Vila Strelitzia 

(Named after the Bird of Paradise tree in the villa's atrium)

Luxury 5 bedroom Algarve villa completed in October 2002 at the prestigious Parque da Floresta Golf and Country Club in the unspoilt Western Algarve between Lagos and Sagres, about 1 hour drive from Faro Airport. 

Key features:

Sun-filled days, uncrowded beaches, contrasting landscapes, history and culture, good food, plenty of attractions and entertainment … these are the ingredients that combine to make the perfect holiday destination. You’ll find them all in the Western Algarve, one of the last areas in southern Europe to remain unspoilt.

It is less than 60 minutes drive by brand new motorway from Faro International Airport to the Western Algarve – but it could be a world apart.

From the tranquility of its sheltered southern bays and harbours to the rugged splendour of the wilder shores pounded by the Atlantic surf on the west coast, this is like no other part of Portugal.

Basking in more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, the region boasts unrivalled opportunities for holidays, which can be as active or relaxing as you wish.

One of the first things you will notice about the Western Algarve is the stark contrast with its more crowded and commercialised counterpart in the East. Here in the West you will discover open vistas with rolling rural landscapes, long stretches of sandy beaches, picturesque fishing villages and historic towns steeped in maritime heritage.

The countryside of the Western Algarve is speckled with quaint hamlets where time has seemingly stood still, the highlight of the week being the traditional open air market at which local folk gather to buy and sell their fresh produce and wares.

With its maze of winding cobbled streets full of pavement restaurants, café bars, antique and art shops, Lagos is a town of culture and history. The town walls, still largely intact, date back to Roman times. It was from here in 1415 that a giant fleet set sail under the command of Prince Henry the Navigator to seize Ceuta in Morocco – and set the stage for Portugal’s ambitious Age of Discovery.

Right out to the west is the port of Sagres and spectacular headland of Cape St Vincent, the most south-westerly point in continental Europe, known as O Fim Do Mundo, the “end of the world” by the ancient mariners who passed this way on their voyages of exploration into the Great Unknown.

Vila (how the Portuguese spell it) Strelizia is one of the largest villas on the prestigious Parque da Floresta (PdF) golf and country club estate. As the name suggests, the resort abounds with myriads of colourful plants, shrubs and tropical trees, and not a concrete horror in sight! No development is allowed within 500m of the sea in this heavily protected area of Portugal. In 2000 Parque da Floresta won the Jaguar property award for the best Portuguese golfing development and in 2001 it won the Mercedes property award for best Portuguese development.

The course itself is beautifully laid out with several challenging holes for the more experienced golfer - and none more so than the wicked 5th where the green perches on a plateau below the tee testing the subtlest of pitches. Or perhaps the par five 9th where only the mightiest hitters have ever made it onto the dance-floor in two. Then there's the 15th with a raised tee followed by 100 m of lake fed by gentle waterfalls to a green surrounded by glorious flowerbeds. This is the hole Vila Strelitzia overlooks where it looks a heck of a lot easier from on high!

PdF aspire to offer one of the best golfing experiences in the Algarve. Consequently they work tirelessly season after season to add new features and challenges to one of the most beautifully maintained courses you'll find anywhere in Europe.

And it's never crowded! 4 hour rounds are typical, even in high season. And don't forget to try all the other fabulous course a short drive away - like Penina, Palmares and the new Boavista championship course. And with the new motorway, you're only an hour away from the delights of San Lorenzo, Quinta da Lago, Vilamoura, Vila Sol and many others. The Algarve is THE golfer's paradise!

Vila Strelitzia is named after the bird of paradise tree in the atrium which runs through the property. It comfortably sleeps 10 people in 5 bedrooms (2 double, 3 twin), and uniquely has a childrens’ playroom complete with sofa bed (can sleep 2 more), DVD and Nintendo! There are 4 bathrooms (3 en-suite).

The property, at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, has magnificent panoramic views overlooking the golf course, nature reserve and beyond to the Atlantic, a few minutes drive away. The villa has ample parking, and was designed to enable two or three families and larger golfing parties to relax and enjoy in spacious comfort the wonderful climate and abundant sporting, scenic and cultural pleasures peculiar to this relatively undiscovered part of the Algarve.

Parque da Floresta (PdF)  is built around a beautifully manicured 18-hole par 70 golf course which annually hosts the David Seamen Classic (David owns a neighbouring villa at PdF) as well as several Portuguese and European PGA events. There is also a covered driving range with video coaching facilities. 

