3 Nights, 2 Rounds
Pestana Vila Sol Golf & Resort sits in the Algarve countryside among fig and almond trees, with Vilamoura's marina, beaches and nightlife only a short hop away. You're about 25 minutes from Faro Airport, which makes it an easy win for long weekends and society trips where nobody wants a marathon transfer.
The on-site course is a full 27 holes, laid out as three nine-hole loops. It's got a bit of tour pedigree too, having hosted the Portuguese Open in 1992 and 1993. In practical terms, that means you can build your golf around the resort, then mix in a couple of big-name rounds nearby. The Old Course Vilamoura and The Els Club Vilamoura are both within 15 minutes, so it's simple to turn a relaxed resort stay into a proper "best-of-Vilamoura" itinerary.
Off the course, Vila Sol works because it keeps everyone happy. There are three outdoor pools, a well-equipped spa for post-round recovery and Green Pines Restaurant on-site. If you fancy a change of scene, you can dip into Vilamoura for dinner and drinks, then be back in peace and quiet for the night.
Who is this for?
Golfers and groups looking for a quality Algarve golf resort with on-site golf, strong facilities and quick access to Vilamoura.
Who is it best for?
Societies and mixed-ability groups who want a sociable base, easy logistics and the option to rotate between resort golf and nearby championship courses.
* Where applicable, the relevant promotions will be applied during the booking process. T&Cs may apply.
3 Nights, 2 Rounds
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Flights, 3 Nights, 2 Rounds
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Flights, 5 Nights, 2 Rounds
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5 Nights, 3 Rounds
5 Nights, 2 Rounds
Flights, 5 Nights, 3 Rounds
These are example flights.
You'll choose your departure airport, and flight requirements later.
7 Nights, 5 Rounds
Flights, 7 Nights, 5 Rounds
These are example flights.
You'll choose your departure airport, and flight requirements later.
The Prime loop is considered by locals to be the most difficult at Vila Sol, measuring 3,241 metres, where negotiating the tough opening holes requires accurate and powerful driving. The penalties for missing the fairways are severe, so placing the ball strategically from the tee is of paramount importance.
| Par | 36 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Donald Steel |
| Opened for play | 1991 |
| White | 3,241 metres |
|---|---|
| Yellow | 3,032 metres |
| Red | 2,728 metres |
The Challenge loop is generally known as the back nine of Vila Sol's testing championship layout, but as opposed to the exacting tee shots of the Prime, its main defences are the heavily undulating greens. Be sure to keep the ball below the hole, as putting downhill here can be treacherous to say the least.
| Par | 36 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Donald Steel |
| Opened for play | 1991 |
| White | 3,152 metres |
|---|---|
| Yellow | 2,943 metres |
| Red | 2,678 metres |
The Prestige is Vila Sol's shortest nine, at 3,122 metres, but is certainly no pushover; while Steel only worked a mere five bunkers into his design, he skillfully manipulated the indigenous features of the land to create a demanding test. The fairways are narrow on the Prestige, so be sure to keep it straight from the tee.
Vila Sol is also home to a comprehensive golf academy, where the lessons and clinics utilise the latest tuition technology, and can be tailor-made to target specific areas of weakness.
The 6th on the Prime is the resort's signature, an astounding par-5 where you must hit three great shots to weave through the numerous lakes that threaten all around.
| Par | 36 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Donald Steel |
| Opened for play | 1991 |
| White | 3,122 metres |
|---|---|
| Yellow | 2,937 metres |
| Red | 2,631 metres |
| White | 6,393 metres | SSS 74.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 5,975 metres | SSS 72.3 |
| Red | 5,406 metres | SSS 75.0 |
| White | 6,274 metres | SSS 72.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 5,880 metres | SSS 70.0 |
| Red | 5,309 metres | SSS 72.5 |
| White | 6,363 metres | SSS 73.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 5,969 metres | SSS 71.6 |
| Red | 5,359 metres | SSS 74.5 |
Vila Sol is also home to a comprehensive golf academy, where the lessons and clinics utilise the latest tuition technology and can be tailor-made to target specific areas of weakness.
The hotel at Pestana Vila Sol Golf & Resort has 189 rooms and suites and sits roughly 50 metres from the course, so getting from breakfast to the first tee is as easy as it should be on a golf trip. The building is arranged around a central hub of public areas, which gives it a sociable feel for groups, especially if you're travelling as a society or with a few couples.
Rooms are modern and spacious, with views over the lakes, gardens or the golf course. Expect the usual five-star comforts such as air conditioning, satellite TV and en-suite bathrooms, plus enough space to keep clubs and kit out of the way. If you're booking for a group, it's worth asking about room locations so you can stay close to the main facilities or near each other.
When you're not playing, there's plenty on-site. The resort has three outdoor swimming pools, a jacuzzi and a wellness area with sauna and steam room, handy after 18 or 27 holes. There are also three tennis courts and a kids' club, which makes Vila Sol a solid option for family trips or mixed groups where not everyone is playing every day.
The Vila Sol SPA is the go-to for recovery, with a range of treatments available if you want to loosen up before the next round. For food, Green Pines Restaurant serves a broad international menu on-site, and Vilamoura Marina is close enough for an easy evening out whenever you fancy switching things up. The atmosphere is informal but polished, and you'll find most of what you need without having to leave the resort if you'd rather keep things simple.
