Lisbon Golf

Azora expands its golf portfolio with the acquisition of Praia d’El Rey and West Cliffs

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Azora, a Madrid-based European real estate investment manager, has significantly enhanced its presence in the Portuguese market by acquiring the prestigious Praia d’El Rey Resort in Óbidos, Portugal. This acquisition, executed through the Azora European Hotel and Lodging Fund (AEHL), includes the luxurious Marriott Praia d’El Rey hotel, two top-ranked golf courses—Praia del Rey and West Cliffs—and the management of 90 apartments and two food and beverage outlets.

The Marriott Praia d’El Rey, a 177-room, 5-star hotel, is a jewel in our crown. It will continue operating under the Marriott brand, managed by Blue & Green. The hotel, with its stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, direct beach access, and surrounding golf courses, offers a unique and luxurious experience. It boasts premium amenities, including four dining options, a renovated spa and wellness area, indoor and outdoor pools, a kids club, and extensive meeting and event facilities. The golf courses, recognized among Portugal’s top ten and recipients of the 2023 Golfer’s Choice Award from Leading Courses, are key highlights of the resort.

Azora leadership position

This acquisition is a testament to Azora’s strategic growth in Portugal. It expands our portfolio to include seven hotels and two golf courses with 36 holes. The Praia d’El Rey Resort, with its exceptional facilities and prime location, strengthens Azora’s position as a leader in the leisure and golf destination sector in Europe and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to our guests.

Azora’s portfolio now encompasses over 12,000 keys under management, cementing its status as a significant player in the European hospitality and leisure investment sector. Since its inception, Azora has invested over €3 billion in the hospitality industry, acquiring over 100 hotels and 26,000 hotel keys. The company’s strategy focuses on high-quality hotels and urban hostels, targeting assets that require active management and repositioning.

Launched in 2021 with €815 million in capital, AEHL has focused on the vacation hotel segment in major European destinations. The fund employs a value-add strategy, emphasizing asset transformation and active management of hotel operations. Recently, AEHL has also adopted an alternative hotel strategy for urban tourism, targeting a diverse range of travellers and aiming to revolutionize city tourism.

Concha Osácar, one of Azora’s founding partners, expressed confidence in the hospitality sector across the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. She emphasized that the acquisition of Praia d’El Rey Resort marks a significant milestone for AEHL, underscoring Azora’s commitment to high-potential markets and its belief in Portugal’s growing appeal to both European and American tourists.

For over 30 years, Tee Times Golf Agency has offered the best packages for those seeking Portugal golf holidays. With extensive industry experience, we provide unparalleled access to top courses, including the newly acquired by Azora, Praia del Rey and West Cliffs golf courses, ensuring a memorable and high-quality golfing experience.

Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel wins sustainability award

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The Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel has again been recognised for its commitment to sustainability, receiving the “Economic Sustainability in Hospitality” award from the prestigious Great Hotels of the World. This accolade, part of the Sustainable Future awards, highlights the hotel‘s support for the Mozambican project Girl Move Academy, which focuses on promoting female education and leadership.

The Onyria Group, a testament to the vision of its founder José Carlos Pinto Coelho, has been a pioneer in sustainable hospitality for nearly 30 years. The group’s journey began in 1986 with the acquisition of a portion of Quinta da Marinha in Cascais. This marked the birth of the Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel, the group’s first major hotel management project and a significant milestone in its commitment to sustainably offering the best life experiences. Today, the hotel stands as the ‘birthplace’ and headquarters of Onyria, a living testament to the group’s enduring legacy.

Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel recognition

Paulo Figueiredo, the general manager of the Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel, expressed pride in the recognition and reaffirmed the hotel’s dedication to sustainable tourism. “We want to continue on the path of more sustainable and conscious tourism, both environmentally and economically and socially,” Figueiredo stated in an interview with the prestigious media TNews. “This award is yet another acknowledgement of the work we have done and intend to continue.”

This is the second consecutive year the Sustainable Future Awards have honoured the hotel. Last year, it was recognised in the category of Sustainable Events for its eco-friendly conferences. The awards highlight sustainability initiatives across various domains of environmental, economic, and event organisation.

Over the years, the Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel, located 30 kilometres from Lisbon, has pioneered a range of unique sustainability initiatives. Nestled in the pristine Sintra-Cascais Park, the hotel provides guests with bicycles for eco-friendly exploration within the resort. In a bold move towards electric mobility, the hotel has replaced traditional golf course buggies with sleek electric motorcycles since 2020, setting a new standard for sustainable golfing experiences.

The Onyria Group

The Onyria Group owns several properties, including the Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel, Villas, Golf course in Cascais, and A House in Estoril. The Onyria Quinta da Marinha Golf course, designed by the renowned American architect Robert Trent Jones, offers an 18-hole, par 71 course that stretches 5,870 meters between Cascais and Cabo da Roca. This course combines challenging play with the scenic beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and the Sintra Mountains, providing an unforgettable experience for golfers.

Onyria Group locations, especially The Onyria Quinta da Marinha Golf course, are in high demand among Tee Times Golf Agency clients looking for the best experiences for their Portugal golf holidays.

Terras da Comporta: The Torre Course by Sergio Garcia opens in 2025

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Portugal has long been hailed as the premier golf destination in the world, and The Torre Course developed by Vanguard Properties is poised to reinforce this reputation. Situated an hour south of Lisbon, the course boasts stunning natural sandy terrain designed to blend seamlessly with its environment. 

Azalea Public Relations recently interviewed golf legend Sergio Garcia, who eagerly anticipates the grand unveiling of his first major golf course design project. Excitement is being built for The Torre Course at Terras da Comporta, which is set to open in Portugal next summer. Garcia’s involvement marks a significant milestone, as this par-72 layout will be his first complete design responsibility. The Spaniard’s vision underscores sustainable methods, ensuring the course harmonises with the breathtaking landscapes and nearby pristine beaches of Comporta.

“The site is located in striking scenery, just a couple of kilometres from the stunning beaches of Comporta, and the land has all the ingredients for a spectacular golf course. It’s an attractive spot for a golf course, and we’re building it using the best sustainable methods,” said Garcia.

The Torre Course design

The Torre Course, measuring 6,575 meters from the back tees, promises a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. Garcia has crafted a mix of risk-and-reward holes featuring tight fairways and small greens. “We have tried to fit the course as naturally as possible into the landscape to give the guests the feeling that the holes were shaped together with the surroundings by time. Players will find large, sandy waste bunkers along the not-too-overly wide fairways.”

Rodrigo Ulrich, Director of Golf at Terras da Comporta, echoed Garcia’s enthusiasm. “It’s been an amazing first year for The Dunas Course, and we’re expecting people to be just as excited when they see The Torre Course.”

The grand unveiling of The Torre Course coincides with The Dunas Course continuing to garner global recognition, recently being acclaimed as the top golf course in Portugal by Leading Courses. This prestigious accolade underscores the exceptional design, surroundings, maintenance, and hospitality Terras da Comporta offers, assuring golf enthusiasts of an unparalleled experience.

Tee Times Golf Agency presents extraordinary golf and tourism packages for those looking for the ultimate Portugal golf holidays. These offers grant access to world-class courses like The Torre and The Dunas, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience in the world’s finest golf destination. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual player, Portugal promises top-notch play amidst awe-inspiring scenery and luxurious accommodations.

It will be the turn to inaugurate The Torre Course next year. And one thing is evident: golf in Portugal does not stop growing. 

 

Photos by: Azalea Public Relations.