Breaking news first
We have just received this news from Almenara Hotel and Golf Course in Sotogrande, look at this information below:
“Today we have been informed Almenara Golf, 27 holes and academy, will be closed from 28th October 2019 to September 2020 due to renovations at Almenara Hotel which will affect part of the golf course.
During this period, renovation and maintenance works will take place at the golf course to improve the conditions of the course and a new club house will be built.
So, from 28th of October we could not offer our services and we will reopen September 2020”.
While this comes as something of a shock and we will have some re-arranging to do we are confident that when the Resort reopens it will be world class.
Almenara GC
Introducing Murcia & Mar Menor area
With an eye to expanding our range of options within Spain for our clients who may be looking for a change we have invested some time in getting to know better the Murcia and Mar Menor area.
All of you are familiar with the Costa el Sol and what it has to offer. Mar Menor is an interesting and, in many ways, an excellent alternative option for anyone seeking a change of destination.
Mar Menor
- Background:
Early in this century a group (6) of Nicklaus designed courses came on stream under the Polaris brand. The scale of the investment was staggering and was designed to firmly put the Murcia / Mar Menor area in the centre of Spain’s golf industry. In addition to the existing courses in the area which include the 3 at La Manga there were now 15 courses on offer. These include the 7500-yard Nicklaus signature “Alhama” course. For all you long hitters out there – this must be the ultimate challenge. Ryder Cup was in the back of the investors mind at the time of conception but alas.
- Events Overtook:
Thousands of homes were sold on these courses. However, before the various projects were completed the property bubble burst and investment was put on hold.
Regardless of the property side of things the legacy is a wonderful supply of truly excellent courses.
As the land is very flat the only hills are manmade ones. So, in contract to the Costa del Sol courses in this area are wide, spacious and flat. And as most are Nicklaus designed you can rest assured that they are top quality and in immaculate condition.
- Today:
So 15 years on from the start of the project you have wonderful golf and a perfectly adequate variety of accommodation types.
- 3 Accommodation options:
For the urbanites the resort of Los Alcazares (Mar Menor) is lively all year round and is a 10 / 15 minute drive from the cluster of Mar Menor courses. We have developed packages with the 4 star “Hotel 525” (4 star) right in the heart of Los Alcazares. The hotel is located right on the pedestrian street which has an abundance of different ethnic restaurants and many different watering holes.
Hotel 525
For those wanting to be closer to the golf and with resort style facilities and amenities we have two excellent option.
The 5-star Caleia Mar Menor Golf & Spa Resort at Mar Manor.
Located at the heart of Mar Menor Golf Resort and surrounded by the golf course this intimate hotel is noted for its traditional cosy style and relaxed atmosphere.
The hotel has 64 spacious luxury rooms, 7 are suites, all of them with private balconies and large bathrooms that
offer an independent shower and whirlpool bath.
With 3 restaurants and 3 bars, the hotel also offers a full range of gastronomic options and entertainment including a traditional Irish pub.
The luxury accommodation is complemented by our Spa which offers a thermal suite with revitalizing pools, sauna, steam room and lifestyle showers, a relaxation room, fitness area and a nice indoor pool.
Moreover, an exclusive range of Spa treatments that combine modern techniques with ancient therapies.
The hotel is surrounded by Mar Menor Golf an 18 holes Par 72 golf course, part of the Murcia Golf
Experience Unique in Europe and one of Europe’s best golf experiences.
Caleia Mar Manor Golf & Spa Resort
The Residences at Mar Menor (Apartments/Self Catering)
The Residences at Mar Menor are brand new apartments in the heart of the Mar Menor golf Resort, means doing what you really want to do, it means tranquility, sun, beaches, fine cuisine, sport, fun…
At the Residences you will enjoy family holidays the way you like them. Feel at home, but without giving up the comfort and services of the best hotels.
Choose a weekend break or stay as long as you like, of course, you will have access to all the services provided by Mar Menor golf Resort, Intercontinental Mar Menor and Murcia Golf Experience.
There are also infinite ways to enjoy your free time, including: golf, the spa, shops, bars, restaurants, terrace bars, sports facilities and a long list of activities designed to keep the whole family entertained.
And all this in Murcia, a region, with one of the mildest climates in the Iberian Peninsula.
The resorts enjoy fantastic natural surroundings and are close to the best beaches of the Mar.
There are numerous bars and restaurants on site and within walking distance of the accommodation.
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Access:
Key to the success of a destination is the all-important issue of access.
The Mar Menor area is served by two international airports; the new Murcia (Corvera) airport which is 20 minutes away and the existing Alicante Airport which is an hour away. The Old San Javier airport at Mar Manor has closed for all but military use. Alicante is well served from all the UK and Irish airports year-round. Murcia is growing fast but already has good UK and Irish connections but not the same frequency as Alicante. But between the two alternatives Mar Menor is very accessible.
GOLF
Here is a description of the 6 Nickalus designed courses we have included in our packages plus Hacienda del Alamo.
Mar Menor Golf (on site at Caleia and The Residence)
Mar Menor GC
Par 72 – 6153 meters
Was designed by David Thomas in his first nine holes, par 37, 3275 meters, requires good shots to put the ball in the Fairways and the greens are well protected by bunkers and the surrounding lakes.
