After five years of vacations in the mountains, in faraway places, or at sea, it was time for a European beach club again. So, at the beginning of October, we spent ten relaxing, sunny days in the eastern Algarve at the Robinson Club Quinta da Ria – and, to be honest, we were completely surprised by how beautiful and peaceful this region is. Far from the typical tourist hotspots, everything here feels more relaxed, authentic, and less crowded. Especially during the off-season, this was a real advantage for us as a family.
Due to the significantly lower airfares, we flew from Brussels to Faro this time and then drove our rental car to Vila Nova de Cacela, about 40 km away.
Getting there & Location
The club is peacefully situated between golf courses and a nature reserve. Even upon arrival, we were captivated by the lush, open surroundings. If you’re looking for lively nightlife and crowds, this is definitely not the place for you. But if you appreciate sunshine, nature, and relaxing days, you’ll feel right at home. The club belongs to the “For All” category, meaning it’s not exclusively a family club, which we really enjoyed. Although the club was fully booked for five days, the number of children peaked at only 80, and the number of children under seven was negligible. We noticed this particularly in the quiet and pleasant atmosphere at the pool and during meals. Something unusual for us, but not at all bothersome, was the large number of English guests in this German club – consequently, many of the sports classes were bilingual.
Although the resort is advertised as a beach club, the nearest beach is a good kilometer away. It’s important to know this beforehand to avoid disappointment upon arrival. Theoretically, it’s within walking distance, but practically, only at low tide. At high tide, the water is too deep to reach the sea without getting wet. From 9:00 a.m. onwards, a shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes from the club to the furthest point of the mainland and back. From there, you have to walk through a tidal channel (at least during the off-season). In the summer, a boat takes you from there to the beach further out.
However, this wasn’t a problem for us: With our rental car, we were in Manta Rota in about ten minutes. The beach there is long, wide, beautiful, and – especially in the off-season – pleasantly uncrowded. A real hidden gem.
Hotel room: Clean with Retro-Charme
We had booked two double rooms for “single parent with child,” but thankfully, we received a family room on the ground floor of the Faro building, consisting of two connecting double rooms. The resort has a total of 285 rooms spread across several two-story buildings. The rooms were very clean and spacious, with comfortable beds and everything needed for a family vacation. The interior design is definitely from the 90s – lots of wood, simple shapes, no modern design – but that was perfectly fine with us. After all, we spent most of our time outdoors. One of my highlights at Robinson: the washing machines and dryers that you can use for free. With kids, sunscreen, and sweat, that’s an absolute game-changer!
Food
The club pleasantly surprised us with its culinary offerings. Breakfast and dinner were varied, fresh, and delicious. There was plenty of fresh fruit, good bread, salads, fish, meat, as well as vegetarian and Ayurvedic/Asian options. There was always something suitable for the children too.
Our only criticism: the desserts. The desserts were rather unremarkable and not a culinary highlight. However, the drinks were truly excellent – from cappuccino made with an espresso machine to Aperol Spritz and creative cocktails. The only minor drawback was that the service at the bars could have been a bit quicker at times, especially in the evenings.
Sports & Activities
Those who enjoy being active on vacation will find Robinson the perfect choice. Golfers, in particular, will be in their element here in the Algarve, which is likely the main reason why many guests choose this club. After all, the golf course is part of the resort. But there’s also tennis, paddle tennis, yoga, fitness classes, beach volleyball, and cycling – the range of activities is extensive, well-organized, and can be booked in advance via the Robinson app up to 24 hours beforehand. We tried several activities and were impressed by how smoothly everything ran. At the same time, there are plenty of quiet spots to simply relax and soak up the sun.
Highlight for the Kids: Roby Club
For our children, the Roby Club was the absolute highlight of the holiday. Three times a day, there was a varied program lasting 1.5 to 2 hours, with different themes for children of all ages, from 3 to 17 years old. For younger children up to and including 6 years old, the program had to be booked via the app. In good weather, the program mostly takes place outdoors, but the ROBY Club’s indoor facilities also offer great options in case of bad weather.
Sarah and Lukas, our children’s two counselors, were fantastic – warm, dedicated, and clearly enjoying their work. The kids were enthusiastic every day, made new friends, and felt completely at ease.
The most memorable moment was probably the big kids’ show, “The Secret of the Lighthouse.” For four days, they rehearsed the script, danced, and practiced for 90 minutes twice a day. On the evening of the performance, our two children stood on stage with shining eyes – a moment they will never forget.
Excursions & Hotel Surroundings:
Since we had a rental car, we took several short trips. We can highly recommend:
Tavira, the Venice of the Algarve: A charming old town with cobblestone streets, small cafés, old bridges, and a weekly market. We strolled leisurely through the narrow streets and simply let ourselves wander. No hustle and bustle, no crowds – perfect with children. (You can easily park at Parking Central Tavira, R. do Poço do Bpo. 6, 8800-412 Tavira)
Loulé, the unofficial capital of the Algarve: A little livelier, but authentically Portuguese. The market was particularly lovely, offering fresh fruit, vegetables, spices, and regional specialties. (Parking is readily available in the central underground car park, Parque de Estacionamento Municipal, R. José Afonso, 8100-552 Loulé)
Olhão, the authentic Portugal: A charming port town with a wonderful mix of old town, fish market, and modern promenade. It was especially lovely to simply stroll along the waterfront and watch the maritime activity. From here, you can also take a ferry to the nearby islands. (Parking is readily available and centrally located in the underground parking garage Estacionamento do Levante, R. da Conserveira A, 8700-157 Olhão)
A real bonus: the parking fees and food costs there were surprisingly low. A one-hour parking ticket cost us less than a cup of coffee at €1.40. Groceries and snacks were also significantly cheaper than we had expected.
Off Season = Complete Relaxation
A real bonus: the parking fees and food costs there were surprisingly low. A one-hour parking ticket costs us less than a cup of coffee at €1.40. Groceries and snacks were also significantly cheaper than we had expected.
Conclusion: A relaxing family vacation with charm
Our ten days at Robinson Quinta da Ria were a complete success. The resort is beautifully situated in a peaceful location, the food is delicious, the sports activities are varied, and the surrounding area pleasantly surprised us. The 1990s style of the rooms and the rather mediocre desserts were minor drawbacks, but they hardly detracted from our overall experience.
The children loved the Roby Club, the excursions to Tavira, Loulé, and Olhão were real highlights, and the off-season timing made for a wonderfully relaxing vacation.
Our conclusion: If you’re looking for sunshine, tranquility, and authentic Algarve experiences, this is the perfect place. A perfect spot for families who appreciate nature, sports, and a relaxed pace of travel.
With that in mind: Vejo você em breve!
Helpful Links:
https://www.visitportugal.com/de
https://www.robinson.com/de/de/cluburlaub/portugal/quinta-da-ria/club-details