Penina Hotel & Golf Resort

Golf courses does not reflex the quality of the Hotel. Information on the condition of the resort course was not communicated by the staff or YGT.

The hotel was clean and functional for the trip.However it is very dated and could do with a little modernisation.

A great place to stay, the breakfasts were exquisite. Food at the Hotel was excellent. Staff helpful ++. Transfer from Faro about 50 mins. I’d give it a 9/10

It was a nice hotel, it was large, spaced out, it didn’t feel like guests were on top of each other. The pool was really nice although the lady who starts her shift in the bar after 3pm was probably the most miserable woman I’ve ever come across in hospitality. She complained about every one of our orders, complained about giving us our change, she couldn’t have made guests feel less welcome. The facilities were pretty good and the grounds directly around the hotel are really well kept.

It’s a bit tired but service is excellent

Having visited the hotel many times over the last 30 there is an obvious decline in maintainance. Internally the hotel is well kept and is clean. Externally the hotel looks tired and has needed repainted for a number of years. The restaurant staff and cleaning staff are very attentive but bar staff lack interest and the service is very slow and generally look bored.

The old lady of the Algarve continues to deliver. Been visiting Penina for over 20 years on golf trips. Always immaculately clean and fresh.

The hotel was absolutely fine. Friendly staff and well organised. Great value,can't ask for anymore. Would definitely come back again !

Very dated but clean and comfortable In need of modernisation

Lovely hotel with large swimming pool, tennis courts, gym and everything else that you could ask for from a golf resort. The food in both restaurants was excellent and good value for money.

Nice hotel, obviously a dated venue which added character. Although a few things do need repair/renovation.

It is a grand resort that is fading. They could really do with some padel courts on one of the many tennis courts not used. Lots of peeling paint and plaster. BUt obviously very grand at one point. Loved the Snooker table and Grill restaurant.

Hotel was comfortable and provided a nice breakfast each day. Staff were always very helpful and polite

Hotel a little dated could do with referb.

A five star hotel that has no Gordon’s Gin or Drambuie doesn’t seem appropriate

The hotel is a little tired but the staff couldn’t have been more helpful especially Dolores and Carlos. There is no indoor pool or proper spa( jacuzzi/ steam room etc) and the outdoor pool was closed and not warm enough in April anyway - had an out of season feel. Rooms were fine, breakfast choice was actually amazing. Local town ( Alvor) is a great place to go for a meal. Everyone is clearly geared up for English speaking tourists.

No issues at all but hotel looking a bit dated and in need of some TLC

Really enjoyed the hotel , the only thing that let it down was the misinformation regarding certain restaurants being opened for meals and not being told that there was a dress code for the grill bar ( we found this out when the waiters and patrons looked down on us for being casually dressed )

From the minute you get out the transport there is a door man there to Greet you and take your bags and golf clubs up to your room for you. Greeted with a smile from the lady's on the desk as they took your details. And offered you a glass of Portuguese wine.

Hotel is a proper older large hotel with fantastic staff always ready to help. Beds comfortable, bars and restaurants well stocked and close to good local nightlife.

Nice location but hotel is very tired and in need of an upgrade

The hotel and staff were very professional and always happy to help. The morning breakfast was the best ive had, so much variety, it even had its own honey bee stand in which u could cut your own slice off to spread on toast or even drip into the morning coffee instead of using sugar.. I'd actually never seen one upclose.. The club house were happy to change our tee off times to suit us which was fantastic.. We were a group of 5 lads & we all we very impressed with the hotel..

Really goid, enjoyed it

Really enjoyed the stay at penina golf resort had everything on site we required for 4 days stayed b&b and can't fault the choice each morning to start the day... We was lucky as weather was brilliant each day regards ian&neil

Hotel really nice all the staff excellent Really helpful the restaurants where very Nice the grill a little more expensive but Worth it the Henry cotton restaurant Was also good and the staff very helpful At lunchtime you could have sandwiches to take away ve ray reasonable on price

I really enjoyed my stay at the Penina golf resort. The staff were very friendly and helpful. My only criticism would be the lack of vegetarian options at the restaurants.

Room comfortable and clean , food good and staff very helpful and friendly

Really enjoyed the hotel. Shame it was late in the season and very quiet. Limited options for food was a bit disappointing. Overall we enjoyed our stay.

Hotel was nice, staff were lovely, food was great. Room was a bit dated, tv didn’t work too great and the plug sockets I needed to charge my phone in was in a cupboard.

We enjoyed the hotel on a b and b basis Not the best breakfast the cooked part was poor

our group of 20 have been going toPenina for several years. We like the formula of staying and playing in one place plus really enjoy the bars and restaurants of nearby Alvor.

Overall quite pleased. (Just glad to get away!). Room was very good with a comfortable bed. Smart TV but with only half a dozen channels. Nice and quite - couldn't hear anyone from other rooms. Unfortunately the balcony looked over a busy road so not as pleasant and restful as the other side of the hotel. The food was very good on the whole and plenty of it. (Just one annoying fly!) The staff were all very attendant, polite and helpful. Unfortunately no-one in the hotel was able to help me get the wifi to connect to my device which was particularly annoying (several tried). Came home with an arm full of little bites, unfortunately.

The hotel has seen better days but it provides a good base for golf parties. The food was excellent, particularly in the Italian restaurant 😋 Rooms were small, but clean and adequate.

The rooms were clean and serviced daily although the shower was not very good. We were on the 4th floor which gave lovely views but the balcony was very small. The staff were very good, very friendly and helpful, breakfast was excellent, the Itaian restaurant was excellent but the Grill wasn't very good. Using user trips to Alvor were usually less than €7 and the town was great. Overall would recommend the hotel as a reasonably cheap stay.

The hotel was airy and comfortable. Dining room for breakfast was very comfortable and staff were excellent. Swimming pool is fantastic with lots of beds to relax after your golf. Staff at the Pro Shop were also magnificent and so helpful.

The hotel has always been in need of a bit of tlc but the staff have made the place but unfortunately this timeshare appeared to be a lack of staff and several were not particularly welcoming , the bedroom was OK but little things like water in the fridge etch would make things seem better

It’s a bit dated now. Needs some TLC. Will go with again next year. When can you book tees times?

The hotel is fine. Staff very friendly. I’m sure it was 5 star once upon a time but it is a bit tired now. But still very clean and plenty good enough for a few days.

Getting a little old, but facilities are great. Breakfast amazing and the pool extremely good.

The hotel is showing its age and is badly in need of a refurbishment. Staff were great and food was good. A little bit out of town but we knew that before we arrived and taxis into Alvor are inexpensive.

Very helpful staff, good facilities including a decent gym. Rooms are comfortable and nicely presented. Very happy with the hotel - good value for money.

Fantastic experience on our 1st golf trip. Alvor 5mins from Golf resort which had a range of lovely restaurants and bars. Golf resort was lovely. Can’t wait to book another golf trip next year

Room was and hotel was clean. Staff extremely helpful polite and professional. Location is not close to much not even a local shop. The food choice within the hotel was poor except for breakfast.

One of the best golf holiday stays I’ve had, Penina, you were exceptional. The Henry Cotton course was one of the best I’ve played

Friendly staff and decent quality and price

Nice hotel but in need of updating

The hotel looks jaded & is in desperate need of an upgrade. Looks like nothing has been done to it for 20 years. On the positive side, the staff were helpful & friendly & the breakfast was outstanding.

