Algarve Golf Property

If you feel fed up every winter, perhaps now’s the time to consider a property investment abroad. Somewhere warm, sunny, not too far away and with great golf, somewhere like the Algarve…

Winter is the season when we become all too aware of the shortened days and colder temperatures. But there is a cure which simply involves a trip to the airport with a bag containing shorts, t-shirts and some sun-cream. Just make sure that you book a flight heading south at this time of year, a trip in the opposite direction would give you no escape from these darkening days. My escape plan one dull November day was to head to Portugal.I arrive at Faro Airport to be greeted by wall-to-wall sunshine and a comfortable 23 degrees. With the memory of shivering in the UK fast disappearing, I pick up my hire car, open the windows and head of for Pestana Golf Resort in the Algarve.

My trip to Pestana Golf Resort is to report on two new real estate developments, but if I can squeeze in a round of golf, then all the better. I am staying at the Pestana Gramacho Resort, which consists of two 18-hole golf courses, Gramacho and Vale da Pinta and a community of villas and apartments, both privately owned and available for rent. The place is a busy but laidback. Golfers are either relaxing at the clubhouse or making their way out or back from the courses. Pestana has a further three courses in the Algarve, in addition to gramacho and vale da pinta; they are only a short drive away and easily accessible to people staying here.

The two new developments are the Gramacho Residences, which comprise a selection of apartments and a separate hotel, as well as a larger project of villas and apartments underway as well as 23 classic double rooms at the Silves Golf Resort, which is only a ten-minute drive away.The Algarve is a popular location for second-home buyers and especially golfers. With a veritable plethora of courses and the perfect weather, what’s not to like?

LOVELY VIEWS. The Gramacho Residences are located not far from the eighth hole, overlooking the course from the rear and with excellent views over the countryside from the front. This is a collection of 34 luxury apartments with a choice of studio, one and two bedrooms. A lot of thought has been put into the design and layout creating both modern and practical properties for buyers looking for either a holiday home or a rental investment.The two-bedroom apartments make use of the drop in the terrain to create unique properties that are spread over three floors. Other apartments are either over two floors or on a single level. The building has a plush lobby area with corridors leading off to the apartments and lifts to the upper level. On entering one of the two-bed properties, divided over three levels, there is immediately a good feeling of spaciousness. A separate kitchen and bathroom branch off the corridor which also leads to the lounge. Here there is a partial double-height ceiling, giving the apartment a further sense of space. At the far end of the lounge there are double sliding doors that lead out onto a balcony/terrace, perfect for meals or just to chill out and take in the scenery. From this main room you have stairs going both to the lower and upper levels. Both these levels have a bedroom and further en-suite bathroom, giving the property three bathrooms in total. The lower level has access to an outside seating area while the upper level has fantastic views and access to yet another balcony. The finish is modern while at the same time giving a nod to Portuguese style and tradition.The construction is nearing completion and with the popularity of the Algarve always high, I cannot see these apartments being available for long. Facilities here will include a spa and gym.

SILVES GOLF RESORT. The next day I take a short drive to Pestana Silves Golf Resort to view the second development. Silves has an 18-hole course which is located near the historical town of the same name. The town bears its ancestry for all to see, once being the capital of the region while under the rule of the Moors.The castle, which dominates the town, shows how important Silves was both for trade and as a position of dominance in the surrounding area.The golf course was constructed over 10 years ago, and so has already achieved a level of maturity, but it is only now that Pestana has decided to begin building residential properties. When complete, the development will consist of mixed units comprising 40 villas, 20 three-bedroom duplex apartments, 14 two-bedroom duplex apartments and a further 24 three-bedroom apartments. Along with the residences, there will be a new state-of-the-art clubhouse. All residential properties will be centred around the first and 18th holes, giving golfers plenty of green with no properties in sight. I spend some time walking around the site with one of the sales team who shows me exactly where the different sections of the new development are going to be. For those lucky enough to be able to purchase one of these frontline villas, it’s never going to be a long walk to the clubhouse.

GOLDEN VISA. If you are a resident from outside the EU, buying a property at Pestana can have additional benefits. Purchasers of properties of €500,000 or more are legally entitled to permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship for both themselves and their immediate family. This is a very useful addition for those looking for a way to achieve EU citizenship.

FOUR-OWNERS PLAN. Another ground-breaking concept that Pestana has come up with is the ‘Four-Owners Plan’. Owning a property abroad can seem a bit too much for some people, whether it’s the financial investment or just the responsibility of maintenance. With this plan you become a part-owner of a freehold property, which then becomes yours to enjoy on a rotating basis. Along with three other parties you own a property in the Algarve on a secured individual title deed. You would have use of the property for 13 weeks per year and would enjoy the benefit of reduced management costs, as they would be divided between the four owners.

GOLF UTOPIA. The Algarve and golf are as inseparable as wine and cheese, or bread and butter. Some things are just meant to be. Astronomers talk about planets being in the ‘Goldilocks zone’, a spot that has the perfect conditions for life. Well, the Algarve is in the Goldilocks zone for golf. And along with this, Pestana has the perfect deal for guests; unlimited golf rounds. For a set price that includes accommodation, you can play as much golf as you like at the five Pestana courses in the Algarve. With options for three, seven, 21 or 28-night bookings, guests can stay and play, with prices starting from €130.50 per person for a three-day booking. And when you think that there are five Pestana courses within only a few minutes’ drive of each other, you realise just what a golf utopia the Algarve is.

With a choice of complete or partial ownership, anyone looking to buy that perfect holiday home really has to consider the options available at Pestana seriously. A flight time of two-and-a-half hours from the UK and a veritable choice of airlines available make this the perfect destination for those who don’t want to spend too much time travelling, while at the same time guaranteeing good weather.