Vila Sol Spa and Golf Resort

Played the Prime/Challenge combo twice in glorious October sunshine. Condition was pretty fair after a long hard season. Very busy on the sunday, tuesday not too bad. Shortage of buggies, but I walked it twice with a trolley, not a problem. You have to be straight. The trees are very dense, so once in them, take your medicine and chip out. It reminds me of the Duchess at Woburn a bit. Some interesting holes. The clubhouse is marvelous.

Very enjoyable course. Not too long, very good condition, decent greens and not too difficult. A bonus in that you could generally find a wayward ball unless it was in water. Good facilities and friendly staff. Pestana have taken over a real gem.

Played a week at the end of October - 5 courses Quinta do Lago N - 92 Euro Quinta do Lago S - 92 Euro Pinhal - 74 Euro Vale do Lobo Ocean - 98 Euro Vila Sol - 90 Euro Portugal is getting pricey and the golf operators appear content to scale back green keeping and up the prices. Noticable a year on from a similar tour that the state of many courses has been allowed to decline. Not played here for a while and the memory of enjoyable golf was remembered. Greens noticably more scruffy but this course is good for those wanting relaxing golf. I think the 90 Euro fee is too much for what it offers.

Vila Sol was a game of 2 halves. We started on the original back 9 which was very good, good condition, excellent greens and a tough challenge. We then played the new 9 as our back 9. All of our 4 ball agreed that the new 9 simply feels too cramped, almost like they have tried to fit it in, in an area of land not really big enough just to meet the growing demand of golfers! its a shame as the original 9 we didn't play looked the best 9 on the entire course (holes 1-9)! I think the way it is organised is that visiting golfers play one of the original 9 holes and the new 9 but i'm not 100%. The off-course service was very good with good facilities including nice driving range. All in all pretty good but in my opinoin the new 9 resembles an average course you would find in UK and takes the shine off!

After reading the reports I was a bit confused about how this course works, so here goes with an expanation. Vila Sol appears to have changed quite a bit over the last 25 years. I played with someone who remembers the course from the 80's well before the development of the hotel and villas. At that time it was an 18 hole course used for the Portugese open. Today Vila Sol is a golf and hotel resort with three loops of nine holes - Prime, Challenge and Prestige. You can combine them to create three different combinations. Played all three over two days. All have subtle variations but are essentially parkland USPGA style courses between villas and developments. Beware that despite the course being quite mature there is still a lot of work in progress on adjacent building sites. This includes some unsightly 'berlin wall' style barriers around. Distances for the three (yellow/White)are Prime 3032m/3241m, Challenge 2943m/3152, Presige 2905m/3081m. As mentioned the GPS on the buggies is very good and converts to yards, although it did feel a bit short when you compared it too the meter markers on the course. Prime starts out with a three good par fours and then a nice section around a series of small lakes. Challenge is a bit tighter and narrower with a bit more up and down, including some elevated tees, notably the 13th. Prestige is an open parkland course with wide fairways and some water. Which ever combination you do it is a good challenge. Hotel and club house are tremendous. Club house overlooks 18th with great terrace and service. Nothing seems too much of a bother and although it is a bit pricy, unlike other venues the quality and service is worth it. Having a camera picture service on the first tee was a nice touch as was underground buggy storage which made the reception area uncluttered and comfortable. Fairways were immaculate. Very little rough, but trees don't give up the ball easily. Greens were OK - a little scabby on a couple. Two days here in September were a delight. 85 euro for a round was OK. 50 euro for a buggy seemed at the top end.

Just returned from a golf weekend on the Algarve, we played Vila Sol on the second day, and while the holes were generally long and the greens tough, we found this layout preferrable to driving through a complex of villa's with golf holes dotted around, as we found elsewhere. This is a golfers course, hit it long and straight and you're fine, though getting to the green is only half the battle, as there were a lot of tricky slopes to contend with. In great condition, and not particularly busy this time of year, pretty much had it to ourselves. Would recommend it at 70 euro's with a buggy and water thrown in on a low season deal direct with the course.

