Albufeira has secured its place as Portugal’s second most popular tourist destination, just behind Lisbon.
Growth is reported to be continuing, including in the low season, highlighting the all-round potential of the area for Scottish holidaymakers.
No surprise then that 3HB Hotels are building in both locations and their new properties will be open next year, one a five-star resort hotel in the Algarve and the other a city centre offering in the Capital.
Sabrina Lemos confirmed that the new hotels would bring their portfolio up to eight with six hotels already operating in the Algarve.
The Faro hotel is only ten minutes from the airport and most holidaymakers, from my recollection, pick up their luggage and head off along the motorway, but they should take time to visit according to Sabrina.
Faro, population 61,000, is, she said, “a beautiful place”.
They also have beach hotels and she painted a verbal picture: “If you are sitting on the balcony of one of our hotels, the 140-room, five-star, Falesia Beach, which just opened this year, drinking a glass of wine, you have the perfect holiday destination.”
The company boast big rooms, suites, amenities, locations, gym facilities, swimming pools, and the costs vary depending on what people are looking for. She said: “Portugal is the place to be.”
The Highgate group have 14 properties across Portugal including Lisbon and Porto and in the Algarve. They also own the Sesimbra Oceanfront which is next to the Serra da Arrabida National Park, and the luxury lifestyle, Kimpton Atlantico in Algarve, which opened this year and is described as a “perfect getaway for couples”.
Highgate also boast the Cascade Wellness Resort in the Algarve which has “a unique cliff-top location” of 38 hectares including two FIFA football pitches, tennis courts and an indoor gym. It is described as being “perfect for families” with a children’s pool, kids club and playground. A range of suites, apartments and villas are available.
Asked what would be the biggest pull for a potential guest, and Mariana Rocha, leisure sales manager, said: “Location, first point, big rooms, nice prices. In the north you can see a lot of culture, like history, in the south we have resort hotels.”
As regards food, in most of their hotels guests receive what Mariana called a “unique Portuguese experience”.
Of course, the Penina Hotel and Golf Resort, set in 360 acres, is the original “home” of golf in the Algarve.
There are two courses, including the first 18-hole championship course in the area, and it was designed by English golfer, Henry Cotton, winner of three Open titles.
The hotel is a luxury five-star establishment and it is described as being “perfect for exceptional golf breaks, relaxing family holidays and corporate retreats.”
They also boast the Dona Filipa, set on golden sands at Vale do Lobo, and it is claimed to be one of the Algarve’s leading five-star hotels. It is “surrounded” by some renowned courses.
There are, of course, villa and apartment holidays and one operator is Garvetur. They have a wide selection.
As regards excursions, AlgarExperience offer yacht charters, private and corporate events plus dolphin spotting, visits to the Benagil Caves, one of Portugal’s iconic natural tourist attractions, and beach barbecues.
Kevin Bispo, chief commercial officer for the company, said that for 80 per cent of the trips you can see dolphins. They also sail along the coastline to view natural rock formations and caves and they work closely with hotels.
Car rental is one way to get around and Mariana of Portuguese firm, Visacar, claimed it is “very easy”. Some motorists, she said, pick a cheap option but that, she said, can lead to surprises.
She said: “We promote transparency and our final price is what you pay.”
The company, started in 1991, allow you to pick up the car at one office or drop off elsewhere. You need driving licence and passport and, in some cases, you need a credit card.
There are no restrictions if you are over 70 and you can rent manual and automatic vehicles.
A standard automatic price would be 30E a day with Visacar and she said: “Some feel an Uber or taxi option is the best, but it is not, and the price of petrol is around 1.50E a litre, but there are fluctuations.”
There are good roads, according to Honorio Teixeira, Visacar’s administrator, who believes the best way to see Portugal is by car and Mariana added: “No crazy drivers.“
Travel fact: from the south to the north of Portugal it takes, by car, 6hr 30mins.
MAIN PICTURE: The garden at the Falesia.
LUXURY: golf and pool at the Dona Filipa in the Algarve
