Quiet Travel On The Algarve Coast

Even in the peak season, you can lose yourself for a few hours, away from the tourists, amid the quiet nature of the Ria Formosa. This unique coastal maze of sand dunes, mud flats and salt marshes, on Portugal’s Algarve coast, stretches 60km, linking some of the region’s most dramatic beaches and barrier islands. Some five million visitors may have descended on the Algarve coast in 2023, but its beauty lies in its vastness­—meaning you can still find uncrowded beaches, stunning coves and beauty spots that immerse you in nature.

In fact, the Ria Formosa, one of Portugal’s most-lauded protected nature reserves, is often more alive with wildlife and birds than human visitors: with Glossy Ibises, Spoonbills and Woodchat Strikes making their nests within the habitat and swooping across the skies. Wooden and sustainable boardwalks criss-cross the waterways (designed to have minimum effect on the natural landscape) meaning it’s easy to soak up the gentle atmosphere. Meanwhile at seaside towns, such as Tavira and Faro Island, that border the reserve, you can traverse the salt flats as fishermen catch oysters, and head to the beach to set up for the day by the Atlantic shore.

Nearby, Quinta do Lago, a sprawling enclave of luxury hotels, chic restaurants, charming shops and desirable real estate, puts you at the heart of the beauty. The resort is home to a series of championship golf courses, but also embraces the allure of nature and outdoor life that the Algarve is known for.

Wyndham Grand Algarve is one of the Quinta’s flagship hotels. The petite bolthole may come under the big-brand Wyndham umbrella, but it is nonetheless boutique in feel. Even with 132 rooms, it manages to offer an intimacy not usually associated with larger hotel brands, and focuses on a family-friendly offering—from its apartment style suites (some come with a kitchen, dining and living area) to the Kids’ Club, with its line-up of innovative activities, such as gardening workshops, pastry classes and treasure hunts.

Step inside the hotel and the property oozes style and a slick sophistication with a polished, granite floor, towering plants and flashes of dusty pink. There’s modern art lining the walls in the public spaces—you can scan a QR Code to tell you about each artist and see more of their work—while an impactful, statement chandelier, hanging from the three-storey circular lobby, sets the scene. Rooms echo this aesthetic with comfy, modular furniture, a smart terracotta and dove-grey palette juxtaposed with plenty of natural textures (think: leather seating, stone flooring and wood panelling).

Best of all, there’s space to spread out, with balconies overlooking one of Quinta do Lago’s manicured golf courses, large bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and a large, light-filled living space that means families can chill out, eat together and rustle up a snack or coffee (or even cook, if they wish, as the contemporary open-plan kitchen has a cooker, toaster and Nespresso machine).

In truth, you’ll probably be more tempted to dine in one of the hotel’s restaurants. Breakfast is served at Caravela—where tables groan with fresh fruits, artisan breads and pastries—while the poolside Oasis offers easy-going, crowd-pleasing dishes—from salmon and avocado tacos to club sandwiches. A highlight is chef Olivier da Costa’s XXL by Olivier Restaurant which offers a European-fusion menu. Start with Spanish Croquettes, made with parmesan and basil, or ‘head to’ France and opt for Escargots. A standout dish is the Shrimp a Guilhi, slathered in herb butter. As well as the signature XXL Steak, there is a Lobster Steak and Dory Fillet with Tomato Rice. For dessert, make sure to leave room for the signature Dulce de Leche Souffle—a heavenly ending to a gourmet adventure.

Sitting in the heart of Quinta do Lago, Wyndham also puts guests in reach of a wide collection of activities. There’s golf, of course, on one of the three pristine, championship courses and the hotel also offers a range of fitness classes—such as Full Moon Yoga and training in its gym.

For true sports fans, found just 1km away is The Campus, an elite sporting destination, where you can try your hand (and book in for a lesson) at a huge array of sports and adrenalin-fuelled activities—whether it is tennis or Padel (there are indoor and outdoor specialist courts). One of the most prestigious sport complexes in Europe, The Campus attracts world-renowned athletes to use the cutting-edge training and rehabilitation facilities so you might well brush shoulders with renowned football or rugby players. That’s not to mean that guests at Wyndham can’t be part of the action. You can utilise the two state-of-the-art gyms and recovery facilities or try one of the fitness classes—there’s a bulging timetable, from Reformer Pilates to Yin Yoga. As well as a 25m heated outdoor pool, there are also hydrotherapy pools as well as hot and cold plunge baths.

Post cool-down, head to Dano’s, a sports-bar concept carved out of a warehouse-inspired space, to refuel. On the menu? Vietnamese Chicken Salad, Spiced Lamb Skewer, Yellowfin Tuna Tostadas as well as protein shakes and smoothies.

One of the advantages of being a guest at Wyndham Grand Algarve is the fact that you can enjoy all that Quinta do Lago offers, including tapping into its elevated restaurant offering. To get around a car is a good idea, although you can arrange transfers with the concierge. For Asian dining with a twist—think: shellfish bao buns, crispy wontons and wagyu with a Szechuan sauce—head to Umami. With its Japanese-inspired setting and lakeside location, it is a serene spot.

The buzzy Bovino Steakhouse, on the other hand, has an Argentinean feel, with its velvet seating, scrubbed wood tables and boho aesthetic. There’s oysters from Ria Formosa or sautéed shrimps served on flatbread to start; for mains, a must is one of the cuts from the steak menu—a rump cap, perhaps, or ribeye—and don’t forget to leave room for the Key Lime Pie.

For Portuguese flavours, you can’t beat Casa Velha. Headed up by chef José Botelho, the charming restaurant, with al fresco dining amid olive trees, offers a sharing concept menu—from clams in white wine to chicken Piri Piri.

Caso do Lago, a nautical-themed restaurant with lakeside views, manwhile, brings a different ambiance and is perfect for long-lunches or glamorous, candle-lit suppers by the water. Championing local seafood, there’s prawn and crab bon bons or tuna crudo, octopus salad and monkfish loin. Bag a table on the deck to watch tiny boats go by and Egrets drift over from the nearby Ria Formosa.

A stay at Wyndham Grand Algarve also means you are in reach of Quinta do Lago beach—a wide expanse of sand where the hotel has its own beach club— or you can simply relax by the hotel’s pool. Make sure to hire a bike to cycle the trails that lead to Ria Formosa. Further afield, you can explore local pretty towns, such as Faro Old Town and Loulé, as well as beauty spots, such as the Benagil Caves. After a day exploring, you can head back to Wyndham Grand Algarve to its Grand Spa, where you can book in for Cinq Mondes body massage–from hot stones to detox (perfect for tired legs, post cycling jaunt), a cleansing facial or Moroccan hammam ritual. Afterwards, there are cocktails in the Grand Bar & Lounge—try the gin based Basil Smash, for a herb-spiked treat. It’s as nature intended.