Eva, I would like to thank you and your team for organizing this wonderful holiday. There are a few things that I would like to comment about. One: the lodging facilities, I would rate Penha Longa #1 and 5 star. I spent one additional night at the Oitavos which was also excellent 5 star. The Troia Lagos apartments were very good as were the apartments at Praia Del Rey. But the bed was too hard At Praia d'el Rey. The sister larger hotel to Lagos in Troia which my GPS took us to first is still closed.
The Mara restaurant in Praia d'el Rey also remains closed, so the clubhouse there is the only breakfast option.
Speaking of breakfast Pehna Longa and Oitavos was definitely way better than the other two. Praia was only average. Troia did a good job. Oitavos rivalled Penha Longa.
Now the golf:
West Cliffs was spectacularly beautiful and challenging. Massive elevation changes. Definitely the best and would play again many times but take a buggy! Which we did and bring lots of balls. Very easy to lose them there. We changed our tee times and played it twice.
Praia del Rey was also very good but played it on a very windy day so can’t judge it fairly. It’s a mix of links and parkland holes.
Oitavos Dunes we caught on a windy day too and so judging it fairly is hard. Great links design and in excellent condition. I would play it again.
Penha Longa Atlantic & Penha Longa Mosteiro is parkland and also very good especially the championship course. They are in the midst of some bunker refurbishment on a few holes. Once that is done it will be 5 star again.
Troia is a good course but not as good as the others. Less well maintained. No beverage cart. No water to drink on course and no on-course toilets.
The whole Troia area is still recovering from the COVID disruption.
The building and construction going on around West Cliffs is remarkable. Will not recognize it probably when we come back.
Finally, the Melia hotel Lisbon Airport was excellent for catching an early morning flight. We walked that morning to terminal and made car drop off day before easy and allowed us to take the train into city centre night before departure to visit. Very convenient and efficient.
Eva, thanks for setting it all up.