Pestana Algarve Golf Package

[ShaunRobinson]

Afternoon all, hopefully will get a little advice here.

We are about to book a short break to the Algarve in mid Feb 25. 16th-19th for 3 nights. We have been offered 3 nights at Pestana Gramacho Residences including unlimited golf over the 5 Pestana courses (Gramacho/Silves/Pinta/Alto/Vila Sol) for a very good price.

The question revolves around the 'unlimited golf' part... Ideally we would like to play 36 holes a day on the 17th and 18th Feb but apparently only 1 x 18 holes per day can be pre-booked and the second daily round has to be booked on the day subject to availability. Realistically what are the chances of getting a tee time on the day for a second round for either a 2 ball or a 4 ball?

Has anybody done one of these unlimited packages before and managed to get tee times booked before hand?

Just to clarify we can actually pre-book 4 rounds under a different package for another £75 but it kind of makes a mockery of the unlimited golf offer for the cheaper price.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Shaun.

 

[Bazz]

My group went here in October, and had the unlimited golf package.
Unless you're teeing off on your first round of the day really early, you're going to struggle to get the 36 in due to daylight and the slow play, they'll be 4.5hr rounds.

We weren't too fussed the second rounds were slow as we'd played our first 18 and felt like anything else was a bonus, walked off after 14 holes on one day and 9 after another. So we still got a few in. You can book the second round in as you're checking in for the first round of the day.

We also had the Gramacho residences, a 2 bed apartment and they were fine for what we needed.

I would definitely recommend a car though, you'll need it for Alto and Vila Sol.

Anything else just ask.

 

[peld]

We have done unlimited golf at vale de lobo a couple of times in November.

As Bazz says unless the courses are really quiet you wont get 36 holes in. Typically when we played you had an early morning time (8ish), came in, booked your afternoon time for about 2pm, had lunch and a couple of beers, then you'd maybe get 9-12 holes in afterwards, again depending on pace of play. Never an issue getting the afternoon time.

 

[ShaunRobinson]

My group went here in October, and had the unlimited golf package.
Unless you're teeing off on your first round of the day really early, you're going to struggle to get the 36 in due to daylight and the slow play, they'll be 4.5hr rounds.

We weren't too fussed the second rounds were slow as we'd played our first 18 and felt like anything else was a bonus, walked off after 14 holes on one day and 9 after another. So we still got a few in. You can book the second round in as you're checking in for the first round of the day.

We also had the Gramacho residences, a 2 bed apartment and they were fine for what we needed.

I would definitely recommend a car though, you'll need it for Alto and Vila Sol.

Anything else just ask.

Thank you Bazz, handy to know. You're going to regret saying "anything else, just ask" Here's a few...

We will have a car so getting to the courses won't be an issue especially for early morning tee. I take it paying the extra ££'s for a guaranteed afternoon tee would be a little risky if we weren't going to get a full round in.

1. Did you have any issues booking tee times for the afternoons and if you hadn't walked in would you have completed the full round before sunset?

2. What would you say average round time was? The tentative flexible plan at the moment is to play the first course of the day between 07:30 and 8 then book a second round for around 13:30. doable?

Kind of wanted to get in Vila Sol (I'm aware this one is a good 40 mins up the road) and either Pinta or Silves on day 1 then Gramacho and Pinta or Silves on day 2. Not overly fussed about Alto as I've played it before and it wasn't somewhere I'd rush back to unless it has improved a lot. From speaking to a couple of guys that have played recently the 4 I've mentioned are the best 4?

Finally how was the accommodation for eating, plenty of places around at night for a meal withing short driving or taxi distance?

Thanks again.

 

[ShaunRobinson]

We have done unlimited golf at vale de lobo a couple of times in November.

As Bazz says unless the courses are really quiet you wont get 36 holes in. Typically when we played you had an early morning time (8ish), came in, booked your afternoon time for about 2pm, had lunch and a couple of beers, then you'd maybe get 9-12 holes in afterwards, again depending on pace of play. Never an issue getting the afternoon time.

Thank you Peld, so maybe we need to revise plans to 27 holes per day instead of 36 as I'm aware February is a little higher season than November and will likely be a little busier? It definitely sounds like it wouldn't be worth paying an extra £75 for a guaranteed slot. What would you say average round times were while you were there?

Thanks again.

 

[Billysboots]

If it helps with your choice of course we played Alto a couple of days ago and the greens are not in great shape. A fair bit of disease with the dead areas sanded over, and because they are allowing the grass to grow out they are running very slow.

