Dona Filipa Hotel & San Lorenzo Golf Course

8 / 10

Perfect location and a great place to stay.

10 / 10

Been staying here for many years. The staff are great and the hotel goes the extra mile. Great location too.

4 / 10

Suggest you advise golfers due to arrive Hotel late PM that a shuttle for next morning golf needs booking in advance otherwise first day golf may be spoiled by no shuttle room available! First floor rooms are still not up to scratch

10 / 10

Again we have stayed at DF for years and always enjoy it , the hotel has steadily improved over the years and the location near the beach is fab .

8 / 10

10 / 10

Thank you guys so much. 100% recommend You

10 / 10

Staff couldn't be more helpful

10 / 10

10 / 10

Great for golf trips, comfortable rooms, great staff, decent bar but slightly expensive @ €7 per beer

10 / 10

We got an upgrade for all our rooms, $20 discount each off bar bills and generally got looked after very well.

10 / 10

Whilst most of Hotel has been refurbished our room still had old style bathroom. Breakfast buffet is outstanding, staff first class.

8 / 10

Hotel great and staff could not be nicer but the golf course management continues to disappoint . I’ve never had a round under 5 hours in the last three years and last year we played rhe front 9!twice . If they take big pro ams then there should be 20 mins before the next tee time

10 / 10

A quality short break in winter sunshine, fabulous time, highly recommended.

8 / 10

Beside the poor weather we had a great stay at Dona Filipa. Staff and Hotel is worthy of its 5* Room upgrade was worth the change and presented really well. On my wife's birthday the hotel chef made a beautiful chocolate and decorated cake and bubbly was delivered to the room. Good well stocked quality breakfasts. The only disappointment was on Sunday 15th Dec when eating off the A la Carte Menu the food was very poor and not up to the required standard. Other guests told us to go to the Vale do Lobo Club and dine in the Spikes Restaurant, absolutely fabulous food. Transfers to and from the hotel and golf course by shuttle to the golf course always on time. Transfers to and from Airport were on time with a good standard of vehicle. A good company.

8 / 10

8 / 10

All good. The low season however means not everything is open, but generally excellent.

10 / 10

Quite brilliant as usual the hotel breakfast to die for lovely room superb hotel the course was in great nick as usual everything great I really recommend having a hire car than relying on the shuttle bus especially with morning tee times

8 / 10

Staff very friendly and helpful,food choice limited,older rooms a bit dated

10 / 10

8 / 10

Most of our group stayed in the older/tired rooms which were no where as good as my room.

8 / 10

We have stayed at this hotel for many years and we have always been pleased with the service. However, we found the restaurant had quite a limited menu. Very few people used the restaurant which begs the question Why?

8 / 10

10 / 10

The hotel is next to the Ocean, with a breautiful l’arte and sandy Beach. Our room was large, clean, and very comfortable, we were upgraded with a luxury room facing the golf course and the Ocean, with a balcony. Breakfast was super, we also had dinner three times at a reaonable price, about 35€ plus beverages. Very nice accomodation indeed

10 / 10

Well equipped room with a great view from the balcony. Loved watching the golfers and reading my book whilst relaxing on the balcony. Food in the bar and in the Kalim restaurant was excellent especially the BBQ . Staff very kind and friendly. Hotel well situated with the beach close by as well as shops and restaurants within walking distance. Shuttle bus to San Lorenzo useful for non golfers to have a change of scene.

10 / 10

Our rooms were a bit tired as awaiting renovation(5th floor)

10 / 10

Hotel of a very high standard. Staff Very Helpful.

10 / 10

Great value 5 star hotel great location

8 / 10

We had the old rooms again which are noisy and tired. Pool bar closed at 6 which made no sense and drink prices are excessive. Location is perfect

10 / 10

some problems with the mini bar and a noisy air conditioner, but in general a very good hotel

8 / 10

a beautiful setting and location and we were upgraded to a suite overlooking the pool and sea which was a fantastic room.Thank you!!hotel restaurant for breakfast was fine but the evening menu and atmosphere in the same restaurant was poor. the other a la carte restaurant was closed for refurbishment so we ate elsewhere for all meals except breakfast. great pool, lovely area and fabulous beach and sea.the staff were polite, attentive and very responsive in all areas...very good! Overall we had a great holiday

10 / 10

Excellent service on arrival booking in extra. Very helpful people on reception, who answered all my questions. I would defiantly stay at this hotel again.

