of €9.6 million – has just been nominated in the Publituris Travel Awards, known as the Oscars of Tourism in Portugal, 2018 Best Golf Course section.
And the scenic par-72 Laranjal, which winds its way through orange groves, won Portugal’s Best Golf Course of 2011 at the Portuguese Travel Awards thanks to its pristine fairways and immaculate greens.
But it is not just the golf that has seen Quinta do Lago rocket to number five in the rankings as the resort, positioned in the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park and just 15 minutes from Faro airport, is home to an array of fine restaurants and world-class leisure facilities.
Among the dining options are the award-winning Bovino Steakhouse, famed for its prime steaks, and Casa do Lago, which serves the finest fish and other delicious Mediterranean dishes, all on a lakeside setting complete with outside terrace, pool and fire pit.
And Quinta do Lago’s commitment to continually ensure it is a leader in its field, has seen the conclusion of the new multi-million-pound Campus – a 45,000 sq foot, world-class sports hub that is designed for athletes of all levels.
The Campus boasts a fully-equipped multisport training, performance, recovery, rehabilitation, aquatic and hydrotherapy centre, as well as top-of-the-range acrylic and synthetic clay and padel courts, while the high-tech Desso Hybrid Grassmaster pitch has already attracted some of the biggest professional football clubs in the world this year as part of their training camps.
ENDS
About Quinta do Lago
Since its inception in 1972, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of international golf, hosting eight Portuguese Opens as well as numerous other international tournaments. Home to three world-class golf courses, the resort also boasts a wealth of cutting-edge practice facilities.
- Quinta do Lago North Course – Opening in October 2014, the totally revamped North Course has been redeveloped by renowned American golf architect Beau Well in close collaboration with 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and is set to become one of the new stars of European golf. The new layout has been built to the highest specifications with a €9.6m investment programme and has been redeveloped with the emphasis firmly on precision and strategy. While many modern-day developments tend to focus on length, Welling and McGinley have been keen to design a golfing experience where accuracy and course management are the key factors, and a course that is playable and fun for golfers of all abilities.
- Quinta do Lago South Course – A favourite among European Tour professionals, the South Course calls for accurate drives and precise shots, but rewards players for their efforts with the stunning backdrop of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Regularly included in Golf World magazine’s ‘Top 100 Golf Courses in Europe’, the par-72 layout has received widespread praise for its strategically-placed hazards and varying difficulty across the 18 holes. Having hosted the Portuguese Open on no fewer than eight occasions, the South Course is regarded as one of Portugal’s premier golfing venues.
- Laranjal – Designed in the grounds of an orange grove, the par-72 course was named as Portugal’s Best Golf Course 2011 at the Portuguese Travel Awards and poses serious tests for players of all abilities. Opened in 2008, Laranjal offers a pure golfing experience right next to the Quinta do Lago estate and features fairways sown with Bermuda grass, providing a challenging playing environment in a picture-perfect setting.
- Paul McGinley Academy – Quinta do Lago is home to the only Paul McGinley Academy in the world, founded in October 2011 by Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup captain. With a strong involvement from McGinley himself, who is a regular visitor to the resort, the academy aims to cultivate and improve golfers’ play by providing them with the tools and techniques used on the professional Tours. The academy focuses especially on younger players, working in collaboration with local schools and is the perfect way to follow in the footsteps of the pros.
- TaylorMade Performance Center – Quinta do Lago’s TaylorMade Performance Centre is the only facility of its kind in Portugal and is located on the resort’s expansive driving range. Opened in May 2013, the centre is operated by trained TaylorMade technicians, offering golfers a custom-fitting experience testing hundreds of club and iron options, ensuring the best combination for every player’s swing. It also has a fully-equipped Tour standard workshop and utilises FlightScope X2 radar technology to measure the entire flight of the ball from impact to landing whilst displaying its 3D trajectory in real time.
Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park and located just 15 minutes from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago offers residents and guests an unparalleled location benefiting from a year-round temperate climate, a variety of lifestyle pursuits and a strong sense of community.
For more information on Quinta do Lago and its facilities, call + 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com