Portugal - The best of the Algarve

Welcome to the Algarve!

What springs to mind when you think of the Algarve? Let me guess: sun, beaches, golf and fun nights out?! You’re not wrong, but having just had the privilege of experiencing the destination first-hand, I’ve discovered that the Algarve has so much more to offer (as an incentive destination) than meets the eye!

XPTO Events & DMC are experts in the Algarve. It is refreshing to visit hotels where the staff know many of them personally, and it’s great to see that they have fantastic relationships with all suppliers, built on strong friendships.

On arrival, I met with Anabela and Isabel from XPTO Events & DMC and enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Akavit. The restaurant specialises in international cuisine, and it is situated at Vilamoura Marina.

I was fortunate to stay at the Anantara Hotel; it is a beautiful resort with a personal touch. You are greeted by name upon arrival and taken to a private lounge for check-in. Breakfast was amazing! You are given a hand towel and fresh juice upon arrival, and the resort is located alongside one of Vilamoura's championship golf courses, making it a particularly strong option for golf incentives.

The Anantara has 280 rooms and suites, 5 swimming pools, and our DMC can arrange cooking workshops at the resort for smaller groups at the Spicy Spoon (up to 10 pax), or a tile-painting experience can be set up at the hotel. Their signature restaurants are Emo, specialising in gourmet cuisine, and Ria, specialising in seafood. On my departure, the hotel presented me with dried flowers (similar to lucky heather) to bring me good fortune, which was a lovely gesture!

BEST PLACES TO STAY

You are very lucky in the Algarve as the hotels are all of a very high standard and you have a fantastic choice of 5* hotels. 4* properties are more difficult to come by.

Vila Vita Parc

Part of the Leading Hotels of the World and set on 54 acres, the resort is great for small incentive groups, offering an array of activities. Situated in a relaxing area and away from the hustle and bustle, it’s ideal if you want to do everything in-house, as there are no bars/restaurants within walking distance of the resort. The nearest town is Armação de Pera, a 5-minute drive away. Groups tend to stay in the main building area, which has 74 bedrooms. They have a clubhouse with restaurants and bars and a ballroom with meeting space up to 350 theatre / 250 gala.

The resort also owns a farm 1 hour and 30 minutes away, where they grow their own vegetables and make their own wine, which they use in-house.

Tivoli Marina Vilamoura

The Tivoli Marina Vilamoura is a great choice, with 383 rooms and a location right on Vilamoura Marina. The hotel also has a dock for boats to pick guests up for fun at sea; ideal for those who enjoy boat parties!

Conrad Algarve

I loved the Conrad Hotel in Quinta do Lago, which is very high-end and has 154 rooms.  You can privatise the hotel's wings for groups, and the property is a short distance from the golf resorts. The food and cocktails in Gustos are to die for, and the making of each cocktail is explained to you by an expert. The presidential suite and its accompanying terrace can be used for meetings/dinner / BBQs and drinks.

Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort

This amazing resort features a modern-classical style and 217 rooms. The main meeting room can seat 200 people theatre-style and has an outdoor terrace for coffee breaks. There are many private areas to host an event; Tabu is a large open-air space the hotel is well known for, and Lemon Square is a great outdoor space for lunches, dinners, and cocktail receptions. Aldar is also a great venue with a Moroccan theme where you can arrange a band, a disco, or whatever you fancy. Also popular is the beach party option with DJ, BBQ or buffet.

PLACES TO EAT

Buzios Beach Club

I had lunch at Búzios, which is located on Marina Beach in Vilamoura; Búzios Beach Club is a restaurant/bar with fabulous sea views and specialises in meat and fish. Capacity: 45 pax inside / 65 pax outside

Bovino Steakhouse

Bovino brings the best in steakhouse dining to Quinta do Lago. In a bespoke setting, created by one of Europe's most acclaimed interior designers, Bovino combines striking décor with prime beef cooked to perfection.  Capacity 350 pax

Casa Velha

Casa Velha is one of Quinta do Lago's most established restaurants, offering contemporary Portuguese cuisine in an elegant setting. The restaurant also has a beautiful outdoor terrace with a pool, ideal for group cocktails. Capacity 60 pax

Paixa

I had the pleasure of eating at Paixa - a cool and trendy restaurant in Vale do Lobo; it seats 70 comfortably inside and specialises in Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine. The main restaurant is open-plan and has a small outside seating area. Capacity 70 pax

NEED A VENUE WITH A DIFFERENCE

Purobeach Vilamoura

Great concept used for groups; it offers 2 venues under the same name. The Beachside at Vilamoura Beach creates a perfect, relaxing atmosphere, combined with Puro’s offering and live music from the resident DJs.  It has a capacity for 50 inside and 150 outside. Another option is the Lakeside in the gardens of the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura, where guests can experience a more social-oriented offering at night, and it can accommodate up to 3000 people for cocktail parties and 480 for dining.

Casa do Lago

Situated in Quinta do Lago by the lake, Casa do Lago is a great restaurant to take over exclusively.  It has an outside pool, and the restaurant has a fisherman’s theme. The venue can accommodate 200 inside and 200 outside. This is a great option for drinks on the balcony area beside the pool after visiting the water sport centre for groups, as it is next door and can be used exclusively.

Watersport Centre

Also in Quinta do Lago, guests can cycle through the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park, one of Portugal's most important coastal wetland areas, with its lagoons, salt marshes, waterways and barrier islands. Also, it is great for water sports such as windsurfing, paddleboarding, sailing, and canoeing.  After water sports, you can take over the balcony area at Casa do Lago.

Other options for your next Incentive trip:-

Dolphin watching

Sunset party on catamaran

Watersport afternoon

Beach party

For incentive groups, the Algarve combines luxury resorts and excellent event venues with beaches, golf, watersports, gastronomy and outdoor experiences. With Faro Airport providing easy access to the region, programmes can be tailored around Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago and other locations across the Algarve.

Please get in touch to find out how XPTO Events & DMC can create your next incentive programme in Portugal.