Loulé · Inland Algarve
Ombria
Photos courtesy of Ombria, for exclusive use on this page.
Ombria isn't on the coast, and that's exactly the point. It's inland, in the hills of Loulé, among rivers, slopes and old trees, half an hour from the noise. Jorge Santana da Silva designed it, the same architect behind Quinta do Lago's Laranjal. It's 18 holes, par 71 and 5,802 metres: not a power course, a terrain course. It's played with the contour lines, not against them, and the round rises and falls following what was already there. Greens and fairways blend into their surroundings until it's hard to see where the course begins — and that's no accident: the resort built on less than a quarter of its land and replanted native species across the whole layout. For us it serves a very specific purpose: it's the different day of a week at Vale do Lobo. Once the Royal and Ocean have been played and a change of scenery sounds good, you go up to Ombria — and on our stays the shared buggy is included, which on a hilly course is appreciated.
This sport's serious environmental seal. It holds GEO Foundation certification. For the Scandinavian client, who asks about this before the par, it isn't a footnote: it's an argument.
Where it's played
Would rather play it from another hotel, or in another combination? Tell us and we'll put together a firm-priced proposal.