About Vale do Lobo
The Algarve’s cherished lifestyle destination and a true one-of-a-kind resort.
Vale do Lobo is a legendary resort in Portugal’s Algarve. Since 1962, families have been creating cherished memories here, surrounded by golden sands, sparkling waves and ancient pine trees.
Spread over 450 hectares of landscaped grounds, Vale do Lobo is a unique community of homeowners, holidaymakers, golfers, gourmands and more. Generations of families have created their own traditions here, with plenty more in store for future generations.
With two kilometers of uninterrupted beachfront, a wealth of luxurious amenities and indulgent wellness facilities, a world-class sporting offering and a range of properties to rent and buy, Vale do Lobo has something for everyone.
Vale do Lobo isn’t just a place to stay; it’s a lifestyle.
The Resort
A unique, top quality, self-contained development
A luxurious, self-contained residential and holiday development, unique in Portugal.
Vale do Lobo was the first development in the Algarve and is today the largest luxury resort of its kind in Portugal operated by the same company.
With a total area of 450 hectares and approximately 1,500 residential and holiday properties, Vale do Lobo Algarve is a self-contained community offering endless facilities and services in a unique location.
The resort has an enviable portfolio of sports and leisure facilities including two 18-hole golf courses – the Royal and the Ocean – and a diverse line-up of entertainment and events throughout the year, not to mention 24-hour security vigilance and medical assistance.
The outstanding facilities and exclusive location make Vale do Lobo Algarve the ultimate year-round family destination!
Facts & Figures
Founded in 1962 by Trusthouse Forte plc and Costain plc, both well-known multi-nationals, Vale do Lobo was the first development in the Algarve.
Founded
1962, the first resort in the Algarve
Size
The largest luxury resort in Portugal – approx. 450 hectares
Length of own beach
Approx.2 km
Number of villas and apartments
Over 1,500 owned outright; 30 properties in co- ownership
Outline planning permission
For 500 more villas and a luxury hotel
Permanent residents
10%
Properties available for rental
35% plus 5% co-ownership
Total number of beds for rental
2,500
Total number of visitors per year
Approx. 750,000
Tennis
One of the largest tennis facilities in Portugal: 9 hard courts (4 floodlit), 4 artificial clay courts (all floodlit) and 6 padel courts (all floodlit), gym and swimming pool
Golf
2 x 18 hole courses, the Royal (par 72; distance 6,059 metres) and the Ocean (par 73; distance 6,137 metres)
Other sports:
Water-sports, football, yoga, aerobics, spinning and many others
Number of restaurants and bars:
15 of diverse cuisine
Number of employees:
200
Project’s Differentiating Factors & Virtues
Heritage
Founded in 1962 as the first development in the Algarve, the resort has hosted some of greatest icons of the sports world
Golf
A famous golf club with two 18-hole championship courses offering a year-round golf destination
Situation
Enjoying 2km of ocean frontage to provide owners, members and visitors with priviliged beach access
Facilities
A residential, holiday and lifestyle destination offering an extraordinary mix of entertainment, facilities and service
Scale
Spanning 450 hectares of carefully landscaped grounds, the resort is managed and operated under the guidance of an experienced team.
Track Record
Sice launch more than 1,500 private residences and holiday homes have been built in addition to the extensive facilities and services enjoyed by owners
Community
For more than 60 years families have congregated at the resort creating a unique sense of community
Diversity
The resort’s scale, space and failities provides for a wide range of ages and interests
Our history
Founded in 1962 by Trusthouse Forte plc and Costain plc, both well-known multi-nationals, Vale do Lobo was the first development in the Algarve.
It had a huge impact, as it was only after the establishment of Vale do Lobo, Dona Filipa Hotel and our first golf course that Faro International Airport was opened.
The next chapter began when Sander van Gelder, a Dutch entrepreneur, discovered Vale do Lobo during a holiday in the mid-1970s. Recognising its potential, he bought the resort and moved to Portugal in 1977.
