Portugal’s Martinhal offers an ideal setting for the great escape

Windsurfing, surfing and boating a small sample of the activities on offer at the Martinhal resort in south-west Portugal.

Many moons ago it was thought Sagres marked the end of the Earth.

It sits on the south-western tip of Portugal and for years anyone who set sail from here seemed to disappear without trace, which only strengthened the theory.

Today the town is probably better known as a surf mecca than as some sort of Bermuda Triangle for would-be explorers.

But it’s also making a name for itself as a leading family holiday destination and that’s all down to Martinhal.

On the 90-minute drive east from Faro airport, there are huge signs hailing the resort as the finest of its kind in Europe.

It’s one heck of a claim but, make no mistake, Martinhal lives up to it.

So what’s its secret? It was designed by parents for parents.

Thirteen years ago, a couple called Chitra and Roman Stern decided to leave behind their high-flying jobs in London and settle down in the Algarve.

They made it their mission to create the kind of holiday complex they wished they could stay in with their four growing children.

After raising enough money they hired Sir Terence Conran, the founder of Habitat, to design it.

Then they added several swimming pools, numerous bars and restaurants, a kids club, crche, luxury spa, play areas, tennis courts, beach huts and shops.

The result is an uber-cool holiday resort that’s as near to perfection as it gets.

The five-star 50-acre complex consists of a small luxury hotel with 38 rooms overlooking the ocean and 132 self-catering houses.

Our own growing family me, my pregnant wife Kara and our three-year-old son Ewan stayed in one of the three-bedroom bay lodges, overlooking a beautiful national park on one side and the tennis and sports club on the other.

The first thing that struck me was how stylish and roomy the accommodation was.

Everything about it from the giant beanbags on the balconies to the ultra-modern kitchen smacked of class.

After gorging on the plate of cheese and salami left out for us I whisked Kara, Ewan (and bump) to the family surf bar for a drink.

It quickly became the hub for our holiday. That’s not just because I could indulge in a beer or two.

It’s kitted out with an old VW camper van, a dedicated children’s zone, an outdoor play area and a cinema so it was first choice for Ewan as well.

Within a short walk from the surf bar is the Finisterra spa.

It took a matter of milliseconds for Kara to uncover that it offers a special rubdown for expectant mums (cost 80 euro).

So, while she indulged in that, Ewan and I went for a swim.

There are four heated pools (a rarity in Portugal) at Martinhal, including a big half indoor, half outdoor affair which has its own sauna, steam room and gymnasium.

We spent time in all of them but our favourite was the one next to the beach.

It was here, as we lay on our sun loungers, it really sank in just how special the resort is.

In front of us was the pool, to our left a bar with waiters intent on catering for our every whim, to our right a beach of epic proportions and behind us a huge sandpit complete with its own climbing area and integrated trampoline.

It summed up everything we liked about the place compulsory relaxation for adults and a dream come true for children.

Nowhere was the family vibe more evident than at meal times.

There are three fine dining restaurants to choose from, all of which cater for babies and older children. And when I say cater, I really mean it.

In each eatery, from the Italian Os Gambozinos to the upmarket O Terrao, there are dedicated childcare sections where kids can play.

The menus are also geared up for all ages. Among our favourite dishes were the skewered monkfish wrapped in bacon (26 euro) and the Portugese-style steak (25 euro) while Ewan adored the breaded fish (10 euro).

The unbelievably attentive staff at Martinhal claim there are 365 things to do during a holiday there and they’re not exaggerating.

As well as eating, drinking and swimming, families can partake of almost every water sport imaginable.

On site there is also a five-a-side football pitch, bike hire shop and regular yoga, zumba and pilates classes.

Given all that there’s barely a need to venture out of the resort, but those who do are rewarded with some stunning villages and towns, including nearby Sagres and historic Lagos, 25 miles away.

On top of that there are also 26 golf courses within an hour’s drive and 22 beaches within 30 minutes.