September is a lovely time of year to go on holiday in The Algarve – not too busy and not too hot. We’ve just returned from a perfect week in the Martinhal Beach Resort and Hotel near Sagres which is right at the furthest south-west tip of Portugal.We’ve been to Martinhal before and have been singing the resort’s praises ever since. There’s something about it which I wish the owner’s could bottle and sell to other beach resorts as I don’t think there are many other places out there which get it so right.

The Location? Tick.

The Food? Tick.

The Accommodation? Tick.

The Facilities? Tick.

Weather? Tick.

Staff? Tick.

Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel

Martinhal is a 5 Star resort in an incredible location on an unspoiled part of The Algarve. We were in a Beach Room and we had a beautiful view of the sea, cliffs, beach and grasses fluttering in the light breeze. No nasty, high-rise hotels to spoil the view, no hordes of sunburnt holiday-makers taking up every single available space on the beach! It was bliss. We had our own private, tranquil terrace to sit and read (or sleep) and soak up the views and we made the most of this every day.

It was just a short walk down the path from the Beach Rooms to get to the lovely beach below us. The sea was crystal clear and the beach was clean and quiet – all-in-all idyllic really. A little beach bar serving nice cold beers amongst other things pretty much sealed the deal for us. What’s not to like?

Most mornings we were up earlyish to go for breakfast in O Terraco Restaurant where there was the option to sit outside – always nice to do when you’re on holidays! There was plenty of choice in the breakfast buffet and you could order extras if you so wanted. I had crepes one morning and Mr. C had an omelette but to be honest the buffet was so good that we tended to choose from what was on offer. The breakfast pastries were particularly good as was the fresh fruit and most important of all, the coffee was good, hot and plentiful.

The evening meals in O Terraco were excellent, well-presented and reflect the hotel’s 5 Star status. We both ate the fish of the day in As Dunas one evening and it was to die for.  I don’t know what secret the management team have here at Martinhal but on both our visits there, we have only ever come across brilliant staff. The restaurant staff are spot-on with the right balance of friendliness, chattiness and professionalism. The service is  kind of ‘informally’ formal, if that makes sense. The waiting staff do everything exactly as they should but you don’t get that awkward constant hovering obsequiousness you get in some 5 star places.

Since our last visit they’ve opened up a new bar called The M Bar. Great cocktails, decor and staff but sadly lacking in atmosphere at the moment which is a real shame. Perhaps as it becomes an established fixture at Martinhal it will fill-up in the evenings and they’ll get a bit more of a buzz going on? I hope so as it’s a lovely addition to the Resort.

There are 5 different pools areas at Martinhal but our favourite was the Club 98 one. Whichever pool you went too though, there were always ample sunbeds and umbrellas (other hotels, take note!) and people to take that vital order for ‘2 Mojitos please’!

We’re the sort of people on holidays who just want to lounge around reading, relaxing and doing nothing in particular except perhaps go for a swim to cool down and enjoy good food and drink. However for those of you who like a more active holiday, Martinhal has activities galore on offer like surfing, sailing, cycling, tennis, Zumba, Pilates and Yoga. Personally I don’t understand how anyone can play a tennis match when it’s so hot. I have to escape under sun umbrellas just to read my Kindle! I did avail myself of the wonderful Finisterra Spa though and ‘chillaxed’ so much, I actually fell asleep having my facial.

Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel is a brilliant place to go for a holiday whatever sort of holiday you want – self-catering, B&B or Half-Board. It’s as perfect a place for couples as young families or families with older children too. We saw quite a few multi-generational famiies there while we were there – handy having Granny and Grandad to babysit occasionally for you to have some ‘Couple-Time’!

Would I recommend Martinhal? Yes I would, of course I would. I can’t imagine how anyone couldn’t have a good holiday there – it’s simply perfect! Book at www.martinhal.com

We flew with Monarch from Gatwick to Faro with the minimal of fuss and used Holiday Extras to book our parking and a hotel the night before we travelled.