If there were only 2 things that made Vilamoura one of the best destinations for golf trips it would have to be the combination of such a wide range of golf courses and the vibrant nightlife.
Vilamoura itself is about 30 minutes transfer from Faro Airport and with flights from most major airports in the UK , a flight time of under 3 hours and routes serviced by low cost airlines The Algarve is so easy to get to from the UK. In fact many of our golf groups will play on arrival and departure day depending on flight times.
From a nightlife perspective Vilamoura is lively and most of the action is centered around the Marina. Here you will find a host of bars and restaurants together with a casino and plenty of late night hotspots.
Vilamoura has accommodation options to suit all tastes. In the town itself most of the hotels are around the Marina area. One of the most iconic hotels in Vilamoura is The Tivoli Marina – as the name suggests it sits right on the Marina. This is a 5* option, so not the cheapest accommodation option in town but is a great choice for guests who want to stay in the centre of the nightlife, in a top hotel. Tivoli do not own any golf courses so this is a good option for guests who want to play at the best golf courses in the area without the benefit of ‘resident rates’. Room rates start from around £70 per person per night and rise to around £180 per person per night in high season.
For more budget concious guests there are 4 great hotel options also around the marina area.
Dom Pedro own 2 hotels in town and also own the 5 golf courses that are nearest to town. Residents staying at either Dom Pedro Vilamoura or Dom Pedro Marina can take advantage of discounted green fees at the 5 golf courses. In addition Dom Pedro have introduced The Dom Pedro Experience giving guest this opportunity to play 1 round for each nights stay at any of the 5 golf courses. If these are your preferred golf courses this is without doubt the best value option. Room rates start at around £34 per person per night rising to £110 per person in high season
Also within the town centre are the best 2 value hotels for guests who do not want to be restricted to perhaps only playing at the 5 Dom Pedro courses but would like to venture further afield to perhaps also play at Quinta do Lago or Vale do Lobo. The Vila Gale Marina and Vila Gale Ampalius are both within walking distance of the Marina and all of the town centre bars and restaurants. Room rates start at around £33 per person per night rising to £82 per person in high season
There are a number of 5* resorts which offer heavily discounted rates to golf tour operators and which can only be used when being sold alongside green fees. Some of our favourites include :-
Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort represents one of the most luxurious way to experience the charm of Vilamoura and its surrounding golf courses. This is one of, if not the top resort in the Vilamoura Area with a fabulous position overlooking the prestigious Victoria Golf Course
The Lake Resort offers a private sea water lake and a unique natural sand bottom pool like you’ve never seen. Wander through the unmatched gardens designed with plants from the five continents, have fun in one of the three large swimming pools or just relax by the private lake.
Hilton As Casactas features lake-style outdoor pools with waterfalls and an extra-large futuristic spa. Pinhal Golf Course is on the hotel’s doorstep and Vilamoura Old Course is 5 minutes’ drive away.
For guests that prefer to ‘stay & play’ at a golf resort with the course right on the doorstep of the accommodation we recommend 3 options
Pestana Vila Sol almost certainly represents the lowest price deal to the Vilamoura area. A 3 night 2 round package starts at around £50 per person per night rising to around £100 per person per night in high season to – bed, breakfast and a round of golf !! – perfect if you want to stay in the middle of the action on a 5* Golf Resort at Pestana Vila Sol.
Venturing a little further from town the resort area of Vale do Lobo – about 20 minutes from Vilamoura Marina area – is host to 2 golf courses. Accommodation at the resort is apartment style with a 3 night 2 round break for 4 guests sharing a 2 bedroom apartment starts at around £95 per person per night rising to around £130 per person per night in high season.
Furthest away from the centre of town is Amendoeira Resort. About 40 minutes from the centre of Vilamoura this is a great option for guests who prefer a more tranquil setting with 2 top class golf courses on resort. Accommodation at the resort is apartment style with a 3 night 2 round break for 4 guests sharing a 2 bedroom apartment starts at around £120 per person per night rising to around £300 per person per night in high season.
We mentioned the Vale do Lobo area earlier and for guests that prefer hotel accommodation the centre of the resort plays host to one of the most well known hotels in the Vilamoura area the 5* Dona Filipa. Perhaps a little surprisingly the hotel does not own the courses at Vale do Lobo so there are no ‘resident rate’ green fees available on The Royal or Ocean golf courses. However the hotel does own San Lorenzo and Pinheiros Altos and free golf id offered at both courses to guests staying at Dona Filipa. Room rates start at around £85 per person per night rising to £150 per person in high season.
Just ‘up the road’ for Vale do Lobo is the resort area of Quinta do Lago – about 30 minutes to Vilamoura Marina. The resort area plays host to 3 golf courses under the same ownership as one of the most quirky hotels on The Algarve – The Magnolia Hotel is a boutique hotel on the doorstep of Quinta do Lago. Paying homage to the iconic vintage motel, The Magnolia brings a taste of Palm Springs to the Algarve. Guests staying at The Magnolia receive resident rate green fees at Quinta do Lago North , South and Laranjal golf courses. Room rates start at around £42 per person per night rising to £100 per person in high season.
Completing our accommodation choices in the Vilamoura area is Wyndham Grand Algarve Resort. The Resort is located on one of Portugal’s largest golfing resorts – Vale do Lobo – within walking distance of the first tee !. This recently renovated all-suite luxury resort has a spa with an indoor pool and offers well-appointed accommodation, with all the mod cons. These are probably the largest rooms available in the area. Room rates start at around £45 per person per night rising to £140 per person in high season.
The nearest courses to the centre of Vilamoura are all owned by Dom Pedro. For guests who would prefer to play a combination of these golf courses we would recommend The Dom Pedro Experience. This offers guests the opportunity to play at any of the 5 golf courses for each nights stay at either of the Dom Pedro hotels in town.
