One of the Algarve’s most anticipated new developments has witnessed ‘unprecedented demand’ for its flagship Viceroy Residences since they launched in 2020, with particularly strong interest from UK buyers.

Ombria Resort, on the outskirts of Loule in the Central Algarve, says British buyers have been seeking to benefit from the Golden Visa residency opportunities on offer, while demand is also high from those seeking the ‘ultimate sustainable and back to nature co-primary purchases in Portugal’.

This year so far, the resort says it has sold €8 million worth of its Viceroy Residences. This number rises to €15 million since the start of sales just over a year ago. In total, 36 of the units have now been sold, some 55% of those on offer.

Recognising the pandemic restrictions early enabled Ombria Resort to develop its unique ‘Ombria Sales App’, which enabled potential buyers to see the location of each apartment, carry out virtual visits and witness the real golf views from each of the apartments.

The resort says nearly all of the property purchases completed in 2021 were a direct result of remote viewings through the Ombria Sales App.

“We are delighted the sales of the Viceroy Residences are exceeding our expectations. Due to the difficult Covid situation, we created new digital tools that enable superb virtual tours of the apartments, which made it possible for around 70% of buyers to decide to buy remotely, without visiting,” Julio Delgado, chief executive of Ombria Resort, said.

He added that the main factors for the success of sales had been Ombria’s location in the interior of the Algarve and its commitment to creating a development ‘whose focus is sustainability and environmental protection’.

“Perhaps partly due to the pandemic, we have seen a growing demand for properties with large areas and easy access to green spaces or with a close connection to the nature that surrounds them, which is the case at Ombria Resort,” he continued.

Delgado was also keen to stress that the Viceroy Residences and all other properties on sale at Ombria Resort will not be affected by changes to the Golden Visa that are coming into force from January 2022. That’s because Ombria Resort is located in one of the parishes listed as “territories from the interior (Union of parishes of Querença, Tôr and Benafim)”, and therefore exempt from the sweeping changes that will affect Lisbon, Porto and large parts of the Algarve.

What is Ombria Resort and why might it appeal post-Covid?

Ombria Resort in the Central Algarve is described as ‘a sustainable, low-density development’, which is currently under construction and due to open in early 2022.

It features Southern Europe’s first 5-star hotel managed by Viceroy Hotels & Resorts and the Algarve’s newest 18-hole golf course. It sits 20kms inland from many beaches and Faro Airport – the Algarve’s main airport hub – and less than 7kms north of the city of Loulé, which is of one the main historic, cultural and trading centres of the Algarve.

The team at Ombria say that Portugal’s Algarve region will be particularly attractive to investors looking for a post-Covid safe haven, as it’s a leading example in providing a healthy environment and greater wellbeing for its population. It is widely recognised as one of Europe’s most popular, peaceful and low-density destinations, loved by tourists and second homeowners for its weather, relaxed pace of life, beaches and regional dishes.

The resort is located just 10 minutes from international school Eupheus International and 20 minutes from Noble Almancil, a new international education facility with a British curriculum, which opened in September 2020.

Ombria Resort has always maintained a big focus on sustainability, low-density living, nature and safety, which it argues makes it the perfect choice for families, couples and individuals looking to relocate and achieve a healthy work-life balance in the countryside, ‘away from the coastal crowds but within easy reach of several beaches’.

The team also insist that the Viceroy Hotel & Residences’ design and layout has been perfectly adapted to post-Covid times and ‘will therefore continue to be a popular choice both in terms of use of Viceroy Residences (purchase & rental) and for Viceroy Hotel guests for holidays’.

The first phase of the resort offers an 18-hole golf course, the 5-star ‘Viceroy at Ombria Resort‘ hotel with 76 guestrooms, 6 restaurants, pools, spa, gym, kids club and The Viceroy Residences, 65 one and two-bedroom apartments (from €555,350), as well as The Alcedo Villas, 12 luxury villas (from €2,550,000), for property buyers to choose from.

You can find out more about Ombria Resort in our full-length feature here.