Played here 11-01-08 and all i can say is WOW. I know the weather helps, but if most courses were kept to this standard in the winter months, golf would be a lot easier. The first 3 holes are the toughest openers I have ever played, and if you get your first tee shot away, and get over those nerves of everyone watching you then it will set you up with a bag full of confidence. I'm a mid handicapper and found the course challenging, but not depressingly so, the high handicappers in my group did pick up a few times, but overall a very good mix of holes. The 6th hole is just awesome, forget about the blokes on the other side of the fence trying to sell you balls and just drink in the view you are presented with. Long hitters, and I mean long will have to flirt with the water and take it down the right with a narrow landing area to then be presented with an up hill second shot, you can reach the green in two, but keep those ball spotting skills going, you wont see it land very well. A nice touch of a halfway house selling welcome refreshments and some food.But a tad pricey.. Buggies are in total abundance and can get quite annoying if your walking as sticking to your normal pace is never quick enough.....but ignore this and just enjoy the course you will have a great time. If you are staying at the hotel then you get a very good rate indeed, around £48 for the low season. Enormously rewarding 18th hole right on fron of the clubhouse, and play a good appraoch shot and you could get a ripple of applause as you walk onto the green.....! Will definitely be going back again.

Played VilaSol last week. Its a tough course...holes 1 to 18 are the ones to play. Course in great condition and the fairways seem to get tighter everytime I play!. The greens are notably small with none of the 18 being 'flat'. Good clubhouse and great overall service / organisation. There is a lot of building work alongside the fairways but this doesnt detract. Its a good course...put it on your rota.

our group of 6 played here on may 23 and all of us were very disapointed with the course. it was booked under my recomendation because of feedback i had received on line. the greens were in poor condition especially the 18th which resembled a poor fairway. the greens were also unfair as the slopes on some were ridiculous. we certainly won't be rushing back any time soon.

Played holes 1-18 and thought this was an outstanding course. Tight fairways & great greens. The opening holes were a real test. Possibly the best set of par3's I have ever played on one course and the par 5 (6th I think) was a truly stunning hole. The buggies with the GPS that converted all distances into yards was also an added bonus.

Played Vila Sol, 1 to 18 last week and thouroughly enjoyed the Course. The Course was in great condition with excellent Fairways, Greens & Bunkers. The majority of fairways are tight and straight Drives and course management is essential on a number of holes. Will return to do Holes 19 to 27 another year. Clubhouse was nice along with the food & drink which was not really overpriced.

Vila Sol is a fantastic test of golf (a golfers golf course) but with a range of tee box options it's a good for novices as it is Pros. Now that the 5 star hotel has been built the other services are outstanding. Thje staff are very helpful and the greenstaff that I've met are passionate about delivering a good product. The new 9 have a few very good holes but unfortunately they are a little cramped, but nonetheless I feel that Vila Sol is one of the best courses in the Algarve with the origianl 18 one of the best in Europe.

played the course last thursday and thought that the layout was very good. However the condition was really poor , the greens in particular were shocking and the whole course clearly shows signs of being very over played.

Played for the first time in Feb this year. Excellent, some of the fairways are a bit tight, but the course condition was brilliant - green (yes - grass) fairways, fast consistent greens, excellent facilities, and very friendly staff. Played it on the Sat morning at 09:20 and we had the course almost to ourselves. Accroding to the caddymaster, Sat is often quiet as peopel are either coming or leaving the Algarve. Definitely on next years itinery.

A fantastic course and holes 1-18 very tight and tree lined. 19-27 are slighly more open but still fun to play. Fairways in great condition and greens true and fast. Played with mid handicappers on three occasions who all struggled with the challenge of this course. Unlike other Portuguese courses managed to complete round within 4 hours rather than the standard six-hour slog. Already planning a return trip next year.

played Vila Sol in May 05...knew nothing of the course...but came off very impressed! Excellent condition, mostly very tight driving holes, everyhole different...a real challenge. Will definetely play again next year...highly recommended!!

Just came back from the Algarve 3 weeks ago and this course is an absolute cracker. Best by some distance. So good we played it twice. 27 holes of sheer bliss. Not sure what the people below are talking about. Fairways are incredible! Best thing about the course and some of the holes take your breath away - the 5th looks impossible at the onset (I par'd it) and 13 par 3 is to die for - take an 8iron (I birdied it) Look out for brass on the roadside too-good pins:p

Just returned. 19 to 27 have come along way from their introduction. Construction work must be intermittent, because there was none going on. If you can get away in June take advantage of near empty courses.

