Pros

  • Quiet, adult-only hotel, a 10-minute drive from the beach
  • Seven-minute drive to Vale de Lobo golf course
  • Modern rooms have flat-screen TVs, AC, and minibars
  • Minimalist chalets have well-equipped kitchens, living rooms, and patios
  • Attractive L-shaped pool surrounded by cushioned loungers
  • All-day restaurant serving dishes with hints of beer
  • Spa offering massage treatments, a hot tub, and sauna
  • Lots of striking decor and artwork throughout
  • Tennis court and a decently equipped gym
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • Resort is rather isolated and it’s about a 25-minute drive to Faro
  • Adult-only (pro for some)
  • Standard rooms are a bit plain and lack coffeemakers
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Bottom Line

The four-pearl, adult-only, Magnolia Golf and Wellness Hotel is an elegantly decorated, minimalist hotel that nonetheless manages to be quirky and atmospheric, with carefully mismatched furniture and curious works of art dotted about -- and a gallery full of them, as well. Outdoors, there are a clay tennis court and attractive pool terrace, plus a spa with treatment rooms, a decently equipped gym, and an all-day beer-themed restaurant indoors. All of the 77 rooms are attractive and well-outfitted, though the stand-alone chalets with their own kitchens and patios are the most private. The hotel is in rather an isolated area, with very few amenities nearby, and it is a 20- to 30-minute drive to Faro. Travelers looking for a hotel near the beach might want to try the Dunas Douradas Beach Club.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

The Magnolia Hotel

Scene

Adult-only hotel that combines calm minimalism with atmosphere and quirk

The Magnolia Hotel manages to combine a calm, minimalist air with quirky and atmospheric decor -- something that is not easy to pull off. Its adult-only policy and quiet, somewhat isolated setting contribute to the tranquil atmosphere. The design is lovely, as seen in the octagonal lobby that's centered around a vast metal pillar that fans out into the ceiling, and has armchairs in bold hues. Leading off from this is the bar, which is furnished with artfully mismatched couches and armchairs in various pastel hues and bold patterns, low coffee tables, and rugs. The restaurant is a similarly attractive space, nodding to its menu of dishes that all feature beer, with bare filament bulbs hanging from shiny copper piping, a large photo mural of a distillery, beer bottles acting as flower vases, and chairs upholstered in a mixture of leathers and patterned fabrics. Outside is a somewhat concrete-y pool terrace, and grounds that are well-maintained, though a bit lacking in lush greenery.

See More Scene

Location

Isolated spot along a busy main road, but a 10-minute drive to the beach

The Magnolia Hotel is in a rather an isolated area along a busy main road outside of Faro, and there are very few amenities nearby, though the resort is designed so that guests don't need to step outside. That said, the Vale de Lobo golf course is a seven-minute drive away, while the Praia de Vale de Lobo is a minute or two past the golf course. In the other direction, Quinta Shopping, a mall that’s home to many luxury brands, is a three-minute drive away, or 10 minutes’ walk along a busy freeway without a sidewalk. Farther afield, Faro is a 20- to 30-minute drive away. Expect a 20-minute transfer time to Faro Airport.

See More Location

Rooms

Bright and airy rooms, and stand-alone chalets with their own kitchens

The hotel has 77 rooms, which are bright and airy, and decorated with a similar attention to detail as the shared areas downstairs. Instead of the bright pastels and bold shades, however, standard rooms are decorated with muted patterns and cool neutrals, which can feel a bit lackluster. They have two single beds pushed together, topped with crisp white linens and throw pillows in various colors, as well as big ochre headboards. Other amenities include small desks that double as stands for flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. Suites have queen-sized beds, and separate living rooms with dove-gray couches and mustard-yellow pillows, plus they add coffeemakers. Bathrooms are decorated with creamy marble slabs, and have walk-in shower cubicles, bidets, magnifying mirrors, and toiletries.

Dotted around the hotel’s grounds are stand-alone, minimalist chalets, with sharp-right angles and hard edges softened by cozy furniture. The insides of these chalets are clad almost entirely in pine, and they have separate bedrooms with queen-sized beds. They open-plan living/dining areas have fabric couches, adjacent dining tables, and kitchens with stovetops, fridges, microwaves, kettles, and the usual cookware and crockery. Their sitting rooms, meanwhile, have a couch, coffee table, and a flatscreen TV, as well as a dining table that seats four. These bathrooms have walk-in shower cubicles with rainfall showerheads. All rooms have furnished outdoor spaces.