The hotel overall is very good, staff, food and cleanliness are all great. It’s an old hotel and has a lot of character and plenty of indoor and outdoor space, but it could do with a little bit of a face lift now. There are a few areas that need tidied up, the paintwork and masonry outside. Other than that good

On arriving we were disappointed at the overall appearance of the hotel. Needs painting & updating. Our room was overlooking the car park! Had to pay extra for a better view?! Staff extremely friendly, very clean. Food in all restaurants excellent. Both golf courses well kept very well organised with tee times etc. No free transport into Alvor as we had expected so taxis added again to the cost. We were also charged for 2 Golf carry bags but only had one. Overall a good experience but more costly than originally hoped.

Perfect for a group of 20 with golf on site, excellent value although a better deal for buggies would've been nice, a bit expensive at 50 euro each!

Generally good. Golf course is not what it used to be.

Penina is a lovely smaller hotel, which is why we like it. It shows it's age though compared to more modern hotels as the rooms are a bit dated.

Although a tad dated the resort was excellent, staff were superb and very friendly. The food was really good and lots of choice. Can’t wait to return

The room was excellent although dated. Best breakfast in the Algarve and really experienced and helpful staff. Only reason not 5 stars was condition of outside ofbuilding and outside pathways. Rendering missing and uneven surfaces.

Golf course could do with some TLC We were booked to play twice but cancelled 2nd round and played somewhere else

Fantastic stay at Penina for 20 day swhich included 20 rounds of golf and half board. Just be aware that the Grill will charge if you the balance if you spend over 30 euros for food. Everything was perfect and no moans at all. Food excellent, accomodation fine, staff really attentive even to the extent of one of the staff removing a splinter from my hand. Weather warm and sunny. Both courses Championship and Resort in ok shape i believe due to hot dry summer. All in all great break.

Slightly dated hotel, but still holds its charm

We were sold a package which included two golf courses at this resort, the champion ship and the resort course. WE could only play one and had to change one of our tee times and course bookings direct with the hotel, the resort course is unplayable, has not been watered or cared for and is a dustbowl. We were also sold this package on the premise that the hotel had four restaurants. The Italian and the Henry Cotton were closed each night and the buffet only opened twice leaving us to dine in the Grill room the fine dining restaurant only.

HOTEL ROOMS ARE SMALL,HOTEL NEEDS REFURBISHMENT.

Penina never disappoints. Great value and the perfect place for a golf break

Staff this trip where terrible they were rude and made mistakes with the bills where they tried changing two of my party with the drinks they didn't have and the manager in the Henry Cotton bar was very rude and accused them of lying the mistakes started to happen when they were changing shifts not good customer service

Hotel is in need of upgrade. It looks like there has been no maintenance in a long time. The pool has a number of tiles missing which makes swimming potentially hazardous. The golf range needs an upgrade

We paid extra for an upgraded pool view room. The hotel is very traditional but in need of updating and some TLC. Definitely not 5 Star. Maybe in its hay day. We were told by yourselves that money was being invested in the hotel ……but not sure where

Great hotel for golfers who don't want to drive to the course to play. Just have breakfast and your on the course. Very relaxed.

Friendly staff but Hotel looked tired

We have just returned from 4 nights at Penina with mixed feelings. Our overall feeling is one of faded glory. It's clear that Penina was once a grand hotel. Unfortunately, time and lack of investment are taking their toll. There were bright spots - the pool, the restaurants & food and some of the staff. But there are also some important to note failings - the public areas are dated and tired, the rooms are very basic and ours was very small for a 5 start hotel, especially when we paid extra for a pool view, a number of the staff were not 'on it' and the bar lacks character as well as a decent drinks menu, the exterior could do with painting which adds to the jaded feel.

Our first visit to a golf resort and there was everything we could have asked for. The staff were brilliant and hotel. Had a great ye and we would go back

Basically old and falling to bits. Do not recommend. Nowhere near 5 star hotel.

Great value, good gym, easy access to the course and range. Food and drink at breakfast or the bar and restaurant were top quality. Big pool and plenty of space. That being said all appeared to need a bit of modernising and a refresh, quite dated

The accommodation at Penina Resort is 100%,lovely bedrooms and the staff are so friendly and talkative, food fantastic.

The room was clean and tidy would have been better with more refreshments in the room, as only got a couple of coffee capsules, would be great if it had a small fridge.

The staff here were great throughout the whole stay, the rooms were really nice and also the pool area was nice. The only issue we faced was when one of my friends got injured and there was 0 first aid around anywhere.

Room was clean and tidy and bed was very comfortable. Had problems with both entry pass and the safe but staff responded promptly. Didn’t use gym or pool so can’t comment. The bars were good whilst The Grill restaurant was very good indeed.

As we well know the hotel and rooms are a bit tired and need freshening up but it’s a nice older hotel which has stil some nice features and the setting with the golf course on sight is fantastic. The breakfast is first class with plenty of choice and staff very friendly , as all other areas of the hotel . Nice to have chance to play snooker and bar area , although dated , Was comfortable. Otherwise totally satisfied with the stay .

We had a lovely time at Penina. It was very quiet while we were there, the hotel had very few guests so the atmosphere was extremely calm and sombre. Breakfast was particularly fantastic, the bars were ok but too quiet to make them enjoyable. Our room was lovely with a great balcony, though I’d have preferred to have been given the choice of single or double beds.

We've been to Penina many times. This visit was just as excellent as the rest.

Perfect :)

A lovely hotel that has everything that most people will need. Becoming a little tired but still a good option

Had good room this year overlooking pool, really nice

Room poorly serviced,location and facilities excellent would need a bit of renovation and updating and more than one lift.Appeared to be short of staff.ok

Lovely hotel. Service in the bars rather slow otherwise ok.

Great hotel for families

Hotel showing its age and needs upgrading to be 5 star in 2022. It is short staffed and the service, especially in the grill resteraunt was awful. The quality of the food was great but it literally took hours to arrive. Most staff tried their best but the Horel is not what it was.

The hotel staff were accommodating in offering an alternative room with a pool view. The room in general was light and airy and comfortable. The poolside bar staff were in short not the most helpful, kept waiting to be served, witnessed several loud disagreements between staff, same goes for hotel bar.

Lovely traditional hotel. Some people may not think it is not up to standard as rooms are a bit basic and hotel is a bit old but we love it. Renovations are planned but hope it doesn't change the character. Good food and bar area. Amazing grounds, setting and pool areas. Quiet hotel so if you don't want all the entertainment etc its one for you.

Fifth visit! Lovely location ,pool is great and everyone very friendly ! Our rooms were originally on the 4th floor and not what we were used to previously very dark and balcony very small so very disappointed but after speaking to the reception they moved us without a problem!

Our group of 7 golfers stayed at Penina on June 9-13, 2022. Having read some recent poor online reviews, we were a little bit concerned about what we'd find. But had an excellent time. The staff throughout the hotel could not have been more helpful. And all the Pro Shop team and Caddymasters were fantastic. Our hotel rooms were clean and comfortable (perhaps in need of a bit of refreshment) but perfectly OK. Buffet breakfast was superb and we ate snacks after golf in the Henry Cotton Club after our rounds...I recommend the samosas and bread basket. We ate out in Alvor and Lagos in the evening, so can't comment on the full meal selection offered. But we returned in the late evenings for drinks and the bar staff were always efficient, polite and accommodating. Wifi was free and readily available. All in all, I'd have no hesitation in recommending Penina to golfers and families. It's a little bit dated, but after two years of Covid-affected business, it's hard to criticise. The gardens were well-kept and the pool was great.