Played Vila Sol in June 2003. Tee'd off at 12:00, got to 4:30 and had only completed 13 holes. Decided to walk off the course as waiting for 15 minutes each time to play a shot was in the groups opinion disgraceful bearing in mind on this particular day it was approx 30c. Holes 1-9 are wonderful holes except that a lot of the time building work is taking place in the surrounding area. Holes 19-22 are poor holes. Greens in poor conditions. I understand that this is not the High season for golf but I did play a number of other courses in the area and none were to the poor standard this course was in. Any comments on this would be interesting.

I played the Course in feb and it was in excellent condition, We were lucky enough to play 1 to 18 but only because we jumped from the 18th to the first instead of going to the 19 as requested. It was a good decision beacuse 1 to 9 are amazing holes. I would like to add the staff are very welcoming, the facilities are 2nd to none but there is allot of constuction going on in and around the course.

Vila Sol, Holes 1-18. A magnificent course, off the yellow tee's this measure over 6500 yards,a true test and a real Championship course. We palyed this course a few hours after a torrential, and I mean toprrential downpour ahd hit Quarteria and Vilamoura. Whilst the roads around were flooded the tees and greens were superb. Running true and quick this course is full of real 2 or 3 shot holes. There's no hiding place here, you need length and accuracy. A great course and I just hope when i go back I get Holes 1-18 and not 19-27, as other golfers ahve commented these are not in the league of the "real" course.

Unlike the previous contributor I was lucky enough to play 1-18 and thought it was excellent! Definately would play it again.

Be Warned. Our club played this as part of a package during the last week of May 2002. It had been highly recommended and expectations were high. There is a 3rd nine holes that have been recently introduced at Vila Sol and we were unlucky enough to play 19 - 27 and then 1 - 9. Talk about a game of 2 halves !!! At the time that we played the course holes 19 - 27 resembled nothing more than a building site. However 1 -9 are superb and I can add nothing more to the comments expressed elsewhere on this page. We spoke to a golf agency out there and they admitted that they had received a substantial number of complaints regading the 3rd 9 If you play Vila Sol PLEASE make sure that you play 1 - 18.

I cannot praise this club enough. The course is absolutely beautiful, and when played for the first time continually amazes you with what is round the corner. The sixth is one of the most magnificent sights I have seen on a course, and you feel from the very high tee that you can smash it miles. When you try, water awaits a hook or slice! The greens, in common with other course in the Algarve, are superb, holding high pitches whilst putting like a dream. The clubhouse here is very nice, if a little small. The only downside about the course is there are some hikes from green to tee, and some forced lines off tees. However, the beauty of the course overcomes any shortcomings. Remember to drive straight. Thoroughly recommended to anyone going to the Algarve.

I was lucky enough to play this course four times during a recent golfing holiday in the Algarve. It is a truely magnificent course, with something for everyone. Virtually all of the fairways are tight and lined with thick canopied umbrella pines - ensuring that chips from off the fairway must be precise. The back nine is the tighter of the two halves of the course, necessitating accuracy from the tee. There is water on seven of the holes, most notably the sixth and seventh. The sixth would make a classic signature hole for any course, 528 yards from an elevated tee position with water along the left and right, and a large lake to carry with your second shot. The seventh is a beautiful 178 yard par three, from an elevated tee position enclosed in pines to a green sloping forward from a steep bank right to the waters edge - better long than wet, but this leaves a tricky chip onto a fast green! The course is kept in perfect condition, although it was being prepared for the main season in October when I played, and some of the greens played a little untrue - but anyone playing in October is in for a serious treat. One word of warning though - the course is popular with all standards of golfer and this can mean hold ups behind slower players on busy days. For example, our three ball achieved a round of 3hr 45mins on one visit, only to drag round at an incredibly slow 5hr 30mins on our next visit, trapped behind a slow group of three x four balls. The best tee times are early morning if you can get them, or after 2.30pm - try to avoid the period between 11.30 and 1.30pm.