Monte da Quinta resort: the Great All-Rounder

In prime Algarve golfing territory, Monte da Quinta resort offers golfing packages with discounts at three Quinta do Lago courses - North, South and Laranjal. The food and service at the resort are superb, and the evening meal on the first night was one of the best I have ever tasted.

However you do not need to eat ‘out', as all the accommodation comes with its own kitchen. My kitchen - only ever used by me for the boiling of water - had a microwave, fridge, oven and hobs. The suite also included a dvd player, and the televisions received a wide range of channels including BBC 1 and 2, Channel 4 and Sky Sports. Thus after my day golfing I was able to sit with a pot of tea watching the test cricket. The Englishman abroad.

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We stayed in the Monte da Quinta Suites, but there are also two and three- bedroom townhouses, and three- to five-bedroom villas. All villas and townhouses have their own swimming pool, however all guests have access to the pool at the clubhouse where there is also a gym and restaurant.

All those staying in the resort can use the facilities at Monte Da Quinta Suites. These include a health club with sauna, massage rooms, gym, indoor heated pool, Jacuzzi, beauty saloon, games room, outdoor swimming pool and children's play area which has a one-to-one babysitting service.

The Monte da Quinta Suites are the latest accommodation to be built at the four-star resort less than half an hour from Faro International Airport. These consist of 80 one-bedroom suites, 48 two-bedroom ones, and four three-bedroom ones.

Amongst the generous array of toiletries and accoutrements in the bathroom was sun cream. An obvious inclusion, but one I cannot remember off-hand finding in any other hotel.

Alongside the soap dispenser in the locker rooms at Laranjal Golf Club, was one of suncream. Again so sensible, but again the first time I can remember encountering it. One hopes that this, along with the friendly and attentive service, translates across to the new clubhouse - the current one is only temporary.

Laranjal is the newest of Quinta do Lago's courses. Much use is made of decorative bunkering - even the driving range has ornamental bunkers. I would have preferred the natural beauty of the undulating landscape of this former orange grove to breathe more naturally, but mine was a minority opinion in our party. However this is a fine course.

I preferred Quinta do Lago's South course which uses the dramatic terrain to good effect, particularly on the early holes of the back nine. The particular strength of the layout of its younger sister, the North, lies in its par 5s cut through natural pine forest.

As well as these three courses, there a five others close by where the resort can arrange tee times on, making Monte da Quinta an ideal base for golfers. Especially those who also like their cricket.

Monte da Quinta, Quinta do Lago, Almancil, Algarve. W: mqclub.com T: + 351 289 008 300

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