While we may be seeing a softening of the cost-of-living crisis, there’s no doubt that budgets will be tighter for many in 2024. But fear not, an all-inclusive golf break in the Algarve is a cost-effective way to indulge in a spot of golf in the comfort of knowing that all your meals and drinks are included during your trip. In this article, we’ll show you five all-inclusive golf resorts for the perfect break in 2024.
Salgados Palm Village
Located next to Salgados Golf Course, Salgados Palm Village offers the perfect base to explore the golf courses in and around Albufeira including Morgado, Álamos and the Amendoeira Golf Resort.
Palm Village offers an impressive 10 outdoor swimming pools, kids entertainment and is just a stone’s throw from the beach.
There are three dining options including traditional Portuguese, Italian and BBQ, while the two bars onsite serve unlimited drinks daily.
Prices start from €140 per night in the low season, rising to €350 per night in the high season.
São Rafael Suite Hotel
Another gem of a hotel located in Albufeira, São Rafael Suites. Experience unlimited dining and drinks between February and October.
Nearby golf courses include Salgados Golf Course, the charming Balaia Par-3 and the Amendoeira Golf Resort, featuring the Faldo and O’Connor Junior Courses.
Buffet-style restaurants serve a variety of local and Italian cuisine throughout the day and in the evening. Guests can relax at one of the many bars that serve local wines, beers and other alcoholic drinks.
Prices start from €155 in the low season, rising to €425 in the high season.
Vila Galé Lagos
Vila Galé in Lagos provides the ideal location to play some of Lagos’s exquisite golf courses. Nearby, you’ll find Palmares, a stunning 27-hole golf course that offers some of the best links-style golf in the area. Also nearby, you can experience Espiche and Boavista, both excellent golf courses in their own right and well worth visiting during your stay.
There are three restaurants ready to serve guests at Vila Galé on an à la carte basis, serving a range of food from traditional Portuguese to Italian at the newly-opened Pizzaria.
Facilities include an outdoor pool, fitness centre and the decadent Satsanga Spa, perfect for unwinding after a busy day on the golf course.
Prices start from €85 per night in the low season, rising to €175 in the high season.
Dom Pedro Vilamoura
Vilamoura is the golfing mecca of the Algarve, and Dom Pedro is the leading golf operation in the town, running five golf courses in the area.
The central location makes it the ideal hotel to experience the many golf courses Vilamoura has to offer. There are free transfers to and from all Dom Pedro golf courses daily including:
- The Old Course
- Victoria
- Laguna
- Pinhal
- Millennium
Dom Pedro Vilamoura has one restaurant called Olivia that serves a daily buffet offering a mixture of local and international cuisine and the hotel bar serves a range of cocktails, beer and wine.
Prices at Dom Pedro Vilamoura start at €210 per night from May rising to €450 through to September. Bed and breakfast, half and full board options are also available.
Robinson Club Quinta da Ria
Heading further east beyond the town of Tavira lies Robinson Club Quinta da Ria. Rooms are generously appointed, with a mixture of twins, doubles and suites available upon request. Each room is equipped with a generous balcony, perfect for unwinding at the end of the day.
Robinson Club is ideally located for access to both Quinta de Cima and Quinta da Ria golf courses and with the likes of Benamor, Monte Rei and Castro Marim just a short drive away.
Food is served at the hotel’s buffet, offering a wide range of international cuisine and there is an à la carte restaurant available for an additional surcharge.
Prices at Robinson Club Quinta da Ria start from €145 per night in the low season, rising to €350 in the high season.
Considerations when booking all-inclusive
Whilst it’s true that booking an all-inclusive break brings budgetary peace of mind, there are a few things to consider before you book.
Will you be around for your meals?
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks are usually included in an all-inclusive break, but if you’re going to be out on the golf course for the majority of the day, will you be around enough to take advantage of it?
When I stay at an all-inclusive venue, I’ll usually have an early breakfast, then play golf as the sun is rising and be back for a long lunch and relax for the afternoon. If you plan to tee off at 11am, then have a meal at the golf club once you’ve finished, you won’t take advantage of the all-inclusive package, so plan your days accordingly.
Check for food intolerances
The majority of all-inclusive hotels serve meals via a buffet format. If you have food intolerances, or have particular dietary requirements, it’s important to check with the hotel before booking that they can cater for your needs.
There’s not much point in booking an all-inclusive break only to find you can’t eat much of what is being served. Hotels are generally very good at accommodating guests’ needs these days and are improving all the time, but it’s still worth checking.
Conclusion
Booking an all-inclusive golf break in the Algarve is a great way to make your budget stretch. There’s comfort in knowing that there’s no more to pay once you’ve booked your break. The Algarve is blessed with plenty of superb all-inclusive options for golfers and, in this article, I’ve highlighted five of the best. All that’s left is to pack your bags and golf clubs for a relaxing trip.
By Mark Hirst
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Mark Hirst is the founder of Getaway Golfer, a site dedicated to helping people discover the best golf courses and hotels worldwide. His writing has been featured in National Club Golfer, Luxuria Lifestyle and many other publications.
