Like its neighbour, Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo is an exclusive self-contained resort where our Affinity villas with pools are set in delightful gardens. Some of our rental accommodations are in elegant town houses in cobbled streets, but wherever you are based, it will be within easy reach of the beautiful 2-km long sandy beach, with its ochre cliffs offering the quintessential backdrop of the resort. Vale do Lobo is not only famous for its two exceptional championship golf courses, but also also a great holiday destination with beautifully landscaped surroundings and a bustling beach front square ‘A Praça’ with a choice of restaurants and bars.
History
It may seem hard to believe but in the distant past, the area now known as Vale do Lobo was a relatively worthless plot of land. The worthless sandy soil was not good for agriculture nor to sustain animals. However, it was not long before all this changed. Tourism arrived in the Algarve and developers realised the potential of the beautiful beaches and gentle clear waters.
The first companies to really recognise this were Sir Richard Costain and Trusthouse Forte and they founded Vale do Lobo in 1962, the very first resort on the Algarve.
In 1964 Faro International Airport was inaugurated and four years later Vale do Lobo opened the first luxury Hotel Dona Filipa and two 9-hole golf courses the building of which were supervised by Sir Henry Cotton.
In 1971 the first ‘aldeamento’, a complex of houses, was completed together with the third 9-hole golf course. The Dutchman Sander van Gelder purchased the development in 1977 and expanded into an area of close to 400 hectares. Construction of real estate continued and in 1997 the Ocean and Royal Golf Courses were completed by adding an additional nine holes, seeing further renovation of the Ocean Course a few years later.
Vale do Lobo was now the biggest luxury complex owned by just one company on the Algarve, but also in the whole of Portugal. In 2006 Vale do Lobo was sold to a group of investors, amongst whom the Portuguese bank Caixa Geral de Depósitos, and since then significant capital has been injected for a total overhaul, new projects, expansion, re-branding and even refurbishment of the beach in order to protect the coastline.
Attractions
Boasting a total area of 450 hectares, Vale do Lobo has the honour of being not only the first but Portugal’s biggest luxury resort. The resort offers a host of facilities such as 24-hour security, a conference and event centre, shops and medical facilities. Besides world-class golf, there is the well-known tennis and Padel academy with sports bar/restaurant or enjoy some quality time at the wellness centre. Throughout the resort there are routes for walking, running, and cycling, bikes can be hired. A day at the beach can be spent with just lazy sunbathing and a swim in the ocean or with enjoying the variety of water sports to be found on the beach. Situated by the ‘Praça’, there is a bustling mini-golf and kids club with a range of fun-activities. With the day come to an end, dress up and savour a tasty dinner in one of the many top-class restaurants within the resort or nearby.
Affinity Villas offers many more destinations for Algarve villa holidays including Tavira, Quinta do Lago, Loule, Vilamoura, Silves, Porches, Carvoeiro, Ferragudo, Alvor and Luz.
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