Then, in 2006, Vale do Lobo entered a new era when it was bought by a group of investors including Portugal’s largest bank, Caixa Geral de Depósitos.
13 years later, beginning of 2019, other resort management took over the resort, as it was made part of ECS Capital, Portugal’s largest investment fund, and is set to continue life as the largest luxury resort of its kind in Portugal, recognised as one of the best resorts in Europe.
Recently, the Fund Holding Vale do Lobo has been acquired by Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP embarking in a new visionary era, looking toward to the future.
Historial Timeline
Digging deep into Vale do Lobo’s history since 1962 – A photographic journey down memory lane to discover the highlights of the truly remarkable history of success of the biggest Portuguese resort.
Historic moments in Vale do Lobo’s journey of success:
1962-1969
- Opening of the first two 9-hole courses | July 1968
- The Vale do Lobo Golf Club started in 1968 with the opening of the first two 9-hole courses overseen by Sir Henry Cotton.
- Dona Filipa Hotel built by Trusthouse Forte | January 1968
- Start of golf course construction, overseen by Sir Henry Cotton | June 1965
- Faro International Airport opens | January 1964
- Vale do Lobo is founded by Sir Richard Costain | 28 December 1962
1970-1979
- Prince Henry International College opens | September 1979
- Vale do Lobo is bought by Dutch entrepreneur Sander van Gelder | December 1977
- Vale do Lobo hosts the Portuguese Golf Open | April 1976
- Vale do Lobo is put into voluntary liquidation by Richard Costain, Ltd | February 1975
- Third 9-hole golf course opens “The Green” and first Vale do Lobo Clubhouse opens | March 1972
- First “Aldeamento” (complex of houses) is completed | July 1971
- Vale do Lobo hosts the Algarve Golf Open | April 1971
- First Amateur Week Golf Tournament takes place | February 1970
1980-1989
- Vale do Lobo’s official Proprietors’ Club Members Association (CMA) is founded | November 1989
- Vale do Lobo / Louletano Cycling Team wins Tour of Portugal | August 1988
- Vale do Lobo entrance opens with a Moorish inspired architectural theme. | September 1987
- Silver Jubilee – 25th Anniversary of Vale do Lobo | August 1987
- Portuguese Golf Ladies’ Open held again at Vale do Lobo | June 1987
- Portuguese Golf Ladies’ Open held at Vale do Lobo | June 1985
- Golf Academy and driving range opens | January 1985
- Works begins on Golf Sports Centre | October 1984
- Vale do Lobo Lawn Bowling opens | April 1984
- Works begins on Vale do Lobo Ténis real estate | July 1983
- First Open Foursomes Golf tournament takes place | May 1983
- Roger Taylor Tennis Centre is completed | May 1980
1990-2000
- Algarve Millennium Skins Game (Golf) is held at Vale do Lobo | December 2000
- Vale do Lobo residents form the Wolf Valley Charity Fund to help local causes | June 1999
- Royal Golf Course is opened | August 1997
- Designed by the American architect Rocky Roquemore from the original design of Sir Henry Cotton. The opening of the Royal Golf Course contributed to increase the number of members and raised the standards of golf in the Algarve.
