Golf in Portugal

Azora expands its golf portfolio with the acquisition of Praia d’El Rey and West Cliffs

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Azora, a Madrid-based European real estate investment manager, has significantly enhanced its presence in the Portuguese market by acquiring the prestigious Praia d’El Rey Resort in Óbidos, Portugal. This acquisition, executed through the Azora European Hotel and Lodging Fund (AEHL), includes the luxurious Marriott Praia d’El Rey hotel, two top-ranked golf courses—Praia del Rey and West Cliffs—and the management of 90 apartments and two food and beverage outlets.

The Marriott Praia d’El Rey, a 177-room, 5-star hotel, is a jewel in our crown. It will continue operating under the Marriott brand, managed by Blue & Green. The hotel, with its stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, direct beach access, and surrounding golf courses, offers a unique and luxurious experience. It boasts premium amenities, including four dining options, a renovated spa and wellness area, indoor and outdoor pools, a kids club, and extensive meeting and event facilities. The golf courses, recognized among Portugal’s top ten and recipients of the 2023 Golfer’s Choice Award from Leading Courses, are key highlights of the resort.

Azora leadership position

This acquisition is a testament to Azora’s strategic growth in Portugal. It expands our portfolio to include seven hotels and two golf courses with 36 holes. The Praia d’El Rey Resort, with its exceptional facilities and prime location, strengthens Azora’s position as a leader in the leisure and golf destination sector in Europe and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to our guests.

Azora’s portfolio now encompasses over 12,000 keys under management, cementing its status as a significant player in the European hospitality and leisure investment sector. Since its inception, Azora has invested over €3 billion in the hospitality industry, acquiring over 100 hotels and 26,000 hotel keys. The company’s strategy focuses on high-quality hotels and urban hostels, targeting assets that require active management and repositioning.

Launched in 2021 with €815 million in capital, AEHL has focused on the vacation hotel segment in major European destinations. The fund employs a value-add strategy, emphasizing asset transformation and active management of hotel operations. Recently, AEHL has also adopted an alternative hotel strategy for urban tourism, targeting a diverse range of travellers and aiming to revolutionize city tourism.

Concha Osácar, one of Azora’s founding partners, expressed confidence in the hospitality sector across the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. She emphasized that the acquisition of Praia d’El Rey Resort marks a significant milestone for AEHL, underscoring Azora’s commitment to high-potential markets and its belief in Portugal’s growing appeal to both European and American tourists.

For over 30 years, Tee Times Golf Agency has offered the best packages for those seeking Portugal golf holidays. With extensive industry experience, we provide unparalleled access to top courses, including the newly acquired by Azora, Praia del Rey and West Cliffs golf courses, ensuring a memorable and high-quality golfing experience.

Amendoeira Golf Resort: a premier destination in the Algarve

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Amendoeira Golf Resort, a unique gem nestled in the heart of the Algarve, spans 270 hectares of lush natural beauty. This one-of-a-kind destination offers an array of amenities, including several swimming pools, two award-winning 18-hole golf courses, and Portugal’s only illuminated 9-hole golf course. Sports enthusiasts will be thrilled by the two synthetic turf 5-a-side football pitches, a FIFA-sized football pitch, six Savannah tennis courts, a fully equipped gym with modern Technogym machines, a jogging track, and a children’s playground.

The Clubhouse, a beacon of luxury and comfort, is the resort’s social hub, featuring a restaurant where guests indulge in delicious meals, snacks, and drinks. Additionally, the pro shop provides everything golfers need to enhance their game. Whether staying in an opulent apartment with access to multiple pools or a lavish villa with a private pool, visitors are guaranteed a comfortable and luxurious experience. The resort’s proximity to the beach, just a 10-minute drive away, further enhances its appeal as a perfect holiday destination or permanent residence.

Undoubtedly, Amendoeira Golf Resort stands as one of the most exclusive destinations, offering the best options for those seeking unparalleled Portugal golf breaks in the Algarve with Tee Times Golf Agency.

Faldo Course at Amendoeira Golf Resort

The Faldo Course, a masterpiece by the legendary Sir Nick Faldo, is a 6578m Par 72 championship course that beckons strategic play. This course, which clinched the title of Portugal’s Best Golf Course by World Golf Awards in 2016, is renowned for its dramatic landscape. It boasts unique elements such as cacti and wild herbs, spartan Holm oaks, ancient olive trees, and desert scrub bunkers of crushed limestone, offering a modern twist on traditional golf course design.

O’Connor Jnr. Course

The O’Connor Jnr. Course, designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr., complements the Faldo Course with its lush valley setting. Water features, including lakes and watercourses, challenge golfers of all levels. The course’s mature palm trees and rich topsoil create a serene, oasis-like environment. The course’s greater distance, water hazards, and large greens provide an additional challenge, requiring golfers to carefully read the subtly contoured putting surfaces.

