Blanco Beach Club, Portugal
Take a break from the sandy stretch of Portuguese and European holidaymakers swarming the sunburnt Portimao beach at the new Blanco Beach Club.
The first of its kind in the Algarve, Blanco offers an oasis just steps from the sand. Large round white sun beds laden with ice buckets of Moët, Grey Goose and reclining bronzed bikini-clad millennials are surrounded by relaxed fire-pit seating areas, beach beanbags and luxurious white-wash cabanas with their own private Jacuzzis.
The club exudes a chilled-out day-party vibe with a DJ turning house beats around a blue-hued swimming pool. While the scene is mellow, take in the opportunity to soak up the sun, sip on cocktails and later, when the sun becomes less fierce, head to the dance floor in front of the DJ booth.
Perfect for whiling away the hours, Blanco offers a club-style cocktail menu including the likes of a Mojito, Capriosca and - while a hotel-pool-bar stereotype, an ever crowd-pleasing Sex on the Beach. There are juices and smoothies blended entirely from fresh fruit alongside a classic poolside menu of burgers, wood-fired pizzas, salads and of course a club sandwich. The real stand out from the menu is the extensive selection of sushi and Japanese food. All somewhat reasonably priced for the surroundings, you'll find edamame, gyoza, luxurious platters of fresh sashimi right from the Med, carpaccio, ceviche and hot and cold maki rolls.
The owner, Maximilian White, hence the name Blanco, has a direct line into some of Europe's biggest hip hop and house names so when the sun sets you can expect Blanco's chilled vibe to flip to full alfresco club atmosphere with a dance floor that spills right into the pool. This summer the line-up has included French Montana, Tyga, Ty Dolla Sign, Kid Ink, Roger Sanchez, Dennis Ferrer, Chus & Ceballos, Boddhi Satva and AME.
Blanco Beach Club turns the volume right up on the sleepy Portuguese coastline and offers a slice of unexpected luxury that's sure to attract high-quality-seeking holiday goers and jet set partiers alike. Monarch flys to Faro from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester from £47 one way to make getting to the beach just that bit easier.
