Showhome, Lorenzo Villa, adopted the basement concept, and it was great to see how this space could be utilised. Measuring 679 square metres in total, this particular property features light and spacious living areas, and is spread across three floors, with a double-height atrium, a lift and a basement. An intelligent home system keeps the high-end property ticking over at the click of a button. With five bedrooms suites in total, the show home also boasts impressive luxury amenities, including a gym, home spa, games room, bar, cinema, office and double garage.
And of course, it exploits its enviable location with 360-degree views of the golf courses. Not surprisingly, it’s already been snapped up for €7.2 million! Properties tend to sell fast here, so there’s no time for hesitation, plus the legwork can easily be taken out of the equation by Quinta do Lago’s Real Estate team with the simple purchase of plot-to-turnkey solutions.
The resort has seen sales volumes and values increase significantly despite Brexit uncertainty, with a seven per cent growth per annum over the last three years. The average age of buyers at the resort is decreasing as it becomes a more family-focused and lifestyle destination.
Quinta’s boutique accommodation in the form of the Magnolia Hotel, which opened just two years ago due to popular demand, and where I stayed during my visit, was certainly a testament to that. Non-golfers were lured to the area for the wider amenities and activities the resort has to offer.
Quinta do Lago is not just a haven for golfers but offers a wide range of other activities and pastimes. The dedicated water sports centre on the beach is a great base from where you can engage in marine activities, ranging from sailing to jet-skiing, paddle boarding and steering a pedalo.
And if you want to get serious at sport, Quinta do Lago has some of the best training grounds, be it for golf, tennis or football. Since 2011, the resort has been home to the first Paul McGinley Academy in the world.
McGinley himself makes regular visits to the resort, and the aim here is to provide golfers with the tools and techniques used on professional tours. International footballers make use of the football pitches and help youngsters to train. Meanwhile, Judy Murray regularly holds tennis coaching camps to help players of all levels to learn crucial tennis skills.
The high-performance Campus has also been a draw for many athletes to descend here for training. It was specifically created to meet the demands of professional athletes two years ago, and is equipped with the latest in sports technology, a high-performance heavyweight gym, a 25-metre outdoor heated pool and the DESSO Grassmaster hybrid pitch – known for its playing consistency. This is not forgetting the relaxing and sports massages available to soothe any aching muscles.
And as the ethos of the resort is luxury and pampering, I was not at all surprised to see the plethora of exceptional restaurants on the complex. I pretty much tried and tested all of the 12 on offer – each differing from one another.
These include Casa Velha (above), which marked the beginning of the Quinto do Lago journey back in 1972 when the oldest Argarvian farmhouse was transformed into a restaurant. Today, it specialises in the very best of French cuisine.