Comprehensive Review of Martinhal Sagres: A Family-Oriented Resort in the Algarve

Since its inception in 2010, Martinhal Sagres has redefined family vacations by prioritizing children’s amenities over adults-only areas. With features like children’s playgrounds and a complimentary baby concierge service that supplies essentials from bottle sterilisers to potties, parents can travel lighter. However, the experience may not be entirely seamless, as dining services require advanced bookings for all meals, including breakfast, and food and drink prices can be on the high side. Still, the resort is celebrated for its extensive family-friendly offerings, including multiple heated swimming pools, a stunning sandy beach, and a variety of sports and activities designed to engage children of all ages. Couples seeking a romantic getaway may want to consider other options, as the atmosphere is predominantly geared towards families with children.

Overall score 7/10

Rooms and Suites

Score 7/10: The resort features 37 rooms situated just off the beach, offering lovely full or partial sea views, complemented by a fresh color scheme designed to harmonize with the picturesque landscape visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Most rooms are spacious enough to accommodate a single child; larger families may need to book an interconnecting duplex beach suite, which includes stairs (with stair gates provided for safety). Bathrooms are generously sized, featuring separate bath and shower facilities.

Alternatively, guests can choose from 132 houses and villas, designed in a charming village layout away from the sea, accommodating groups of up to 12. These accommodations are equipped with kitchens and laundry facilities, and some even feature private outdoor pools. The baby concierge offers cots, highchairs, and baby baths for families traveling with infants, while the attentive staff is well-trained in addressing the needs of young children.

Dining Options

Score 7/10: As Dunas, with its stunning beach views, is perfect for savoring freshly grilled seafood paired with Portuguese wine while children play at the nearby playground. For dinner, O Terraco offers a refined atmosphere complete with wooden floors and ocean views, specializing in high-quality steaks. Both restaurants feature a kids’ corner that provides a space for children to play independently while parents enjoy their meals. The children’s menu includes favorites like pasta, burgers, and even baby purées.

Breakfast is available at both dining venues, featuring a basic buffet. Additionally, casual family dinners can be enjoyed at Os Gambozinos in the main square, overlooking a larger playground. It is important to note that all dining, including breakfast, must be pre-booked, and during peak times, preferred slots for families fill up quickly.

Additional Amenities

Score 8/10: The resort boasts five heated pools, with the Hangout pool being the favorite among guests (though the indoor pool is used when the weather is windy). The nearby sandy beach stretches for approximately 700 meters, and a water sports center offers activities like windsurfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Surf trips can also be arranged. Families can engage in daily soccer matches on the football pitch, along with tennis, padel, mini-golf, and a climbing wall. Several playgrounds are available, including one with a bouncy castle, and kids’ clubs cater to age ranges from six months to 17 years, organized into five distinct age groups.

All pool and playground access is complimentary, as are the gym and family playroom equipped with board games, video games, and a pool table. However, most other activities, including kids’ clubs, do incur additional charges, with some exceptions during the low season (typically November to March).

Location Insights

Score 7/10: Nestled in the southwestern corner of Portugal, the resort experiences windier weather compared to other regions of the Algarve, though fleeting cloudy days are common. Surrounded by the pristine Costa Vicentina Natural Park, it is a serene area abundant with birdlife and devoid of excessive tourist attractions. The hotel facilitates bike rentals and guided tours through the park, and the charming surf town of Sagres, home to a 15th-century fort and local eateries, is roughly a 20-minute walk away. Faro airport is approximately an hour and a half away by car.

Price Range: B&B doubles from €146; Restaurant mains starting at €22; Family-friendly; Accessible facilities available.

Helen Ochyra visited Martinhal Sagres.