area that features in every dining area – an ingenious corner of supervised craft, toys and reading that successfully limits the capacity for impatient little diners to get fidgety waiting for their dishes to be served or the adults to stop nattering. O Terraco restaurant offers buffet breakfast and dinner featuring some typical Portuguese dishes with a twist. Os Gambozinos, an Italian Trattoria, does the traditional family favourites of pizza, pasta and other typical Italian dishes for lunch and dinner. The As Dunas restaurant commands an enviable location overlooking the beach and is where you’ll find a tempting lunchtime menu, serving snacks during the afternoon and dinner in the evening. The restaurant is renowned for its wide selection of fresh fish and seafood, all cooked and presented in a typical Algarve fashion. A shaded outdoor terrace allows for meals al fresco – candlelight dining at its finest with the sound of the sea lapping at the shores. As Dunas is the ideal place for families with an extensive children’s menu, fenced-in sandy play area and trampoline for little ones. It is the kids play areas and the pool facilities that truly sets Martinhal apart from the rest of them. There are an impressive 5 pool areas dotted around the resort to ensure that guests can enjoy pool time with their kids in the pools. The Pool Hangout is located just above the beach and is sunk into a stylish wooden terrace. This was our favourite spot for whiling away the day. As our little one’s paddled in the toddler pool, splashing about safely with their buckets and spades we had purchased at the village store, we were actually able to lie on a sun bed for a spell! OK, I didn’t get to read any of my book I had brought with me, but I did, however, actually get a tan. Now if that isn’t testament to a relaxing holiday away with toddlers, I don’t know what is!
The Village Pool area is set in the Village Square and is ideal for families all wanting different things! One generously sized pool spans indoors and outdoors, whilst adjacent is another smaller pool designed for the toddlers of the family. The Oasis Pool can be found surrounded by the Garden Houses, you’ll find Club 98 by the resort’s sports centres featuring both a standard and toddler pool and Martinhal’s fifth pool area is located at the entrance of the resort. The 18m pool and adjacent baby pool are open during the summer months for the exclusive use of the Vilas Mimosa guests.
With kids being central to the resort‘s philosophy, Martinhal Sagres have created 5 different but equally superb kids clubs, covering the ages of 6 months to early teens. This is a facility where kids can be looked after by the fully-trained, caring and responsible staff in a safe and secure space while parents can enjoy some time out. The various areas in the Kids Club have been created to interest and stimulate different age groups, ensuring the needs of babies up to teens have a full range of toys, playthings, creative areas and entertainment – from playmats to Playstations! We enrolled our daughter for 2 hour sessions over our stay, which gave us a short time to be able to sit in the sun, book in hand in the village square, sipping upon a well-earned cocktail. In addition to supervised kids club areas, there are several unsupervised playgrounds all around the resort where parents can play
with their kids, or in our case, the kids can play with the parents! Trampolines, table football, ping pong, climbing frames, slides…..you name it and they have it.
If you prefer to have your children looked after in your villa or room, baby-sitting can be organised for any age from a few months old upon request, should you wish to indulge in a little adult time.
On the subject of adult-time, Martinhal Sagres guests are also spoilt with a beautiful spa known as ‘Finisterra’ meaning “end of the earth”. Positioned in its own secluded grounds at the centre of the resort, this oasis of calm with only 6 treatment rooms is a place where the art of relaxation is taken seriously. Using a selection of local aromatic oils, ointment, spices and exotic herbs, the therapies and treatments offered bring together ancient and contemporary techniques in perfect harmony. The spa offers five treatment rooms, sauna and steam room to help guests relax before and after their treatments, so if you get the opportunity (think kids club), then be sure to take a visit and escape to the ends of the earth for a spell or two. The spa is truly a sanctuary of calm and one that can be enjoyed by yourself, as couple by booking a couples massage or treatment, or with your little ones! Family spa experience options are plentiful, with sessions such as a mum & child massage, facial or manicure, or a soothing father & child back massage. The perfect bonding experience for little ones on holiday!
For those who like to keep active on holiday, Martinhal have a multitude of activities on offer, including water sports at The Water Sports Centre which is located on the Martinhal Beach. Here guests can hire equipment for windsurfing, paddle boarding, kayaking and much more. If you’re more comfortable on terra firma, then be sure to hire bikes at the Bike Station, situated just next to the village square. Powered by AlgarveCycling-Holidays, Martinhal Bike Station offers high quality bikes to discover the stunning surroundings at one’s own pace, including the Natural Park for mountain biking, trekking and road biking. Active holiday makers will also love the tennis courts, Pump Track and fully equipped gymnasium just above the Village Square.
In addition to in-resort activities, the surrounding area to the hotel offers a wide range of options which Martinhal are happy to arrange for their guests. Hiking and wildlife tours are particularly popular, with hot air ballooning and skydiving on offer for those who want to take to the sky. Local day trips wills e you horse riding along he beach, exploring Sagres in a Tuk Tuk or getting to grips with the wild expanses of the Costa Vicentina National Park, which is right on your doorstep.
All in all, Martinhal, whichever resort you choose, have got it absolutely right. The team have found a way to balance luxury with home comforts, family time with relaxation and organised entertainment with freedom to explore. In doing so, Martinhal have achieved total perfection when it comes to family holidays. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.martinhal.com
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