Home > Best Family Breaks > Reviewed By Us > Travel > Reviewed By Us: Martinhal Sagres, Algarve Post author By The Mum Club Post date 15 January 2024 Reviewed By Us: Martinhal Sagres, Algarve The Mum Club15 January 2024 Reviewed by: Wellness Ed, aka Amy Lane Pros Family-friendly luxury More affordable than competitors The staff are so helpful Delicious food Short haul flight Cons Kids’ menu could be more varied Pram access to the pool is challenging What is it? “A family-friendly hotel in the Algarve, Portugal, with beautiful villas and apartments and the option to be self-catering, half board or full. It’s stylish but kid-friendly. There’s a choice of heated pools, so you can always hunt down a quiet-ish spot, and the village square is a toddler Mecca with slides & swings. There’s also a small sandy play area near the beach. Basically, it’s easy to entertain the children pre/post dinner while sipping vino.” Overall Thoughts “The beachy resort is set within a national park and has a sense of calm, despite 99% of travellers having a toddler or two. Maybe it’s the billowy grasses and plants that create the calm. Or maybe it’s because children can be children here, so there’s no pressure to ‘behave’? Who knows! What I do know is that parenting here felt relaxed. My husband and I tag-teamed the mornings and nap time, so we both could exercise most days — a rarity back home. The gym, although small, is light and has enough kit. There are also classes but nothing first thing, so we skipped those. We also loved hiring bikes and trailers for a bit of sightseeing.” Is it Good Value? “We compared the cost to IKOS, Domes and other resorts, and surprisingly, this was less expensive even with a drink, ice cream and a supermarket bill to pay at the end.” What’s The Food Like? “We loved it! All three restaurants serve a la carte at night, so there is no piling your plate with a carnival of food types (standard buffet behaviour). And if you choose half board, then children eat free plus you can order breakfast to your room.” Any downsides? Being picky, the walkway down to the main pool and beach is classified as wheelchair/pram friendly, but it’s a bit of a workout. It’s short but intense. The children’s menu felt quite the same across the resort, so although fresh and with healthy options, it did feel a little tired by day 7. Would you recommend it? “It was such a win for us, because of the combination of the outdoor play areas with the style and excellent food and flexibility of the hotel. Also the staff are always one step ahead and act like another pair of hands. We also loved that the flight is 2.5hrs so it felt manageable with a toddler who won’t sit still. This resort is genuinely child-centric, where all parents are fighting the same battles. There’s no judgment for big emotions. The staff let kids be kids. And there’s a wonderful Portuguese wine list!” Watch Amy’s Review… View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy Lane (@wellness_ed) *Amy paid full price for the trip but did receive a small discount on the ‘half board’ upgrade. The Mum Club15 January 2024 ← What to Wear This Week → What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag.