The service is not what one has come to expect. Shortage of staff has affected service and facilities

Held (hostage) for 3 hours in reception, unable to book in as we were told YGT had not paid Penina. THey said they had rooms but they would charge us. Despite 3 phone calls & 2 emails from ourselves to YGT no one seemed aware of the problem. Our room had no mountain view, noisy road unable to use balcony. No shuttle bus to beach. Not all hotel restaurants were open.

Having stayed at Penina for many years we have noticed a decline in standards not a 5 star hotel anymore. Dreadful conditions on the course.

We've been to Penina several times and always enjoy it, though the hotel is getting a little tired compared to more modern hotels.

Top end hotel in it's day and still carries a sense of grandeur. New owners plan a refurb 2022 so hopefully restored to it's former glory. However, quality of food, room and facilities were all more than acceptable for the price we paid.

Brilliant staff, though very understaffed throughout the hotel. Some of restaurants not open, despite being advertised as open. Room service excellent

The Hotel is very good but is needing a bit of tlc after the pandemic. The staff were excellent but there was not enough of them so those that were there were spread very thinly. As a result service at lunchtime was poor and waits for food often long. There were minor maintenance issues like leaking showers and the paint was flaking from walls outside. However the food was excellent and these issues did not spoil our stay

Great hotel with 2 golf courses. The service was very friendly. The bars were all excellent. The rooms were small but had everything you need. We had a brilliant 4 nights there and will definitely look forward to going back again.

Staff where brilliant very friendly and helpful

Another great trip to the lovely Penina. The hotel may be a little tired and dated looking but is such a fantastic place to go with a group of ladies. This is the fifth time we have been and that says it all. Golf on site, good food when you come and happy hour-what more could you want!

Have visited this Hotel for many years. Lovely to be back and made very welcome.. The Restaurants were not all open this early in the year which was a tad disappointing but this probably reflected the number of Guests. My review kindly takes into account the difficulties that must have been faced during Portugals 2 Lockdowns.

As always a very enjoyable stay at the Penina Hotel.

Very adequate nice fresh towels and bed linen

The hotel was good and staff were welcoming. Although there are lots of facilities and restaurants etc advertised on the website, it was clear a bunch either weren't opened some of the time or at all - not sure if this is a time of year issue. Didn't have a massive impact on our stay but would probably be served better if transparency of the facilities was stronger. Good location, close to nice towns. Overall grand place to stay and would go back for a golf trip.

Lovely rooms, shame the pool was shut

All round very good

Really great complex, service brilliant could not do enough for you breakfast spot on. plus good menu for snack/ evening meal.

Very good hotel - perfect for a weekend of golf. Would have been very plush when it first opened, but still an excellent stay in 2021. Food also very good, although breakfast could have been stronger, particularly the produce of the cooked breakfast

A really relaxing place to stay. It is calm and the staff are amazing! They are so helpful and friendly, they can’t do enough. We love the pool area, dinner in the grill and generally food is really good. The hotel is looking a bit in need of paint in places.

We were welcomed by name on arrival, which was a fabulous personal touch. The staff were friendly, efficient and helpful. A slight drawback was the mountain facing room where the balcony got no sunshine. An excellent value deal. Book in advance if you want to play tennis!

The hotel has clearly been a top hotel in the past but is now showing it’s age with flaking paint, pathways requiring repair, etc. It is still a lovely setting but the owners have not been spending any money over the past couple of years and this can be seen in the presentation and finishes throughout. Some stairwell/hallway lights were out, hand drier in toilet not working etc.

A great hotel with a lovely breakfast and 2 bars 1 outside for a drink outside after your round and another for a late night drink inside Lovely rooms and balconies Down side is you have to pay for water in your room which doesn't go with the hotels 5 star rating

Relaxed atmosphere food was very good and golf arrangements were very easy .Everywhere was very clean the staff were obliging and helpful ,maybe the rooms were a little Spartan but possibly because of Covid pandemic.Definately would book again .

Well looked after but only one restaurant open and limited service

The hotel is as I remembered, and on the whole very good. I cannot fault the staff - they are very friendly and helpful and cannot do enough for you during your stay. The only small negative would be that some of the areas look a bit tired and in need of a freshen up, but given the tough times the hotel has been operating in recently I would understand why it hasn't happened to this point. The food selection is good, although in the evening there is only the choice of one restaurant or a buffet. You need to book the restaurant or else you will likely not be able to get a table. The buffet was what you would expect, but in my opinion was overpriced at €30 per head.

Have stayed several times at this hotel , Even with the covid rules in Portugal the hotel was a fantastic as normal Great rooms and staff , organised our return tests at a great price Will be return there again and would highly recommend

From check in to check out our experience was excellent! The hotel was clean, the staff were friendly and helpful when needed, the food was excellent and the golf coach and facilities were the best I've ever been to. Highly recommend.

We received a warm welcome from the reception staff. The hotel is tired and needs updating. Staff in the Henry Cotton Bar are surly. Breakfast was disappointing as food from the hot buffet was cold and tough.

Only two restraints open, when should be 4. Same menus all the time

The hotel hasn't changed in all the years we have been going there. Some of the furnishings and fittings are looking a bit tired and will need updating soon. However, the staff are brilliant. You meet the same people in reception, in the restaurants and in the golf shop and they are polite, helpful and pleased to see you.

We have been staying at Penina for 20 years and it always produces the goods . The staff are maybe not as friendly as they used to be but it was not a problem.

The hotel is a little tired and could do with freshening up. Particularly the bedrooms On saying that my group of golfers (4 in total) would certainly return and most likely will It will be difficult to improve on as both hotel and staff were excellent The food and service was very good and the standard of the food incredible Due to some changes with Tee times we played the championship course 3 times and were all very impressed Yourgolftravel were excellent throughout the booking process and would certainly ( providing they are competitive) use them again The organisation has been first class from start to finish

very good service. hotel very quiet in December. food lovely. bedroom a little small but adequate and lovely views.

We’ve been here many times so we’re very familiar with the place and those who have worked in the hotel from many years recognised us right away. You need a car for this hotel as it’s out of the way. It’s great for exploring as the roads are very quiet. When golfing you just head down to the basement clubhouse at the back level where they have your clubs already on the buggy waiting for you. They also store your clubs when you get back so no need to carry them at all. When not eating in the hotel there are plenty restaurants to go to in Alvor about 5- 10 minutes by car or taxi. Around 10 euros down and then after 10 pm it jumps to almost double

Been to Penina many times. Always a great relaxing golf experience with no hassle getting to a course somewhere up to an hour away! The facilities were all in great condition. Alvor village is just 10 minutes by Uber cab where you can enjoy ever improving brilliant fish restaurants and curry houses if you need a reminder of home comforts!

My friends and I were all extremely impressed with the hotel. The bedrooms were comfortable with facilities to make tea and coffee. The food in the restaurants was excellent.All of the menus were varied with lots of choice to suit everyone's palate. Breakfasts were amazing. Staff were very helpful and happy to book taxis and outside restaurants for us.

Enjoyed our stay. Bed Rooms are looking a bit tired needing some upgrading.

Accomadation first class food was good a bit expensive

The staff and service they offered were exceptionally poor (exc. the team that managed your bags upon arrival and departure).