John
✓3 Feb 2020
Nice Hotel friendly staff. The chalet room was noisy presumably from the AirCon unit next to the room. Could do with a few more lights on the walkways to the chalet rooms at night! A little dark for an older person as the walkway sets were very uneven and could easily trip up! The buffet food in the Hotel restaurant was good but the even menu was limited and food was average. Too salty and vegetables limited. The buffet evening meals have been good in the past but the last 4 visits the buffet was not available in the evening.
Graham
✓2 Feb 2020
Beautiful location and grounds, lovely large rooms, excellent facilities and very quiet in January
Roy
✓4 Jan 2020
Hi for golf only at Vila sol ok Our room in the chalet was in darkness all the time we had to pull sun beds from the pool area to our front door! We paid 45euro each for the Christmas dinner which they have on Christmas Eve and again this was very disappointing, we expected to be served a three course meal for that price but no, same as other evening meals, serve yourself and not very hot at that! Breakfasts were just ok the guy making the ommellettes took about 5 minutes for each one nothing to do with a queue just he was useless Staff were quite good and bar staff helpful Certainly nowhere near a five star hotel and I have stayed in hotels all over the world! Overall we quite enjoyed the stay because of the weather Unfortunately I was not aware of how far away the other golf courses were, nearly an hours drive each day! In fact we gave up the last venue Silves and changed to play again the Vila sol course on the Monday horrendous... we were of course a two ball sqeezed in beyeeen four balls especially the group in front despite my protestations looking for lost ball for about 10 minutes refused to let us through. Fortunately our day at Gramacjo was great as we met and played with a lovely couple from Germany Alto was ok but the rough was so long difficult to find a ball just off fairway However all transfers were spot on.
Edward Andrew
✓10 Dec 2019
It was a very nice hotel with excellent facilities and a very helpful and co-operative staff.
Bridie
✓1 Dec 2019
Most of the staff very friendly, breakfast ok, Recommend the continental as it is far better than the hot buffet! Rooms a little bit dated and a bit of walk from main hotel but not a problem as we had huge lockers for our golf kit by the reception area. The hotel is situated is quite far from the other golf courses, some at least 40 minutes drive. Seems that the other courses are close together and villa sol hotel situated a little out of the the way on its own. Overall the hotel was nice. We didn’t try the pool as we stayed in November for the golf.
Stavros
✓31 Oct 2019
Excellent rooms, fantastic pool and outdoor areas. The breakfast offered something for everyone and the quality was very good and plenty of it!!
Noel
✓25 Oct 2019
hotel is good but way over priced for drink and food 5.50euro can of beer guinness 4.50 less than a pint of super bock 7.50euo there own brand of baileys 45euro for golf buggy I could go on and on. would not return way better value in malaga tenerife
Steve
✓22 Oct 2019
We stayed in rooms in the main building, most rooms or villas are situated in grounds. Rooms were comfortable with large balconies overlooking the driving range
Kevin
✓18 Oct 2019
Val
✓10 Oct 2019
We booked only the day before travel. Organisation, attention to detail (including most cost effective transfer to and from Airport) excellent. Our grateful thanks to Steve Smith at 'Your golf travel'. Whilst hotel was a bit dated, facilities, service and buffet breakfasts excellent.
Jim
✓2 Mar 2020
We played 19-27 and 1-9 and hardly had a delay. Course is tree-lined and has a very English feel to it so errant shots are punished. We were going straight to the airport after our round and were very happy to find showers and towels available for all.
Graham
✓10 Feb 2020
Tougher course but great fun
John
✓3 Feb 2020
Vila Sol is a great test of golf off the white Tees but only players who drive the ball 250 - 300 yards should play off the back. The yellow tees give normal single figure players an opportunity to play mid and short irons to greens. The greens were in excellent condition but the fairways appear compacted and a lot of work is required to bring them back to a good condition. Many fairways were bald and muddy with little growth despite warm temperatures and reasonable rainfall. 3 great 9's however and always enjoy the challenge! John
Graham
✓2 Feb 2020
We found the course in excellent condition, very busy but well managed so we were not held up ( other than by some idiots playing 2 balls each! )so not the course staffs fault. As a very average golfer I found some holes challenging but great fun. Plenty of water which was not always avoided ! I haves described the course as hard but to a better golfer probably average in difficulty.
David
✓15 Jan 2020
Course appears overplayed. Multiple bare patches on the fairways and almost 6 hours for a round of golf. A lack of course Marshall meant a few groups who lacked ability and etiquette held the field up.
David
✓13 Jan 2020
Nice course but fairways not always in the best condition
Roy
✓4 Jan 2020
Fairways poor greens good play slow at times very slow!!
Edward Andrew
✓10 Dec 2019
The courses had an attractive and interesting range of holes over thee nine hole arrangements. We enjoyed all the three different nines with the only criticism being the fairways which were somewhat worn. We would certainly go back to this venue.
Jackie
✓2 Dec 2019
Even though the course looked very busy we were started on the 19th hole (not the bar!!) and we had an amazing round. No hold ups even though we were only a 2 ball. Nice course, fairly flat and easily played with a pull trolley. Good condition considering so much rain in the few days before and on the morning we played. Would recommend.
Bridie
✓1 Dec 2019
Lots of noise, building/construction work going on around the course. Cranes and builders making noises too. Didn’t have the same feel to it as the other courses we played on although was very nice I wouldn’t rate it as good as Gramacho or Pinta. We played it on a rainy day and a sunny day and got to experience it in both conditions.
