Sovereign Discovers Domes Lake Algarve, Autograph Collection

During late April, Sovereign ventured to Portugal to explore the Algarve and celebrate the opening of Domes Lake Algarve, Autograph Collection. Situated between Vilamoura Marina and Praia da Falesia beach, the hotel secludes itself away so guests can enjoy a relaxing holiday with beautiful views of their private lake. We are delighted to share our experience and top tips to get the most out of your trip to the Algarve, direct from our Performance Marketing Exec Georgia, who was lucky enough to explore first-hand!

Flying from Gatwick to Faro was a surprisingly relaxed experience. Having not visited Portugal in a couple of years, I was unsure of the flight times and how easy the airport was going to be. I went from curb to coffee in under 30 minutes! That is bag drop, security, and the coffee queue! I then had 40 minutes to relax and enjoy my coffee before heading to my boarding gate (I recommend downloading the airline’s App; I flew with EasyJet and their app reminded me of my flight number and notified my gate number when it was announced, making the process so much more convenient). We practically walked straight on to the plane and then it was a smooth 2 hours 30 minutes into Faro.  

As Sovereign offers private transfers direct from the airport to your hotel, I quickly found my driver holding a sign with my name on at Arrivals. He was lovely and welcoming and made the 30-minute drive to Domes Lake Algarve, Autograph Collection very comfortable. En route, I drove past plenty of activities to entertain, including water parks, golf courses, shopping malls etc. 

As I arrived at Domes Lake Algarve, myself and our group were greeted and had our bags collected, before heading to check in. The reception area is open and relaxed, which I admired as I was guided into an open room filled with beautiful art from ArtCatto, a local Portuguese art gallery. A glass of champagne and fresh strawberries was handed to us as we were warmly greeted by the hotel’s staff. Excited to explore, I was handed my room key promptly before being directed to my room. I stayed in an Emerald Retreat room, a great choice for couples looking to make the most of the beautiful views. For families, the Absolute suites are lovely and spacious, or you can opt for two interconnecting retreat rooms or the residence self-catering apartments for bigger families. We stayed on the top third floor and got incredible views of the lake and gardens, plus a sea view behind. My room was light and spacious, and we enjoyed the fresh fruits and sparkling wine in our room to enjoy!  

After settling in and freshening up, it was time to experience some of the hotel’s facilities. As it was approaching the early evening, we thought it was the perfect time to enjoy some cocktails with a twist - we were making them! We enjoyed a private cocktail- making experience in the Raw gastro bar, where we were expertly guided into creating three deliciously fresh cocktails. This was the perfect treat before dinner at Gustatio. We all enjoyed various meals from the expansive buffet spread, paired with a glass or two of ‘Vinho Verde’, translating literally as ‘green wine’ made locally. Filled with great food and wine, we took a wander around the hotel to enjoy the night-time views before retreating to our rooms before a busy day tomorrow.  

After taking breakfast at Gustatio’s outside terrace surrounded by birdsong from the local wildlife, we decided to spend the morning exploring the marina. We also visited the beach next door to the hotel, which you can access through a private exit of the hotel to the right of the pools, and then a short walk over the bridge. We were lucky enough to have the beach more or less to ourselves, and the long beach meant the view felt like it went on for miles. Having the beach, gardens and pools to choose from meant we were never short of places to relax and enjoy the warm sun.  

Having heard great things about Domes’ Soma Spas, we were delighted to be able to enjoy a spa treatment each and the spa facilities of Domes Lake Algarve in the afternoon. With an extensive treatment list, all using expert techniques and luxurious products, it was hard to choose just one treatment! Between us we experienced head and scalp massages, and I had a bespoke facial which was tailored to my skin type, texture, and sensitivities. We also made full use of the spa facilities, which included an indoor-heated pool and jacuzzi, as well as sauna and steam room. After feeling re-vitalised, I decided to soak up the last of the sun by the heated outdoor pool before getting ready for dinner.  

Having loved the wine choice at last night’s dinner, we decided to enjoy a wine-tasting experience, offered at Domes Lake Algarve resort as just one of their experiences. A green, rose, and red wine were all selected and we were talked through the notes of the wine. While all were well-balanced and a great pairing with our meal, our fan favourite remained the Vinho Verde which I requested another bottle of to go with my fish main. Dinner tonight was at Topos, a fresh restaurant with excellent service and a broad selection of Portuguese and Greek fusion dishes; a great representation of the traditionally Greek Domes brand expanding into Algarve. With so many delicious starters, we decided to sample a range in a ‘tapas’ style, which I would recommend for larger groups. My golden bream main course was delicious, freshly prepared, and then de-boned in front of the table which was a lovely touch. 

The next morning were our final hours of our short stay, and we did not feel ready to leave. This little oasis in the Algarve can certainly pull you in and make any trip feel not long enough as you become so relaxed at the resort. We would recommend any Sovereign guest to upgrade to the Haute Living Selection, so to enjoy the Haute Living Lounge and its exclusive benefits. Nestled quietly towards the front side of the hotel, the lounge offers light food and drinks throughout the day and is the perfect place to relax indoors. We enjoyed breakfast here and had a great spread of delicious options, coupled with a Peach Bellini, and freshly squeezed orange juice from Algarve oranges.  

While we could have easily spent the day relaxing by the pool, unfortunately midday rolled around, and it was time to be collected by our driver to return to Faro Airport. Faro Airport is certainly busier than Gatwick, so I would recommend arriving the 2 hours before if you want to buy water and relax before boarding.  

Leaving the resort, I could not recommend a trip to Domes Lake Algarve enough. With an average of 300 days of sun a year, we were fortunate enough to have a lovely trip, with plenty of sunshine and activities to entertain. We cannot wait to go back and enjoy the resort again soon.

To enjoy your own Portugal escape to Domes Lake Algarve, give our Personal Travel Planners a call on 01293 762402  or request a quote.