As a group of 16, everyone enjoyed the experience at Penina. A very comfortable and stylish hotel, well positioned for all our needs and only a short taxi ride from Alvor for something a little more lively.

hotels was nice but a bit expensive but taxi down to alvor and everything was there for food and night time entertainment

A nice quiet friendly atmosphere.

Hotel is old style but comfortable , we enjoyed our few days there.

An extensive drinks menu but only a few of the items were actually available. Swimming pool is allegedly the largest in the Algarve; however, it is also the coldest! However, the grounds are excellent, maybe a consideration for mattresses on the sunbeds? Breakfast is good; the Fine Dining in the Le Grill Restaurant is excellent and I'd recommend also trying the L'arlecchino Italian Restaurant. The rooms are OK, maybe a tad on the small size, Tea & Coffee facilities in the room; watch the Mini-Bar, if you remove something, it's automatically added to your room bill. Pool view rooms are certainly recommended. Front of House staff were excellent; very helpful. Because of its location, it's a 10GBP taxi ride into Alvor and you can waiting 10-15 minutes for a taxi to come out to the hotel. It's a palatial-looking hotel but, as with most Algarve hotels, it could do with a refurb.

It is a first class hotel and the staff are well trained, efficient and friendly. The prices for food and drinks are well above what we would normally pay for similar in the U.K, but we weren't there to save money, so we accepted it as part of the overall cost of the holiday

Excellent staff and you are made to feel welcome as soon as you walk into reception.

Superb all round, good rooms, lovely restaurants and good breakfast choice. Staff were exceptionally nice, could not be more helpful.

Everything went well guys can't wait to go back

great hotel and great golf

We arrived at 6 pm and the reception staff were pleasant helpful and friendly.The hotel was busy but everybody had plenty of time to take care of all our needs.The rooms were very well presented.The great thing about playing here is everything on site.This is our second time here and we will be back again.

G

Nice comfortable hotel with good facilities and an excellent golf course. Staff friendly and helpful.

Very comfortable and very welcoming, we felt that the Sagres restaurant food was not as good as previous years and also Club Sandwich (one of our favourites) poor, however the one highlight of the the Sagres is the buffet breakfast which is excellent. We will be back again!

Room very comfortable and glad of choice of room overlooking pool and golf courses. Grounds were very well maintained and outside al fresco area for light refreshments was very pleasant. Food at the various restaurants was good and the staff helpful and pleasant-although at times it was slightly under-staffed ,although to be fair there was a competition week going on.,

As this was our 4th time at penina we knew what to expect. Great hotel and facilities.

First rate hotel with excellent rooms. Excellent showers, clean and facilities good with coffee machine and well stocked fridge. Bit disappointed that they only had one draft beer in bar namely Sagres which was gassy and devoid of flavour. Not worth 5 euros for a pint. Food from bar was good and breakfast was great with plenty of choice.

Staff welcoming. Nothing is too much trouble. We were looked after really well.

Great hotel friendly staff all round had a fantastic time.

Would prefer a room overlooking the swimming pool, Breakfast is superb, the bar snacks are less tasty and a bit pricey.

The hotel was very welcoming but a bit like an "old folks home" in the public seating and bar area. Being off season, some to the facilities are closed. ie. swimming pool. Staff were great. Compared with nearby Alvor (10 Euro taxi away), prices in the hotel for food and drink are more than double. The Grill was good quality fare. Room was small but very comfortable and spotlessly clean. The bathroom looked like it had been very recently replaced and to a very high standard. Easy to see why some people have been going to this hotel every year for 30+ years. I would return.

This was an amazing location and trip. The hotel staff and course where excellent along with the "Club Sandwich" We will return excellent

All good

Six or seven years since our last stay and in a good way little has changed, a comfortable enough mountainside room with pleasant staff and good breakfast, it really does what you expect with no fuss.

great trip, 3rd time we've been and would go again

The smallest room ever for a 5star hotel wardrobe so small my wife could not hang her long dresses because the draws and fridge were in there couldn’t open draws safely has a black thumb now no indoor pool water I think they think it’s champagne !!! At the price they want you to pay buggies £50 a go I think it’s a good 3star hotel I’ve been 4 times before this maybe the last

Very clean and pleasant, really enjoyed.

Very well looked after on arrival and that continued for the 4 days we were there. Staff very helpful and polite and overall hotel experience was very good.

Very enjoyable stay- although there was no entertainment in the hotel any evening - or none that I was aware of! Only negative - I was amazed & v disappointed that a hotel of this standard does not supply complimentary drinking water in hotel rooms.

Hotel is comfortable, if a bit tired and old fashioned. Service is a bit inconsistent, slow at times and very helpful others. Worst feature is the anachronistic dress code in the Grill. To ban shorts in a golf hotel in hot weather is simply stupid. On the first evening of our stay we were in danger of going hungry, we were all showered, dressed in tailored shorts and shirts. Bennett entry to the restaurants and only after demanding to see the duty manager, we were ‘allowed’ to eat outside on the terrace. Not acceptable in this day and age. Visitors need to be warned in advance. Needless to say we eat out on the remaining nights of our visit.

This is a very nice hotel with a very pleasant atmosphere; virtually everyone there was a golfer. I would question its 5 star rating. It felt more like 4 star, maybe plus. The single rooms were quite small and the furnishings a little crude, although everything needed was there. Like every hotel I have stayed in, the plumbing was in need of serious attention. Tap flow rate was very slow and the hot water came out brown for the first day. It took five minutes for the sink to drain. However, the bidet was brilliant for cleaning my golf shoes! Overall it was a most enjoyable stay for my first golfing trip abroad.

Our group stayed at the Penina resort between the 25th and 30th of September and consisted of four male golfers and we were joined by two of the wives for the last couple of nights. This was our first visit to the resort and we were overall quite impressed. There is definitely a quirky old charm about the hotel. It feels dates but not in a bad way. There are some modern touches in the rooms which are of a good standard.Rooms cleaned each morning. What stood out for me was the friendliness of almost all of the staff. Bar one rude lady working in the spa and the way she spoke to our wives about a booking they had made. But otherwise the staff were exceptional. Good was good especially the breakfast and at the Henry Cotton restaurant and bar. One evening meal at The Grill was good but very overpriced for what we had. The swimming pool was excellent with a huge pool and plenty of sun beds available. Location of hotel is excellent some 10 minutes taxi ride to Alvor that had some superb restaurants and bars, especially suited for our age group with no sign of any hen or stag parties. I would deffinately recommend this hotel for golf groups.

Staff were attentive and friendly. Breakfast choices and Italian restaurant were first class. Make sure you find out which bar is used for the happy hour - 6.15 to 7.15 every evening!

Nicely sighted room but very small- wardrobe was right beside bed - classic problem of no plug near a mirror with a chair for my wife to dry her hair- most hotels fail this test- not possible in the bath room as too steamy after shower. Breakfast reasonable but not 5 star -cold meats poor - pancake maker brilliant. Prices in the bar were very expensive. Championship course is tired and jaded and I guess it’s the time of year but hopelessly busy -waiting every shot - very difficult to play golf like that. €50 for a buggy is a bit of a joke. Resort course was actually more playable but a bit simple. Hotel still has a lovely feeling of luxury about so enjoyed that and wilperhaps return for that but not the Golf.

Resort Course

My caddy tip - "Bring insect repellent" 

Favourite holes - The short holes on the second nine. 

