We’ve just returned from our Algarve golf holiday so thought I’d write a quick review about the sights and sounds of Vilamoura. It was a really great trip so thanks to Your Golf Travel for organising it so seamlessly we’ll definitely be rebooking for next year. Everything from the transfers to the golf was great – couldn’t fault it.
We stayed at the Dom Pedro Golf Hotel it’s a good hotel within easy walking distance for the marina. There isn’t really much difference in distance between the Dom Pedro Marina and Dom Pedro Portobello so shouldn’t make much of a difference when people are trying to decide where to stay. The hotel benefits from having the casino next door which is home to the Black Jack nightclub but from firsthand experience its rubbish! Don’t bother!
The hotel offers good facilities but overall is looking a little tired, in need of a refurb and the staff did their best to be as unhelpful as possible. Apart from the odd member of staff that we caught off guard I don’t think we saw anyone smile once. We spoke with the other guests who all agreed that as a ‘golf’ hotel they did their best to distance themselves from anything to do with golf as much as possible.
Most guests we spoke to were comfortable staying here but would not be rushing back in any hurry.
Our first round of golf was at the Oceanico Old Course at Vilamoura (pictured top left). It’s an amazing golf course, not overly long but is a superb layout, it isn’t the hardest course I have ever played but if you play it the right way you can score well. My mate who plays off 4 was 3 over after 18 and could have been under par if not for a hangover!
The marshals did a great job in keeping the speed of play moving, we completed 18 holes in 4 hours 10 minutes and teed off at 15.00 pm where we admittedly finished the last hole in rapidly vanishing light! Staff were superb at the resort and not a bad word to be said about the course as a whole. The Super Bock beer in the 19th was cold so finished off our first days play brilliantly!
Our second day took us to the sensational San Lorenzo golf course (pictured left). The fairways were probably the best I’ve ever played on, they are like carpets. The only disappointing thing was that the greens were getting a little ropey in places and were not nearly as good as Vilamoura Old. It was a shame but possibly not too surprising considering the amount of use they get.
The round was slow we teed off at 14.20 pm and finished at 19.00 pm, there were marshals on the course but there were several large groups on the course in front and it was a slow process.
Our final round was at Vila Sol it’s a great resort, 5* through and through. Hotel, garden rooms and apartments are superb, facilities are excellent and staff really friendly. We were so impressed with this resort and it’s a shame it’s not within walking distance to the marina. It is literally only a couple of minutes by car so I would happily stay here and cab into town.
The nightlife in the marina is lively and well suited for groups. With plenty of bars and restaurants to chose from you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained. Food and drink was surprisingly reasonable. A pint typically cost 3€/3.50€ which I thought was ok although spirits could be expensive in certain clubs – 2 double vodka and cokes cost us 18€! There is a mixture of sports bars (Figo 7 is a favourite), karoke bars, Irish pubs, live bands and strip clubs (so I’m told ;-))!
The final day of our trip was spent watching Sunday at the Portuguese Masters. The Oceanico Victoria course looks brilliant. The course looks like more of a challenge than the Old which makes the winning scores even more impressive. Saw so many of the players either on the course on in bars in the evenings. Notably Graham McDowell smashed out of his face at 3am on Saturday night (must have missed the cut!), Westwood & Clarke having drinks next to us at 11pm, Westwood then went and shot 66 the next day for the win! Perhaps this is the route to success!
For a selection of Vilamoura Golf Holidays, Your Golf Travel.com offers a wide selection of golf breaks starting from £199 including golf and accommodation. For more information call 0800 043 6644.
thanks for the review. The courses look like they’re in great condition for this time of year and with the sun shining I don’t think there is a better place to play golf.