The Algarve has long been a favourite holiday destination of the rich and famous, and it’s not surprising that they flock there in their droves. With its year-round warm weather, luxury villas, lively resort towns of Vilamoura, Albufeira, Lagos and Portimão, the southernmost coast of Portugal has a lot to offer. This stretch of Mediterranean coastline is also famous for its natural beauty, with the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park – lagoons, wetlands, salt plains and pretty-pink flamingos – as well as hundreds of miles of beaches. OK!’s Rowan Erlam flew out to explore the western Algarve and reveals her favourite beach, spies a famous couple and samples some tasty local dishes…
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
A boutique bolthole set high on the hillside offering Atlantic Ocean views, Quinta Bonita is located 4km from the historic town of Lagos – with its pretty cobbled streets, castle walls and pavement cafés – and 4km to the nearest beach at Praia da Luz. The former private family estate is set in 10,000sqm of lush gardens featuring orange trees, fragrant bougainvillea, water fountains and cobbled pathways. It has a charming, traditional Portuguese feel, with hand-painted blue and white tiled picture walls, while the eight suites are named after local beaches. OK! stayed in the Zavial Master Suite, a pretty white and cornflower blue suite with a four-poster bed, sitting room and a lovely balcony with ocean views. On our first morning, we enjoyed a private yoga session with Ann de Jongh, who offers classes in a studio overlooking the hotel’s rose garden. After yoga, we enjoyed a dip in the swimming pool followed by a hearty buffet breakfast on the sun terrace. The charming hotel owner, Chantelle, is the perfect host, while her partner Fraser is a great cook, so don’t miss the complimentary afternoon teas.
WHICH STARS WILL I SEE?
Some of OK!’s favourite celebrities were spotted on the Algarve this summer. This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield met up while they were both staying at their holiday homes in Quinta do Lago, while Rochelle and Marvin Humes jetted in for a break with their daughters. English footballers are also Algarve fans, with Wayne and Frankie Bridge, Joe Hart and Kimberly Crew and Jamie and Rebekah Vardy all seen holidaying here with their families this summer.
WHAT CAN I DO?
If you’re feeling adventurous, admire the famous sea caves of Ponta da Piedade on board a kayak or paddleboard. Alternatively, book one of Bom Dia’s two-hour boat trips that sail from the Lagos marina to Ponta da Piedade, where you drop anchor. Here you transfer to a smaller boat that takes you out for a closer look at these fascinating rock formations, hidden grottoes and caves carved out of the golden-hued sandstone cliffs.
One of the highlights of OK!’s trip was a day spent exploring some of the best beaches in the area. Leaving behind the popular beaches of Portimão, we headed 30 minutes west to Carrapateira and discovered Praia da Bordeira – 3km of unspoilt sand backed by rugged limestone cliffs. Popular with surfers, the surrounding sand dunes are dotted with camper vans rather than hotels, creating a relaxing, bohemian vibe.
WHERE CAN I EAT?
There are lots of traditional restaurants in Lagos and OK! headed to Cantinho Algarvio and Restaurante Comidinha for its Algarvian dishes such as tuna with fava beans, baked cod, grilled sardines and chicken piri piri. For a contemporary dining experience, dine at Tasca Do Kiko, a stylish tapas restaurant in the dockyards in Lagos. Don’t let the quirky location put you off – the tapas are delicious and the setting is ultra-cool with grey industrial-style chairs and grey and white tile mosaics. We enjoyed mussels and spicy fish cakes. After dinner, we danced the night away at popular nightclub Stevie Ray’s.
WHICH BEACH CLUB SHOULD I VISIT?
If you want to soak up the rays in a super-stylish setting, listen to top-class DJ acts and rub sun-kissed shoulders with famous folk, then head to the recently opened Blanco Beach Club in Portimão. With its prime beach-front location on Praia da Rocha, it oozes beach chic, with its cabanas, fire pits and hot tubs scattered around a central swimming pool. Waiting staff are on hand to serve you drinks and the food menu features sushi, gourmet burgers, pizza and fresh seafood. The club also has the celebrity seal of approval. While OK! was lounging by the pool, we spied former TOWIE star Kate Wright and footballer boyfriend Rio Ferdinand as they chilled on the white circular leather lounge beds.
Room rates at Quinta Bonita (www.boutiquehotelalgarve.com) start from £105 for a standard room, including daily breakfast and afternoon tea.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.VISITPORTUGAL.COM. FOR MORE ON THE BLANCO BEACH CLUB, SEE WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BLANCOBEACHPORTUGAL. TO BOOK A YOGA SESSION WITH ANN DE JONGH VISIT WWW.FIT2LOVELIFE.COM. FOR BOM DIA BOAT TRIPS, VISIT WWW.BOMDIA-BOATTRIPS.COM. FOR CAR HIRE IN LAGOS VISIT WWW.LAGORENT.COM.
REPORT BY ROWAN ERLAM
EDITED BY ANNABEL MACKIE, OK! TRAVEL EDITOR
PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK, GETTY