Championship course 

My caddy tip - "Keep your wits about - keep focused." 

Championship course 

Championship course 

Championship course 

Favourite hole - 7th - best to lay up and leave a full wedge or nine iron into the green.

Favourite hole - 18th hole - believe in your game and go for it. 

My caddy tip - "Keep the ball on the fairway."

Many large ditches to cross and a large lake but flat. Better for low handicappers.

Championship course 

Favourite holes were HOLES 2,9,12,& 18.

My caddy tip - "Play sensibly. Think about your tee shots and where you need to hit them."

My caddy tip - "Keep the ball on the fairway". 

My caddy tip - "Keep it on the course".

My caddy tip - "Don't try the impossible shot."

My caddy tip - "Great course, very challenging - take extra club."

Favourite hole - 9th hole. 

My caddy tip - "Be careful of the water". 

My caddy tip - "Keep the ball out of the water. Burns/streams are very muddy. Unless you're playing well, lay 

Favourite hole - 16

My caddy tip - "Take more club than you think". 

Stableford score - 31

Favourite hole - Hole 5, Play tee shot to the right of fairway , avoiding the bunker right which opens up the fairway to play short of the water infrontbof the green for 2 and then play over the water for 3 and try for a birdie . Fun hole !

Favourite Hole - I love the 5th because it is so challenging

Favourite hole - 5th hole. 

My caddy tip - "Keep your drives straight". 

Favourite hole - All of them 

My caddy tip - "There is not a lot of room on the fairways - keep it straight at the expense of some distance"

Favourite hole - 18.

Favourite hole - 13th is a superb hole off the back, requires a committed swing to a well guarded green, if you have a stroke use it well.

Favourite hole - 9th hole - take another club for the approach to the green.

My caddy tip - "Play within yourself - trouble awaits if you are too ambitious."

Favourite holes - 1st and 18th.

My caddy tip - "Course management is key and know your yardages."

Favourite hole - 6th hole. 

My caddy tip - "Keep the ball out of the lakes". 

Stableford score - 30. 

My caddy tip - "Don't feel intimidated, if you think your way round you will record a good score."

Favourite holes - 12 and 16. 

My caddy tip - "Keep it in play and take cash for the mobile beer vendor "

Exceptional golfing facility!

Favourite hole was the 18th. Tips- If you need a buggy book well in advance as they do not usually have enough buggies for everyone. Hotel is good if a little tired in appearance.

Hotel was very good but the golf course play tends to be very slow.

Challenging course and buggies are a must.

Old style hotel, no longer 5 star with closed outdoor pool (no indoor pool).

Hole 12 is one I rarely par. The hotel, with new management, is even better with great staff & varied places to eat.

My party hasn't yet found anywhere to rival the total package at Penina. It's a very good hotel, a very good course on site and a proshop which looks after your clubs and shoes for the whole visit so avoiding the need to lug clubs up to your room. The course has many very good holes that give you options in club selection and risk/reward choices. For me, the 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 12th and 18th all challenge golfers over a wide range of abilities. A beer and a sandwich after the round on the beautiful terrace followed perhaps by a dip in the excellent hotel pool will set you up for an evening out in the local village of Alvor where there are a number of good restaurants and bars with live music. Penina is no longer at the fashionable end of courses in the Algarve, but for me it still offers a great venue for an enjoyable few days of golf. 

16, 17 and 18 all great finishing holes.

Rather a lot of water on the course, so didn't see it at its best. 

The hotel is 5 star in every sense, as is the main golf course.

Championship Course is fantastic, hotel was lovely, staff were superb and a pretty good value trip too.

On the first hole, you need a good straight drive to have any chance of hitting the green in two. Hotel very nice, staff very friendly and helpful.

Handicap - 12

13th hole was a challenging par 3. Unless you're 100% sure you can clear the water, lay it up! Hotel was good apart the fact that there were no balconies for some of the group. Also, the mini bus into Alvor was too small and too limited with times, although I believe this had just changed prior to our arrival. Food was fabulous.

Playing the Resort course (9 holes, 18 tees) is a bit easier and buggies were allowed on this course, as oppose to only being allowed on paths as they were on the Championship course. Although we had heavy rain at the start of our week the courses held up quite well.

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 21

All good. Leave your clubs with the store staff and they will put them on the buggie each day.

Hotel was first class as ever. Exceptionally busy and course has signs of overplay, particularly the greens.

12 and 13th great water holes.

Stableford Score - 32

Handicap - 20

My favourite hole on the course is the 9th. Penina is a course you have to take your time on and not try to many smart shots. The hotel in general is great with good staff, many of which we know having been there for breaks in the past.

Hotel was good for golfers but not 5*, overall the course was very good.

My Caddy Tip - "Accuracy over length."

Stableford Score - 35

Handicap - 18

I didn't have any favourite holes and just enjoyed playing. Hotel was good. 

Too long ago to remember.

Everything went well.

Always use a bigger club than you think. Like all the par 3's. Perfect hotel for golfer, no travelling to the course, hotel food always good. In fact our favourite place in Europe. 

Stableford Score - 28 or less

Handicap - 19

Hotel was fantastic, food and service great. Enjoyed the Championship golf course but the Resort Course was not in great condition.

My Caddy Tip - "Don't use driver often and try to keep the ball on the fairways as they are tree lined, so tight."

Stableford Score - 37

Handicap - 2

Nice hotel and you can great great views if you're lucky enough to get a room overlooking the golf course. Seems to be living a little on past history and needs to be brought up to date. Rooms dated & in need of redecorating. Breakfast was ok but not with lots of choice. The main meal was ok, but very limited. Golf course great and in good condition bearing in mind the amount of traffic. Staff very good and always ready to help. Area around the hotel very nice & relaxing.

My Caddy Tip - "Course management is a must. Greens have very subtle breaks you cant always read, so don't just grip & rip."

Stableford Score - 39 or more

Handicap - 5

A good resort course, a short taxi ride from the nearby town.

Classic designed course, pretty tight in parts with tree lined fairways.

My Caddy Tip - "Keep it on the fairway."

Stableford Score - 30

Handicap - 16

The course was in a tired and poor condition when I played it in 2011, Hotel was- fine 3.5 stars 

Second, twelfth and thirteenth were all excellent! Usually take one more club as greens tend to be slightly raised.

No particular favourite hole, liked them all.

The course is a bit untidy and needs more love.

Stableford Score - 38

Handicap - 7

Favourite hole was the 16th. Take at least one club more. The hotel is what you pay for with a smile.

My Caddy Tip - "I would use a driver on ten and the greens are fair."

Stableford Score - 37

Handicap - 14

10th hole was always challenging but very rewarding if you par it. My husband and I think it is one of the best courses we have played on, no matter how many times we have been there. Every time you play there, there is always something different about each hole on the course. Hotel, accommodation, food and service all first class. We always enjoy having a room facing the course, as to look over the course in the morning the view is outstanding. Well done Penina for keeping up your standards.

Hotel was comfortable. Breakfasts were very good. Probably a good idea to pay extra for a room overlooking the course. 

My Caddy Tip - "Course fairly straightforward. No major advice needed."

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 5

The courses were nice, and the hotel looked after us very well.

Handicap - 18

The 9th was my favourite hole.

My Caddy Tip - "Go to the range before you start."

Stableford Score - 28 or less

Handicap - 14

My Caddy Tip - "Just enjoy it."

