Surrounded by golf courses and breathtaking beaches, we were here to try Four Seasons Fairways innovative approach to family accommodation – all villas but with all the advantages of a luxury hotel – so we couldn’t wait to arrive.
Our home for the week was a beautifully decorated three-bedroom villa, complete with a private pool and garden, more than spacious enough for a family of four. Fully loaded with all the modern amenities and comforts you would need during your stay plus a supply of freshly stocked food from a shopping list we’d submitted pre-arrival. One very clear benefit of staying in a villa was having our own kitchen. This was super convenient for quickly making snacks for the kids in between activities, but also great for heating up milk at night or whipping up 5am breakfasts.
Everything was within a four-minute walk of our villa. And when I say everything, that even included a mini-supermarket stocked with essentials. Although we also liked the fact that non-essentials like tennis courts and restaurants were nearby too. Plus we were also no distance from the gym, bikes and spa. As I said: all of the benefits of staying in an Algarve resort but with the freedom and space of our very own villa. There’s no shortage of things to do at Four Seasons Fairways and in the surrounding area. The resort itself even offers access to a choice of activities and excursions ranging from horseback riding to boat trips, so we were excited to get stuck in.
On our first full day, after a pretty impressive breakfast at the main restaurant Vivo, we dropped our girls off at the Upside Down World, the kids club for under-12s. Housed in the main building, the kids club offers a variety of activities and games to keep children busy. My two girls did not waste a second exploring the indoor soft play area. Again, the staff were excellent,
making sure they knew their likes and dislikes and telling us what they had planned for the children each day. On day one, they baked cakes and painted!
With the children safely occupied, my partner and I decided to join the morning hike. We were picked up from reception and taken inland to the stunning protected area of Fonte da Benemola. It’s a spectacularly unspoiled landscape and we were extra lucky to be joined on our morning hike by Gold Medal Olympian Amy Williams, who was running a fitness camp that week.
Led by two local guides, we were taken around the conservation area and shown historic methods of farming and making alcohol. Then, at the end of the hike, we were given a basket-weaving lesson using a plant we’d seen during our walk. I have to admit the competition got fierce, as we all tried to impress the teacher with our newly learned skills and mini-masterpieces.
Back at Fairways, we collected the kids, packed some snacks and drinks at the villa and set off on our bikes. The plan was to cycle to Quinta do Lago beach for the afternoon and less than ten minutes later, after a really pleasant ride, we were there. The beach was absolutely beautiful and unexpectedly quiet. No surprise, we spent the afternoon relaxing, swimming and exploring. Admittedly, cycling back was a bit more challenging. But we made it and all-in-all had an incredible day.
On day two we couldn’t resist a visit to the traditional market town of Loulé, just 15 minutes away. It’s particularly known for its vibrant atmosphere and array of fresh produce and it did not disappoint. On arrival, we were immediately struck by the vivid
colours, sounds and smells of the market. There were stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to hand-crafted jewellery and souvenirs. We spent hours browsing, sampling local food, and picking up ingredients for dinner back at our villa.
With our stay coming to an end, we made time to enjoy the resort’s fabulous facilities, with the children enjoying their final morning at the kids club, whilst mum and dad used the fully equipped gym, pool and sauna. We really did have an unforgettable stay. The resort offered everything we could have hoped for in a family holiday, from our spacious and
luxurious villa to the friendly and accommodating staff who, from the moment we arrived, made us feel right at home.
