The Magnolia Hotel

The Magnolia Hotel sits on the road to Quinta do Lago, in the countryside near Almancil, between the Algarve’s golf courses and the lagoons of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. It is an upscale, family-friendly hotel that suits travellers who want a calm, green and comfortable base rather than a busy resort town. The setting is the appeal: the park is a minute’s walk away, an 18-hole golf course is next door, and the beach at Quinta do Lago is a short drive. It feels more like a country club than a hotel, and the surroundings are some of the prettiest on this stretch of the coast. The rooms and suites cover a good range, from standard double or twin rooms to superior doubles, suites for three, and family cottages with two bedrooms that sleep up to six. The cottages are especially useful for families and small groups, giving separate sleeping areas and a garden view. The hotel has an outdoor pool with sun loungers and umbrellas, a poolside bar, a terrace and a garden, a playground and an arcade for children. A full-service spa, a health club, a sauna and a steam room provide a quieter side for adults, and a free buffet breakfast is part of the offer, which is a real saving for families. Golfers are well looked after, with the adjacent course, a clubhouse, professional lessons, caddies, carts and equipment hire, and optional golf privileges for guests. Non-golfers can borrow bicycles for free and explore the paths and the park. There is an on-site restaurant, a bar and lounge, free WiFi and free parking, plus a coworking space and meeting room if you need to work.

The Ria Formosa is a protected network of lagoons, salt marshes and sandbanks, and it is one of the best places in the Algarve for birdwatching and quiet walks. Flamingos and other wading birds feed here, and boat trips from nearby towns visit the barrier islands. Quinta do Lago’s beach, reached by a footbridge across the lagoon, is among the finest in the region.

A small shopping centre is a short walk away, Vilamoura and its marina are roughly twenty minutes by car, and the old city of Faro and its airport are about twenty-five minutes away, making arrival and departure easy.

This hotel is a strong choice for golfers, families who like a calm countryside setting, and couples who want comfort and nature without the party scene of Albufeira. It also suits visitors who want to explore the eastern Algarve, with Tavira, Olhão and the Ria Formosa boat trips all within reach by road.

If you want to walk out to a sandy beach and a row of bars, a seafront hotel will serve you better, because you will need a bike, a taxi or a car to reach the sand and the restaurants. If you value space, greenery and a spa, it is hard to fault.