Stableford Score - 39 or more

Handicap - 8

Go in winter when much of the rooms are closed. Staff have more time, and course in better condition

Stableford Score - 22

Handicap - 30

Lots of great holes and a good test for low and high handicap golfers. My favourite hole is the 18th, a good par 5 with the hotel in the background.

My Caddy Tip - "Stay in the fairway, play conservative and remember the greens are very true."

Stableford Score - 34

Handicap - 18

A number of good holes, like the second. Hotel nice and traditional with good service.

My Caddy Tip - "Keep patient and straight from the tee!"

Stableford Score - 37

Handicap - 16

Hotel is great. Course is lovely.

My Caddy Tip - "Stay straight and don't be too aggressive on the water holes."

Stableford Score - 32

Handicap - 13

Hotel is great but only has an outdoor pool. Great views of the course from rooms at back of property. A longish walk into Alvor but taxis were reasonable.

My Caddy Tip - "Always select the shot that keeps it on the fairway."

Handicap - 18

Great if you want to be based in one location. Course was in really good condition. Hotel clean and tidy. We were on bed and breakfast basis which was excellent. However, the resort prices for food and drink outside of the package were a bit steep. Most nights we caught a taxi to Alvor and dined there, where the meals are better value.

My Caddy Tip - "Use the great practice facilities to warm up before your round."

Stableford Score - 36

Handicap - 12

Fabulous, old style 5* hotel with great food. Enjoyable course.

My Caddy Tip - "Some greens need all of your attention before you putt, be sure and check the line."

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 18

The hotel offered a variety of dining options, relaxation options, beautiful surroundings and golf all within easy walking distance. Challenging holes across the water.

Stableford Score - 32

Handicap - 25

The courses were in poor condition and the greens had pitch marks on. The rooms were small but breakfast was good. Evening meal and buffet were poor. However, the staff were very friendly.

My Caddy Tip - "Lay up on occasion."

Stableford Score - 37 points

Handicap - 5

Stableford Score - 30 points

Handicap - scratch or better

Wonderful hotel specifically tailor made for golfers. The hotel staff were superb...a great feature. The golf course was in excellent condition for November after torrential rain. A brilliant destination!

My Caddy Tip - "Use irons until you get used to the ditches and distances to lay up"

Stableford Score - 37 points

Handicap - 12

Favourite holes were 2 and 13. The hotel was good as ever, not the cheapest, but quality is excellent, especially in The Grill.

My Caddy Tip - "Take 2 extra clubs on most approach shots."

Stableford Score - 33 points

Handicap - 10

I marked it a 4 because the course was wet because of the very wet weather. Also, there was a very noisy group of men who spoilt the atmosphere, the staff really struggled to shut them up.

My Caddy Tip - "Go for it!"

Stableford Score - 35

Handicap - 18

Nice hotel, excellent restaurants, friendly staff.

My Caddy Tip - "Don't be short on your approach shots"

Stableford Score - 31

Handicap - 21

On 13 you must commit to your shot.

My Caddy Tip - "18 plays as a par 5 so don't go for green with 2nd shot. It plays 40 yards longer than yardage."

Stableford Score - 38

Handicap - 10

Par 3s excellent. Food was great. Location was very good and close to alvor which has some great restaurants very reasonable priced.

My Caddy Tip - "Greens are tricky but I enjoyed the golf"

Stableford Score - 39 or more points

Handicap - 12

The Acadamy course was always free and good for practice. The Championship course was in superb condition.

My Caddy Tip - "Stay straight!"

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 16

My Caddy Tip - "Buy your water and Mars bars before you play. Prices on the course are a rip off."

Stableford Score - 30 points

Handicap - 13

Best hole was stroke index 1. Hotel was everything you wanted and within a short distance of Alvor, Praia de Rocha and other resorts.

My Caddy Tip - "Think about the hole, don't try for the Hollywood shot as it will bite you if you get it wrong."

Stableford Score - 37 points

Handicap - 5

Hotel was an enjoyable traditional Spanish one, which helped us enjoy the break.

Handicap - 2

The course was challenging enough especially the Resort shorter one.

Handicap - 13

Main course very good. Great evening meals in the traditional restaurant 

Handicap - 20

Very challenging course for most golfers but fair with no blind shots. Greens where in very good condition.  

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 10

Stableford Score - 34

Handicap - 2

We first went to Penina the year after we went to Mauritius (Belle Mare Plage). Better than Mauritius and a lot quicker to get to too.

My Caddy Tip - "Be accurate or take lots of balls, not a long course off the yellows but play steady."

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 18

We have been to Penina several times in the past, and have always found it to be one of the best golf courses in Portugal. The hotel is efficiently run, the staff are very friendly and helpful, the food exceptional, and the hotel itself very clean. We find playing a couple of days on the Resort Course, in between challenging golf on the Championship course, quite relaxing. 

Just a great course and hotel. Poor behaviour by some English golfers. It had rained heavily in the morning and tees were doubled on the back nine. The English chaps behind could not work this out and were very abusive. I would not go again. Special occasion too for my wife.

My Caddy Tip - "Go for it!"

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 14

Stroke index 1 was a brilliant golf hole.

My Caddy Tip - "Keep it straight."

Stableford Score - 30 points

Handicap - 9

Love the hotel, especially that it is right at the course. The Resort course is worth a visit. The 9th is my favourite hole on the BIG course! The staff are very helpful both in the Pro Shop and in the hotel. Rooms are a little small but for 3 days they are fine. A wonderful 3 day venue.

My Caddy Tip - "Lake on 12 is quite wide - lay up"

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 12

Stableford Score - 34 points

Handicap - 13

Hotel was superb.

Stableford Score - 28 or less

Handicap - 27

A lot of ditches with muddy water - lay up or be confident that you can carry the hazard. Hotel being on site was excellent.

My Caddy Tip - "Play your normal game. Know the distance you hit the ball with each club."

Stableford Score - 35

Handicap - 12

My Caddy Tip - "Keep it on the fairway."

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 11

Great service in hotel for golfers (cleaned shoes, brought clubs out for us), choice of two courses - one easier, one championship. It was difficult to remember the holes from 4 years ago, but I nearly got a hole in one on a par 3 and just missed a trip to Las Vegas!

My Caddy Tip - "Tricky water hazards on some holes, so lay up if you're not sure of carrying it."

Stableford Score - 28 or less

Handicap - 21

The famous 17th was great!

Stableford Score - 37

Handicap - 12

The hotel was very nice, with a decent room. The restaurant for evening meals was excellent, as were the lunches and snacks in the clubhouse. The staff in the hotel, in the pro shop and on the course were generally very friendly. There was only one sour note of being told to hurry up by a marshal on the course, when we were being held up by two guys who we'd been paired up with by the start marshal. If possible, I would go as a group of four so as not to be paired up like this. As far as the courses are concerned, there was really only one when we went in March/April because of water lying on the fairways. It's cheaper, but it really doesn't stack up against the quantity and quality of Vilamoura courses, the only other Portuguese venue we've tried. 

Handicap - 24

Don't be too ambitious.

13th was a brilliant hole- par 3 over water.

My Caddy Tip - "Play plenty of club"

Stableford Score - 34

Handicap - 8

Our trip to Penina was one of the best we have had as a group abroad. The facilities of the hotel were far better than expected with an impressive entrance leading into a cool, quiet reception and lounge area then into the gardens with views over the course and a very large swimming pool.

