Quinta do Lago, Europe's leading luxury golf and lifestyle destination resort, has won new global recognition after receiving a top accolade from Golf Digest, the world's most influential golf publication.

The prestigious family resort in the heart of Portugal's famous Algarve was the proud recipient of an an 'Editors' Choice Award for Best International Resorts 2016' in the magazine's first-ever list of the 'Best Things in Golf'.

Revealed for the first time in this month's issue of Golf Digest – which has more than 1.6m subscribers in the US alone – the inaugural list features a select group of leading names from the global golf industry and was compiled with the emphasis on lifestyle properties, products and services.

The new accolade is fresh reward for Quinta do Lago's vision and decision to invest €50m upgrading its sports, leisure and lifestyle facilities since 2009 which has cemented its position as Europe's elite golfing destination – including the redesign of its North Course by renowned American architect Beau Welling in close association with European Ryder Cup winning captain Paul McGinley.

As well as featuring three 18-hole championship courses, Europe's only Paul McGinley Golf Academy and the only TaylorMade Performance Center in Southern Europe, the resort – also named 'Europe's Best Golf Venue' at the 2015 World Golf Awards – is now home to ten exclusive bars and restaurants, including its highly-acclaimed new Bovino Steakhouse.

Announcing its decision, Golf Digest wrote: “The Algarve's favourite playground offers three lovely parkland golf courses and countless other attractions: boredom is not an option.”

John Dwyer, chief executive at Quinta do Lago, said: “Golf Digest is a publication that is respected across the global golf industry. To have featured so prominently in this new list is a fantastic achievement for Quinta do Lago and further reward for the significant investment that the resort has made over the last six years.”

Excelling for more than four decades, Quinta do Lago has been reinvented to provide the most vibrant and unique luxury lifestyle experience to be found anywhere in Europe, offering something to suit every taste and interest while, at the same time, staying faithful to the resort's illustrious history.

The official winter training base for England Golf's elite squads, the resort is perfect for a relaxing family holiday in exquisite surroundings and offers the very best in award-winning sports and leisure facilities.

Set among 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, there's plenty to keep guests occupied away from the golf fairways, with events, tennis, cycling and watersports just some of the extensive leisure activities available, plus 10 exclusive bars and restaurants.

For more information about Quinta do Lago, please phone + 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com

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Press release written and distributed on behalf of Quinta do Lago by the Azalea Group.

For more information on Quinta do Lago or images contact Daniel Chidley on 01730 711920, or email daniel@theazaleagroup.com

Quinta do Lago (www.quintadolago.com)

Set among 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago is one of the most highly regarded golf and residential developments in Europe since opening in 1972. Located just 15 minutes from Faro airport, the resort offers residents and guests an unparalleled location benefiting from a year-round temperate climate, a variety of lifestyle pursuits and a strong sense of community.

Since its inception, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of European golf with three award-winning championship courses matched by outstanding practice facilities including Europe's only Paul McGinley Golf Academy and the only TaylorMade Performance Center in Southern Europe. Away from the fairways, the resort's extensive leisure facilities guarantee there is plenty to keep everyone occupied, with events, tennis, cycling and watersports just some of the activities available. Among its recent accolades, the resort was voted 'Europe's Best Golf Venue' at the 2015 World Golf Awards.

The resort's stunning location by the beach offers the perfect place to relax and unwind while its wide array of restaurants, both formal and informal, take advantage of the fresh Mediterranean produce that the resort has become famous for.

Quinta do Lago has enjoyed the honour of hosting eight Portuguese Opens as well as numerous other international golf tournaments, and its world-class golf facilities include:

• Quinta do Lago North Course – Opened in October 2014, the totally revamped North Course has been redeveloped by renowned American golf architect Beau Welling in close collaboration with 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and is set to become one of the new stars of European golf. The new layout has been built to the highest specifications with a €9.6m investment programme and has been redeveloped with the emphasis firmly on precision and strategy. The course was named 'Europe's Best New Golf Course' at the 2014 World Golf Awards.

• Quinta do Lago South Course – A favourite among European Tour professionals, the South Course calls for accurate drives and precise shots, but rewards players for their efforts with the stunning backdrop of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Regularly included in Golf World magazine's 'Top 100 Golf Courses in Europe', the par-72 layout has hosted the Portuguese Open on no fewer than eight occasions while it was named 'Best Course in Portugal' at the 2014 World Golf Awards.

• Laranjal – Designed in the grounds of an orange grove, the par-72 course was named as Portugal's Best Golf Course 2011 at the Portuguese Travel Awards, and poses serious tests for players of all abilities. Opened in 2008, Laranjal offers a pure golfing experience right next to the Quinta do Lago estate and features fairways sown with Bermuda grass, providing a challenging playing environment in a picture-perfect setting.

• Paul McGinley Academy – Quinta do Lago is home to the only Paul McGinley Academy in Europe, founded in October 2011 by the 2014 European Ryder Cup captain. With a strong involvement from McGinley himself, the academy aims to cultivate and improve golfers' play by providing them with the tools and techniques used by professionals on tour.

• TaylorMade Performance Centre – Quinta do Lago's TaylorMade Performance Center is the only facility of its kind in Southern Europe and is located on the resort's expansive driving range. Opened in May 2013, the centre is operated by trained TaylorMade technicians, offering golfers a custom-fitting experience testing hundreds of club and iron options, ensuring the best combination for every player's swing.

• Short Game Area – Designed by Beau Welling and Paul McGinley, the recently-opened short game area is unique in Portugal and complements the facilities on offer at the Paul McGinley Golf Academy and TaylorMade Fitting Center. Ideal for practising a variety of shots, the facilities includes two undulating greens – a separate putting and chipping green – and two greenside bunkers.

For further information on Quinta do Lago and its facilities, phone + 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com.