Why you’ll love family villa holidays at Four Seasons Fairways Algarve

One Algarve resort seems to have found a solution to the squeeze of staying in a hotel room with two small children. Rochelle Streater visits Four Seasons Fairways in Quinta do Lago to see if their family villas combined with hotel luxury are really as good as they sound.

Four Seasons Fairways Algarve resort, Quinta do Lago

Four Seasons Fairways in Quinta do Lago is a stunning Algarve resort surrounded by golf courses and breath taking beaches. We were here to try its innovative approach to family accommodation – all-villa but with all the advantages of a luxury hotel –  so we couldn’t wait to arrive.

Family villa with private pool, Four Seasons Fairways Algarve resort

Family villa holidays mix with hotel luxury at this Algarve resort

Our home for the week was a beautifully decorated three-bedroom villa on the ground floor. More than spacious enough for a family of four, it also came with a private pool and garden. It was fully loaded with all the modern amenities and comforts you would need during your stay too. Plus, there was a supply of freshly stocked food from a shopping list we’d submitted before we arrived.

One very clear benefit of staying in a Four Seasons Fairways villa was having our own kitchen. This was super-convenient for quickly making snacks for the kids in between activities, but also great for heating up milk at night or whipping up 5am breakfasts.

The staff were another reason we loved this Algarve resort. They were incredibly friendly and accommodating and, from the moment we arrived, made us feel right at home.

Upside Down World kids club, Four Seasons Fairways Algarve resort

A lot of thought goes into making every day easy with kids

Everything at Four Seasons Fairways was within a four-minute walk of our villa. And when I say everything, that even included a mini-supermarket stocked with essentials. Although we also liked the fact that non-essentials like tennis courts and restaurants were nearby too. Plus we were also no distance from the gym, bike hut and spa. As I said: all of the benefits of staying in an Algarve resort but with the freedom and space of our very own villa.

However, this Algarve resort is also set in a 2000 acre estate. This makes it both gorgeous and a bit of a hike with kids. So you can guess how grateful we were to find buggies on hand to pick us up and drop us off at our villa. Of course we weren’t complaining about strolling around in the lovely Algarve sunshine! But an occasional lift did come in handy, especially with small, tired children or shopping.

Kayaking, Ria Formosa Natural Park, Eastern Algarve

Four Seasons Fairways is a great Algarve resort for active families

There’s no shortage of things to do at Four Seasons Fairways and the surrounding area. The resort itself even offers a choice of activities and excursions ranging from horseback riding to boat trips, so we were excited to get stuck in.

On our first full day, after a pretty impressive breakfast at the main restaurant Vivo, we dropped our girls off at the Upside Down World, the resort kids club for under 12s.

Housed in the main building, the kids club offers a variety of activities and games to keep children busy. My two girls did not waste a second exploring the indoor soft play area. Again, the staff were excellent, making sure they knew our kids’ likes and dislikes, and telling us what they had planned for the children each day. On day one, they baked cakes and painted!

With the children safely occupied, my partner and I decided to join the morning hike. We were picked up from reception and taken to the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park. It’s a spectacularly unspoiled reserve and were extra lucky to be joined on our morning hike by Gold Medal Olympian Amy Williams, who was running a fitness camp that week.

Led by two local guides, we were taken around the conservation area and shown all the historic methods of farming and making alcohol. Then, at the end of the hike, we were given a basket weaving lesson using a plant we’d seen during our walk. I have to admit the competition got fierce, as we all tried to impress the teacher with our newly learned skills and mini-masterpieces.

Four Seasons Fairways is surrounded by beautiful Algarve beaches

On our bikes and off to Quinta do Lago beach

Back at Four Seasons Fairways, we collected the kids, packed some snacks and drinks at the villa and set off on our bikes.

The plan was to cycle to Quinta do Lago beach for the afternoon and less than 10-minutes later, after a really pleasant ride, we were there. The beach was absolutely beautiful and unexpectedly quiet. So the girls were thrilled to be able to run around, scream and play without having to worry about upsetting other visitors. No surprise, we spent the day relaxing, swimming, and exploring.

We even found a little café where we had a delicious lunch. Admittedly, cycling back was a bit more challenging. But we made it and all-in-all had an incredible day.

Market town of Loulé, the Algarve

Discover traditional Algarve towns close to Four Seasons Fairways

On day two of our stay at this lovely Algarve resort, we had a nice relaxing morning at the villa where the girls loved playing in our pool and gardens.

Although we couldn’t resist a visit to the traditional market town of Loulé, just 15 minutes from Four Seasons Fairways. It’s particularly known for a vibrant atmosphere and array of fresh produce, and it did not disappoint.

On arrival, we were immediately struck by the vivid colours, sounds and smells of the market. There were stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to hand-crafted jewellery and souvenirs. We spent hours browsing, sampling local food, and picking up ingredients for dinner back at our villa.

That evening we also had a family movie night, all snuggled up on the sofa with popcorn, and it was perfect.

The Clubhouse, Four Seasons Fairways, Algarve

Make time for the resort’s fabulous facilities

With our stay coming to an end, the children enjoyed their final morning at the kids club. So mum and dad took full advantage of the clubhouse facilities including the fully equipped gym, pool and sauna.

For lunch we went for a nice walk through Quinta do Lago to a picturesque lakeside café. Then, on our way back, we stopped off at the local riding stables. A perfect end to a perfect holiday at this wonderful Algarve resort.

We really did have an unforgettable stay at the Four Seasons Fairways. The resort offered everything we could have hoped for in a family holiday, from our spacious and luxurious villa to the friendly and accommodating staff. So in conclusion, I would highly recommend a holiday here to any family, looking for a fun and relaxing Algarve getaway.