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Features

Beer-themed restaurant, spa, and outdoor pool

The Magnolia Hotel has a good range of amenities that are aimed squarely at tourists looking to relax and unwind. Firstly, a spa offers treatment rooms for a range of massages and wellness therapies, as well as a gym with a treadmill, cycle, cross-trainer, weight machines, and free weights. Outside is a somewhat concrete-y pool terrace with a large lap pool and a clay tennis court. The restaurant is uniquely beer-themed, with dishes that have a hint of beer. It's open all day, serving buffet breakfasts and a la carte lunch and dinner. A lounge bar has a menu of drinks and snacks. There is a small art gallery showcasing works of modern art. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout.

See More Features

Things You Should Know About The Magnolia Hotel

Also Known As

  • Magnólia Golf & Wellness Hotel

Address

Estrada da Quinta do Lago, 8135-106, Portugal

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

The Magnolia Hotel

Scene

Adult-only hotel that combines calm minimalism with atmosphere and quirk

The Magnolia Hotel manages to combine a calm, minimalist air with quirky and atmospheric decor -- something that is not easy to pull off. Its adult-only policy and quiet, somewhat isolated setting contribute to the tranquil atmosphere. The design is lovely, as seen in the octagonal lobby that's centered around a vast metal pillar that fans out into the ceiling, and has armchairs in bold hues. Leading off from this is the bar, which is furnished with artfully mismatched couches and armchairs in various pastel hues and bold patterns, low coffee tables, and rugs. The restaurant is a similarly attractive space, nodding to its menu of dishes that all feature beer, with bare filament bulbs hanging from shiny copper piping, a large photo mural of a distillery, beer bottles acting as flower vases, and chairs upholstered in a mixture of leathers and patterned fabrics. Outside is a somewhat concrete-y pool terrace, and grounds that are well-maintained, though a bit lacking in lush greenery.

See More Scene

Location

Isolated spot along a busy main road, but a 10-minute drive to the beach

The Magnolia Hotel is in a rather an isolated area along a busy main road outside of Faro, and there are very few amenities nearby, though the resort is designed so that guests don't need to step outside. That said, the Vale de Lobo golf course is a seven-minute drive away, while the Praia de Vale de Lobo is a minute or two past the golf course. In the other direction, Quinta Shopping, a mall that’s home to many luxury brands, is a three-minute drive away, or 10 minutes’ walk along a busy freeway without a sidewalk. Farther afield, Faro is a 20- to 30-minute drive away. Expect a 20-minute transfer time to Faro Airport.

See More Location

Rooms

Bright and airy rooms, and stand-alone chalets with their own kitchens

The hotel has 77 rooms, which are bright and airy, and decorated with a similar attention to detail as the shared areas downstairs. Instead of the bright pastels and bold shades, however, standard rooms are decorated with muted patterns and cool neutrals, which can feel a bit lackluster. They have two single beds pushed together, topped with crisp white linens and throw pillows in various colors, as well as big ochre headboards. Other amenities include small desks that double as stands for flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. Suites have queen-sized beds, and separate living rooms with dove-gray couches and mustard-yellow pillows, plus they add coffeemakers. Bathrooms are decorated with creamy marble slabs, and have walk-in shower cubicles, bidets, magnifying mirrors, and toiletries.

Dotted around the hotel’s grounds are stand-alone, minimalist chalets, with sharp-right angles and hard edges softened by cozy furniture. The insides of these chalets are clad almost entirely in pine, and they have separate bedrooms with queen-sized beds. They open-plan living/dining areas have fabric couches, adjacent dining tables, and kitchens with stovetops, fridges, microwaves, kettles, and the usual cookware and crockery. Their sitting rooms, meanwhile, have a couch, coffee table, and a flatscreen TV, as well as a dining table that seats four. These bathrooms have walk-in shower cubicles with rainfall showerheads. All rooms have furnished outdoor spaces.

See More Rooms

Features

Beer-themed restaurant, spa, and outdoor pool

The Magnolia Hotel has a good range of amenities that are aimed squarely at tourists looking to relax and unwind. Firstly, a spa offers treatment rooms for a range of massages and wellness therapies, as well as a gym with a treadmill, cycle, cross-trainer, weight machines, and free weights. Outside is a somewhat concrete-y pool terrace with a large lap pool and a clay tennis court. The restaurant is uniquely beer-themed, with dishes that have a hint of beer. It's open all day, serving buffet breakfasts and a la carte lunch and dinner. A lounge bar has a menu of drinks and snacks. There is a small art gallery showcasing works of modern art. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Cribs

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.