Penina Hotel & Golf Resort

Was looking forward to playing this course as never been on it before. So drove 40 minutes to get there which was fine. Parked up and went into the pro shop. This golf club is attached to a large hotel so many non playing guests are around. Paid my 55 euros for the round which was fairly cheap as I was playing with a society I am part of here on the Algarve. Went up stairs to get some breakfast and a coffee . . . .the clubhouse was closed . . This was at 1000 in the morning . . .not a good start. I had to sneak down into the hotel restaurant and pinch 2 coffees! Thinking back I should have fronted it out and grabbed a full breakfast instead and gave them some made up room number!!

So headed out on the course. It is not in the best condition. Very tired looking and a bit of a mess to be honest. The fairways were scorched and even the aprons in front of the greens were in bad order with that type of grass which is not compact but very spongy . . Your clubs just go right underneath your ball into the grass so a lot of duffed shots with no distance whatsoever. The greens were good as they were very receptive and your ball was getting plenty of check and stopping well.

It was in the high 30s as far as temperature went but we didn’t see a refreshment buggy once in the whole 4 and a bit hours we were out there.

The clubhouse was open when we got in for a much needed drink.


Overall I would not recommend this course at this present moment in time until it gets. The fairways sorted out and a good tidy up. There are far better courses on the Algarve that are in pristine condition compared to this one. Give it a miss.

we were told it's the oldest course but screw the new ones this was in excellent shape the green's were like glass
well maintained and in great shape

would highly recommend it

csn't wait to go back again soon

Great Bars and restaurants in nearby Alvor not that I remember much about them !!

Stayed & played here in 2006 just before the Portuguese Open (surprised they let us on the course so soon before the Open!). The hotel was in need of a bit of refurbishment (but they know that and so are offering some excellent deals).

We played the Championship course (not the Hotel course). But I can say the Championship course was excellent, interesting & challenging without being too punitive. But, it was slow (group of other hotel guests who really should have been steered away from the Championship course towards the Hotel course).

But that aside it was excellent and, because we had a 'stay & play' package with the hotel, it was excellent value.

If you get the chance it's one to try.