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Parque da Floresta Golf Resort and Spa – the last resort in the western Algarve before you reach AmericaParque da Floresta Golf Resort and SpaAs you head into the western Algarve, the scenery changes towards the wild and rugged, the coastline becomes more dramatic and the towns and villages less commercialised. In the middle of all this is the Parque da Floresta Golf and Spa Resort, with all the facilities you’d find on one of the central Algarve resorts. It is an upmarket resort, and is very well maintained.It is a self-contained resort with Spa facilities and an 18-hole golf course, plenty of other leisure activities and a good selection of eateries. It is a good holiday location for families and couples, but not the place to go if you want late night bars and clubs. If you want to make the most of exploring the rural western Algarve or take a trip to one of the Algarve Water parks, then car hire is essential Accommodation - Parque da Floresta Golf ResortAccommodation on the resort is available in 2 or 3 bedroom townhouses which have access to shared communal pool, while Villas have 3 to 5 bedrooms with private pools. Click on the link to have a look at a selection of Parque da Floresta villas and townhousesSpa FlorestaAt the centre of the resort is Spa Floresta, which lays claim to be the Algarve's leading health and beauty spa and there’s plenty to choose. If you want be pampered, there are the usual range of skin and anti-aging treatments or you could try alternative therapies such as reflexology and Reiki. After you’re pampering, you’ll need to relax, perhaps by the large heated outdoor or indoor pools or maybe in the steam room, sauna or spa bath.If you’re one of those people who need to go on holiday to get fit, there is a well-equipped modern and air-conditioned gym, with instructors available to help develop a fitness programme just for you. For the more aerobically minded there are a number of exercise classes on offer as well as the more gentile Yoga and Pilates. Spa Floresta also has a hair and nail studio if you’d rather dispense with the pain of exercise and just look good instead! Parque da Floresta Golf CourseParque da Floresta Golf Course is 18-hole par 71 affair winding its way through the hills in the resort. It is a parkland style course with a good variation of holes and some fantastic views of the surrounding Algarve countryside and the Atlantic Ocean. For more information about the Parque da Floresta Golf Course and the Golf Academy, click on the link.Restaurants and bars at Parque da Floresta Golf ResortThere are a number of restaurants and bars at the Parque da Floresta Golf Resort, which are pretty good, but as you might expect, more expensive than eateries away from the resort. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in places like nearby Salema and Luz, which are easily accessible if you have a car. One of my favourites is the Atlantico Restaurant (Tel: 282 695 142), a good beachside restaurant at Salema overlooking the sea.If you are eating in the resort then you have the following choices: O Parque Restaurant The O Parque Restaurant can be found at the centre of the Parque da Floresta Golf Resort and overlooks the golf course. The cuisine is International with Portuguese influences and generally gets favourable reviews. Breakfast is also served here. Blue Lagoon Restaurant The Blue Lagoon Restaurant offers lighter fare and snacks, grilled and barbecued food and can be found by the pool. Spa Terrace Spa Terrace is open daily for drinks and lighter meals serving cuisine with a far-eastern flavour and specialising in fish. Vicentino TrattoriaRight by the resort’s reception is the Italian Vicentino Trattoria serving fresh pasta and pizzas. A take-away service is available.Blue Wave Beach BarBlue wave Beach Bar is situated on the Cabanas Velhas beach, a 5 minute drive away from the resort. A light menu is served during the day, with a more extensive menu for dinner. A shuttle bus service is available from the resort.Other Leisure Activities at Parque da Floresta Golf ResortThe resort has four floodlit Tennis courts with a choice of hard or artificial grass. If you want to improve your ground stroke, there’s a resident LTA coach for a quick lesson or you could take a course and turn your visit into an Algarve tennis holiday.Parque da Floresta Golf Resort has its own PADI Scuba Diving centre with fully qualified instructors where you can learn to dive, starting in the more comfortable surroundings of the swimming pool. Dives can be arranged (in the sea rather than the pool) for those already PADI certified. If you like your leisure activities above sea-level, why not try Horse Riding. Treks can be organised through the resort, to enjoy the beautiful and rugged local countryside. If you’re a beginner, then lessons are available. For something more sedate, and perhaps more popular with the more mature visitor, is the Parque da Floresta Bowling Club with its two all-weather greens. Children’s activities at Parque da Floresta Golf ResortParque da Floresta is a family orientated resort and is great for kids up to the age of about thirteen or fourteen, older if they’re into tennis or golf. For the younger children (between 4 and 8 years old), there is the Floresta Fun Club which is a holiday club run during the summer holidays, with activities to keep them suitably entertained. For older kids (11 to 16 years), there is the Activ8 club. Also there’s the Mark McCarrick Soccer School, for 4 to 16 year olds, which runs in the holidays at the resort Website The children’s pool, next to the adults’ pool is surrounded by an enclosed play area, with swings and climbing frames. Directions from Faro to Parque da Floresta Golf ResortFrom Faro airport head towards the A22 and join it heading west towards Portimao. Carry on all the way until junction 1, signposted Lagos, where you leave. Take the first exit at the second roundabout heading for Sagres and Vila do Bispo. This is the EN 125. Carry straight along here past turnoffs for Luz, Espiche, Almadena and Burgau. After the Ecomarche supermarket on your right, turn right at the traffic lights, signposted ‘Golfe’ and enter the Parque da Floresta Golf Resort and Spa.Distance from Faro to Parque da Floresta is 95km Distance from Lagos to Parque da Floresta is 16km Return from Parque da Floresta Golf Resort to West Algarve Guide
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