2 / 10

Not good. I have already emailed you with my complaint

10 / 10

Have enjoyed stays at this Hotel for the past 30 years. What's so nice about this Hotel is that it has retained many of the staff that we first encountered 30 years ago, it's like meeting old friends.

6 / 10

Accommodation in a suite was excellent

8 / 10

10 / 10

Beautiful hotel in excellent location. Very friendly and helpful staff

8 / 10

We enjoyed our stay and would go back

8 / 10

8 / 10

Just makes do as a golf hotel. Hopeless for golfers grub Fantastic at charging ++,very meanly for room coffee, outdoor pool not heated. Buggies a must but 50 euro a throw. Great local restaurants but transport needed but not far. Breakfast and take away lunch first class.

10 / 10

Stayed in upgraded Superior Room with sea & golf course view. Very well setup for golfers with onsite parking & a club locker facility for hotel guests. Well trained, attentive staff provide a great service & overall experience at The Dona Filipa.

6 / 10

Rooms are very dated and certainly not 5* The organisation of the courtesy bus to San Lorenzo is poor. They have become complacent, we have been many times but will probably not go back until we hear of better reports. Very disapointed.

10 / 10

10 / 10

The staff couldn't have been more helpful

10 / 10

Excellent hotel every comfort you could wish for and a short walk to the beach. Every need was catered for. Staff very helpful. Our only criticism was the shuttle service from hotel to the golf course which ran far too infrequently and not many spaces, which prompted us to contact your company while we were away.

10 / 10

First class hotel. A lot of the rooms have been updated but we were in one of the old rooms which was no problem. The room was very good and spacious and the service was fantastic. Breakfast was a real treat with maximum choice including creamy porridge. Hotel were very good and even treated us to drinks in a cocktail hour. Only issue was asked to provide a fixed sum credit to use which I cannot understand why they simply use a credit card swipe on register like any other hotels. Doing a credit entails more transactions and possibly credit back which takes time and possibly exchange costs. I explained to a manager that this works against them and we used outside facilities rather than get involved. Other than this thoroughly recommend your golf travel and Dona Felipe.

10 / 10

Second time stay at Donna Filipa and can't fault the hotel. If any complaint it would be about the cost of drinks, a G&T cost €13, needless to say I went elsewhere to get my drinks.

8 / 10

The hotel is very nice although not quite 5 star. We stayed in the unrefurbished rooms and are a bit tired but perfectly acceptable. It's just a short walk to the bars and restaurants in Vale do Lobo which are a little quiet at the end of March. Vilamoura is much busier and a 20 euro taxi ride away.

6 / 10

Everything was excellent

8 / 10

Nice large room, and comfortable bed

10 / 10

8 / 10

Staff very friendly, but food especially breakfast poor. The coffee at breakfast was undrinkable. No gym very unusual for a 5 star hotel

10 / 10

Nice room overlooking the 17th at VDL a bit tired possibly, we weren't in the newly revamped section and some of the staff felt a bit "manana" if you know what I mean. Great spot though, met some interesting folk and had a good time, will go back.

10 / 10

Excellent hotel with helpful and friendly staff throughout

6 / 10

The Evening meal at the Hotel in the main restaurant was very poor quality. So much so that all six of us in our group complained to the Hotel management. Consequently we ate out on all the other evenings

10 / 10

Hotel excellent as usual star very helpful. Bus drivers were very accommodating.

10 / 10

We were extremely please with the beautiful pristine hotel. The staff were very friendly and welcoming and they upgraded us to newly refurbished rooms which were excellent. We would definitely go back.

10 / 10

Lovely hotel.Very comfortable. Superb breakfast choice. Service and staff very pleasant and helpful.

10 / 10

new rooms are very nice -spacious and well equipped

8 / 10

Great welcome and check in. Staff are friendly, professional and extremely helpful.Premium rooms are a must - super comfortable and well equipped. Very close to beach and selection of bars and restaurants. We would stay again but only on a bed and breakfast basis - plenty of restaurants within walking or short driving distance. Food in hotel restaurants apart from breakfast was disappointing.

