Quinta do Lago celebrated, in 2022, its 50th anniversary, with its resort located by the Ria Formosa. With an eye to the future, but without ever forgetting the past, the CEO tells us about half a century of Quinta do Lago, highlighting the positive results thanks to the dynamic performance of its team. The pandemic has been overcome and today Moriarty is optimistic, albeit cautious for the year ahead. Without ever stopping investing in its luxury offering, the CEO has adopted a firm and sustainable position, developing harmonious solutions for both the environment and the guests. Find out all about what’s new in the Algarve with entrepreneur Sean Moriarty.
Sean Moriarty
«Quinta do Lago commanding the highest price per square metre in Portugal»
Tell us about your day as CEO of Quinta do Lago:
I have been CEO of Quinta do Lago resort since 2016 and have to say that in over six years, no day is ever the same. Generally speaking, I spend my time with different team members, including our real estate office, director of food and beverage and head chefs, the guest relations managers, and with our sports department at the golf Clubhouse or at The Campus. As much as I can, I try to ensure that I catch up, on a regular basis, with as many of our residents and visitors, new or returning, as well as plenty of staff members, whether they be leading a department or have just joined the resort. I also try to fit in a padel lesson at The Campus if I can, or perhaps a round of golf or a walk through the Ria Formosa. During the summer months, I’m a big fan of the live music shows, which take place at our resort restaurants.
Quinta do Lago can now lay claim to 50 years of dedication and professionalism. How would you describe this half-century journey?
The past 50 years of Quinta do Lago live on in every corner of the resort today. Our teams’ dedication and professionalism are visible through the work of all our staff and services, the quality of our products and the experiences we offer. I would charactierise this journey as a legacy of lifestyle, which is firmly rooted in health, sport and wellness, family and a connection with nature. It has been a pleasure to celebrate this throughout 2022, as we recognise such a significant milestone in our resort history.
Although we were originally known as a traditional Portuguese golfing resort, we have developed into so much more than that. Of course, we still have world-class golf courses, but we also offer renowned restaurants, luxury real estate, The Magnolia Hotel and The Campus, with its high-tech sports, fitness and rehabilitation facilities. Our values are firmly rooted in supporting and empowering our team, to enable them to provide service to all of our guests and residents. We are proud to be a place of constant inspiration, where quality of life is measured by proximity to nature, an active, outdoor lifestyle and treasured family moments. With a commitment to nature, our sustainable approach protects environment and secures the future for generations to come.
How is Quinta do Lago performing at the moment?
We have had a strong year across the resort. Our golf courses are booming, following the recent 7M EUR renovation of South Course, which was unveiled just last year. Similarly, we have recently opened a new restaurant, UMAMI, in our RESERVA development, which has proved incredibly popular. Our real estate office has had a record-breaking year for sales, with Quinta do Lago commanding the highest price per square metre in Portugal. On top of this, The Campus and our boutique hotel, The Magnolia Hotel, continue to drive continuous interest from families, foodies and athletes alike.
«(…) a large majority of guests appreciate the hassle-free holiday experience»
I have been CEO of Quinta do Lago resort since 2016 and have to say that in over six years, no day is ever the same. Generally speaking, I spend my time with different team members, including our real estate office, director of food and beverage and head chefs, the guest relations managers, and with our sports department at the golf Clubhouse or at The Campus. As much as I can, I try to ensure that I catch up, on a regular basis, with as many of our residents and visitors, new or returning, as well as plenty of staff members, whether they be leading a department or have just joined the resort. I also try to fit in a padel lesson at The Campus if I can, or perhaps a round of golf or a walk through the Ria Formosa. During the summer months, I’m a big fan of the live music shows, which take place at our resort restaurants.
Quinta do Lago can now lay claim to 50 years of dedication and professionalism. How would you describe this half-century journey?
The past 50 years of Quinta do Lago live on in every corner of the resort today. Our teams’ dedication and professionalism are visible through the work of all our staff and services, the quality of our products and the experiences we offer. I would charactierise this journey as a legacy of lifestyle, which is firmly rooted in health, sport and wellness, family and a connection with nature. It has been a pleasure to celebrate this throughout 2022, as we recognise such a significant milestone in our resort history.
Although we were originally known as a traditional Portuguese golfing resort, we have developed into so much more than that. Of course, we still have world-class golf courses, but we also offer renowned restaurants, luxury real estate, The Magnolia Hotel and The Campus, with its high-tech sports, fitness and rehabilitation facilities. Our values are firmly rooted in supporting and empowering our team, to enable them to provide service to all of our guests and residents. We are proud to be a place of constant inspiration, where quality of life is measured by proximity to nature, an active, outdoor lifestyle and treasured family moments. With a commitment to nature, our sustainable approach protects environment and secures the future for generations to come.
How is Quinta do Lago performing at the moment?