The bar was well stocked with refreshing beer and had large screen TVs for après golf entertainment.

At breakfast there was a very good selection of cereals, fruits, meats and fresh omelettes made to order which set you up for the day perfectly.

The members of staff were extremely helpful and friendly at all times.

The Championship Course is a test for most where positioning your tee shot well helps considerably with your approach to the very well kept greens. Being slightly offline was punishing and safety was the order of the day.

Overall the experience of playing both the Academy and Championship courses was a very good one and one that we hope to revisit again soon.

The Championship Course at Penina was in good condition and the other golf facilities, putting greens and practice areas etc were very good too.

Members of staff are excellent, as are the food, service and rooms.

After golf service is good too as is the swimming pool. The only drawback is that the course is very busy. We have been at Penina during different times of the year but as yet, we’ve not found a quiet time.

Having said that, we are planning to go back in September / October next year hoping it will be less busy.

My wife and I have visited Penina many times. The Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course is a stern challenge for golfers of all abilities and the lower the golfer's handicap the more the inclination to "take on" the challenge. Some courses suit players with a fade or a draw but Penina incorporates it all and we will be back.

We truly look forward to staying in the hotel which is of the highest quality. Room number 361 is our room of choice! My wife loves the pool which at one time was the largest in the Algarve. The buffet breakfast is unsurpassed too, particularly the omelettes which are cooked to order.

We enjoy relaxing in the bar after dinner, especially when Elvis puts in an appearance!

Upstairs in the sports bar is the place to be when following the European Tour as there is a great international atmosphere.

The quality of the championship course at Penina was very good, as were the practise facilities, but the resort course could do with some TLC. The 19th hole was very good too, with first class service, as you would expect of Penina.

The hotel itself was excellent, with a wonderful buffet breakfasts and evening meals at the poolside that are not to be missed.

Overall I would rate our mini break 5 out 5 and would love to return to Penina next year.

The Championship Course at Penina is a good test of golf for all handicaps. It’s an interesting layout and in excellent condition, especially the greens.

The Resort Course has some interesting holes too, but is in poor condition, has no starter and tends to be overcrowded.

The clubhouse is very welcoming though, with a friendly atmosphere and extremely helpful staff.

The hotel is 5 star in all respects. The rooms, whilst being very well appointed, are a little on the small side.

We would return to this venue for say a 3/4 day break to play the Championship Course and would give it an overall rating of 4 out of 5.

The Championship Course at Penina is a great layout and a true test of all golfing abilities. If you are on your game you can score well so the course is very fair. I have always felt that Penina was among the best golf courses on the Algarve,  if not Europe; a great design overall and in particular, the par 5's and the par 3 early in the back nine (the 12th I think) which rates as one of the very best short holes I’ve played.

The condition of the course was first class too and the greens were in great condition; quick and true. It was good to see lots of staff on the course, working away.

I've stayed at the hotel many times and always found the service and quality provided first class in all areas. The food is great (upgrade to al la carte for a real treat) and the atmosphere is friendly, staff are helpful and in keeping with the 5 star rating.

Since the hotel’s upgrade, the rooms have been returned to the original high standard.

Our overall verdict would be 5 out of 5. I'm a real fan of the whole place and I think it offers probably the best value for money in the Algarve as an overall golf break destination. Great golf, great food, great service....at an unbeatable price! I would (and do!) return...very often.

Golf Course – Challenging for all categories of handicaps and always in good condition.

19th Hole - A friendly atmosphere and a delight to sit out in the sun after an enjoyable round.

Hotel - Our room was clean and comfortable. Breakfast was excellent and beautifully presented. The whole facility catered extremely well for the golfing customer.

Although we booked Penina as an all in golf package for two of us, my wife is not a golfer so I only played a couple of times in the week, although I could have played as often as I wished.

We think your golf packages are so well priced it is nice to just use them for a holiday and maybe play a bit of golf as an extra.

The Championship course was very good but too difficult and long for me on an 18 handicap.

The Resort course suited me better, although not a championship course more of a family holiday course and fun.

The 19th hole is very good and the hotel almost top quality.

4.5 out of 5!

It goes without saying that the layout and design of the Championship Course at Penina is superb. When we played, even though there had been plenty of rain, the course held up very well.

As far as the clubhouse goes, from the Henry Cotton bar for a drink after our round to the restaurant in the evening, the staff are always excellent. 

Since the hotel was updated, the rooms are back to their best. The breakfasts are the best in the Algarve without question.

The Caddy Master as always was very attentive, with storage of clubs and daily cleaning of shoes being a very useful service. The bonus in the evenings was the snooker table in the hotel lounge, which makes for some great memories. 

Our overall verdict would be 5 out of 5 all day long. Would we return? We WILL return!

Penina is a lovely golf course with a great variety of holes to challenge your golf skills. There is a lovely clubhouse too where you can have a relaxing drink or get something to eat after your game.

The hotel is lovely, with good facilities and spacious rooms that are spotlessly clean. I have been to Penina a few times now and would highly recommend it to anyone as I would rate it 5 out of 5 and wouldn't hesitate about returning there.

Penina Golf Resort is the best resort on the Algarve. The Championship Course is second to none and you’re treated like royalty in the hotel. The food in the clubhouse as well as the main hotel restaurant is great too. What more could you ask for?

Penina has a very nice hotel with 2 golf courses on-site; the 18 hole Championship course and the 9 hole Resort course.

The championship course is a must play course, with the Resort course a welcome break in a week's worth of golf. Both courses are a challenge in their own right. I would recommend purchasing a stroke saver to find where the hazards are on the courses, as some are devilishly hidden from view...or was that me being out of position?!

The 19th hole – the Sir Henry Cotton Bar – serves good grub and is a welcoming place for a pint or 2.

Practice facilities include an excellent driving range, a chipping area and a putting green with a teaching academy also available if needed.

In terms of accommodation, I would recommend the pool view option as this side gets the sun all day long; the non pool view option faces the road and although it is not noisy, it does not benefit from the sunny aspect of this 5 star hotel.

The breakfasts are all you could wish for, and evening meals, whilst not cheap, are up to the 5 star billing.

Members of staff are excellent; all fluent in English as well as other languages. Golf clubs are secured in the pro-shop over night and brought out for your round along with your daily polished shoes; I like being spoilt this well!

This hotel is one of my favourite places in the world!

The Championship Course is well designed and extremely well looked after and the same can be said of the Resort Course.

The rooms in the hotel are very nice too. We like the Studio rooms but overall would say they could have been designed a little better.

The food is excellent and members of staff are superb. 

My overall rating? 5 out of 5.

At the time of travel the course at Penina was in excellent condition. I had heard mixed reports before we (my wife and myself) had travelled but we could find no faults whatsoever. The course was well marshalled too so play was kept moving as best as possible. We thought that course has a good layout and as we prefer to walk rather than use buggies, the relative flatness meant this was no bother.

The service in the golf shop was excellent with very friendly staff. They were accommodating if we wanted to adjust our tee times where possible and our clubs were looked after the whole time and golf shoes cleaned after each round.

Service at 19th was also excellent and we were given complimentary nuts and olives each evening. Atmosphere was good but fairly quiet, with the crowd consisting really only of golfers who had just finished their rounds.

We found the hotel to be excellent. We had a room with a pool view which I think makes a major difference. The breakfast was really excellent and could set you up for the whole day!

