A naturally family friendly escape in Portugal
Situated on Portugal's unspoiled Western Algarve coast, near the historic fishing port of Sagres, surrounded by National Park and overlooking one of the country’s most beautiful beaches, the all new Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel is the ‘natural’ family friendly escape for those who want the best of a five-star beach resort with the luxury of ‘home comforts’.
Designed with families in mind, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel offers a selection of well thought out and beautifully appointed two and three bedroom self-catering houses as part of the ‘Martinhal Village’. With a daily maid service and every household convenience from a modern designer kitchen, washing machine and dryer to a 32” satellite television with video on demand, wireless internet access and an MP3 docking station, the houses are set out around a central village square so that popping out to the shops for an ice-cream, getting in a workout at the gym or meeting the children at the Kid’s Club are only ever a few minutes walk away.
With four different positions and layouts of house to choose from, all are only a short stroll to the beach or to one of the four large swimming pools. Families can enjoy breathtaking views from the Ocean Houses perched at the highest point of the resort overlooking the sea. From the Bay Houses, there are uninterrupted views of the Costa Vicentina National Park’s wooded valley to the east and the ocean to the south. Or for younger families, there is the community feel of Garden Houses, which are arranged around a large children’s freeform ‘Oasis’ pool with natural gardens and enclosed by a continuous Algarvian garden wall to provide both privacy and a carefree environment. The fourth option is to stay in one of the 10 individual Pinewood Houses, set apart in their own ‘close’, each having their own small private swimming pool.
With the soft sandy stretch of Martinhal Beach and the surrounding National Park providing a natural playground for activities such as swimming, cycling, horse-riding and numerous watersports, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel also offers an excellent range of additional facilities and activities to keep even the most adventurous members of the family entertained.
For children aged between three and eight years, Martinhal’s ‘Raposinhos’ (Little Foxes) kids club provides an active and inquisitive approach to fun with lots of toys, games and puzzles to keep minds and busy fingers occupied. The club also runs a changing calendar of activities with everything from T-Shirt printing and cookery classes to “The Little Scientist” lessons and face painting. A team of qualified child minders supervise on a 1:5 ratio in Rasposinhos, whilst babies and toddlers - aged 3 months to three years – will be equally happy and safely cared for in a separate area with one child minder to every three children. Situated on the Village Square with a small children’s playground in a sheltered walled garden, the Raposinhos kids club is open every day from 09h30 to 18h00, with additional outdoor surprises organised during the summer months.
Older children can also meet up with like-minded youngsters in the nearby ‘Blue Room’. Named after the tube created by a breaking wave that surfers try and ride in, this stylishly designed self-contained futuristic space provides a place for older children to absorb themselves in the latest video games, team up for a game of table football or simply hang out with some newly made friends. Designed specifically for children aged eight and above, the Blue Room is open to all guests on a complimentary basis. Supervised activities, such as soccer school, tennis lessons or learning to surf, can also be booked through the resort’s lively tennis and sports club - Club 98.
Equipped with two high-grade artificial grass tennis courts, two glass-sided Padel tennis courts, a swimming pool and an adjacent multi-purpose sports field for hosting football and other team events, Club 98 is an essential hub for those who take a more sporting approach to family holidays and want to brush up on an old pastime or learn a new skill. Offering everything from windsurfing, kite surfing, skimming, kayaking, parasailing, fishing and diving to land based pastimes such as pony trekking, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, eco-karting and golf, the most arduous task will be trying to decide what to book first and how to fit everything in.
For more relaxing pursuits and a tranquil break from the kids, a visit to the Finisterra Spa is a revitalising must for any Mum or Dad in need of a little adult pampering. Set in its own grounds with six individual wooden-clad treatment rooms looking out onto the spa’s own private garden, Finisterra Spa offers a sumptuous range of massages, wraps, body treatments, facials and uplifting ‘Signature Rituals’. A sauna and steam room are also available as well as a relaxation area with light refreshments served in the spa lounge.
Soothing hungry appetites, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel has an excellent range of restaurants and eateries. Based on the philosophy of using genuine Portuguese produce of the highest quality and following time-honoured methods of preparation, the resort is one of the best places in the Algarve to appreciate delicious national and regional cuisine.
For a special night out, whilst the children are in the careful hands of the babysitter, eat at O Terraço, the fine dining restaurant at Hotel Martinhal to experience the authentic world of Portuguese gastronomy with a modern twist, with spectacular views of Martinhal Bay. Or head down to the family friendly As Dunas Beach Restaurant & Bar for a stylish breakfast overlooking on the beach, a leisurely lunch or an alfresco candlelit dinner, and savour the wide selection of just-landed fish and seafood for which the restaurant is renowned. With a special children’s menu to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters, it’s the ideal place to while away a few hours with the beach right on the doorstep.
Located in the Village Square, Os Gambozinos is a lively bistro-style café with an informal, light-hearted and very family friendly atmosphere. Serving an appetising fusion of Portuguese and Italian food including the house specialty of mouth-watering wood-fired pizzas, it has an extensive menu ranging from nourishing soups and crisp salads to oven-baked fish and chunky grilled steaks. For younger guests, a special children’s menu offers bite-sized portions.
In addition, a selection of four pool and snack bars are dotted throughout the resort, making a healthy snack or delicious treat never far away. Martinhal also offers a home delivery service for the perfect family meal at home. A cross between room service and take away, breakfasts, lunches and dinners (including Indian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine) can be ordered in advance from Mercado, the resort’s gourmet village store, along with an excellent selection of Portuguese wines.
Only 2 hours and 40 minutes flight from the UK with scheduled flights to Faro or Lisbon, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel is the natural escape for a family beach holiday full of flavour and fun.
Indian Summer Family Offer – 5 Nights for 4 plus Complimentary Child Care
From 20 September to 31 October 2010, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel is offering 5 nights for the price of 4. Prices start from 608 Euros for a two bedroom Ocean House on an accommodation only basis for 5 nights (based on up to four people sharing) subject to availability. In addition, babies & toddlers receive 2 hours of complimentary daytime childcare per day with a complimentary baby pack on arrival (nappies, toiletries, baby milk and baby food), whilst children from 24 months to eight years old receive 4 hours of complimentary daytime childcare per day in the Raposinhos crèche.
To book call Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, email: res@martinhal.com
Or log on to: martinhal.com
