Wyndham Grand Algarve – The All-Suite, 5-Star Hotel In Portugal’s Renowned Quinta Do Lago

Moments from the spectacular Ria Formosa Natural Park, the Wyndham Grand Algarve is in the heart of Quinta do Lago, the exclusive lifestyle, leisure, and sporting destination on Portugal’s sun-kissed south coast. This family-friendly, all-suite property offers an understated luxury destination with dining that includes signature gastronomy at XXL by Olivier, a poolside café, and the Grand Bar & Lounge with terrace overlooking the pool, as well as a Grand Spa and a garden view gym. Guest experiences encompass access to Quinta do Lago’s world-class sporting facilities, and also nature hiking and cycling along the protected coastline.

Portugal has consolidated itself as one of the world’s favourite European destinations, with the Algarve being one of the country’s favourite holiday hotspots, writes Andrew Forbes (The Luxury Editor).

Wyndham Grand Algarve is within the sought-after Quinta do Lago estate, a refined and tranquil setting on the Algarve, just 20 minute transfer from Faro International Airport. With a stunning natural setting, including the protected shoreline of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago is a favourite for an active lifestyle. In addition to the high-performance sports centre, The Campus, which attracts pro athletes for winter training, there is also the opportunity for Wyndham Grand Algarve guests to enjoy tennis, cycling, football, paddle ball, and swimming.

Wyndham Grand Algarve is not a sprawling resort, but an intimate, welcoming property where it feels like the guest experience is of paramount importance to the hotel.

There’s a dedicated Guest Experience team, and as soon as you arrive, your personalised stay begins. So, expect welcome amenities, your dining reservations made, as well as personalised experiences, like our day cycling in the Ria Formosa Natural Park. They can also help make reservations with nearby restaurants, including the charming Figueiral Restaurant in Almancil.

Sleek suites

A welcome amenity of pastéis de nata custard tarts, a platter of exquisitely cut fresh fruit, and a chilled bottle of bubbles greeted us in our two-bedroom suite, with a double terrace opening to the sub-tropical gardens.

Each suite is like your own ‘pied-à-terre’ in the Algarve, a luxury home-away-from-home. In fact, the hotel has a real estate office in case you feel tempted to invest in one of these suites.

Each has 1, 2 or 3 guest rooms, a separate dressing room, en-suite bathrooms, and an additional guest WC and shower room, and a fully fitted kitchen, with a Nespresso machine, cookies and even cinnamon for your coffee.

The level of comfort makes these suites the perfect haven for both short escapades and long stays. All the details you’d expect from a 5-star hotel were there, like slippers, robes, and swish amenities (here they are by LAFCO New York), as well as pristine, impeccably presented bed linens, and decoration that includes fresh orchids.

The setting is tranquil – this isn’t a lively resort. Slide open the terrace doors and you’re immersed in the peace of the gardens, where the air is filled with the fragrance of blooms and the sound of birdsong.

Grand Spa

Afternoons are for poolside lounging or a pampering treatment at the Grand Spa. I found the wellness facilities to be on point. The hydrotherapy area is huge including a large heated indoor pool, hot tub, sensation showers, and in the changing rooms, you’ll find a sauna and steam room. Treatments show a painstaking attention to detail including fragranced massage beds and a choice of massage oils.

It’s a very relaxing way to work up an appetite for an evening of indulgence.

Grand gastronomy

XXL by Oliver

Signature dining at the Wyndham Grand, Quinta do Lago, Algarve is at XXL by Oliver.

We had a delicious evening, with Sous Chef Diogo Estorninho impressing us with bold, hearty dishes at this southern outpost of the acclaimed Lisbon restaurant, XXL.

Self-proclaimed ‘Chefpreneur’ Olivier Da Costa took the helm of the emblematic Lisbon XL restaurant back in ‘21, adding an extra X to the name together with his signature extravagance.

XXL Quinta do Lago, at the 5-star Wyndham Grand Algarve, is the first outpost in the south, and its classic cues are mixed with irreverence.

The design is eye-catching. For a start, there’s an elephant in the room! Should I talk about it? Well, let’s say traditional dining gets a flavoursome extra helping – the garlic prawns were ‘bread-dipping’ good, and the pricey lobster ‘steak’ hidden under thick sauce and generous potato and rice sides was surprisingly compelling.

Puddings were divine. I don’t have a sweet tooth, but both the soufflé and profiteroles were a fun choice for sharing.

Service throughout the evening was absolutely on point

Grand Bar & Lounge

Once we checked in, we headed straight to the Grand Bar & Lounge for a chilled glass of Portuguese white wine from Alentejo and browsed the tempting bar menu of tasty snacks like hummus with vegetables, fried, shrimp, and salads, as we relaxed on the sun-kissed terrace. Our Algarve escapade had begun.

Caravela

This is the hotel’s buffet restaurant where we enjoyed breakfast each morning.

Grand experiences

It’s no secret that I adore nature, and Wyndham Grand Algarve offers the best of both worlds, with an upscale resort lifestyle combined with access to spectacular nature. The fabulous Guest Experience team set us up with a healthy picnic and electric-assisted bicycles for an unforgettable day exploring the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Within minutes one is on the shores of the Atlantic where salt water and freshwater lagoons teem with bird life, and beyond are the broad golden sands of the beaches. Whether you simply enjoy active living, or wildlife watching or catching glimpses of beautiful wildflowers, then this is an experience not to miss.

Families will be happy to know that there’s a Kid’s Club too.

Quinta do Lago

The Quinta do Lago estate is a favourite for exclusive residential tourism, sports, and hotels. The sprawling property, set amongst pine trees, close to the shores of the Atlantic, is home to championship golf courses, a breathtakingly beautiful natural park, and world class facilities for football, tennis, cycling and fitness.

Staying at Wyndham Grand Algarve puts you at the heart of this leisure and sporting destination, combined with the privacy and comfort of either a 1-, 2- or 3-bedroom suite, making a stay on the Algarve a breeze.