QDL’s OFFERS
“We took a spin around the Campus, QDL’s latest addition and I considered, if only momentarily, even I could go for a bit of training. ”
The Campus is a state-of-the-art performance and innovation station built for athletes, teams, sports enthusiasts... and the rest of us.
This premier multi-sports hub has put the pep back into Quinta do Lago. Padel's perennially popular: tennis too! Kids have all sorts of organised camps for football, rugby, tennis & golf while professional teams show up for winter training.
ELITE ASPIRATIONS
“Their motto here is ‘Be Elite, Whatever your Level’. There’s hope for me yet!”
The QDL community has long been popular with soccer celebs such as Frank Lampard, Michael Owen and Alan Shearer. Dragons' Den star Peter Jones owns a villa here while Chris Evans and Holly Willoughby are regulars.
The addition of the new Campus sports facility is attracting a younger set of elite athletes and they’re deciding to stay. If you’re going to put your considerable sports earnings into real estate, it seems QDL is the place to do it!
Some of the villas overlooking the golf courses are outstanding, as is their cost! We took a look at apartments for rent across from the Campus at around €600 per night. To purchase such an apartment could be as much as €7 million.
But that’s one of the many appeals of Quinta do Lago. The ability to mix such ‘high-end’ residents with us mere ‘normies’ makes Quinta do Lago a great, all-encompassing destination.
RESTAURANTS
João Carraco, the in-house mixologist conjures up a super-citrusy concoction
You don’t ever have to leave. There are no less than 14 restaurants within the estate covering just about every type of dish you could wish for. We tried Bovino Steakhouse with João Carraco, the in-house mixologist, whetting our appetite with a super citrusy concoction. The main meal was all the better for it, matched with some appreciable wines!
Casa do Lago is QDL’s al Fresco restaurant. I didn’t eat there this time but have fond memories of its delightful lakeside setting with fabulous fresh seafood, salads and grilled meats.
Also we tried Umami, the 13th restaurant in Quinta do Lago presenting robatayaki or robata cuisine, seafood, veg or meat done over a hot charcoal barbecue. You can have sushi and sashimi accompanied by Sake-infused cocktails for the full experience.
Bovino Restaurant
WHEN TO COME
Take note, the months of May and October are busy with groups not necessarily from QDL but from the surrounding areas of Vilamoura eager to sample arguably the best courses in the area.
QDL isn’t your typical Algarve guys’ golf getaway. For that, Vilamoura and Western Algarve might suit you better. But for those who want top-quality golf in an impeccable environment with supreme levels of service, this is probably the best deal on this coast!
The Magnolia offers good package prices with golf on the North and Laranjal but you need to add on at least two rounds on the South course to feel really satisfied. My ideal 5-day getaway with 4 rounds would be North and Laranjal along with two on the South to savour one of the best courses on the Algarve, if not all of Europe!
DRIVER of DISTINCTION
Ex-tour pro Antonio ‘Tó’ Rosado at the wheel.
In a delightful twist to my tale, I waited on my transfer from QDL to Faro Airport to be picked up by ex-tour pro Antonio ‘Tó’ Rosado, who’s now working as a driver for one of the upmarket car firms. Tó did well on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa before returning to his native Algarve. Tó knows a lot of the golf guys in Madeira so it was great to catch up with him.
