British asset management company Arrow Global has acquired Browns Sports Resort in Vilamoura, further expanding its portfolio of Algarve properties.
According to business newspaper Jornal de Negócios, Arrow Global’s Portuguese branch manages €2.6 billion in local assets, including industries, dozens of hotels, a dozen golf courses, and a major equestrian centre. The group is expected to further strengthen its presence in Portugal, with €1.6 billion in investments reportedly in the pipeline over the next six years.
Arrow Global’s golf portfolio includes five courses in Vilamoura – Old Course, Pinhal, Millennium, Laguna and The Els Club — as well as Palmares Golf Course in Lagos and San Lorenzo in Quinta do Lago.
The company also operates several hotels across the Algarve, including Hilton Vilamoura, As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa, Dom Pedro Vilamoura, Dom Pedro Marina, Dom Pedro Portobelo, Dom Pedro Lagos, Palmares Beach House, Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, Hotel Califórnia Urban Beach, Aqua Pedra dos Bicos, Velamar Boutique Hotel, Bertolina Guest House. It also owns Vilamoura World – the so-called ‘master developer’ behind the Algarve resort town of Vilamoura – acquired from US group Lone Star in 2021.
Browns Sports Resort, which stretches across 53,000 square metres of land, was previously known as Rock Garden, and has grown into one of the biggest sports tourism resorts in the region.
Boasting villas, high-level training facilities, a health club, spa, and dining areas, the resort caters to professional teams, athletes on training camps, and regular guests alike. Over two decades, the resort has hosted hundreds of national and international teams.
In a statement, Arrow Global says the acquisition is part of its strategy to “consolidate an integrated portfolio of sports and tourism assets, improving infrastructure and attracting international events.” As a result, it has invested heavily in Vilamoura’s golf courses and marina to enhance the destination’s competitiveness.
Arrow is also developing Portugal’s largest equestrian centre through its Details division, aiming to position Vilamoura on the international equestrian circuit. The centre is already attracting top competitions, including the Portugal Invitational of the PGA Tour Champions and five-star showjumping events (CSI 5*), as well as international sailing regattas.
“This investment reflects a long-term vision based on the creation of economic, social and reputational value for the country,” said João Bugalho, CEO of Arrow Global Portugal. “Vilamoura has unique conditions to establish itself as a destination of excellence for major international sports events, combining quality infrastructure, organisational capacity and a territorial setting that enhances the international projection of the region and of Portugal.”
Nuno Sepúlveda, CEO of Details Sports & Leisure, added: “We have a structured investment plan for the continuous improvement of sports and tourism facilities, which will be crucial to further raise the quality of our offer. The fact that we manage high-quality hotel units in the region allows us to present an integrated proposal capable of meeting the demands of top international teams and athletes, strengthening Vilamoura’s attractiveness as a destination for training camps, competitions and high-level events, including five-star equestrian competitions and other international tournaments.”
