Monte Rei: Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World
Quick Facts
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Number of Rooms
40 1-, 2- or 3-bedroom Clubhouse apartments -
Amenities
Three restaurants (including Michelin-starred Vistas Rui Silvestrie) / Two bars / Golf / Region tours / Beach access / Pool, Tennis & Gym / 24/7 concierge service -
Number of courses
1 -
Course designers
North Course (Jack Nicklaus Signature Design)
Resort Overview
Completed in 2007, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Design North Course at Monte Rei Golf & C.C. is considered by many to be Portugal’s best track. Set between the Serra do Caldeirão mountains and the Atlantic Ocean in the eastern portion of the country’s renowned Algarve district, Monte Rei is a stone’s throw from the southeast Portuguese/Spanish border. Day trips to Lisbon, Faro or Seville, Spain, are there for the taking, but why leave? Monte Rei is full-service, top-tier resort luxury, offering best-in-class on- and off-course escapes, prioritizing experiences that emphasize the destination’s rustic setting. Apartment-style residences are chic and comfy, with easy access to pools, bars, restaurants and the golf (including a PGA-staffed learning academy). A hideaway with every creature comfort imaginable? Not bad for one of Europe’s fastest-growing destinations.
Highlights
A second course, the South, another Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, is in the works on the property.
Several small fishing towns dot the southeast Algarve landscape, offering a historical—and tasty—perspective on Portugal’s rich seafood heritage within a short ride of the resort.
Check shoulder-season rates, as well as access to the Sotavento Golf Trophy, a unique Individual Stableford event, for both men and women guests, played across Monte Rei, Quinta da Ria & Quinta do Vale in mid-December.
3 things to know
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Best time to go
High-season is late spring to mid-fall, when temps run higher and rain is less frequent, but consider Monte Rei a year-round option. -
Best non-golf amenity
The food. At best, Portuguese fare is comfy, good and often inexpensive. At Monte Rei, much of it is also Michelin-starred. -
Insider Tip
Most stateside flights will target Lisbon, but also check Faro for deals and a quicker trip to the resort’s locale.