A Luxury Leisure Experience
With Portugal now officially on the travel green list, Craig Hough took a trip to the heart of the Algarve to visit Four Seasons Fairways in Quinta do Lago
The wait to travel is finally over. After months of working from home and treading the same ground just to ‘get your steps in’, the government’s recent announcement has given plenty of reason to cheer. Portugal is ready and waiting to welcome UK visitors again. To celebrate my partner’s birthday, we took a short 3 hour flight for a pre-lockdown break in Quinta do Lago to stay in one of the Algarve’s most prestigious villa resorts.
Four Season Fairways
Nestled within the privacy and security of the stunning Ria Formosa nature reserve, lies Four Seasons Fairways. After a short 20 minute car journey from Faro airport we arrived at the private villa resort to be greeted by warm weather and a friendly team. The resort is home to 132 colonial style villas and apartments set in beautifully landscaped gardens with each featuring its own pool or jacuzzi, terrace or garden area and outdoor BBQ/cooking station – perfect for hosting family and friends.
The Clubhouse
Before walking to our villa, we stopped at the Clubhouse to enjoy a drink by the outdoor pool to wind down from the flight. The Clubhouse area is the main hub of the resort and has recently gone through a €2m renovation to create the perfect environment to work out, dine and unwind. It’s home to a heated indoor and outdoor pools, creche, snooker room, wine cellar, fully equipped gym, treatment rooms and cleverly designed indoor-outdoor bar where you can kick back and relax in the most peaceful atmosphere.
Accomodation
We took a leisurely walk to our villa so we could take in all the sights of the stunning landscaped gardens. En route, we found a bench that overlooked the immaculately kept golf course, so took five minutes to relax and spectate. There was a great deal of relaxing on this trip. Arriving at our new home for the week, we marvelled at the vibrant interior décor. The cupboards were stocked with items we had pre-ordered before our flight, meaning there was no need to rush to the on-site convenience store. The villas at Four Seasons Fairways have recently gone through an extensive refurbishment blending authentic Portuguese style with a modern décor and furnishings, new state-of-the-art kitchens and lighting design that is both functional and atmosphere- enhancing. Fresh blues and greens bring the beauty of the outdoors into the living space. Portugal’s history and culture has been the major inspiration for the design including the discovery journeys in the XV century, poems from Luis de Camões and the Fado singing, remembering Amalia Rodrigues. The sea, the sky and the typical azulejo are also present in the blue colour scheme in the lounge. Designer furniture, granite bathrooms, bespoke artwork and custom interior fittings personalise each villa in individual, comfortable and stylish fashion. The focus is on easy living, relaxation and a home from home villa lifestyle, a lifestyle we swiftly eased into, spending every evening unwinding in the jacuzzi looking up at the stars.
Food and Drink
The Clubhouse is also home to VIVO Bistro & Cocktail Lounge and Amara, an intimate restaurant offering Portuguese traditional food with contemporary cuisine. If you are after a more private dining experience, you can make use of the recently launched ‘Drop & Scoff’ food delivery service, an enhancement to their already popular take-away service (which we were quick to sample on our first evening). You can now order food and beverages from the resorts VIVO Bistro & Cocktail Lounge delivered straight to your villa - they drop, you scoff! You can start the day by ordering in some traditional pastel de nata, French toast and perhaps their Feta, Cheese and Rocket or Wild Berry Breakfast Bowls accompanied by a fresh juice, smoothie, tea or coffee. Lunch dishes include Gazpacho, Piri-Piri Prawns, a mouth-watering salad selection including Thai Roast Beef and Tuna. Dinner options include Foie Gras Ganache, Oysters, Smoked Salmon Millefeuille or local Ria Formosa Clams, Octopus ‘a Lagareiro’, Crispy Monk Fish Thai Green Curry, Lamb Wellington, Slow-Cooked Pork Tenderloin, Mushroom Risotto, Avocado with Grilled Tiger Prawns Salad. Or, if you’d prefer to cook at your leisure on your very own outdoor BBQ, the resort also offers DIY BBQ Packs with a choice of meat or fish to cook at your villa.
Family First
It’s not just the parents that Four Seasons Fairways look after – a new crèche service has recently been launched for 6 months old babies and toddlers up to 2 years old and the revamped kids club for children aged 3 to 12 years, meaning parents can enjoy time on the golf course, in the spa or taking in the sun, safe in the knowledge their little ones are being well looked after. The kids club runs a weekly activity programme from Monday to Friday during school holidays. Indoor activities include painting, baking, Disney cinema afternoons, treasure hunts, paper creations, face painting and so much more. The resort also offers outdoor excursions such visiting the water sports academy, miniature golf and karting during school holidays.
Leisure
One of the main attractions of the Algarve (other than the 3,000 plus hours of sunshine each year) is its 31 golf courses to test even the most ardent player. High profile names such as Ant and Dec, Tiger Woods and José Mourinho have been seen golfing in the area. Quinta do Lago has been home of the Portuguese Open for many years and rated as one of Europe’s ten best courses. These courses meander through the spectacular 2000 acre estate and afford delightful views of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, providing a solid test of golf for players of all levels of ability. If golf is not your thing, Four Seasons Fairways also boasts two tennis courts where you can brush up on their racket, fitness and court movement skills with the professional tennis coach. For those that enjoy lower intensity sports, yoga and tai chi are available. Bikes can be hired to explore the local area as the resort is conveniently located close to a stunning stretch of beach.
Personal Note
If you are the kind of person that enjoys a relaxed, peaceful, environment, warm hospitality, surrounded by natural beauty with varied leisure facilities and services on offer then Four Seasons Fairways is the break for you. With Portugal now on the green list, it’s the perfect time to book your stay and start creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Active Living Programme
This year, Four Seasons Fairways are promoting their ‘Active Living Programme’, which will be fronted by Skeleton Olympic Gold Medallist, Amy Williams MBE and guests will have a chance to join her out in the Algarve. From 21st – 28th November 2021, Amy will lead stretch and mobility classes in the grounds of the resort, HIIT, Full Body Burn, Core and Abs sessions and you’ll have the opportunity to join her for a bike tour along the Ria Formosa as well as taking to the water for a Kayak Safari.
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