Academy Course

The Academy Course, the only floodlit 9-hole course in Portugal, is ideal for beginners and those wishing to improve their short game. Built to the same high standards as the Faldo and O’Connor Jnr. courses, it features three teeing options for varied play. The 7th hole, with two teeing options over water, is a highlight. This course is a family favourite and must-play alongside its more challenging counterparts.

The Amendoeira Golf Academy

The Amendoeira Golf Academy takes pride in its tailored training programs for men, women, and juniors of all skill levels. With a maximum 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the academy ensures each student receives personalized instruction, utilizing high-tech tools like Trackman for swing analysis. The holistic approach includes mental efficiency, equipment evaluation, nutrition, and fitness. Each lesson concludes with a personalized CD/DVD comparing the original and improved swings, making every student feel valued and catered to.

Amendoeira Golf Resort is a sanctuary for golf enthusiasts and nature lovers, providing an unmatched experience in the stunning Algarve region for unforgettable Portugal golf holidays.

Photos by: Amendoeira Golf Resort.

Porto Santo Golfe: a tribute to natural beauty and sporting excellence

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Nestled in the heart of the enchanting island of Porto Santo, part of the Madeira archipelago, lies a golfer's paradise – the Porto Santo Golfe.

Nestled in the heart of the enchanting island of Porto Santo, part of the Madeira archipelago, lies a golfer’s paradise – the Porto Santo Golfe. This premier golfing destination stretches across the island, offering breathtaking views from the dune-rolling beach to the dramatic basalt cliffs, creating a perfect blend of natural beauty and a challenging game.

Designed by the legendary Spanish golfer Severiano Ballesteros, who passed away on May 7, 2011, after a valiant fight against cancer, Porto Santo Golfe is a testament to his genius and passion for the sport. Ballesteros, a revered figure in the golfing world, meticulously crafted this course to harmonize with the island’s natural landscape, ensuring minimal environmental impact while providing a world-class golfing experience.

Porto Santo Golfe magic

Opened in October 2004, the Porto Santo Golfe quickly garnered acclaim, culminating in its selection as the 2009 Madeira Islands Open host venue. The course spans an impressive 6,434 meters and comprises 18 holes, offering golfers a serene yet challenging environment. The unique layout features two distinct zones: the South and North.

The South Course, designed in the American tradition, is spotted with tranquil lakes and demands a long, precise game. It provides golfers with intricate challenges, making it a favourite among those who enjoy a strategic approach to the sport. In contrast, the North Course runs along spectacular cliff tops, offering a test of skill and awe-inspiring views of the wild coastline and the turquoise waters below.

In addition to the main courses, Porto Santo Golfe boasts a nine-hole pitch-and-putt course of par three holes, ideal for honing precision shots and short-game techniques. A state-of-the-art driving range further complements the training facilities, catering to beginners and seasoned professionals looking to refine their skills.

The Porto Santo Golfe clubhouse is a modern masterpiece, seamlessly blending into the surrounding landscape. Constructed with dry-stone walling and natural wood and furnished with stylish wicker furniture, the clubhouse offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. Golfers can relax and enjoy the amenities, which include a bar restaurant, a pro shop, and well-equipped locker rooms.

At Tee Times Golf Agency, we have incredible packages and offers for those looking for their best Portugal golf holidays. And undoubtedly, Porto Santo Golfe is one of our finest ones.

The Madeira Archipelago

Porto Santo is the second inhabited island in the Madeira archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 500 kilometres from the African coast and 1,000 kilometres from Europe. Discovered in 1418 by Portuguese navigators, this island paradise is renowned for its hospitality, mild climate year-round, and stunning landscapes.

The island’s main attraction is its 9-kilometre-long beach of fine golden sand bathed by turquoise waters. This beach offers picturesque beauty and boasts therapeutic properties due to its unique calcium carbonate composition in calcite, making it a perfect destination for health and wellness.

Beyond the beach, Porto Santo’s charm extends to its historical and cultural sites, such as the Casa Museu, the former Christopher Columbus residence in Vila Baleira. The island’s unspoiled landscapes are ideal for exploring on foot or by bicycle, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in its natural splendour.

The safety, friendliness, and natural beauty of Porto Santo make it a privileged spot among similar destinations. For golfers, Porto Santo stands out as a crown jewel, offering an unparalleled experience that combines the artistry of Severiano Ballesteros’s design with the island’s breathtaking environment. Whether you are a professional golfer or a passionate amateur, a visit to Porto Santo Golfe promises a memorable and rewarding experience.