he’s a tv star with a love for adventure, so it’s no wonder ben fogle looks for somewhere a little bit extraordinary for his holiday my husband and i see the tv star lazing with his little boy by one of the five swimming pools in the martinhal beach resort in portugal, soaking up the sun the high end resort, which opened in 2010, is renowned as being one of the best in the algarve for a luxury family holiday the beautiful martinhal is a hit with families   and tv stars such as ben fogle  but despite the sun shining for around 300 days of the year here and the golden sand being warm beneath your toes, the water is cold  martinhal, which boasts a fine dining restaurant, is the only five star resort in the area to have direct access to a beach, and is set within 25 hectares in the protected costa vicentina natural park so we’ve come to check it out – after all, why should the kids have all the fun? from the balcony in our chic beach room, we are afforded an incredible view over the glistening waters of the north atlantic ocean from the most south westerly point in the algarve but despite the sun shining for around 300 days of the year here and the golden sand being warm beneath your toes, don’t be fooled – the sea is sharp intake of breath cold adventurer, author, broadcaster and writer ben fogle is a regular at martinhal  couples can overlook the ocean, read the papers, feast on fresh orange juice, and enjoy a classy breakfast  the resort boasts a stunning swimming pool surrounded by decking   and close to a restaurant  the boutique room in which we stay for three nights is in the resort's hotel there are also 152 hours and villas in the vicinity, so with 190 accommodation options, there is plenty of choice we’re just a short walk from the main reception building, as well as the beach inside, the décor is minimalist and comfortable, soft pastel hues, blend well with the wooden floor, mixing stone, cork and other locally sourced materials for this british designed interior for larger families, there is the villa option – 23 award winning, independently owned properties, with three or four large bedrooms, a parking space, a bbq area as well as easy access to the facilities and swimming pools for larger families, there is the villa option – 23 award winning, independently owned properties, with three or four large bedroom  martinhal, which boasts a fine dining restaurant, is the only five star resort in the area to have direct access to a beach, and is set within 25 hectares in the protected costa vicentina natural park  holidaymakers can also choose to stay in villas at the high end resort  there’s also a baby concierge service providing equipment to guests – including door protectors, potties, bottle sterilisers, cots, baths and pushchairs it’s june and the place is busy – i’m told it’s almost at capacity, but the only time you can really tell how many people are staying here is at breakfast it’s an all you can eat buffet style option in the first floor o terraço restaurant – which offers a la carte dining in the evening in the morning, there’s a hum of excitement; parents doing their best to feed their offspring who know exactly what they do and don’t want to eat my husband and i eat on the terrace, overlooking the ocean, reading the papers, feasting on fresh orange juice, eggs cooked the way we like them, fresh fruit, cereal, pastries and croissants after breakfast, there are seemingly endless options for children – from face painting, treasure hunts, arts and crafts, to windsurfing, dolphin watching, swimming tennis and football m bar, with its quirky decoration and vw camper van hiding in the corner,  is the place for a light lunch  the balcony offers a scenic view across the glistening waters of the north atlantic ocean  the view is breathtaking – sea carved cliffs jut out around a long, wide beach which is warm beneath your toes  so while all that’s going on, the golden sanded beach looks relatively deserted we wander down, and the view is breathtaking – sea carved cliffs jut out around a long, wide beach there’s plenty of space, so even if everyone at the resort decided to spend the day at the beach, there’s room for them all so i spend the morning soaking up the rays while rich attempts paddleboarding for the first time i’m not sure whether it was the fear of falling into the chilly water or that he is a natural, but he makes it all the way out to a small island without falling off – 15 minutes there and 15 back for a day trip, martinhal is located next to the historic fishing port of sagres, one of europe’s surfing capitals, which boasts rugged cliff faces, as well as a 15th century port on the southern most tip of the peninsular; giving it an end of the world quality for lunch, there a small shop where guests can buy their own food (although it is more expensive than other local shops due to being in resort) or there are three restaurants to choose from; as dunas beach restaurant & bar, overlooking the beach, offers fresh seafood dishes and a children’s menu; gambozinos dishes up pizza and pasta; and m bar is the place for a light lunch there are also four bars across the resort the boutique room in which we stay for three nights is in the resort's hotel there are also 152 hours and villas in the vicinity, so with 190 accommodation options, there is plenty of choice  unlike other posh restaurants, guests are welcome to bring their children couples seated near to us have babies by their sides, and our meal isn't disturbed in the slightest  and after treatments, there’s a garden relaxation area in which to chill out even further  my husband whiles away the afternoon with a swim followed by a game of tennis – there are two courts and martinhal is home to the algarve’s padel tennis championships   while i book in for some serious pampering in the spa finisterra spa lies apart from the rest of the resort and is an oasis of calm there are six treatment rooms as well as a wet area with a sauna and steam bath – and after treatments, there’s a garden relaxation area in which to chill out even further i can see this would be the perfect place for frazzled mums to recharge while their little ones are being looked after i book for a 50 minute massage and leave feeling as though all my worries have been massaged away we are booked into the fine dining o terraço for our evening meal with white tablecloths, a delicious sounding menu and an extensive wine list, it really is the ultimate luxury however, unlike other posh restaurants, guests are welcome to bring their children couples seated near to us have babies by their sides, and our meal isn't disturbed in the slightest our villa overlooks the stunning ocean   which is deceptively cold! for larger families, there is the villa option – 23 award winning, independently owned properties, with three or four large bedrooms  with top quality regional restaurants from both the 'surf' and the 'turf', the restaurant offers a 'culinary journey through portuguese gastronomy' presented with a modern twist dishes include braised scallops, beetroot puree, smoked ham and watercress as well as beef carpaccio, feta cheese, rocket and basil sauce for starters then there is octopus, sea bass, mussels, duck breast, sirloin and lamb for mains, with tofu curry or vegetable wellington for vegetarians there's an impressive cheeseboard to finish, as well as a selection of dessert wines it’s a very grown up finish to a luxury holiday in a resort which caters for families but is uncompromising in delivering high standards for all its guests and if it’s good enough for ben fogle; it’s good enough for us price summer special package (valid for bookings from 23rd may – 26th june)   4 nights half board (daily breakfast and one meal) in hotel room from 138 euros per adult per night    7 nights half board (daily breakfast and one meal) in hotel room from 132 euros per adult per night  easyjet flies to faro from eight uk airports with fares from £2499* flights can be booked now at easyjetcom  the 8 uk airports if you want to include are: belfast intl, bristol, glasgow, liverpool, london (gatwick, luton, southend) and newcastle *one way, including taxes, based on two travelling for car hire, prices start from £45 per week (may 15) for a mini/economy class car with rhino
the martinhal beach resort portugal algarve
the tv star was spotted at the martinhal beach resort in portugal . five star luxury hotels and villas are family friendly and offer a baby concierge . is one of the best resorts in the algarve and is situated a stone's throw from the beach 