Vale do Lobo

‘A Shortcuts client since May 2006, Vale do Lobo has been named Europe’s finest golf, beach, and spa resort.’

Vale do Lobo, the first golf and leisure resort in Portugal’s Algarve, has grown over the last 45 years to become one of the finest and most established luxury developments in the world. The resort is approximately 3 times the size of Monaco and offers a completely holistic luxury experience unlike any other resort, aiming to provide owners and visitors with everything they could need during their visit. It offers a unique haven for home owners and the perfect destination for a holiday.

Prime property within a luxury haven

Vale do Lobo features a varied mix of property: picturesque linked villas and luxury apartments which can be purchased outright, as well as plots of land for those wishing to design and build their own dream home. Properties benefit from a stunning beach side location, around meandering fairways and bordering on nature reserve.

Top-notch sports facilities

Golf
Vale do Lobo is home to two of the finest 18-hole golfing challenges in Portugal - the Royal and Ocean Golf Courses. The courses are the work of American Rocky Roquemore, who further developed plans laid down by the original architect Sir Henry Cotton. Playing host to the Portuguese Open in 2002 and 2003 in particular prompted Vale do Lobo to meet exacting requirements in terms of course standards, facilities and infrastructure. These standards are now used as the basis of maintenance of the course and facilities, along with continuous improvement in line with the demands of modern play. As a result of this attentive care, Vale do Lobo’s two golf courses are renowned both for their beauty and spectacular views and also for their championship standards and challenging game.

Tennis
The resort boasts one of the largest tennis facilities in Portugal, with 14 hard and synthetic grass courts, floodlighting, a mini-tennis court and paddle tennis court, gym, sauna, swimming pool, two restaurants and coaching programmes for adults and children of all levels. The Tennis Academy hosts the Vale do Lobo Grand Champions event for the sixth consecutive year in 2006, part of the ATP Seniors Tour circuit. Players who have competed on the centre court of “Wimbledon on the Algarve” include John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Jim Courier, Pat Cash, Richard Krajicek, Jeremy Bates, Henri Leconte and Yannick Noah among others.

Other sports
In 2005 Vale do Lobo built a pristine bowling lawn, to add to the resort’s repertory of top-class sports facilities. A bright, spacious Fitness Centre was also built within the last two years and is one of the most modern gyms in the Algarve, using the most up-to-date Technogym fitness and weight training equipment.

The Ultimate in the art of leisure

Beach
Vale do Lobo meticulously maintains 2 kilometres of golden beach with a variety of water and beach sports on offer. Swimmers and sun-worshippers also appreciate the Rotunda pool and children’s pool, located adjacent to Vale do Lobo’s Praça area, where dazzling views of the Atlantic are a distinctive pleasure of sunbathing. Vale do Lobo Praça is a development of luxury restaurants and bars, directly on the beach, where the air is filled with the scent of warm wood, maritime plants and the ocean, and every beach facility is offered – from indoor showers to a newsagent and numerous bars and restaurants.

Indulgence
For those keen on pampering, Vale do Lobo also has the wish-list ticked with an upmarket beauty salon, with hair stylist and nail bar, and a range of designer boutiques offering the latest fashions including golf wear by brands such as Callaway, Titliest and Nike Golf, designer casual wear by Tommy Hilfiger, von Dutch and Abercrombie & Fitch, glamorous evening attire and stunning jewellery from collections such as Dyrberg & Kern and Swarovski.

Cuisine and culture
For the culinary connoisseur, 15 first class restaurants are located through the resort, where diners can enjoy international cuisine ranging from Asian to French, Italian and much more - the choice is almost endless. Different cultural events such as concerts, ballets and an annual classic car exhibition happen all year round.

Every need catered for

Everything one might need is available in Vale do Lobo, including a bank, post office, newsagent, supermarket, children’s village and even insurance brokers. A regular mini-bus service carries passengers around the resort so all facilities are easily accessible.

Vale do Lobo has its own security, ambulance and fire service and a medical centre with round-the-clock emergency service. First-aid trained security staff circulate through the resort 24 hours a day on GPS linked electric motorbikes, while a state of the art closed circuit TV system ensures safety in the main areas of the resort.

Spa heaven
The Royal Spa at Vale do Lobo opened its doors in early summer 2006. An ultra-modern spa with a completely contemporary design characterized by the use of clean lines, natural stone against wood, mirrored ceilings and crushed glass walls, the Royal Spa offers a feeling of calm and well-being reminiscent of the salt-mines of Loulé, which provided its inspiration.

Treatments range from the purely indulgent “Skin Care Gold” beauty treatments to strongly health-focused therapies. Within the latter category fall a wide range of salt, algae and mud-based hydrotherapies, reflexology and sports, holistic and aromatherapy massage. Physiotherapy, personal fitness sessions, nutritional advice and minor cosmetic surgery are also available.

Besides saunas, a hammam, Turkish steam bath, Vichy shower and calendarium (room with cooling stone seats and footbaths, for use between heat sessions), the Royal Spa has a naturally lit indoor pool, whose glass roof opens in warm weather. A series of fully-equipped indoor treatment rooms are complemented by two outdoor rooms – wooden slatted cabins, set in an Oriental-style garden, featuring a white pebble waterfall and lily pond.

Providing the ultimate in service, with nice little extras such as complimentary robe, slippers and detoxifying teas to be enjoyed in the cascade-surrounded relaxation area, the Royal Spa is set to become a must-visit in the Algarve.

The definition of true luxury

Vale do Lobo aims to be the definition of a true luxury development, providing everything owners and guests could possibly need with outstanding attention to detail and friendly, unobtrusive delivery. The most stressful decision to make is which restaurant to eat at, where to sit on the beach, who to challenge at tennis or which golf course to play. This carefully cultivated atmosphere, combined with the resort’s natural attractions of year-round sunshine, temperate Atlantic breeze, complete lifestyle in one place and ideal location combine to make the resort a premium destination, treasured by residents and returned to time and again by discerning holiday makers.

For more information on the amazing Vale do Lobo, please visit their website at www.valedolobo.com.