The Portugal News: Clean and Safe luxury holidays at Martinhal, in Portugal – the California of Europe!

After more than two months of full lockdown, Portugal was able to successfully control its 3^rd wave of this pandemic and is now one of the best countries in Europe with number of new cases per 100,000 habitants below 100, according to Portuguese Authority figures on 5^th April.

The Portuguese government has set a roadmap to gradually lift the lockdown measures leading up to the 3^rd May and the sunny country is preparing to welcome tourists. The plan, that will be reviewed every two weeks, has started on 15^th March with the opening of Creches and Primary Schools, hairdressers and bookshops. Restaurant and café esplanades, museums, monuments, as well as pools, golf and other outdoor sports activities have been allowed to open, this will be followed by the inside areas of restaurants with reduced capacity, all schools and universities, shopping malls and gyms which are scheduled to open on 19^th April. By the 3^rd of May, all sport activities will be allowed, restaurants and cafés can work without opening-time limitations, and outdoor and indoor events with limited attendance will be possible.

Rita Marques, Tourism Secretary of State, is confident in saying that by mid-May Portugal will soon be ready to welcome tourists “I do believe that Portugal will soon allow restriction-free travel, not only for vaccinated people, but those who are immune or who test negative. We hope to welcome British tourists from 17 May.” (The Portugal News, 12^th March 2021).

With the tourism authority’s pioneering “Clean and Safe” stamp that establishes strict hygiene and health procedures for post lockdown activities, Portugal is looking forward to welcoming national and international tourists.

Martinhal Family Hotels and Resorts go beyond the usual to ensure the well-being of our guests, staff and community and have introduced several more measures, routines and procedures to safeguard the health of their community of staff and families. All of these procedures were previously tested last year when Martinhal registered no Covid cases among guests through the busy summer season as well as during Christmas and New Year!

The well-deserved Luxury Family Holiday in the sun!

Confident that it is possible to deliver a memorable family holiday even through these tough times and following Clean and Safe measures, Martinhal Resorts have stayed open through this year’s lockdown, with a mix of long and short stay guests and the resorts are now reopening all services according to the Portuguese roadmap. Given that most of Martinhal’s accommodation are serviced villas and houses, or large hotel rooms in open areas, guests have appreciated staying at Martinhal Resorts even more during these times.

Martinhal offers luxury family holidays in some of Portugal’s most prestigious and beautiful locations. The flagship project is Martinhal Sagres, open since 2010, in the south-western tip of Europe overlooking the wonderful Martinhal beach and surrounded by the Costa Vicentina and South West Alentejo National Park. The unique concept that brings together design, luxury and children, taking into account each family member’s needs to ensure that not only children but also their parents make the most of their time at Martinhal, has been a proven success leading to the hotel group’s expansion since 2014. In 2015, Martinhal arrived in Quinta do Lago, with the opening of Martinhal Quinta, followed by Martinhal Cascais in the sophisticated Quinta da Marinha area in Cascais in 2016 and Martinhal Chiado, in the heart of Lisbon old town! Martinhal manages the mix of sophisticated holidays for the parents and grandparents, while ensuring that the children are well looked after. “Have your cappuccino with the foam still on it!” is the mantra that sums up the Martinhal experience.

The Martinhal brand Hotels & Resorts across Portugal

Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resorts offers 5-star hotel rooms at the beach front, as well as a selection of family villas, some with private pools. The award-winning resort, which the latest award is for “Portugal’s Best Villa Resort 2020” in the World Travel Awards, offers a wide range of high-class family facilities and services that include Kids Clubs, outdoor playgrounds, spa, heated pools and amazing restaurants as well as home delivery/ take-away with menus that include little gourmet options for children and fresh purées for babies. There are also plenty of outdoor activities and sports, from tennis, padel tennis to the water sports centre. Martinhal works with a great local surf school to enable adult and little guests to surf in some of the best beaches in Europe. There are also bike or walking tours through the national park, boat trips, dolphin watching as well as a new mini-golf and a pump track in the resort! Endless possibilities, really!

For those looking to enjoy Quinta do Lago’s sophisticated lifestyle, Martinhal Quinta offers a selection of private villas, all with private garden and pools for your family holiday. The resort also has a common pool area, The Pool Hangout, with a heated pool, a pool side bar and children’s playgrounds as well as all other Martinhal Signature services such as Kids Clubs, children and baby menus, and Baby concierge which provides a range of equipment you might need. The region is well-know for golf and the Ria Formosa national Park offers many more fun activities.

Both Martinhal Sagres and Martinhal Quinta have an in-resort Mercado Deli and Bake with essential daily products, fresh bread and pastry, drinks and food for your convenience.

Located between two championship golf courses – Quinta da Marinha and Oitavos – Martinhal Cascais Family Resort is complete with 5-star luxury hotel rooms, family suites and two-bedroom villas, as well as a helipad. The resort stands out for the stunning nature that it is set in and its over 700sqm meters of play space that includes the popular outdoor playground and the Kids Club House. There are also heated pools and restaurants, open for resident and non-resident guests. The coast is just a stroll away, with famous beaches like Guincho, the charming Cascais village 5 minutes away and Lisbon city-centre just 30 minutes away. Again, you will not be disappointed with the outdoor activities that include surfing, biking, horse riding and more!

Martinhal Chiado – Martinhal’s city aparthotel located right in the heart of Principe Real/ Baixa offers a selection of serviced apartments in the trendy Chiado area and has become popular not only for family city holidays but also for medium and long stays in Lisbon – for those looking for a “landing pad” with wi-fi, utilities and services included before organizing a permanent apartment to live in.