Perfect Days | Monte Rei
Nestled in the unspoilt countryside of the Eastern Algarve is one of the area’ s most spectacular new developments. Monte Rei, an exclusive and luxury resort, opened just five years ago but already it has been voted‘ Best Golf Resort in Portugal’ by Golf Monthly and‘ Best Golf Course in Portugal’ by Top 100 Golf Courses. It is not difficult to see why the resort attracts such accolades. As soon as we pull up in front of the beautiful clubhouse at the centre of the resort, a valet comes to attend our car and directs us into the elegant and welcoming Clubhouse that is the perfect place to relax, eat or shop.
The Grill restaurant offers stunning views over the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and the Atlantic Ocean at a distance. As we sit on the terrace, a friendly waitress soon arrives to bring us refreshments and light snacks. The service is efficient and the food delicious, although we are trying not to over indulge as we have reservations this evening at the Vistas restaurant, one of the region’ s best dining establishments headed by award-winning chef Jaime Perez, formerly of El Bulli.
Reluctantly leaving the comforts of the terrace, we venture to the Pro Shop while we wait for our tee time. A host of designer brands are on offer and the shop oozes refinement with its oak shelving, glass fronted displays and tiled floors. We choose a couple of Monte Rei branded polo shirts as a memento of our day before heading to the practice area. Pyramids of golf balls await us and we are encouraged to practice our swing on the well appointed practice facility. When our tee time finally arrives, we find our buggy equipped with towels, chilled water, tees, 3D course guide and our clubs, and we are kindly escorted to the first tee by a smiling member of staff.
| www. portugal-life. net | Summer 2012 | 27