Quinta do Lago

In 2022, Quinta do Lago marked its 50th anniversary. Over the years, the resort has become a place where the quality of life is a testament to the proximity to nature, and also an active, outdoor lifestyle. Recently, following a €7 million upgrade, the South Course was crowned Best Golf Course in Portugal at the World Golf Awards. Above all, the unique history of Quinta do Lago is one that lives on in every corner of the resort today, promoting health, family, and also a connection to nature. In addition an award-winning and world-renowned destination for luxury living, the resort is a fabulous destination where families can enjoy life in a secure environment.

How it began

The story began in 1972 inspired by Brazilian property developer, André Jordan. It was his vision, that consequently cemented the future of the Algarve’s leading resort. “It was a day I will never forget,” Jordan recalls. “I sat on the hill, looked across the marshlands and I had a vision of what would become the Quinta do Lago Master Plan.”  That hill is now the home of the refined Casa Velha restaurant. 

Back then it was just a crumbling 300-year-old farmhouse, inhabited by Maria and her husband José. “Sometimes when you look at a property you have an instant view of what you are going to do,” Jordan says. “There was no road access to Quinta do Lago, so I had to drive along trails and through pine woods until I came to a high point overlooking it, with the ocean on the horizon. Within 10 minutes I had the concept for the whole project in my mind. I wanted to create a high-quality resort that reflected local character and style.”

Hard times

Meanwhile, as he went about making his plan, Portugal was about to enter political turmoil. Seemingly not the right time to invest in a huge golf and real estate resort, however, he continued with his dream. Consequently, the initial and successful phase, from 1972 to 1974, saw the opening of a resort’s first facilities and also accommodation: Casa Velha; 20 timeshare two-bedroom apartments, the Pony Club disco, a tennis club, a horse riding centre, a bridge across to the beach, the manmade lake and also the completion of 27 holes of golf. During this time the resort welcomed the first guests, quickly gaining a reputation as ‘the’ place to be and also featuring in several international publications.

However, as the resort began to boom, the military coup of April 25 1974 began resulting in a revolution that started a chain of events and in short stopping any further development. Following the nationalisation of the banks, the resort was taken over by the state and Jordan returned to Brazil. As a result, there were very few visitors and no sales, so the resort was left in the hands of the works committee (around 300 workers with very few resources and low wages). Most importantly their efforts helped keep the resort going, ensuring its golfing reputation was upheld.

Golf

From the beginning, golf was the vision and didn’t disappoint. The William F Mitchell’s initial 27-hole layout (today’s South Course and part of the current North Course) paved the way for the first golfing accolade when it was chosen to hold the Portuguese Open in 1976.  The tournament and its success presented an unrivalled achievement for the resort. At the time the future of the tournament was uncertain, however, with the efforts of the resort and the Portuguese Golf Federation it was able to go ahead. At the time the course had no facilities, and as a result was forced to improvise, using military tents to accommodate the players, media, and also visitors. Consequently, between 1976 and 2001 Quinta do Lago hosted the Portuguese Open a total of eight times.

The nineties saw the resort solidify its position as one of Europe’s premier destinations, cementing its role as a flag bearer for luxury tourism in the Algarve. This period also saw the resort retake control of its golfing assets, with its 36 holes, now North and South, back in its full ownership.

New Ownership

In 1998 Irish billionaire Denis O’Brien took over ownership of the resort. To date, O’Brien’s leadership has ensured the resort’s position as the leading golf and real estate resort in the Algarve. As a result, the resort goes from strength to strength, with ongoing improvements in facilities and also amenities. There is now a third golf course, new restaurants, children’s playgrounds, the Paul McGinley Golf Academy, and also a Mini Golf course. In conclusion, under O’Brien’s ownership, the resort has developed into a truly successful example of luxury living and also tourism.

In 2016 Sean Moriarty became Chief Executive of the resort, promoting more of a family and also a healthy lifestyle-oriented resort. The opening of The Campus in 2017 has made the resort a destination for international sports stars as well as a favourite location for health and fitness enthusiasts, and also active families. Moreover, its state-of-the-art facilities, include a high-performance gym, tennis and Padel courts, aquatic centre, a bike shed, fitness classes, and rehabilitation clinics. The Campus has made Quinta do Lago’s one of the finest wellness and lifestyle resorts in Europe.