We have had a strong year across the resort. Our golf courses are booming, following the recent 7M EUR renovation of South Course, which was unveiled just last year. Similarly, we have recently opened a new restaurant, UMAMI, in our RESERVA development, which has proved incredibly popular. Our real estate office has had a record-breaking year for sales, with Quinta do Lago commanding the highest price per square metre in Portugal. On top of this, The Campus and our boutique hotel, The Magnolia Hotel, continue to drive continuous interest from families, foodies and athletes alike.
«(…) a large majority of guests appreciate the hassle-free holiday experience»
What is the usual profile of someone visiting the resort?
I don’t think I could give you a standard profile, as our resort appeals to so many different markets. On the whole, a large majority of guests appreciate the hassle-free holiday experience we offer in Europe’s finest resort. Quinta do Lago lends itself to people who enjoy high-end luxury practices in a number of different styles, and this spans widely across generations.
Through our diverse number of restaurants, our guests can either enjoy a fine dining experience at Casa Velha, a more relaxed sports bar at Dano’s, music at The Shack or a healthy meal at PURE. Similarly, through our relaxed resort feel, our guests and residents are encouraged to pursue their interests, whether they be in sports, nature or wellness. One thing I do think that our guests have in common is their desire to spend quality time with loved ones and spend time outside, whether that be on the golf course, on the padel or tennis court, or just appreciating our surrounding wildlife. The growth in multi-gen bookings is ongoing and a lot of our villa rentals are often booked with large families. We are also seeing growth from more European markets, although the main driver continues to be UK, Ireland and Portugal.
What kind of projects are you looking to implement in the near future?
We are looking to continue to develop the personalised level of service that we are already offering guests. This will be largely driven through continued luxury experiences which elevate our products, for example more sports camps, family-focused events and sustainably-led activities. Alongside this, we will continue to focus on our real estate office, with exciting new products in line with the demand we are currently seeing. Similarly, we are continuing to develop our technology to ensure smooth customer experiences, as well as maintaining strong ties with the local community.
Are the needs of customers the same today as they were 5 years ago?
Following the pandemic, I would say that customers have become a lot more passionate about their holiday experience and, in turn, are becoming more demanding when it comes to luxury service. As such, people are appreciating our unique offering of luxury lifestyle in a timeless sanctuary more than they ever have before. For example, for obvious reasons our guests now expect more authentic offerings, and their passion for spending time outdoors with people close to them is of the utmost importance. Our guests are also showing more of an interest in trying new things across all aspects of our resort and we are delighted to see that they are also becoming more loyal. With so much uncertainty over the past three years, our guests want to travel somewhere they know can deliver, which Quinta do Lago does.
«Eyeing 2023 with cautious optimism»
I don’t think I could give you a standard profile, as our resort appeals to so many different markets. On the whole, a large majority of guests appreciate the hassle-free holiday experience we offer in Europe’s finest resort. Quinta do Lago lends itself to people who enjoy high-end luxury practices in a number of different styles, and this spans widely across generations.
Through our diverse number of restaurants, our guests can either enjoy a fine dining experience at Casa Velha, a more relaxed sports bar at Dano’s, music at The Shack or a healthy meal at PURE. Similarly, through our relaxed resort feel, our guests and residents are encouraged to pursue their interests, whether they be in sports, nature or wellness. One thing I do think that our guests have in common is their desire to spend quality time with loved ones and spend time outside, whether that be on the golf course, on the padel or tennis court, or just appreciating our surrounding wildlife. The growth in multi-gen bookings is ongoing and a lot of our villa rentals are often booked with large families. We are also seeing growth from more European markets, although the main driver continues to be UK, Ireland and Portugal.
What kind of projects are you looking to implement in the near future?
We are looking to continue to develop the personalised level of service that we are already offering guests. This will be largely driven through continued luxury experiences which elevate our products, for example more sports camps, family-focused events and sustainably-led activities. Alongside this, we will continue to focus on our real estate office, with exciting new products in line with the demand we are currently seeing. Similarly, we are continuing to develop our technology to ensure smooth customer experiences, as well as maintaining strong ties with the local community.
Are the needs of customers the same today as they were 5 years ago?
Following the pandemic, I would say that customers have become a lot more passionate about their holiday experience and, in turn, are becoming more demanding when it comes to luxury service. As such, people are appreciating our unique offering of luxury lifestyle in a timeless sanctuary more than they ever have before. For example, for obvious reasons our guests now expect more authentic offerings, and their passion for spending time outdoors with people close to them is of the utmost importance. Our guests are also showing more of an interest in trying new things across all aspects of our resort and we are delighted to see that they are also becoming more loyal. With so much uncertainty over the past three years, our guests want to travel somewhere they know can deliver, which Quinta do Lago does.
«Eyeing 2023 with cautious optimism»
There is more and more talk of economic recession. Do you eye the year ahead with any apprehension?
We are eyeing 2023 with cautious optimism, following a very successful 2022, but factoring in the current state of the economy. I am confident in our product offering and trust the loyalty of our guests, in that, if they are fortunate enough to be able to holiday abroad, Quinta do Lago will be one of the first destinations on their list (with many of them returning year on year). We are continuing to invest in our resort to ensure the upkeep of all our luxury offerings and are also exploring the option of more affordable packages and experiences for people to book this year.