The back nine holes were designed by Nicklaus Design is par 35, 2878 m, , have wide fairways and great holes, deserving a special mention to his own “amen Corner”, a spectacular lake surrounding the holes 13, 14 and 15, making the water the biggest obstacle to overcome. The rest of the holes are protected by strategic bunkers.
And a Superb practice facilities, that’s includes
–Driving Range ( Mats or Grass) and Long bunkers Shots
-A Huge Putting Green
-A brand new chipping Green
–A Extra Hole– a great Par 4 with pitching area, chipping area, bunker area
La Torre Golf (15 minutes away from the Hotel)
La Torre Resort
Par 68 – 5403 meters
Designed by Nicklaus Design, the La Torre Golf Resort course offers 18 holes, par 68 and four sets of tees. It features over five hectares of sophisticated bunkers that separate the holes, creating strategic points which provide added value to the shots, plus, a denser grass was planted around the bunkers, creating the optimum wind shot effect.
The course therefore offers challenging conditions and impeccable playing surfaces which make the course a pleasure to play.
La Torre Golf Resort is ideal for both average players and those with a high handicap. At the same time, La Torre Golf Resort preserves the challenge for experienced players who, teeing off from the furthest tee, will have to devise the appropriate strategy to cover the fairway with the perfect shot. Completed with all the perfect features for practice, La Torre Golf Resort is undoubtedly a mandatory stop over for golf players.
Home of the Spanish Senior Professional Competition 2011.
Saurines de la Torre Golf (15 minutes away from the Hotel)
Saurines de la Torre Golf
Par 72 – 6498 meters
Is an 18 hole par 72 desert style. With reminiscent of the golf course designed by Nicklaus in Las Vegas., but with a links course philosophy
It is characterized by undulating fairways and greens between desert dunes, shortage of bunkers and a large lake of 6 acres.
9 and 18 holes ensuring a thrilling final surrounded by this huge lake. A great new course opened beginning of 2011.
El Valle Golf (25 minutes away from the Hotel)
El Valle Golf
Par 71– 6185 meters
El Valle, a medium-length, par-71 golf course, is situated in a beautiful natural desert valley. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the golf course is routed in a “core” format that groups several holes together while keeping the surrounding development on the perimeter. This means a more open and natural golf experience.
Rather than length, the course relies on numerous subtle strategic elements to challenge golfers. This course puts a premium on accuracy, not power, and favours the intelligent player who can manage his or her game.
Home of the Spanish professional Competition and European Tour School stage 2- 2010 & 2011.
Hacienda Riquelme Golf (20 minutes away from the Hotel)
Hacienda Riquelme Golf
Par 72 – 6356 meters
Hacienda Riquelme is an 18 holes, par 72 course featured between the mountains and Sucina , a beautiful area that has been designated a regional natural park.
The course has been designed to keep the natural look to the area, with the course weaving its way through and around wildflowers and olive trees. Hacienda Riquelme is one of the most unique courses along the Murcia Golf Experience Trail. With numerous subtle random contours featured on the green, putting is further complicated. The wider than average fairways allow all golf players a great opportunity to play, with plenty of room across the contoured greens.
Setting Hacienda Riquelme apart from the other courses is the unique bunkering. The numerous amounts of large rugged bunkers are deep with sand of up to three meters. Jagged cut edges add further difficulty to the rugged nature of the course
Home of the European Tour School stage 2- 2010 &2011.
Alhama Signature Golf (40 minutes away from the Hotel)
Alhama Signature Golf
Alhama Signature Golf
Par 72 – 6884 meters
One of the best golf courses in the Iberian Peninsula.
Designed and signed personally by Jack Nicklaus, this long and spectacular golf course, with five Great
Lakes, original circular tees, wide fairways and fast greens is waiting for you.
116 peculiar and varied forms bunkers and a landscape that retains the entire native flora and other species indigenous to the area make Alhama Signature a Natural Reserve. Alhama Golf Signature is a big challenge for any player, both professional and amateur, at any level, because the perfectly calculated design, forces you to think carefully every shot, before achieving any of its greens wrapped by strategic bunkers.
The maximum length of the course is 6884 meters and is a par 72.
This is undoubtedly one of the best courses in Spain from the hand of Jack Nicklaus.
Hacienda del Alamo (40 minutes away from the Hotel)
Par 72 – 6724 metros
Considered one of the longest courses in Spain with wide fairways. A lovely “walkable” course.
Superb practices facilities and a great academy with lovely pitching, putting and chipping areas, perfect for pro groups.
Hacienda del Alamo
Prices:
Now for the good part. Golf Holidays in Mar Menor are great value for money. Given the quality of the courses it’s really hard to match the area for value.
Self-Catering at “The Residence” in high season so mid-February to May and October:
Based on 4 sharing a two bedroom apartment the price comes to €389 for a 5 night stay (breakfast included at club-house) and 4 rounds.
Price includes return airport (Murcia) transfers.
Packages at the 5 star Caleia Golf Hotel and Spa with 4 rounds in high season :
Based on two sharing a double twin room (B&B) and 5 rounds with airport transfers cost is €675.
Single room supplement €200.