Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort & Hotel

While plenty of kid-friendly village-style resorts can sacrifice style or substance, Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort & Hotel is designed to appeal to both parents and kids -- of any age. You won't find any of the well-worn carpets, battered rooms, or colorful plastic cartoon characters covering the grounds. Instead, this resort keeps it classy, stylish, and simple. Decor is a seamless blend of modern-rustic and midcentury style, featuring bleached stone, polished natural woods, and a soft color scheme echoing the sea.
The resort consists of a hotel property along the beach as well as several large villas and houses scattered around the sprawling grounds. Most of the action, activities, and features rest inside the central village square. Outside of the square, it's mostly nature, sprawling views, a few hotel facilities, and the resort's large villas, houses, and standard hotel-style rooms. While families are the main clientele here, the resort's contemporary style, varied facilities, and delicious food are also draws for couples who don't mind being surrounded by families of all ages and sizes -- though those in search of romantic seclusion may want to look elsewhere.

Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort & Hotel is located within a large nature preserve, just a few minutes’ drive from the main highway N268. Because of the resort's location within a protected park, there's not much within the immediate vicinity, and many guests don't leave the property. In addition to the beauty of the nature preserve, the hotel is situated along a rugged and natural stretch of Algarve coastline. There's a non-resort restaurant (with cheaper food and drink options) just a few minutes’ walk down the beach, while more can be found in the town of Sagres, which is about a five-minute drive or 25-minute walk away. The hotel's windy location is ideal for windsurfing fans. The closest airport, Faro Airport, is about an 80-minute drive from the hotel.

The Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort & Hotel is divided into several sections containing either houses, villas, or hotel rooms. The hotel-style rooms are located in the southern part of the property and are closest to the beachfront. This small block of rooms (and two Beach Suites) contains 37 contemporary and stylish, light-filled spaces, all with private outdoor space facing the ocean. Expect hardwood floors, polished wood and modern wicker furniture and sculptural details, sea foam colors, and clean bathrooms with organic VOYA products. Rooms come with stocked minibars, flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, iPod docking stations, and bathrobes. Beach Suites are large and flooded with natural light, with a split-level design that includes a sleeping area upstairs and a colorfully stylish living area downstairs.
The independently owned Luxury Villas are residence-like spaces with ocean views and private pools surrounded by landscaped garden grounds. These rentals usually include linens and towels, and may have heated floors and/or air-conditioning. Full resort access depends on the individual villa booked, so make sure to check ahead.
There are also 23 townhouse-style villas located in the northwestern section of the property. These Vila Mimosas each have their own parking space and contain either two or three large bedrooms, views across the resort, and central heat and air-conditioning. Some have private pools -- though all Vila Mimosa guests have access to a private baby pool area and heated pool. These duplexes have bedrooms and bathrooms on the bottom floor, while open-plan lounges and fully stocked kitchens are on the top floor.
The resort also has 132 Village Houses, located on the eastern edge of the property and scattered around the Village Square. Expect a higher price tag, views of the bay or landscape, and two or three stylish bedrooms. The 55 Ocean Houses are dual-level and have large outdoor verandas. Couples may want to check out the Bay Houses, since these are the most secluded on the property. These 12 units are spacious and feature a unique east-west positioning that allows for stunning sunrise and sunset views -- pops of funky colors in the soft furnishings and quirky oversized wood wall hanging buttons add a bit of personality, as they do in most units throughout the hotel. The 10 Pinewood Houses run along the pine forest edge of the property and feature their own shared pool.

The stretch of beach located along the property follows suit with the rest of the natural vibe of the resort; it's a flat, tide-varying beach with sea grass mounds, a wooden boardwalk, and rocks along the property line. Since the beach (and its tides) aren't ideal for sunbathing, the resort has made a raised beach hangout area with all the fixings -- including a beach club and a restaurant. If you're looking to go in or on the water, there's a water-sports center on the beach offering kayaking, windsurfing, and off-site surfing. In fact, this section of the beach gets fairly windy and is an ideal spot for windsurfers.

This large resort's superb family-friendly features can be a godsend, especially to larger families traveling with multiple-aged kids or those with babies and toddlers. All of the usual kid-friendly amenities are offered, like kids' and teens’ clubs and kid-friendly menus -- but the resort really stands out with its kid-only dining areas, spa treatments (even for babies), stepping stools, toilet toppers, stair gates, and activities. Plus, all areas of the resort are kid-friendly, including bars, restaurants, and pools. There are even dedicated pools for babies and toddlers, a teen-approved pool, and a sports academy and excursions just for kids.

The Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort & Hotel has four food options for guests. The resort's main buffet restaurant, O Terraco, serves up a killer breakfast buffet (for a fee unless you are staying in the hotel section) and focuses on local and international dishes sourced with fresh, local ingredients. This is a casual spot that has an outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean. During breakfast, kids have their own supervised dining area with coloring activities and games. Also located in the Village Square is O Gambozinos, featuring typical Italian antipasti, pasta, and pizzas. Os Dunas is an all-white beachside spot that serves up fresh fish and seafood either inside or out on the terrace.
The Mercado Bakery and Deli offers fresh-baked treats, coffee, or sandwiches, while the nearby Gelataria serves homemade gelato. All restaurants have baby and kid-friendly menus, as well as play spaces for kids to entertain themselves while parents eat. Note that some guests complain that food and drink are pricey.
Half-board packages are available, but all-inclusive rates are not.
 

What Bars are at the Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort & Hotel?

A huge surf-themed beach bar, a sports bar, beach club, and juice bar are on-site.

The resort's main bar is M Bar and it features throwback decor of natural, unfinished wood floors, furniture, and walls plastered with surfing posters. There's tons of comfy couch space, as well as live music, sunny views, and a '70s VW camper van parked right out front to complete the Boho beach vibe. Beer, cocktails, cider, coffee, and plates are served at the main bar, while a second, smaller bar caters to kids with iPads and games. Also expect a colorful hammock inside, outdoor playground, and overall chilled-out feeling.
For a drink by the sea, the Beach Club is exclusive to resort guests. It serves up cocktails, juices, and ice cream, and provides service to the adjacent pool area. Club 98 Bar is situated next to the tennis courts and serves a similar selection of drinks. A popular spot for meet ups is the centrally located Juice Bar, which serves snacks and smoothies by the pool.
 

What Other Features are at the Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort & Hotel?

Five pools, a small gym, a relaxing spa, and tons of activities keep guests entertained.

In addition to dining, drinking, and all things ocean-related, the hotel offers a number of activities ranging from dolphin cruises to jeep safaris. There's also a bike rental station that's handy for exploring some of the surrounding natural park area, plus a small but bright gym that has a modern selection of free weights and cardio machines. The Martinhal also has a sports center, Club 98, which houses two artificial grass tennis courts, two glass-sided PADEL courts, a pool, and multi-use team sports field. Most of the physical activities and sports come with opportunities for lessons (fee).
For slightly more relaxing options, there are a steam room, sauna, and pool in the center of the Village Square. This is to say nothing of the lovely spa, which has a Turkish bath, sauna, private garden, and a large variety of European spa treatments -- even for babies. There are also five different pools strewn about the resort; two large family pools, a baby pool, toddler pool, and a freeform pool that's popular with teenage guests.
The hotel offers free parking and Wi-Fi, and free trials for some of the water sports and sports. Breakfast is only included for hotel-style rooms.