Is Quinta do Lago the best golf resort in Europe?

Quinta do Lago was created by André Jordan in 1972 with the intention of creating a high-end golf resort in a low-density format, rather than the built-up mass tourism developments offered by many other resorts.

After visiting, I can confirm that Jordan succeeded in his venture.

The resort almost feels like a private community more than a traditional resort. It spans a much larger area and offers a plethora of activities.

Quinta do Lago has everything you could want when looking to visit a European golf resort. With three on-site courses, as well as several other venues just around the corner, you’ll never be short of great golf during your visit.

On top of that, there’s also an abundance of facilities and amenities that will keep you entertained and extremely well fed.

There is an enormous sports facility containing two large performance gyms, six tennis courts, four padel courts and a full-sized football pitch, just to name a few of its facilities.

The resort is home to 14 restaurants, each with its own unique flair and style, ranging from a lakeside shack to a high-end Asian fusion dining experience.

There are also two hotels on site: The Magnolia for those seeking a comfortable and more affordable stay; and the Conrad Algarve for those looking for a true five-star experience.

The Golf

The three courses at Quinta do Lago each have their own character and offer a different challenge.

The South Course is the championship venue, having hosted the Open de Portugal eight times on the European Tour. I found this course to be exactly what you’d expect from a layout of such pedigree. I twas long, had challenging tee shots, well-placed bunkers and tricky greens.

Quinta do Lago South Course | Source: Quinta do Lago

Some of the most spectacular holes come on the back nine. In particular the 176-yard par-three 15th. It played over a lake and made even more challenging by the ever-changing wind direction.

Hole 16 is equally impressive – a narrow 350-yard par four with a spectacular approach shot overlooking the lake.

The course features plenty of elevation changes, with uphill and downhill tee shots and approaches into raised and sunken greens. I’d say this course is best suited to golfers looking for a real challenge, with accuracy from the tee being paramount on the majority of holes.

The second course I played was Laranjal, which has a completely different feel to the South Course. The fairways are much wider and more forgiving, and the course features far fewer elevation changes. Many of the holes run side by side, giving you more room to miss the occasional tee shot without immediately reaching into your bag for another ball.

After the South Course, Laranjal felt much more welcoming. It was less about playing your very best and more about enjoying the round. That said, it is far from a hit-and-hope course. The bunkers are cleverly placed and caught me out several times, while water hazards play a much bigger role. The seventh, a long par 5, forced me to carry water three times before I eventually found the greenside bunker.

The final course at the resort is the North Course, a 6,700-yard par 72 that could best be described as the South Course’s little brother. It shares many of the South’s characteristics, including the elevation changes and narrow tee shots, but offers more opportunities for scoring thanks to its larger greens and more straightforward approach shots. Some of the most charming holes come later in the round, particularly the 409-yard par-4 12th, which requires either an excellent drive into a narrow landing area or a sensible lay-up short of a large water hazard.

Quinta do Lago North Course | Source: Quinta do Lago

Overall, the three courses at Quinta do Lago complement each other brilliantly. Each offers a different challenge, keeping golfers of all abilities engaged throughout their stay. It’s no surprise that the resort sits fifth in NCG’s ranking of Europe’s best golf resorts, and I imagine it will remain there for some time.

The Food

Beyond the golf is what I believe truly makes Quinta do Lago shine and sets it apart from many other European resorts.

I was told when I first arrived that there isn’t a bad meal to be had at Quinta. Upon leaving, I have to admit I couldn’t disagree with the statement. Every time I sat down to eat, I left feeling extremely satisfied – and admittedly a little tipsy.

The restaurants that stood out most were Bovino Steakhouse and Umami.

Quinta do Lago Bovino Steakhouse | Source: Quinta do Lago

Bovino will probably be the best meal I eat all year. The lamb croquette and pork belly were immaculate starters, and once the main course arrived I couldn’t believe how difficult it was to choose a favourite cut of steak, as every option was exceptional.

Umami is the resort’s most high-end restaurant, serving an exquisite seven-course Asian fusion tasting menu. As someone who has always claimed not to enjoy seafood, I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved both the shrimp tempura and the bluefin tuna.

The Facilities

Coming off just two hours’ sleep and a 3am wake-up, naturally the first thing you’d want to do is spend an hour playing padel in 30-degree heat, followed by another hour in a golf fitness class.

As unappealing as that might sound, it was actually enormous fun. It blew away the cobwebs from the flight while also giving me a great introduction to Quinta’s outstanding sports complex – The Campus.

The whole campus at Quinta do Lago | Source: Quinta do Lago

The Campus is a huge facility with something for everyone. The tennis and padel courts give visitors the chance to enjoy something a little more fast-paced than golf, while the gym is both enormous and exceptionally well equipped. So much so, in fact, that it has hosted elite sports teams including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and the British & Irish Lions.

With all of that at your fingertips, there is really no excuse for having to loosen your belt after a visit to Quinta do Lago.

The Verdict

If I had to describe Quinta do Lago in a few words, I’d say: the full package.

Not only does the resort boast a brilliant selection of golf courses and hotels, but it also offers an outstanding collection of restaurants and a world-class sports facility for those who are fed up with missing their birdie putts.

If you’re looking for all of that in one trip, the answer is surely Quinta do Lago.