Picolo recommends · Hotel in Quinta do Lago, Algarve
The Magnolia Hotel
A colourful retro hotel in pricey Quinta do Lago, where you borrow a bike and pedal off towards the lagoon and its flamingos.
Bright colours, a pool in the garden and bikes you can borrow for the day. The Magnolia Hotel brings a playful retro look to Quinta do Lago, one of the most exclusive corners of the Algarve, with its rooms arranged around the garden.
The beach and the Ria Formosa, a protected lagoon of channels, salt marsh and sandbanks, are a short ride away. Cycle paths follow the water, the birdlife is rich, and in some seasons flamingos feed in the shallows.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose The Magnolia Hotel
We chose it as our value pick. Quinta do Lago is otherwise a place of expensive villas and golf resorts, and the Magnolia lets you stay among them at a sensible price, with a sense of humour in the design.
You are not on the beach, and you will want the bike or a car to get there. If you want to step from your room onto the sand, or need a full spa and a line-up of restaurants, look at the bigger resorts.
What you get
- Bikes to borrow
- Pool in the garden
- Retro rooms around the garden
- Ria Formosa lagoon nearby
- Beach a short ride away
A day at The Magnolia Hotel
- Morning
- Cycle along the lagoon while the birds are feeding.
- Midday
- Over to the beach for a swim.
- Afternoon
- Back to the garden pool for a quiet hour.
- Evening
- Dinner out in Quinta do Lago or nearby Almancil.
Location
Quinta do Lago, Algarve, Portugal
Open in MapsQuestions about The Magnolia Hotel
How do you get to the beach from The Magnolia Hotel?
Borrow one of the hotel's bikes and follow the cycle paths towards the lagoon and the beach. The ride is short, and it is half the fun of staying here.
Can you see flamingos near The Magnolia Hotel?
Often, yes. Flamingos visit the Ria Formosa lagoon in parts of the year, and the cycle paths nearby are a good way to look for them along with herons and other wading birds.
Is The Magnolia Hotel good for golfers?
It is a good base. Quinta do Lago is known for its golf courses, and the Magnolia lets you play in the area without paying resort rates for your room.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
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