How do you include sustainability in your facilities and services?
Our aim is for Quinta do Lago to become an inspirational, community-engaged and high-profile champion of sustainability. We are a long-term supporter of golf’s drive to preserve the environment. We work closely with the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) and follow our multi-tiered plan with three key aims: to foster nature, conserve resources and support the community.
The great thing about the golf legacy is that it works so well together with the other different business units of the resort. Golf can be a leader in so many ways; from eco-system services, conservation of wildlife and health and well-being for all ages to creating jobs and adding value to the economy through local supply chains. Improved irrigation systems are in place and we are introducing native plants in and around the golf course to control and remove invasive exotic species. Initiatives being introduced to help conserve resources include: building ‘bug hotels’ for insects – helping to control garden pests so as to reduce the use of insecticides –; increasing the number of bird-nesting boxes and constructing bee houses; removing single-use plastics at our restaurants; and using a new fleet of electric golf buggies across the resort.
We also have our own farm to provide our restaurants with homegrown organic produce. Growing herbs and vegetables, Q Farm supplies fresh and organic produce daily to the restaurants here in Quinta do Lago. In fact, the farm has almost become an extension of the restaurant kitchen, with chefs being able to request specific ingredients needed to make signature dishes. The seeds are planted in the greenhouse, grown in the farm, harvested in the morning and on your plate by lunchtime.
At the same time, we have implemented a series of measures to help look after local nature, including placing information boards on the golf courses and nearby nature trails advising people of the wildlife living nearby and working with non-profit environmental organisations that rescue and release animals back into the wild.
What ensures the loyalty of investors choosing Quinta do Lago, whether as a place to live or just for business?
Our resort is home to our property buyers and for a lot of our returning guests too, whether they live here all year round or only during part of the year. Ultimately this comes down to our unique offering. Yes, we have a host of experiential restaurants, world-renowned and award-winning golf courses, a boutique hotel and a world-class sports centre, but at the core of it all is a thriving community. At our resort, families and friends want to spend quality time together. A healthy lifestyle lies at the heart of everything. We have created a home that provides an escape from the day-to-day stresses of modern life, a true sanctuary for nature, but also a sanctuary for people.
We are eyeing 2023 with cautious optimism, following a very successful 2022, but factoring in the current state of the economy. I am confident in our product offering and trust the loyalty of our guests, in that, if they are fortunate enough to be able to holiday abroad, Quinta do Lago will be one of the first destinations on their list (with many of them returning year on year). We are continuing to invest in our resort to ensure the upkeep of all our luxury offerings and are also exploring the option of more affordable packages and experiences for people to book this year.
How do you include sustainability in your facilities and services?
Our aim is for Quinta do Lago to become an inspirational, community-engaged and high-profile champion of sustainability. We are a long-term supporter of golf’s drive to preserve the environment. We work closely with the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) and follow our multi-tiered plan with three key aims: to foster nature, conserve resources and support the community.
The great thing about the golf legacy is that it works so well together with the other different business units of the resort. Golf can be a leader in so many ways; from eco-system services, conservation of wildlife and health and well-being for all ages to creating jobs and adding value to the economy through local supply chains. Improved irrigation systems are in place and we are introducing native plants in and around the golf course to control and remove invasive exotic species. Initiatives being introduced to help conserve resources include: building ‘bug hotels’ for insects – helping to control garden pests so as to reduce the use of insecticides –; increasing the number of bird-nesting boxes and constructing bee houses; removing single-use plastics at our restaurants; and using a new fleet of electric golf buggies across the resort.
We also have our own farm to provide our restaurants with homegrown organic produce. Growing herbs and vegetables, Q Farm supplies fresh and organic produce daily to the restaurants here in Quinta do Lago. In fact, the farm has almost become an extension of the restaurant kitchen, with chefs being able to request specific ingredients needed to make signature dishes. The seeds are planted in the greenhouse, grown in the farm, harvested in the morning and on your plate by lunchtime.
At the same time, we have implemented a series of measures to help look after local nature, including placing information boards on the golf courses and nearby nature trails advising people of the wildlife living nearby and working with non-profit environmental organisations that rescue and release animals back into the wild.
What ensures the loyalty of investors choosing Quinta do Lago, whether as a place to live or just for business?
Our resort is home to our property buyers and for a lot of our returning guests too, whether they live here all year round or only during part of the year. Ultimately this comes down to our unique offering. Yes, we have a host of experiential restaurants, world-renowned and award-winning golf courses, a boutique hotel and a world-class sports centre, but at the core of it all is a thriving community. At our resort, families and friends want to spend quality time together. A healthy lifestyle lies at the heart of everything. We have created a home that provides an escape from the day-to-day stresses of modern life, a true sanctuary for nature, but also a sanctuary for people.
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