10 / 10

Lovely hotel, really nice now it has been refurbished. Our room was traditionally furnished which I really liked rather than the usual rather bland modern decor. Beautiful tiles and Portuguese furniture. The breakfast was outstanding, such a good choice and constant attention from the staff. Best hotel buffet I've had for a long time. Just a shame no one south of Dover can do English bacon!! Joking aside, a lovely hotel, wonder location right on the beach, can't fault it.

8 / 10

Great breakfast to get the stay started. Heated outdoor swimming pool. Lovely staff, always most helpful with everything.

10 / 10

Brilliant hotel lovely rooms and super breakfast as goodasitgets really

10 / 10

Fantastic hotel great atmosphere superb facilities heated pool top notch

10 / 10

Excellent hotel, staff very efficient and freindly.

10 / 10

6 / 10

A good fun hotel in a good position.

10 / 10

Spacious double room, with large comfortable bed. Cleaned daily, with towels replaced twice each day if required.

8 / 10

We were in some of the old rooms which are in need of some modernisation. I think it needs to be made clearer when booking about the difference in the rooms. Some of our party upgraded and were expecting the refurbished rooms and were disappointed when they had the old rooms with a slightly better view. They couldn’t be called ‘superior’. The hotel was as always very relaxing with excellent service in a great location.

10 / 10

Elegant and stylish reception. Luxurious room and lovely view of the golf course and sea. Tea making facility was useful too.

10 / 10

Hotel exceptionally well run. Great outdoor pool area and within easy walking distance to a very good classical Algarve beach with hotel beds on the beach too at no charge. Hotel free bus to its golf courses, so just be on your game an organist your transport 1 day in advance.

6 / 10

The hot breakfast was always cold and not the best of quality Although the quality of the cold buffet was a lot better. Quality of the staff in the restaurant was good. The drinks were very expensive staff very poorly trained The Irish coffee was the worst we ever had, entertainment to loud the size of room

10 / 10

Great hotel, great service, great golf course - five star rating all the way. 

6 / 10

San Lorenzo is a great course but one that is now getting dated and because it is played predominantly as a "resort course" there are a lot of people playing the course who are not golfers so it is slow to get around.

10 / 10

The most interesting holes are around the lake, because of the views.

10 / 10

The most challenging hole is the 8th par 5.

10 / 10

San Lorenzo was a fair test and a great layout.

10 / 10

Enjoyed all of it.

10 / 10

All are good.

8 / 10

6, 7, 8, 17 & 18 are all great holes with water - commit to the shot and take plenty of club. I was short on my approach shots quite a lot. The hotel is great and even better now it has been refurbished. Staff very friendly.

10 / 10

Great course, plan to go back next year. Hotel ok, village area outside hotel excellent.

10 / 10

One of the best venues in the Algarve.

8 / 10

The hotel was very good and the 6th and 7th holes were just beautiful.

8 / 10

Excellent venue for golf and accommodation. Hotel looks after clubs and arranges for transfer to buggies before your game. Excellent breakfast with a fantastic chefs omelette. A number of excellent holes with water in play.

10 / 10

Golf break was good value for money - took friends who stayed and played for the first time and look forward to returning.

10 / 10

Super course. On the 3rd round, I birdied 4 holes in a row, something which I have never done before... Alas I still paid the money out.

8 / 10

The Hotel was good and the 18th on Vale de Lobo was good.

10 / 10

Great stay but a bit noisy when the nightclub comes out in early hours.

6 / 10

You have to be a confident golfer to play San Lorenzo near your handicap allowance, holes near the sea can be demanding due to wind strength and accuracy will be rewarded more than distance. Enjoy it, it's quite unique!

10 / 10

All the holes boarding the nature reserve were fantastic.

8 / 10

18th hole was fantastic. Take plenty of golf balls.

8 / 10

A beautiful and well kept course, definitely the best in the Algarve. Quaint clubhouse, and the hotel was nice and clean but in my opinion is starting to look a bit dated. All the staff were really helpful and friendly.

10 / 10

All holes need thought and careful strategy to play them well - great experience.

10 / 10

Played this golf course many times and its always a pleasure and a challenge.

