If you’re planning a trip to the Algarve, the newly reopened Wyndham Grand, a five-star, all-suite hotel, just 30 minutes from Faro airport makes a perfect base …
WHY Portugal is currently riding a new wave of confidence (just one of a handful of EU countries experiencing economic growth) and the annual 300+ days of sunshine is a big attraction for visitors and investors. Quinta do Lago celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. The tax breaks, the weather and active lifestyle aren’t its only draw: just nine per cent of the total land is developed, sustainability is a core principle of the resort’s growth strategy, and biodiversity restoration and farm-to-fork food offerings are a given.
WHO Quinta do Lago’s visionary founder and master planner, André Jordan, located the resort smack in the middle of a 2,000-hectare protected coastal sanctuary, Ria Formosa Natural Park, adjacent to some of the Atlantic’s most beautiful beaches.
WHAT Now, on the Avenida named after him, André Jordan keeps an apartment at the newly reopened Wyndham Grand, a five-star, all-suite hotel, just 30 minutes from Faro airport.
HOW Here, a one, two or three-bedroom luxury suite, with twelve weeks of private usage, still guarantees a choice rental return. Of course, owners can live there as many months of the year as they like, as many golfers do, and non-owners can book a fuss-free holiday break.
THE VIBE In summer, the hotel is full with outdoorsy families heading for the pool, beach and the world-renowned golf courses (North and South Courses, Laranjal) nearby.
FACILITIES The Atlantic is within easy reach for boarders and surfers, while next door, The Campus state-of-the-art sports base to which Wyndam residents have permanent access, offers pro coaches, high-performance swimming, football, cycling, football, Padel and tennis, personal training and recovery and sports rehab, not to mention the Paul McGinley Golf Academy close by. Walkers can enjoy 60km of tracks around the protected coastal sanctuary. But, if your holiday joy is not having to move anywhere, the luxurious and spacious guest suites (with brilliantly equipped kitchens and all mod-cons) are furnished in muted tones of blues, greys and beiges with balconies that open out to gardens. There’s a spa, children’s club and the Oasis poolside café.
DINING While Quinta’s famed restaurants, including the fabulous Bovino, are there to explore, Wyndham Grand’s new destination restaurant, XXL by Olivier, is the latest opening by chef Olivier da Costa, one of the best-known chefs on the Portuguese gastronomic scene whose other restaurants are to be found in Lisbon and Porto, as well as Bangkok, São Paulo, Nice and Rome. This means a superb dining experience is effortless, without so much as a stairs to navigate.
VERDICT Perfect for multi-generational travel with something for everyone. The 132 one, two and three-bedroom luxury private residences are available to purchase from €550,000; www.wyndhamgrandalgarveresidences.com.