The remainder of the course is in decent shape, but the whole place looks a little tired compared to my last visit a year or so ago. And there is building work ongoing adjacent to the clubhouse and 18th where a new hotel is being built.

This may all change in a couple of months, but if you’ve got other options I’d go with them. We didn’t play Gramacho but drove past and it looks mint.

EDIT: As for playing 36 in a day, I’d forget it. All our rounds were a minimum of 4.5 hours, and the daylight in January/February won’t be enough for two rounds.

 

[Bazz]

Thank you Bazz, handy to know. You're going to regret saying "anything else, just ask" Here's a few...

We will have a car so getting to the courses won't be an issue especially for early morning tee. I take it paying the extra ££'s for a guaranteed afternoon tee would be a little risky if we weren't going to get a full round in.

1. Did you have any issues booking tee times for the afternoons and if you hadn't walked in would you have completed the full round before sunset?

2. What would you say average round time was? The tentative flexible plan at the moment is to play the first course of the day between 07:30 and 8 then book a second round for around 13:30. doable?

Kind of wanted to get in Vila Sol (I'm aware this one is a good 40 mins up the road) and either Pinta or Silves on day 1 then Gramacho and Pinta or Silves on day 2. Not overly fussed about Alto as I've played it before and it wasn't somewhere I'd rush back to unless it has improved a lot. From speaking to a couple of guys that have played recently the 4 I've mentioned are the best 4?

Finally how was the accommodation for eating, plenty of places around at night for a meal withing short driving or taxi distance?

Thanks again.

1. No issues at all and we would've completed no bother, this was the week before the clock change so bear that in mind.
2. That seems fine, but schedule any travel in too. I'd allow 4.5 hours for the rounds, we were a 3ball as well.
Gramacho we got round super quick, but we were the 2nd time of the day.
Some of the others were slow because they just sent people out even if it wasn't time yet, we did get stuck behind a german 4ball who were taking forever but that was a second round of the day.
3. Those 4 are the best, I preferred Gramacho out of all of them, but not sure if pace of play is clouding my judgement there.

Gramacho clubhouse had food on which looked good, breakfast was included and that was fine but we never tried dinner that looked fine, they do sandwiches at the bar they were great.
I drove us into the Carvoiero for a curry at the Nepalese restaurant which was nice, not a big drinker myself but there loads of bars about.
Drove to Alvor too for a pizza and that was fantastic, Pepparino it was called.

 

[ShaunRobinson]

If it helps with your choice of course we played Alto a couple of days ago and the greens are not in great shape. A fair bit of disease with the dead areas sanded over, and because they are allowing the grass to grow out they are running very slow.

The remainder of the course is in decent shape, but the whole place looks a little tired compared to my last visit a year or so ago. And there is building work ongoing adjacent to the clubhouse and 18th where a new hotel is being built.

This may all change in a couple of months, but if you’ve got other options I’d go with them. We didn’t play Gramacho but drove past and it looks mint.

EDIT: As for playing 36 in a day, I’d forget it. All our rounds were a minimum of 4.5 hours, and the daylight in January/February won’t be enough for two rounds.

Thanks for your imput Billysboots.

I was speaking to a friend that plays quite a bit over there and he last played in the Festival earlier this year and did all 5 courses. He is of the opinion that Alto is the weakest of the courses so we will definitely give that one a miss. I last played it probably close to 20 years ago and it wasn't great then although I appreciate it may have changed a lot.

Gramacho seems to be the favourite from people I've spoken to. Just need the second favourite now to nail down our 2 must plays.

 

[ShaunRobinson]

1. No issues at all and we would've completed no bother, this was the week before the clock change so bear that in mind.
2. That seems fine, but schedule any travel in too. I'd allow 4.5 hours for the rounds, we were a 3ball as well.
Gramacho we got round super quick, but we were the 2nd time of the day.
Some of the others were slow because they just sent people out even if it wasn't time yet, we did get stuck behind a german 4ball who were taking forever but that was a second round of the day.
3. Those 4 are the best, I preferred Gramacho out of all of them, but not sure if pace of play is clouding my judgement there.

Gramacho clubhouse had food on which looked good, breakfast was included and that was fine but we never tried dinner that looked fine, they do sandwiches at the bar they were great.
I drove us into the Carvoiero for a curry at the Nepalese restaurant which was nice, not a big drinker myself but there loads of bars about.
Drove to Alvor too for a pizza and that was fantastic, Pepparino it was called.

