Sol Meliá adds Quinta do Vale to its five-star fold

Already firmly on the map thanks to its peaceful eastern Algarve riverfront location, low density luxury homes and impressive Severiano Ballesteros-designed 18-hole golf course – Quinta do Vale has seen its image boosted even higher with the news that Sol Meliá will manage the resort’s 125-room five-star hotel.

Set to open in 2011, Quinta do Vale’s hotel will be the fifth of the group’s exclusive ‘Meliá’ brand in Portugal and therefore cater all types of guests from the holidaymaker through to the business traveller. The first hotel to achieve five-star status east of Faro (a 60km drive) Quinta do Vale will have an indulgent Spa, mouth-watering cuisine and bespoke conference and incentive facilities.

Andrew Benitz, Director of Titan Algarve, real estate specialists in the eastern Algarve, comments, “Sol Meliá recognises the major part that golf plays in the travel and tourism market and was keen to secure the management contract at Quinta do Vale largely for this reason. The chain now has nine golf resort hotels worldwide and this Severiano Ballesteros-designed masterpiece will sit well in their portfolio. The course is expected to attract top international competitions and players from across the globe, alongside residents and pay-and-play golfers, making the resort both sustainable and profitable.”

Sitting at the highest point of the resort, Quinta do Vale’s hotel will offer panoramic views of the resort’s golf course complete with Clubhouse and Pro Shop as well as the River Guadiana which separates Spain and Portugal beyond. The entire resort has been given PIN status (Project of Potential National Interest) by the Portuguese authorities who have recognised Quinta do Vale for its privileged location, environmental sustainability, commitment to energy efficiency and generator of wealth for the local economy.

Courting an upmarket clientele, Quinta do Vale provides two low-density living options - 66 plots for substantial single family villas and 57 detached homes in a Riverside five-star tourist Village. Hugging the banks of the Guadiana the ultra contemporary two bedroom Riverside Village properties share a reception, convenience store, restaurant and bar, two tennis courts, lawn bowls and two communal swimming pools (one of which is indoors and heated) although higher priced units have their own. Enjoying a combination of golf, lake and river views this resort-within-a-resort is also closest to the private boarding pier giving access from both the River and the Atlantic bringing Quinta do Vale within cruising distance of the rest of the Algarve. Plans for a marina with 100 berths for boats up to 8m (26ft) are also being developed. Prices at Riverside Village start from 650,000 euros with a 4% rental guarantee for the first two years from completion expected for the end of 2010.

The Colonial- and Mediterranean-styled villas occupying plots of up to 1,700m² have three en-suite bedrooms, generous blank-canvas basement areas for perhaps a gymnasium or home cinema, garaging for two cars and landscaped gardens with the obligatory swimming pool – all with golf views. Prices start from 1.2 million euros and various furnishing or golf membership offers are up for negotiation.

For further information, visit titan-algarve.com