The Magnolia Hotel

At The Magnolia Hotel, golfers stay beside Quinta do Lago in Almancil, with the three courses of North, South and Laranjal less than a five minute drive away. The setting is deliberately different from the usual Algarve resort, taking its cue from 1950s American roadside hotels, with 74 rooms and seven cabin style cottages behind the main property. It works well as a relaxed base for a few rounds, with scheduled shuttle transport linking golf package guests to confirmed tee times and preferential rates at Quinta do Lago courses and The Campus sporting facilities.

The golf programme gives good scope to vary the stay. A three night break can pair Quinta do Lago South with Laranjal, while longer stays can add North to the schedule, with three rounds across the three courses over five nights or four rounds during a week. There is also a flexible arrangement allowing a round per night on North or Laranjal, without a minimum stay. Tee times govern the final course schedule, while buggies and hire clubs are arranged separately and depend on availability. Players should travel with a valid handicap certificate, as the stated limits are 28 for men and 36 for women.

After golf, the heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room make an easy place to unwind, while the gym is on hand for those keeping to a routine. Rooms come with 300 thread count cotton sheets, a shower, high speed Wi-Fi and international television channels. Choose from first floor Standard Rooms, ground floor Standard Plus Rooms, suites or two bedroom cottages. The Mediterranean restaurant covers dinner close to home, and there is also a cinema, games area with Xbox and table tennis, plus Dutch bikes for getting about. Faro Airport is around 20 minutes away, the nearest beach about seven minutes, and Ria Formosa Natural Park sits alongside the wider Quinta do Lago area.