Quinta do Lago’s position at the forefront of Portuguese golf has received a glowing new endorsement after being named as Portugal’s best golf resort in an eagerly anticipated new industry list.
Europe’s premier golf, leisure and lifestyle family venue took the coveted number one spot in Golf World’s inaugural poll of the ‘Top 100 Courses and Resorts in Portugal’.
All three of Quinta do Lago’s 18-hole championship golf courses were also ranked inside Portugal’s top-25 courses, with its iconic South Course leading the way in ninth place, while there was further good news for the resort after it was named as a recipient of Golf Digest magazine’s ‘2020 Editors’ Choice Award for the Best Resorts in Continental Europe’ for the sixth successive year.
Set amongst 2,000 acres of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and just 15 minutes from Faro airport, the resort is famous for offering residents and guests a variety of lifestyle pursuits in an unparalleled location, with its array of golf and leisure facilities complemented by a choice of bars and restaurants and accommodation provided at the boutique The Magnolia Hotel.
Announcing its verdict, the Golf World Top 100 panel said: “Quinta do Lago has been transformed as a resort entry by the addition of the Magnolia Hotel. Prior to the acquisition of this cute residence in the heart of the ‘super resort’, the venue relied on villas for its accommodation because the hotels within the town-like complex do not have the same owner as the golf courses.
“Now the picture is different. And while the Magnolia isn’t the biggest or most luxurious hotel in the top 10, we absolutely love it! It has a vibrant atmosphere, neat bedrooms a lively pool area and excellent bar and restaurant. And its gym is world-class.”
Golf World’s list of the best courses in Portugal was compiled by a panel of readers and industry experts, with each venue being assessed in six different categories – design, setting, memorability, playability, consistency and presentation.
An eight-time host of the Portuguese Open, the South Course is a firm favourite with professionals and amateurs and, being rated in the top 10, can expect to rise even higher in the rankings next time with the course set to reopen this autumn following a 7m upgrade.
Hot on its heels in 14th place was Quinta do Lago’s North Course, which was totally revamped by renowned American golf architect Beau Welling in close collaboration with former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley in 2014, while the newest of the resort’s courses, Laranjal, was ranked 22nd.
Quinta do Lago’s combination of world-class golf and lifestyle facilities has won thousands of admirers worldwide over the last five decades, and the resort recently featured in the top three of a poll of the world’s most photographed golf courses to be posted on Instagram.
As well as world-class golf and outstanding practice facilities, guests can stay in shape at The Campus, a world-class sports hub designed for professionals and amateurs alike to keep fit.
Complementing the facilities is a choice of 12 first-class bars and restaurants that deliver a range of delicious world cuisines, including the acclaimed Bovino Steakhouse and recently-opened Dano’s Sports Bar & Restaurant, and accommodation at the boutique The Magnolia Hotel.
www.quintadolago.com