The recently opened Boa Vista championship course is another great test of golf and only about 15 minutes away on the outskirts of Lagos.

PdF also has a tennis complex with 4 well-maintained floodlight courts, together with coaching and regular tournaments. There is a café pizzeria next to the courts with a pool table – ideal for bored teenagers who want to “hang out” away from their parents!

Other sporting facilities include an archery centre, 2 bowling greens (with club-house that serves marvelous English breakfasts), horse-riding, a large treatment spa and gymnasium. Attached to the spa and outdoor pool is another friendly little café which serves great coffee and croissants.  They also provide light lunches and barbequed food during the holiday season.

Within the golf-club there is a cordon bleu restaurant overlooking the 18th fairway, as well as the spike bar which has a sun terrace and serves snack food. However, within a short drive of the club are numerous other high quality restaurants suiting all tastes and budgets.

Entry to the villa is onto the first floor. The entrance hall, which features traditional Portuguese polished calcada tiling has double doors which lead into a spacious domed living area. 

Two sets of sliding and large folding doors open onto sun-trap balconies with wonderful views running around South, East and West aspects of the villa. 

There is a built-in barbeque on the balcony next to the kitchen which has a dishwasher, fridge, freezer, oven, gas hob and microwave. There is also a washing machine in a separate utility room with access to an outdoor drying area.

A major feature of the villa is the collection of large Strelitzias or ‘bird of paradise’ trees set into an atrium which is visible from all parts of the property.

The villa has air conditioning throughout, satellite TV/Video/DVD, a large heated pool, and spectacular unobstructed views of the golf course, hills and the Atlantic. Due to rigid planning restrictions, the horrendous concrete jungles which have destroyed the coastlines of the central Algarve and much of Spain, will never happen in this carefully protected nature reserve which stretches for hundreds of miles along the western and southern coasts of Portugal. Quite simply, Parque da Floresta is set in the heart of one of the most wild and unspoilt regions of the whole Iberian peninsular.

Lagos, about 20 minutes drive away, is well worth strolling around. It is considered by many to be the prettiest of all the Algarve towns with its old fort, churches, slave market and picturesque squares. The fish market and marina are also worth a visit – as is the newly built fountain in the shape of a 3-mast schooner at the entrance to the town, which celebrates the town’s history as the origin of oceanic exploration. Naturally Lagos has huge numbers of quaint fish restaurants to explore.

It has a seafaring tradition which dates back to the 15^th century when Henry the Navigator had his ships built for voyages of discovery into the unknown world. Within its cobbled pedestrianised streets are many historic buildings, outdoor restaurants and regional craft shops.  There is also a marina at Lagos which offers a variety of chartered boat trips along the dramatic rugged coastline. And for those who crave thrills and excitement don’t miss a high-speed dolphin safari ride. The kids will love it. 

The town square in Lagos                                              Lagos fish market

Close by are also several beautiful, unspoilt beaches, each with their own rustic bar/restaurant, serving surprisingly good food by serving staff who are universally eager to look after you.  All beaches in this part of the Algarve have fine white sand, typically surrounded by large cliffs.  Several are sheltered coves ideal for families with small children, and others are more exposed and perfect for wind-surfing and surfing.

Sagres and neighbouring Cape St Vincent, only 15 minutes drive West, is nicknamed the End of the World. it is the most south-westerly tip of Europe and regarded as the home of navigation. You can walk around the mighty Sagres headland within the ramparts of the Forteleza, and have a close look at the famous lighthouse. The cliff scenery is spectacular and wildly beautiful. Along the west coast the towering cliffs give way in places to stunning empty beaches, many of them easily reached by car.

Other towns worth visiting are Silves and Monchique, up in the mountains.  A fun day trip can be taken by boat along the river Arade from Portimao up to Silves and back. Many other local attractions include Lagos Zoo (actually rather better than one might imagine), the Arade reservoir up in the mountains (where you can water-ski or canoe), and several large water parks (“Slide & Splash” at Portimao is the closest). The Dolphin Safari from Lagos harbour is also well worth taking.

 Prices in Euros includes 40% golf discount and maid service. Add €300 / week for optional pool heating

Check Availability

To enquire about booking, click here. Please note that normally bookings can only be made for whole weeks, Saturday to Saturday.