10 / 10

We really enjoyed all of the Pestana courses. The villa we had was lovely and we were made welcome at all the venues. Perfect for a Portuguese golf holiday.

8 / 10

Beautiful course and weather - a true test.

8 / 10

San Lorenzo is my favourite course of all. Unfortunately I was not paired with anyone on two of the occasions during the week which was disappointing. 

10 / 10

Hotel was being refurbished whilst we were there. Going back again.

10 / 10

Fabulous golf course, the best in my opinion in the Algarve. The hotel is fine, I believe they are upgrading, so should be even better.

10 / 10

Beautifully located hotel near an excellent beach, top class golf course, and good restaurants close by equals a great holiday. 

8 / 10

The hotel was double booked.

8 / 10

Hotel was very nice, good course to play 2 or 3 times during a visit.

8 / 10

Loved the holes close to the water. Hotel adequate when we visited. The rooms were a good size but generally rather tired. We were however, told that a renovation programme was being started.

10 / 10

The course is the star here - I think the hotel rooms could do with an upgrade. But I would rather that way round.

10 / 10

I thought the Montgomery course was superb, especially when they were playing the Turkish open on it.

10 / 10

Now that I can play San Lorenzo and Pinheiros Altos in the package it is more interesting. I can then add a twilight in Val de Lobo and have three courses in the seven days. The hotel is always welcoming. The staff are not changing often so they remember the guests and greet you as old friends.

8 / 10

The holes by the estuary are great, you need to play the course a couple of times to get the feel for it.

10 / 10

Good course and great hotel with lots of very good restaurants nearby, do not need a car.

10 / 10

All the holes were brilliant. Hotel very good.

10 / 10

A stunning picturesque course with many challenging holes, especially the par 5 8th, the par 4 18th, and the par 4 6th. All need thoughtful club selection and positioning of shots.

10 / 10

A course I never tire of playing. Second nine is more difficult to score on. Sixth to nine great holes. Always in great condition.

8 / 10

Hotel is good but not really 5 stars.

8 / 10

The 4th hole is my favourite. Drive from a high tee position, not too far or you're in the sea. Dare you cut the corner and risk losing your ball? Don't slice your second shot or you're in the sea.

10 / 10

Hotel has been recently upgraded (did need it). San Lorenzo is a great course all year round with dramatic closing holes.

10 / 10

Keep it straight on 18th.

8 / 10

Great course, especially the stretch by the water. Hit it straight and you'll score well. Great greens. Hotel was great, restaurant superb, especially breakfasts.

10 / 10

San Lorenzo is a top quality layout. A driver isn't required until the 8th, with accuracy from the tee being of greater importance. Holes 6, 7, 10, 13 and 18 are my favourites. The 10th is the best driving hole and 18 is a really good finishing hole.

8 / 10

Favourites were 5, 6, 7, 8. Hotels good but needed a do up.

10 / 10

All of the holes are good. Aim for right side of fairway on most holes. Play early as you get an easy run. The hotel is excellent - good room service, mattresses and pillows which lots of hotels do not have. Bus runs to golf course every 40 minutes.

8 / 10

Best holes were round the beach. 6 & 7 and 16 & 17 were great with plenty of wildlife to see.

10 / 10

The 6th was fantastic with a drive over the corner.

10 / 10

17 was an excellent hole.

10 / 10

San Lorenzo and Pinheiros Altos are superb courses and well worth playing.

10 / 10

Hotel great with fabulous breakfast, just enjoy a great course.

4 / 10

I think holes four, five and ten where fair tests.

8 / 10

All the holes around the water were fantastic. Bring your A game. The hotel was finishing its refurbishment but still quality.

10 / 10

18th was my favourite hole.

8 / 10

San Lorenzo was in good condition, with fast greens and playing relatively easy as long as my drives were straight! The Dona Filipa was fine but we did not have one of the refurbished rooms which was disappointing. The staff were very attentive but it was a long walk from the bedroom to the breakfast restaurant and swimming pool.

8 / 10

Course as always is a joy, would be my choice for a last ever round. Hotel good but bedrooms a little tired, but will not stop us returning.

8 / 10

18 was my favourite hole.

10 / 10

All holes are good, especially number 6.

10 / 10

1st is a dog-leg left, play for the middle of the fairway. The hotel was/is first class.