Hotel drinks and meals could be regarded as pricey so we had most evening meals in nearby Alvor but always had a couple of drinks at the hotel on returning each evening.

I would rate our trip as a 5 out of 5. We have already booked through yourgolftravel to return to Penina again next year and we hope to find everything as good as this year.

Penina is an excellent and challenging course with good features on many holes; never can it be said that it is a boring course. The 9 hole second course is excellent too.

The clubhouse is nicely placed after the 18th hole. It is also just for hotel guests and is not therefore a normal stud bar. I've always enjoyed a snack there outside after my rounds.

Changing facilities are small but adequate in that most of the golfers will be staying at the hotel. 

The hotel itself has really good rooms and I would say no difference between the rooms with or without a mountain view.

Overall I’d rate Penins as 5 out of 5. I have been back many times and look forward to the next trip there.

Penina enjoys a wonderful course layout. It is a true classic being a Henry Cotton design and a very good test of golf.

The hotel is very accommodating with the staff being very friendly and approachable. The breakfast is an excellent start to the day and gets you in the right mood. It was great to finish the round and then sit outside on the patio area and relax with a few drinks too.

Overall I would rate the course and hotel 5 out of 5 and will definitely return in the near future.

Penina was a superb resort for golf holiday.

We were very well looked after from our arrival through to our departure. The Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course was a very good test for all members of our group, with handicappers ranging from 8 to 28. Considering how busy the course was it was in very good condition. We had 2 rounds on this course and 2 on the 9 hole Resort Course which we found a good test as well.

The hotel rooms we had were spotlessly clean and the housekeepers kept it that way with daily visits. The food at the Penina Resort was first class too, with numerous bars and restaurants to eat from.

We also took full advantage of the huge swimming pool every day.

We will definitely be booking again through YGT, and will hopefully return in 2015.

The Penina Golf Resort (which is less than an hour's drive from Faro airport) offers a very stylish place to stay, together with some excellent golf on site. The small coastal town of Alvor (10 minutes drive from the hotel) is a delight to visit, offering a huge range of places to eat and also a long stretch of sandy beach. The Golf Resort is conveniently situated, less than one kilometre from the nearest junction on the A22 motorway.

Penina's 'Resort Course' offers a decent golfing challenge (albeit going twice around a 9-hole course but with slightly different tee positions) and a helpful preparation for the tougher demands of the Championship Course, which is the oldest golf course in the Algarve.

The holes on the Championship Course are generally quite long and many of them have watery obstacles in the shape of drainage channels of varying widths, as well as some sizeable ponds. As befits a course that has hosted the Portugal Masters on a number of occasions, the Championship Course provides golfers with a good mixture of enjoyment and technical challenge. 

The standard of service in the hotel is excellent in all departments. Prices for food and drinks are typical of a resort of this standard - but arguably the comfortable facilities and panoramic outlook over the Championship Course make them worthwhile. We found that the hotel was welcoming, and the bars & restaurants had a lively atmosphere that catered well for groups and for individuals and families alike.

Our only suggestion for improvement at Penina is to ensure that golfers have sufficient ability (e.g. as shown in a handicap certificate) to play the Championship Course without undue delay. We did see staff (in buggies) monitoring the speed of play but it was not clear that they were actually taking any enforcement action. As a result, times of more than 5 hours to complete a round were not uncommon.

Our only previous experience with YGT was at La Cala last year. Comparing La Cala and Penina, we feel that Penina's hotel has a livelier & friendlier atmosphere, while La Cala offers more in the way of golfing challenges.

However, the fact that Penina seems keen to include visitors in club competitions in future may help to tip the 'golfing balance' towards Penina.

We have had good service from YGT last year and this year and we would be happy to recommend you guys to others.

A group of 10 friends made our second visit to Penina in early October 2014.

We had been to this resort 3 years ago and came away with some great memories of the course and hotel, but this time we were left somewhat disappointed.

Although the Championship course is still just as interesting, it was not as enjoyable to play because the condition had deteriorated somewhat, in particular the greens.

We also played the Resort course this time around but I can only describe it as average at best.

The hotel itself was of a good standard, with the only usual gripe being the overpriced drinks. With this in mind we made full use of the 2 for 1 happy hour before moving on into Alvor each night.

Three years ago I would have given a 4 out of 5 rating - this year, at a push I can only give it a 3 out of 5.

The course at Penina was excellent – not too difficult but a realistic challenge for all.

The clubhouse was very good too, with excellent, helpful staff.

The hotel was very good – it’s a pity we didn’t have a sea view!

Overall our verdict would be a 4.5 out of 5...there’s always room for improvement!

Myself and three friends rated Penina very highly. The course was in great condition; well cared for even though it had plenty of rain on it that week. Lucky for us we didn't get wet; only in the 19th did we manage that! It was a course that even with a high handicap or off scratch you could enjoy. The 19th hole? Well... great atmosphere, very good service and beer chilled to perfection. I must mention the proshop too who looked after us very well seeing to our clubs and shoes after every round.

We stayed on a B&B basis and what a breakfast; I can't think of anything that was not there for us!

Admittedly the hotel room was a little dated but clean with good facilities and a very good maid service.

Would we play here again? We normally try a different course every time we go to Portugal but overall Penina as won all of us over so 2015 could see us back playing & staying at this fantastic resort.

Last year, in the spring, I travelled to Penina with two pals for a short golf break with Your Golf Travel.

We stayed 4 nights, had 9 holes on the Academy course on our day of arrival, and 3 rounds on the championship course on subsequent days.

The hotel is great for golfers. The rooms were fine, food was excellent and the bar was more like a clubhouse than a hotel. Even more like a club was the Pro Shop come caddie master sited at the end of the building as you exit to walk round to the first tee. They kept our clubs in a room adjacent and all was ready each day as we went down for our tee time. Very slick and customer friendly, even a shoe shine for your golf shoes was available in the locker rooms.

The Championship Course is excellent, and being almost totally flat ground, it makes for very easy walking. It offers a very good test of golf and is in very good condition, with a good variety of holes. The Academy 9 hole course was in not such excellent condition but nonetheless it was the ideal warm up prior to taking on the big course.

Penina's only fault might also be its biggest plus point. It is quite old fashioned in its architecture, decor and standards, on and off the course. As Henry Cotton’s creation, perhaps that’s not a surprise and, to be honest, this suited us. As middle aged Scots golfers we were there for the golf, a wee drink or two and a decent evening dinner and bottle of wine.

Being a little away from any local large town we elected to remain in the resort throughout, perhaps the more adventurous could taxi it to Portimao of an evening if that was your thing.

Overall there is much to like and enjoy at Penina and we found it good value for money.

The Championship Course at Penina was excellent and with 2 Par 5's to finish, a good score is still possible right to the death. The Resort Course (the 9 hole course) is very poor in comparison to most of the courses on The Algarve.

The clubhouse offered a good selection of food and drink in a very pleasant setting, both inside and outside. The staff members are also very obliging.

The hotel rooms have been fully refurbished, however they are rather small compared to more modern hotels. The rooms with balconies overlooking the gardens and course are well worth paying that little bit extra for.

The breakfasts are dinners at the hotel are exceptional, with numerous bars and restaurants on-site from which to choose which will suit all tastes of cuisine.

Overall verdict? It must be a 5 out of 5 and I would personally vote it a 5++ if that was possible! We would readily return to Penina again, but only to play The Championship Course.