Going for Golf

Monte da Quinta - An unforgettable experience all round

Monte da Quinta Suites

The aquarium lobby is just one of a number of novel touches that will both provoke a smile and contribute to an unforgettable vacation. As well as breathtaking originality, the other defining feature of Monte da Quinta Suites is the extraordinary attention to detail. Little design features here and decorative touches there combine to create a classy environment that is as comfortable as it is unique.

In total there are 132 one, two and three-bed suites. In providing hotel-style facilities while allowing guests a greater degree of flexibility, they appeal to couples, families and groups wanting a little more space and independence. In this regard, the mini kitchenettes have an important role to play.

As well as being refreshingly different and extremely comfortable, the Monte da Quinta Suites are also ideally situated from a golfing point of view. In the heart of the 2,000-acre Quinta do Lago estate, which nestles between the Atlantic Ocean and the Ria Formosa Natural Park about 20km from Faro, there are sufficient great courses within a few minutes’ drive to satisfy even the most fanatical of players.

Renowned championship challenges like Quinta da Lago North and Quinta da Lago South, are right on the doorstep. The recently opened Laranjal is causing a considerable stir while beautiful San Lorenzo is still widely regarded as one of the very best courses on the continent. Choosing a favourite course or courses is extremely subjective. However, I know that if I were fortunate enough to be vacationing in one of the luxurious Monte da Quinta Suites I would spend a disproportionate amount of time very close by at Vale do Lobo where there is a pair of absolute corkers: the Royal and the Ocean.

Sir Henry Cotton ‘discovered’ the Algarve back in the 1960s and recognised more than anyone else the enormous potential that it had as a golfing destination. He provided the inspiration when Vale do Lobo was founded in 1962 and designed the first course. Don’t ask if it was the Royal or the Ocean that he laid out as it was neither and both.

His original layout has been split to form the basis of the two courses. American architect Rocky Roquemore deserves the credit for sensitively developing the Cotton theme and creating the two outstanding courses that are there today.

Although as Constable Dogberry said in Much Ado About Nothing, “comparisons are odorous,” inevitably the question is regularly raised as to which of the two is better. Despite having played both at least a dozen times, I am yet to make up my mind. However, the generally accepted view is that the Royal is marginally superior. The fact that when the Portuguese Open was held here over a composite course in 1993, 13 of the holes were taken from the Royal would seem to support the ‘Royalist’ argument.

Undoubtedly the rolling fairways on the Royal are a lot tighter and put an enormous premium on accuracy. Stray off-line and the chances are you’ll tangle with an umbrella pine, fig tree or worse. The Ocean fairways are more generous and the course could be said to sweep daintily down to the beach. Lovely lakes on both certainly add to the overall visual appeal.

Although there can be legitimate arguments as to which course is superior, there surely can be no disputing which is the greatest hole. Even golfers who have never sipped a Super Bock or been within a 1,000 miles of the Algarve will surely be familiar with the cliff-top, par-three, 16th on the Royal. It’s just 238 yards off the back tees, but the hole simply has to be the most photographed in Portugal and one of the most celebrated images in world golf. Indeed, it is emblematic of golf in the Algarve.

The fact that the hole arrives towards the end of your round helps sustain a certain sense of anticipation. As if in response, the Ocean has a very broadly similar cliff-top, par-three, 15th hole. Significantly shorter and a lot less scary, nevertheless, hitting the green induces an almost audible sigh of relief.

As well as these two famous par-threes, both courses are stuffed with a wonderful range of glorious holes, splendid views and unforgettable challenges all served up in immaculate condition.

The only question is, which is more memorable: fairways or flying fish?