8 / 10

All 18 were excellent holes. Hotel very nice!

10 / 10

There are few weak holes on this course and you'll love the quality of the maintenance. Believe in the yardages and just remember that they are measured in metres! (Plus 10%) The Hotel is very comfortable and still reflects the glory days of when it was built, so be kind to it!

8 / 10

We find all the holes very challenging. However, we all love San Lorenzo and the Dona Filipa Hotel and although we are all in our seventies we hope to make a trip next autumn.

8 / 10

Hotel dated but still ok. Ideally placed for playing San Lorenzo or the Vale de Lobo courses and right next to Montys for a great night out. San Lorenzo is a fantastic course offering a great challenge for golfers of all abilities. Several holes require length off the tee, however some of the longer holes have narrow fairway targets or doglegs which means it's not necessarily a driver off the tee at the par 5's. Water comes into play on a number of holes and 18 in particular has you driving down the left of a small lake to leave yourself a wedge across more water to the green. Well worth a visit for the hole alone.

10 / 10

San Lorenzo was great. Varied course, some hills-drops, generous fairways. Val de Lobo is a must play. Royal had a fantastic 16th over the beach-ravine par 3. Off season local shops not open. Need a car or taxi for decent restaurants. Hotel renovation offer for foods at SL Club was great.

10 / 10

Best holes were 6th, 7th and 18th on San Lorenzo.

10 / 10

Altos and any in Val Do Lobo area is my type of golf.

10 / 10

The Hotel was first class. Great staff.

10 / 10

May limit the golf at San Lorenzo and maybe drive to Penina. Pinheiros Altos was disappointing.

10 / 10

Great hotel, good location. Superb golf at San Lorenzo and Quinta.

10 / 10

Great for families/golfers/couples. Have been over 20 times and never disappointed.

8 / 10

5th - 8th, 17th & 18th are fantastic holes. 

8 / 10

A very nice drive down to the beach. The Hotel is fine and they looked after us very well. My favorite hole is the 17th.

10 / 10

Favorite hole is the 18th. Take plenty of balls and enjoy yourselves. Insect repellent would be good. 

10 / 10

The holes along the beach side are fabulous. Not too penal off the tee but plenty of challenge. Great course!

10 / 10

Good hotel, the course is fun to play and a good test of golf

10 / 10

I have been staying at Dona Filipa and playing San Lorenzo since the early years when golf was free if you stayed at the hotel. Sadly those days are long gone but I am regularly drawn back to the area. The course is always in great condition and although not the longest by modern standards the difficulty more than makes up for it. Some very challenging holes and outstanding scenery make this a venue not to miss.

6 / 10

The course is outstanding and varied. The rooms in the hotel are tired and in need of upgrading. Would happily go back but maybe stay elsewhere.

8 / 10

Hole 6, par 4 dog leg left off a high elevation tee has great views over the estuary / bird sanctuary.

8 / 10

My Caddy Tip - "Enjoy it."

10 / 10

The 18th at San Lorenzo -  "Go For It "

10 / 10

Really good hotel and challenging course for a high handicapper but very enjoyable.

10 / 10

Great Course!

10 / 10

Hotel was fabulous, had a free a la carte dinner on our last night our golf was average but we can't blame the courses for that.

10 / 10

First few holes are good openers to settle you down, from the 6th on you know you are playing in a special place.

8 / 10

Definitely worth playing it twice as you learn do much from the first round. I was 6 shots better on day 2 even after beer.

10 / 10

There are few courses in the world which offer so many holes with outstanding views as well as quality fairways and greens. Each hole has different challenges with water coming into play on many. The 18th is as tough a finishing hole as you will find. The hotel is newly refurbished with good food. The adjacent private beach is pristine and the location is ideal.

10 / 10

The 18th is a great hole!

8 / 10

My wife and I had a nice break at Doña Filipa for our Silver Wedding Anniversary. Hotel was lovely, although not quite as plush as we expected. The shuttle between the hotel and golf course was a bit hit and miss. Some people ended up getting taxis to the course as bus filled up very quickly. Would definitely go there again.

10 / 10

10 / 10

My Caddy Tip - "Just enjoy the fabulous scenery."

Stableford Score - 35 Points

Handicap - 12