Penina Hotel & Golf Resort

6 / 10

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

8 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

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!

10 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

Accomadation first class food was good a bit expensive

8 / 10

4 / 10

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

10 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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

8 / 10

8 / 10

A nice quiet friendly atmosphere.

8 / 10

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

6 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

Everything went well guys can't wait to go back

10 / 10

great hotel and great golf

10 / 10

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.

6 / 10

G

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

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!

8 / 10

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.,

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

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.

10 / 10

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

Great hotel friendly staff all round had a fantastic time.

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

All good

8 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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

6 / 10

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

10 / 10

Very clean and pleasant, really enjoyed.

8 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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.

6 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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!

8 / 10

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.

10 / 10

10 / 10

Resort Course

8 / 10

Championship course 

8 / 10

Favourite holes - The short holes on the second nine. 

8 / 10

My caddy tip - "Bring insect repellent" 

8 / 10

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

8 / 10

Championship course 

8 / 10

Championship course 

10 / 10

Championship course 

8 / 10

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

6 / 10

8 / 10

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

6 / 10

Championship course 

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

8 / 10

10 / 10

6 / 10

6 / 10

6 / 10

8 / 10

10 / 10

10 / 10

8 / 10

10 / 10

6 / 10

6 / 10

Favourite hole - 5th hole. 

10 / 10

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

10 / 10

My caddy tip - "Keep your drives straight". 

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

Favourite hole - All of them 

10 / 10

Favourite hole - 9th hole. 

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

Favourite holes - 12 and 16. 

8 / 10

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 !

10 / 10

8 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

6 / 10

Favourite holes - 1st and 18th.

10 / 10

Favourite hole - 6th hole. 

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

Stableford score - 30. 

8 / 10

10 / 10

Favourite hole - 16

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

Stableford score - 31

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

6 / 10

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

8 / 10

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.

8 / 10

8 / 10

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

6 / 10

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

8 / 10

Favourite hole - 18.

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

Exceptional golfing facility!

8 / 10

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

6 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

8 / 10

6 / 10

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

10 / 10

16, 17 and 18 all great finishing holes.

8 / 10

12 and 13th great water holes.

Stableford Score - 32

Handicap - 20

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

Challenging course and buggies are a must.

8 / 10

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.

8 / 10

10 / 10

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

Too long ago to remember.

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

8 / 10

8 / 10

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

8 / 10

10 / 10

8 / 10

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. 

8 / 10

8 / 10

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

10 / 10

8 / 10

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

8 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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

8 / 10

Everything went well.

10 / 10

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

Handicap - 18

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

6 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

8 / 10

My Caddy Tip - "Just enjoy it."

Stableford Score - 39 or more

Handicap - 8

4 / 10

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

Stableford Score - 22

Handicap - 30

10 / 10

No particular favourite hole, liked them all.

10 / 10

The 9th was my favourite hole.

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

Stableford Score - 28 or less

Handicap - 14

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

8 / 10

The course is a bit untidy and needs more love.

Stableford Score - 38

Handicap - 7

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

8 / 10

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

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

Stableford Score - 30

Handicap - 16

10 / 10

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

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.

4 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

Nice hotel, excellent restaurants, friendly staff.

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

Stableford Score - 31

Handicap - 21

10 / 10

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

My Caddy Tip - "Play plenty of club"

Stableford Score - 34

Handicap - 8

8 / 10

6 / 10

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

8 / 10

Hotel was superb.

Stableford Score - 28 or less

Handicap - 27

10 / 10

Stroke index 1 was a brilliant golf hole.

My Caddy Tip - "Keep it straight."

Stableford Score - 30 points

Handicap - 9

8 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

Don't be too ambitious.

10 / 10

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

4 / 10

Stableford Score - 34

Handicap - 2

8 / 10

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

10 / 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

6 / 10

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

10 / 10

The famous 17th was great!

Stableford Score - 37

Handicap - 12

10 / 10

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

8 / 10

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

8 / 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

10 / 10

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

4 / 10

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

Handicap - 2

10 / 10

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

10 / 10

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

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 10

8 / 10

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

Handicap - 20

10 / 10

Stableford Score - 34 points

Handicap - 13

10 / 10

10 / 10

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. 

6 / 10

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

6 / 10

8 / 10

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

Stableford Score - 33

Handicap - 11

2 / 10

Stableford Score - 30 points

Handicap - scratch or better

10 / 10

The course was challenging enough especially the Resort shorter one.

Handicap - 13

4 / 10

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

8 / 10

8 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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.

10 / 10

We've stayed at Penina a dozen or more times and despite our expectations getting higher each time, the hotel, golf course and staff have never failed to exceed them.

The hotel is very traditional, nicely presented and the staff have an uncanny knack of knowing how formal or informal they need to be when in conversation.

The golf course is wonderful and a challenge for all levels of golfers without being too ridiculous. You will certainly want to come back for more once you've played it.

We’d recommend hiring a car as despite everything you need being in the hotel complex, doing so allows you to explore the east and west regions of the Algarve, as well as further inland which is far less touristy.

We’ll be there again next Spring.

10 / 10

We stayed at the Penina Golf Resort in February and the weather was sunny and warm. This time of year must be taken into consideration in our review.

The Championship course was in good condition and well looked after. It was as difficult a course as you would like it to be. My wife and I are high handicap players so just playing here was special without trying to beat it. Long hitters will do well here.

The resort course is also quite long for a 9 hole. Not as pristine but every bit as enjoyable as the main event. There are some tricky holes. Refreshment buggies go round both so if you need a snack or drink it's available.

The nineteenth hole was all you need before and after a round, with friendly staff and a large choice on the menu. We used it often as it was very comfortable. 

The hotel itself is not new but well looked after. We upgraded to a front room overlooking the pool, on the sunny side of the hotel. Like in the clubhouse, the staff in the hotel are very friendly. The food and drink was a little expensive, as you would expect, however it’s well worth every penny considering how well everything is run.

We give the resort an overall mark of 5 because it offers everything we need from a golf holiday. We’ve already booked another fortnight at Penina next February!

8 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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!

10 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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!

8 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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!

10 / 10

The Championship Course layout is very good at Penina. It’s very testing and was in fantastic condition. The clubhouse staff were excellent and were there to answer and deal with all our needs, all of which was done with a smile on their face...nothing was too much trouble for them.

The hotel is 5 star, and the services and staff are fantastic. We’d rate our trip as 5 out of 5 most definitely and we will return to Penina in the future.

8 / 10

We had an excellent week at Penina.

We found the championship course challenging and with so many hidden water hazards, there were many balls lost! It was in very good condition and interesting to play.

The club house was great too. Our clubs were stored over night and ready for our tee times in the morning. All members of staff were friendly and helpful.

The hotel was very comfortable. Its traditional style made it spacious and large public rooms easily accommodated the large number of guests.

My only small criticism is that there was no free bottled drinking water in the rooms and to buy a small bottle was 2€50.

We would choose a different resort next time simply for a change of area and golf course.

10 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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?

10 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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.

10 / 10

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!

8 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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.

6 / 10

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.

8 / 10

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.