Easter luxury in the Algarve

I have recently come back from a weeks’ holiday at the Dounas Douradas Beach Club in the Algarve with a friend, and our 4 children, aged from 5 to 8 years old. The flights from Edinburgh to Faro were great, breakfast time flights which get you to the resort in time for lunch, with no time difference.

I had pre-booked a private transfer for us all, and on arrival at the hotel, check-in was very smooth. The entire Beach Club was spotlessly clean, with very friendly staff, impressive public areas and 3 beautiful pools – overall a very impressive 5 star complex. We had a 3 bedroomed apartment which was overlooking the pool area and the “Clubhouse”. The apartments are all very modern, again, spotlessly clean and very well equipped with everything you would need for a self-catering holiday, but with the option to use the bars and restaurants, as well as the kids club and spa.

We travelled at Easter, so the weather was a bit unpredictable with the first couple of days cloudy. However, the indoor pool was lovely and warm and the kids loved it. From June onwards there is a beach bar and sunbeds on the beach, which is a couple of minutes stroll over the boardwalk. When the sun did come out after a couple of days it was a perfect 28 degrees, and we really enjoyed the outdoor pools, however they are not heated, so at the beginning of the season it was an invigorating dip to cool off!

If I was going to this area again I would hire a car, at least for a few days, to make trips to the supermarket easier. Although you could eat in the restaurants for your entire stay, it was handy to have some things in the apartment too but there was no supermarket within walking distance. We did eat out, and would highly recommend Maria’s Restaurant on the beach, which is a very popular spot, so booking is definitely required. Excellent food and drink, a very friendly host, topped off by live music made a very pleasant Sunday afternoon!

There are plenty of world-class golf courses within a short drive, including Pinheiros, San Lorenzo and Quinto do Lago. The Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy is also a 5 minute drive away, so there are plenty of options for the energetic. There is a choice of water parks in the area, however we were a bit early in the season as they don’t open until June. We took a taxi into Villamoura one evening and enjoyed a lovely dinner of seafood overlooking the luxury yachts in the harbour.

I would really say that the Algarve, and this luxury resort in particular, offers something for everyone, with great service, lovely weather and an easy journey from the UK! If you would like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.