text: He’s a TV star with a love for adventure, so it’s no wonder Ben Fogle looks for somewhere a little bit extraordinary for his holiday. My husband and I see the TV star lazing with his little boy by one of the five swimming pools in the Martinhal Beach Resort in Portugal, soaking up the sun. The high-end resort, which opened in 2010, is renowned as being one of the best in the Algarve for a luxury family holiday. The beautiful Martinhal is a hit with families - and TV stars such as Ben Fogle . But despite the sun shining for around 300 days of the year here and the golden sand being warm beneath your toes, the water is cold . Martinhal, which boasts a fine-dining restaurant, is the only five-star resort in the area to have direct access to a beach, and is set within 25 hectares in the protected Costa Vicentina Natural Park. So we’ve come to check it out – after all, why should the kids have all the fun? From the balcony in our chic Beach Room, we are afforded an incredible view over the glistening waters of the North Atlantic Ocean from the most south-westerly point in the Algarve. But despite the sun shining for around 300 days of the year here and the golden sand being warm beneath your toes, don’t be fooled – the sea is sharp-intake-of-breath cold. Adventurer, author, broadcaster and writer Ben Fogle is a regular at Martinhal . Couples can overlook the ocean, read the papers, feast on fresh orange juice, and enjoy a classy breakfast . The resort boasts a stunning swimming pool surrounded by decking - and close to a restaurant . The boutique room in which we stay for three nights is in the resort's hotel. There are also 152 hours and villas in the vicinity, so with 190 accommodation options, there is plenty of choice. We’re just a short walk from the main reception building, as well as the beach. Inside, the décor is minimalist and comfortable, soft pastel hues, blend well with the wooden floor, mixing stone, cork and other locally sourced materials for this British-designed interior. For larger families, there is the villa option – 23 award-winning, independently owned properties, with three or four large bedrooms, a parking space, a BBQ area as well as easy access to the facilities and swimming pools. For larger families, there is the villa option – 23 award-winning, independently owned properties, with three or four large bedroom . Martinhal, which boasts a fine-dining restaurant, is the only five-star resort in the area to have direct access to a beach, and is set within 25 hectares in the protected Costa Vicentina Natural Park . Holidaymakers can also choose to stay in villas at the high-end resort . There’s also a baby concierge service providing equipment to guests – including door protectors, potties, bottle sterilisers, cots, baths and pushchairs. It’s June and the place is busy – I’m told it’s almost at capacity, but the only time you can really tell how many people are staying here is at breakfast. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet style option in the first-floor O Terraço restaurant – which offers a la carte dining in the evening. In the morning, there’s a hum of excitement; parents doing their best to feed their offspring who know exactly what they do and don’t want to eat. My husband and I eat on the terrace, overlooking the ocean, reading the papers, feasting on fresh orange juice, eggs cooked the way we like them, fresh fruit, cereal, pastries and croissants. After breakfast, there are seemingly endless options for children – from face painting, treasure hunts, arts and crafts, to windsurfing, dolphin watching, swimming tennis and football. M Bar, with its quirky decoration and VW camper van hiding in the corner,  is the place for a light lunch . The balcony offers a scenic view across the glistening waters of the North Atlantic Ocean . The view is breathtaking – sea-carved cliffs jut out around a long, wide beach which is warm beneath your toes . So while all that’s going on, the golden-sanded beach looks relatively deserted. We wander down, and the view is breathtaking – sea-carved cliffs jut out around a long, wide beach. There’s plenty of space, so even if everyone at the resort decided to spend the day at the beach, there’s room for them all. So I spend the morning soaking up the rays while Rich attempts paddleboarding for the first time. I’m not sure whether it was the fear of falling into the chilly water or that he is a natural, but he makes it all the way out to a small island without falling off – 15 minutes there and 15 back. For a day trip, Martinhal is located next to the historic fishing port of Sagres, one of Europe’s surfing capitals, which boasts rugged cliff faces, as well as a 15th-century port on the southern-most tip of the peninsular; giving it an end-of-the-world quality. For lunch, there a small shop where guests can buy their own food (although it is more expensive than other local shops due to being in-resort). Or there are three restaurants to choose from; As Dunas Beach Restaurant & Bar, overlooking the beach, offers fresh seafood dishes and a children’s menu; Gambozinos dishes up pizza and pasta; and M Bar is the place for a light lunch. There are also four bars across the resort. The boutique room in which we stay for three nights is in the resort's hotel. There are also 152 hours and villas in the vicinity, so with 190 accommodation options, there is plenty of choice . unlike other posh restaurants, guests are welcome to bring their children. Couples seated near to us have babies by their sides, and our meal isn't disturbed in the slightest . and after treatments, there’s a garden relaxation area in which to chill out even further . My husband whiles away the afternoon with a swim followed by a game of tennis – there are two courts and Martinhal is home to the Algarve’s Padel Tennis Championships - while I book in for some serious pampering in the spa. Finisterra Spa lies apart from the rest of the resort and is an oasis of calm. There are six treatment rooms as well as a wet area with a sauna and steam bath – and after treatments, there’s a garden relaxation area in which to chill out even further. I can see this would be the perfect place for frazzled mums to recharge while their little ones are being looked after. I book for a 50-minute massage and leave feeling as though all my worries have been massaged away. We are booked into the fine dining O Terraço for our evening meal. With white tablecloths, a delicious-sounding menu and an extensive wine list, it really is the ultimate luxury. However, unlike other posh restaurants, guests are welcome to bring their children. Couples seated near to us have babies by their sides, and our meal isn't disturbed in the slightest. Our villa overlooks the stunning ocean - which is deceptively cold! For larger families, there is the villa option – 23 award-winning, independently owned properties, with three or four large bedrooms . With top quality regional restaurants from both the 'surf' and the 'turf', the restaurant offers a 'culinary journey through Portuguese gastronomy' presented with a modern twist. Dishes include braised scallops, beetroot puree, smoked ham and watercress as well as beef carpaccio, feta cheese, rocket and basil sauce for starters. Then there is octopus, sea bass, mussels, duck breast, sirloin and lamb for mains, with tofu curry or vegetable Wellington for vegetarians. There's an impressive cheeseboard to finish, as well as a selection of dessert wines. It’s a very grown-up finish to a luxury holiday in a resort which caters for families but is uncompromising in delivering high standards for all its guests. And if it’s good enough for Ben Fogle; it’s good enough for us. Price Summer Special Package (valid for bookings from 23rd May – 26th June) - 4 nights half board (daily breakfast and one meal) in Hotel Room from 138 Euros per adult per night . - 7 nights half board (daily breakfast and one meal) in Hotel Room from 132 Euros per adult per night . easyJet flies to Faro from eight UK airports with fares from £24.99*. Flights can be booked now at easyJet.com . The 8 UK airports if you want to include are: Belfast Intl, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, London (Gatwick, Luton, Southend) and Newcastle. *one-way, including taxes, based on two travelling. For car hire, prices start from £45 per week (May 15) for a mini/economy class car with Rhino.
target: The TV star was spotted at the Martinhal Beach Resort in Portugal .
  Five-star luxury hotels and villas are family-friendly and offer a baby concierge .
  Is one of the best resorts in the Algarve and is situated a stone's throw from the beach .