A sheltered valley
Monte Rei sits in a fold of land with the Serra do Caldeirão behind it and the Atlantic in front. The hills take the edge off the prevailing wind, which is why the course is playable on days when the coast is not.
It also means the temperature here runs a degree or two different from the beach, in both directions.
Working with the contours
The routing follows the natural fall of the land rather than cutting across it. Several holes use existing drainage lines as hazards, and the greens sit where the ground already levelled out.
The result is a course that feels like it was found rather than built, which was the intention from the outset.
Beyond the boundary
The land around the estate is cork oak, carob and wild herbs, and much of it is unchanged. Walking or cycling routes run from the resort into the hills, and the quiet is the thing most visitors comment on.