Perfect mate, you're honestly being a great help.

A couple of final thoughts if you don't mind.

I've spoken to several people and they all say Gramacho is a favourite. Which would you say the second best course is in your opinion? I would like 2 clear favourites so we can split the 2 best courses into 2 days and anything else would be a bonus as far as afternoon golf is concerned.

We are there for 3 nights and leaving on the 19th. When does the Unlimited golf end? If we had a later afternoon flight on the 19th could be maybe play first thing?

Finally, did you hire buggies/electric trollies? what sort of prices were these a round please if you know.

I think thats it. Thanks again for taking the time.

 

[Bazz]

Perfect mate, you're honestly being a great help.

A couple of final thoughts if you don't mind.

I've spoken to several people and they all say Gramacho is a favourite. Which would you say the second best course is in your opinion? I would like 2 clear favourites so we can split the 2 best courses into 2 days and anything else would be a bonus as far as afternoon golf is concerned.

We are there for 3 nights and leaving on the 19th. When does the Unlimited golf end? If we had a later afternoon flight on the 19th could be maybe play first thing?

Finally, did you hire buggies/electric trollies? what sort of prices were these a round please if you know.

I think thats it. Thanks again for taking the time.

I'd go Silves as my number 2, wide open fairways so could really open the shoulders up, some great tee boxes high up driving to fairways lower down, which are always nice.

We didn't have buggies, they were €50 euros and it's just awkward as a 3. Did have a pull trolley which was a fiver. I like to get my steps in so didn't mind the walk but there are some hefty walks from green to tee.

 

[ShaunRobinson]

I'd go Silves as my number 2, wide open fairways so could really open the shoulders up, some great tee boxes high up driving to fairways lower down, which are always nice.

We didn't have buggies, they were €50 euros and it's just awkward as a 3. Did have a pull trolley which was a fiver. I like to get my steps in so didn't mind the walk but there are some hefty walks from green to tee.

Fantastic mate, thank you again.

Silves matches up with what I've been told as a close 2nd so I think I'll go Gramacho and Silves as the 2 must plays. Just need confirmation of group size now then I can start booking things.

 

[rudebhoy]

Gramacho clubhouse had food on which looked good, breakfast was included and that was fine but we never tried dinner that looked fine, they do sandwiches at the bar they were great.
I drove us into the Carvoiero for a curry at the Nepalese restaurant which was nice, not a big drinker myself but there loads of bars about.

We stayed at Gramacho a couple of years ago. Uber to and from Carvoeiro was about 6 euros each way, and were easy to book. It's a ten minute drive.

 

[upsidedown]

All good advice above and Alvor is good shout for eating out. When we've done the Pestana deals I've booked Vila Sol on the last day with early tee time and afternoon flight. It's only a hop skip and jump to Faro airport and car hire drop off dead easy and have had no hols ups getting through check in and security.

 

[ShaunRobinson]

We stayed at Gramacho a couple of years ago. Uber to and from Carvoeiro was about 6 euros each way, and were easy to book. It's a ten minute drive.

Thank you, have looked at car hire from Faro Airport and you can pick cars up very cheap so think will will go down this option as it will give us a little more flexibility.

 

[ShaunRobinson]

All good advice above and Alvor is good shout for eating out. When we've done the Pestana deals I've booked Vila Sol on the last day with early tee time and afternoon flight. It's only a hop skip and jump to Faro airport and car hire drop off dead easy and have had no hols ups getting through check in and security.

Oh I like this idea a lot and didn't even think about it that way. I hadn't realised it was half way back to the airport. Now I'm considering all 5 courses in 3 days!

 

[ShaunRobinson]

The 3 we places we have been quoted for are

Pestana Carvoeiro Resort (Bed & Breakfast)
Pestana Gramacho Residence (Self Catering)
Pestana Alvor Atlantico (Self Catering)

Any thoughts on these would be great please?

Thanks once again.

 

[upsidedown]

Pestana Alvor Atlantico , relatively easy walk into Alvor for evening meal so no worries driving

 

[ShaunRobinson]

Pestana Alvor Atlantico , relatively easy walk into Alvor for evening meal so no worries driving

Thanks, it did actually jump out at me that it's probably the closest to walking to bars and eateries and thats actually the cheapest quote so far at £259 for 3 nights self catering and unlimited golf.

We have got a couple more days before booking yet so will read the reviews on the 3 as well and hopefully get some more thoughts from you folks in the meantime.