DOM PEDRO HOTELS & GOLF COLLECTION
Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection is a Portugal-based, international brand of hotels and resorts in Portugal and Brazil. What was formerly known as Dom Pedro Hotels Group, is now Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection, The Algarve’s premier golf brand, following the purchase of five golf courses in Vilamoura in 2016.
Central to the visitor experience is what has long been recognised as Europe’s most complete golf offering, comprising five world-class championship golf courses, all within a 3km radius: Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Dom Pedro Old Course Golf Club, Dom Pedro Pinhal Golf Course, Dom Pedro Laguna Golf Course and Dom Pedro Millennium Golf Course. Each is set in the magnificent natural surroundings and exhibit at least five teeing options to challenge golfers of all abilities.
The five headline golf courses are complemented by 634 hotel rooms and apartments at three 4-star hotel properties: Dom Pedro Vilamoura, Dom Pedro Marina, and Dom Pedro Portobelo. The exceptional hotels are located in the centre of Vilamoura, next to the marina and casino, and just a few minutes from the pristine beach and beach restaurant. Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection has embarked on a journey that will improve the golfer’s experience by enhancing the accommodation and hospitality they provide. As owners and operators of both outstanding golf and accommodation propositions, Dom Pedro presents a one-stop solution for travelling golfers.
GOLF COURSES:
DOM PEDRO LAGUNA:
This modern course is laid out over low lying coastal terrain. Its many water hazards and few trees makes it considerably different from the other courses in this area and many of its holes convey a links feel. U.S. golf architect Joseph Lee designed this course which has been subject to continual improvements over the years. Measuring 6,121 metres from the white tees, the par 72 course includes several lakes which influence play on a total of 11 holes. Apart from the lakes and an impressive total of 79 bunkers across this design, another hazard is the wind that frequently blows over this somewhat exposed location. Laguna shares a large, welcoming clubhouse with the neighbouring Millennium Course.
The course will reopen for play in 2022.
DOM PEDRO MILLENNIUM
The aspect of this course leads itself to prevailing winds, which usually comes into play. In general, the course is fairly exposed, although some earlier holes play between pine trees – similar to the neighbouring fairways of the Old Course and Pinhal. In this more wooded area, the fairways are narrower and require greater accuracy – while the rest of the course has a clear landscape enriched by lakes at the 4th, 17th and 18th holes. Major work was put into refurbishing this course by Martin Hawtree, the renowned UK golf architect. The end result is an exciting 18-hole course that makes it one of the main courses in Vilamoura.
DOM PEDRO PINHAL:
Pinhal is the second oldest golf course in the Vilamoura region. Although it was originally designed by Frank Pennink (who also designed the Old Course), several modifications were made by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1985. One of the major change was to lengthening the course to 6,353 metres to cater for advances in modern technology. The clubhouse was also completely renovated at the turn of the millennium, to now boast stunning panoramas from the large veranda. A game of golf at Pinhal is chatacterised by gently sloping terrain which is enclosed by numerous umbrella and Atlantic pines that tower over the fairways. There are a few waters features, like well positioned ponds but most are there to catch a very errant shot.
DOM PEDRO OLD COURSE:
Any golf course with “old” in the name always describes a charm and a layout untouched beauty. Although this course has had a facelift of two since it opened in 1969, no major changes were made to the magnificent layout. Often described as the Grande Dame of Algarve courses, it meanders throughout impressive pine trees which line most of the holes. This is one of the courses in Portugal that will always stay in the memory of visiting golfers. After an enjoyable 18-holes on the Old Course, a fully serviced clubhouse awaits those who feel they’ve earned a nice cold beer.
DOM PEDRO VICTORIA:
Seen by many as the jewel of the golf portfolio in the Algarve, Victoria Golf Course is one of five courses in the Algarve that are owned and managed by Dom Pedro Hotel & Golf Group. The Championship par-72 course measures over 6.651 metres and occupies a total area of 90 hectares. Designed by legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, the course possesses wide undulating fairways, large greens, man-made lakes, well positioned bunkers, and typical Portuguese vegetation such as carob,
olive and almond trees. One of the most complete golf complexes in Europe, it features an exceptional driving range and a putting green of some 2,500 m2. All of this has made it the obvious venue of choice for many of the top international tournaments to visit Portugal in recent times. Indeed, it has served as the host venue to the Portugal Masters on every occasion since 2007, while the World Cup Championship was staged there in 2005. It is a bucket list course to play in the Algarve.