Dom Pedro Old Course is the grand old lady of all courses in Vilamoura and is still one of our favourites. The course finds itself situated amongst impressive pine trees and set out over gently undulating terrain. There can be no argument that, for all who are lucky enough to play here, this is a golf course that lives long in the memory. Rack rate green fees start at around £130 rising to around £165 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
Dom Pedro Victoria is the home of the Portuguese Masters. At the time of creation, the Victoria Golf Course was hailed as the most ambitious golf project Portugal had ever witnessed. Designed by true golfing legend, Arnold Palmer, there is absolutely no doubt that it has lived up to that lofty billing. Rack rate green fees start at around £130 rising to around £165 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
Dom Pedro Millennium is adjacent to Victoria. Boasting a unique position within the Vilamoura portfolio, it is often asserted that the creation of the Millennium Golf Course was pivotal in cementing the status of this region as one of Europe’s most-visited and best-loved for golf. Rack rate green fees start at around £85 rising to around £115 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
Dom Pedro Pinhal was second golf course to call Vilamoura home, Pinhal Golf Course was opened for play in 1976 and owes its personality to both the original designer Frank Pennink, who also turned his hand to The Old Course Golf Club nearby, and Robert Trent Jones Sr., who made a number of significant refinements in 1985. Rack rate green fees start at around £85 rising to around £115 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
Dom Pedro Laguna has earned a reputation as being a somewhat unique offering within the Vilamoura golf portfolio. While its many water hazards and few trees set it apart, it truly finds its individuality in the number of holes which convey characteristics of a traditional links layout. The course has been extensively re-developed and has been closed for much of 2020 and 2021. Rack rate green fees start at around £85 rising to around £115 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
It is hard to choose which is the best of the 3 courses at Quinta do Lago but in our opinion the South Course just about edges it. The best value way to play the Quinta do Lago courses is to book a stay & play package at The Magnolia Hotel.
Quinta do Lago South is a championship standard course designed in 1974 by American architect William Mitchell, who first helped the Algarve to carve out American style golf courses. Referred to as the “crown jewel” of Quinta do Lago. Rack rate green fees start at around £130 rising to around £160 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
Quinta do Lago North displays features typical to the Algarve – fairways which are sheltered by lines of pine trees, complemented by bunkers and a fair few water hazards. Rack rate green fees start at around £130 rising to around £160 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
Laranjal Golf Course makes up part of the Quinta do Lago collection of golf courses, complementing Quinta do Lago’s north and south courses. Along with the south course, Laranjal is a championship standard course – players can expect stunning undulating fairways, pine trees and lakes aplenty. Rack rate green fees start at around £130 rising to around £160 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
There are 2 courses within the Vale do Lobo resort area – the Royal and The Ocean.
Vale do Lobo Royal is home to the world famous 16th hole. This is a par 3 which runs alongside the beach, requiring a tee shot lofted over a clifftop. The view from the 16th tee is one of the most recognisable photos in all of golf, and is certainly a highlight for all who play the course. Rack rate green fees start at around £90 rising to around £120 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
Vale do Lobo Ocean was designed by Sir Henry Cotton in 1972, the complete par 73 course was opened in 1985. The front nine is played inland, before the 11th hole reveals a fairway running straight down to the beach. Rack rate green fees start at around £90 rising to around £120 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
San Lorenzo Golf Course is tucked away in the beautiful south-eastern corner of Quinta do Lago. With great views of the Atlantic, it meanders through natural lakes located in the Ria Formosa estuary. The course, from above, can be seen as a figure-of-eight. The best value green fees are available to guests staying at the 5* Dona Filipa in Vale do Lobo. Rack rate green fees start at around £190 throughout the year. We can secure discount (or even free !!) green fees depending on the package booked.Rack rate green fees start at around £95 rising to around £140 in peak season. We can secure discount (or even free !!) green fees depending on the package booked.
Pinheiros Altos is a 27 hole course featuring three groups of nine holes, which can be played in any combination to make up 18. This choice makes it a course which can be played to the difficulty desired by the golfer. Rack rate green fees start at around £95 rising to around £140 in peak season. We can secure discount (or even free !!) green fees depending on the package booked.
Vila Sol is located next door to the Vilamoura Holiday Resort area. The architects of this course have carefully maintained the original topographical nature of this undulating terrain. Changes when necessary have been kept to a minimum to preserve the natural state of the countryside. Rack rate green fees start at around £75 rising to around £100 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked – at some times of the year a stay & play package can be lower cost than the green fee alone !!
The Faldo Course at Amendoeira, as its name would suggest was designed by Sir Nick Faldo with strategic play in mind this 6598m Par 72 championship course demands careful positioning to score well. Rack rate green fees start at around £150 rising to around £185 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
The O Connor Course was designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr., this course complements the neighbouring Faldo Course and also takes full advantage of being situated in a fertile valley. Its various water features, both lakes and watercourses that are spread throughout the entire course. Rack rate green fees start at around £150 rising to around £185 in peak season. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.
And perhaps leaving the best till last ! Not strictly Vilamoura but an hours transfers East towards the Spanish border brings you to Monte Rei – consistently voted the No.1 golf course in Portugal and a must play on every golfers bucket list.
Monte Rei is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and has been challenging players of all abilities and handicaps from across the world since 2007. Set against the backdrop of the Serra do Caldeirão mountains to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, the 7182 yard, par 72 course blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Wide forgiving fairways weave through mature trees and valleys, creating a unique test on every hole alongside spectacular vistas. Rack rate green fees start at around £170 rising to around £220 in peak season, including a shared buggy. We can secure discount green fees depending on the package booked.