Located slightly off the beaten track, nestled in the Serra de Monchique mountain range above the Algarve coast, lies a hidden gem – the five-star Macdonald Monchique Resort and Spa, which has something to offer everyone.
Reopened by the Macdonald family last year following an extensive refurbishment, the resort’s 190 bedrooms offer contemporary luxury in relaxing rural surroundings.
Located around an hour’s drive away from Faro Airport, the resort is set back from the hustle and bustle of busy holiday resorts, yet is within easy reach of the region’s many beaches and coastal towns.
Set across three buildings – each linked with adjoining floors – the resort design makes the most of the rural landscape.
We stayed in an extremely spacious terrace view suite, with breathtaking vistas.
What better sound is there to hear when sipping a glass of wine or drinking your morning coffee than the light tinkle of cowbells from a nearby farm as the cattle come in for a feed?
And although the resort lies beside a road, the sound from traffic is minimal.
Our suite was well-equipped with a bedroom, complete with a massive bed and en-suite bathroom, as well as a further bathroom and a small kitchen and diner on the edge of a living-room area with sofa bed.
Both the bedroom and living area opened out onto a terrace with sun loungers, table and chairs to allow some al fresco dining, sunbathing or wine drinking.
Guests at the resort are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options. The breakfast is without a doubt the best hotel breakfast both I and my partner have ever had. Even the grumpiest, most non-morning person will look forward to waking up for this offering.
Laid out in buffet style, there is everything from fresh fruit and cooked-to-order eggs and omelettes, to smoked salmon, cheese, cold hams and freshly baked traditional Portuguese pastries.
The breakfast restaurant – O Mercado Culinario – also serves lunch and dinner later in the day. Our stay was during low season and it was not open for lunch. However, we enjoyed dinner twice at the restaurant.
The food was outstanding. The starter of traditional Portuguese prawns, cooked in olive oil, garlic, chilli and coriander is a must, as is the main course of Maminha steak.
The resort also offers a promotion where you can have three three-course dinners for 89 euros. Great food and great value – a must.
For those celebrating a special occasion – the Mon-Chic restaurant is the resort’s fine dining offering.
We enjoyed an eight-course culinary extravaganza prepared by the resort’s executive chef, Louis Anjos, and his team. Paired with different wines, courses included: cured mackerel, tomato, cucumber, onion, olives and parsley aioli; lamb leg cooked at a low temperature with lamb loin with herbs crust, confit potato and fried bread; coffee panna cotta, dark chocolate, caramel and melosa ice cream.
The other dining options at the resort are a Portuguese tapas bar, A Petiscaria, offering up local delicacies, and Pizzaria da Serra which offers Italian cuisine including authentic Neapolitan pizzas.
Guests can also enjoy snacks and drinks at the resort’s two pool bars – the Cascata Pool Bar at the main pool and the Agua Pool Bar beside the family pool and children’s play area.
The main hotel bar – the Mezzanine bar – is a great place to enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif or a post-dinner cocktail. And if you don’t fancy a tipple from the extensive menu, the bar staff are more than happy to concoct something to your liking.
The last food offering, and also a place to buy gifts for loved ones back home, is the resort shop known as A Mercearia. It has a great range of local food and wine as well as essentials such as sun cream and kids toys.
A stay at Macdonald Monchique isn’t all about tasty dining and cocktails though, and a key draw to the resort is the sensorial spa.
The resort is located within walking distance of the nearby spa village, Caldas de Monchique, which is famed for having water with healing powers. These thermal waters are used at the resort’s spa and in its cosmetics.
According to hotel management, the spa has been “inspired by the Algarve’s most valuable natural resources and the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding mountains.”
As well as offering typical spa treatments such as massages and manicures, the spa features a sensory spa experience which is second to none. Features of the sensory spa include a Himalayan salt wall sauna, sensorial showers, an ice chamber, an “aroma grotto” and a heated pool.
Although we were not visiting with children, we had a look around the family area and were impressed with the facilities on offer. The resort tries to house families in one block, with its own dedicated pool and play area.
In all, the resort offers everything you could wish for on a luxury holiday and more. Luxurious, yet relaxed, friendly and private – Macdonald Monchique ticks all the boxes. I’d definitely recommend a visit – we are already planning a trip back.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO NEARBY:
Away from the resort there are plenty places worth visiting – I’d recommend hiring a car. However, the resort can arrange transport for you if you don’t fancy driving.
A short drive up the hill from the resort lies the small town of Monchique and if you climb further north you reach the top of Foia – the highest point in the Algarve with impressive views across the region.
We visited two restaurants in Monchique during our stay – both were exceptional, offering great food, great service and great value. Within the town itself, A Charette offers local cuisine in friendly surroundings. Away from Monchique on the road up to Foia – Restaurante O Luar da Foia – serves up local cuisine in massive portions, in a spot with amazing views.
Venturing south from the resort, you reach the Algarve coast. Here you are spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches. We visited several during our stay, but two favourites were Praia de Benagil and Praia do Castelo near Albufeira.
We also visited a fantastic cafe located on the long sandy stretch of beach – Praia Grande – between Salgados and Armacao de Pera.
Off the beaten track and accessed by a rickety road, the bar is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and some freshly grilled sardines after a morning lounging on the beach.
For a different beach scene and perhaps the chance to try your hand at surfing, the western coast of Portugal is easily accessible from the resort.
FACT BOX:
Macdonald Monchique Resort and Spa is easily accessible from Faro Airport. There are various flights to Faro from Scotland and the resort can arrange a transfer from the airport to the hotel once you land.
Prices vary depending on the type of room booked.
More information is available online at www.macdonaldmonchique.com