- Sculpture garden and putting greens designed by Jits Bakker and Rocky Roquemore are opened | June 1996
- Renovated back 9 holes of the Ocean Golf Course are opened | May 1996
- Work begins on the Royal Golf Course | September 1995
- David Lloyd, former British Davis Cup winner, takes over franchise | April 1994
- CMA Golf Committee is founded | July 1990
2001-2005
- John McEnroe wins the 5th Vale do Lobo Grand Champions | August 2005
- Manchester United football team chooses Vale do Lobo as training camp accompanied by their families| June 2005
- Vale do Lobo hosts Vale do Lobo Grand Champions Tennis Tournament | August 2004 (Jim Courier wins)
- Michael Stich wins Vale do Lobo Grand Champions Tennis Tournament | August 2003
- Vale do Lobo hosts the Portuguese Golf Open (Frederick Jacobs wins) | March 2003
- Vale do Lobo Grand Champions becomes an official event on the ATP Seniors Tour (John McEnroe wins) | August 2002
- Vale do Lobo hosts Portuguese Golf Open (Carl Pettersson wins)| March 2002
- Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy hosts Grand Champions Legends Tennis Gala (Final won by Jeremy Bates) | August 2001
2006-2010
- Vale do Lobo hosts PGAs of Europe Golf Tournament | November 2010
- The resort hosts the 10th Anniversary of the Vale do Lobo Grand Champions Caixa Geral de Depósitos Tennis Tournament (Thomas Enqvist wins)| August 2010
- Vale do Lobo honoured by presidency visit in the event of the Portugal Charity Cup | January 2010
- Vale do Lobo hosts Vale do Lobo Grand Champions Tennis Tournament | August 2009 (Greg Rusedski wins)
- Cristiano Ronaldo chose Vale do Lobo as holiday’s refuge with his family before signing historical contract with Real Madrid | Spring 2008
- Vale do Lobo Grand Champions Tennis Tournament is won by Marcelo Rios | August 2008
- Real Madrid football team train at Vale do Lobo accompanied by their families | July 2008
- Construction of a new Resort entrance | June 2008
- Vale do Lobo Grand Champions Tennis Tournament is won by Sergi Bruguera | August 2007
- Sunderland AFC and Liverpool FC football teams train at Vale do Lobo | June 2007
- Vale do Lobo is bought by a group of Portuguese and international investors | December 2006
- Newcomer Marcelo Rios beats John McEnroe in the Vale do Lobo Grand Champions Tennis Tournament | August 2006
- England national football team chooses Vale do Lobo for Pre-World Cup training camp | May 2006
2010 – 2024
- Vale do Lobo presents new branding and positioning | March 2024
- Tennis Academy becomes part of Vale do Lobo management business | January 2023
- Fund holding Vale do Lobo is bought by Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP and Kronos Homes| December 2022
- Padel Nations Cup returns to Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy | August 2019
- Padel Nations Cup is held at Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy | August 2018
- Vale do Lobo becomes part of ECS Capital, Portugal’s largest investment fund | January 2018
- Wales National Football Team train at Vale do Lobo | May 2016
- Club of Clubs refurbishment | December 2014
- England national football team chooses Vale do Lobo for new Pre-World Cup training camp | May 2014
- 50th Anniversary of Vale do Lobo | January 2012
- First Knockout Week Golf Tournament held at the resort | November 2012
- Vale do Lobo honoured by presidency visit in new Portugal Charity Cup event | July 2011
Resort Life
Life is good at Vale do Lobo – the resort that captures the magic of the Algarve
The Vale do Lobo story began in 1962. Since then, the resort has been a go-to destination for residents and holidaymakers who love the pure natural beauty and glorious weather of Portugal’s Algarve region.
Today, Vale do Lobo is also loved for its easy-going atmosphere, excellent holiday accommodation, plots and properties, endless facilities, and creative program of events and experiences. It is a world in itself, offering the simplicity of a family day on the beach through to the project of a lifetime designing and building your own villa.
Effortless luxury in the Portuguese sunshine
The resort is continuously maintained so that it always looks its best. And our 24hour security team make sure that everyone enjoys a trouble-free environment. For us, the more we can do, the less you have to do leaving you to enjoy your time with us.
Within our 450 hectares, you will find protected nature, golden sand beaches, fitness and wellness centres, two 18-hole golf courses, a tennis academy, a diverse bar and restaurant scene, and many other highlights to keep the whole family active, entertained and happy.
Holidaymakers get a taste of what it is like to live here and so often choose to make this their second or even first home. It is a place where life-long friendships blossom, and the desire to be here grows.
Information
Kindly be aware that construction works have been authorized by the Loulé Municipal Council between 9:00 and 18:00 hours.
We acknowledge that this may lead to inconveniences for our residents and guests. Rest assured, we are committed to making every possible effort to mitigate the effects of these external resort-related activities, despite our inability to directly regulate them.
