Fifty years ago, the infamous golf-mad American, Gregory Peters decided to make his mark on a picturesque part of the Costa Calida in Spain. His vision was to create a luxury sports resort, destined to be the size of Monaco. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of La Manga Club.
This sports and leisure resort is situated in Murcia, the south-eastern region of Spain. South of the La Manga Strip, it is bordered by the Mar Menor and Calblanque Regional Park. The resort complex opened in 1972 and covers an area of 1,400 acres with over 2,600 properties, and over the past 50 years, the world-famous golfing resort has grown and welcomed sporting greats and celebrities alike to grace its greens.
Here, we meet Sarah and Dom Sabatino, who themselves are celebrating a 20th anniversary this year of their company La Manga Getaways, which specialises in luxury rental accommodation on the resort. Sarah and Dom both have first-hand, personal experience of the area, having lived there for many years and the firm currently manages 60 holiday properties.
There are a lot of new developments in and around the resort at the moment. Can you tell us what’s new?
Sarah: New residential communities are being designed and built all the time here. Some have fabulous views and modern architecture, such as Las Orquideas – the newest community at La Manga Club. This exclusive collection of 24 freehold apartments is centrally located, features beautiful vistas, and is set to attract a spate of younger property owners to La Manga Club.
In terms of leisure facilities, the tennis centre has undergone huge improvements over the past year, with a sparkling new Racquets Club, resplendent with new padel and pickleball courts. These are in addition to the famous, now refurbished clay, astro and green set tennis courts.
What’s the best community for families?
Dom: We offer family-friendly luxury accommodation in many different communities around La Manga Club, however we would say the best for families and children of all ages is Bellaluz. This established development of flats and villas is built around a lively central square with bars and restaurants, has two large pools plus a playground and is a hub for families at La Manga Club – especially during the school holidays.
Where is best to stay for views, not too far from the action?
Sarah: Our Los Altos Villa is modern inside, has fabulous views and is a stone’s throw from the tennis centre, shops, bank and popular bars, such as The Last Drop. One of our most-loved accommodation options, this stunning three-bedroom villa, rents from £900 per week.
Where’s the best spot for a leisurely lunch?
Sarah: We always tell our guests to visit the longest standing restaurant on the club – El Bistro in Bellaluz Pueblo. It is a truly perfect spot for a relaxed lunch and everything on the menu is simply delicious. Our favourite is their speciality of salt-baked sea bream, served with simple grilled asparagus.
Where can we have a traditional Spanish meal on the resort?
Dom: Newly renovated and under new management, Abela Teresa, just off the central square of Bellaluz, serves traditional Spanish dishes, with perfect Spanish wine pairings. Their paella is arguably the best on the resort. The terrace is super for late lunches or al fresco summer dining.
Where is great for a lavish dinner out?
Sarah: Another hidden gem is the relatively new and hugely popular Gimlet in Bellaluz, which serves mouth-watering tapas-style sharing platters. With a Bulgarian influence in the cuisine, from the owners, the menu follows more of a Spanish tapas-style and sharing is encouraged. We love ordering the mackerel salad and courgette carpaccio as starters, and their signature slow-cooked pressed lamb as a main, served with tzatziki, potato gratin and zhovg, is a show-stopper.
La Finca is also wonderful for special occasions and romantic evenings. Unassuming from the main road, La Finca, a La Manga Club institution, is a cavern of glamorous animal prints, Moroccan vibes and interesting artwork. The restaurant overlooks a beautiful outdoor pool, where live music is performed in the summer months.
The new menu offers mouth-watering dishes – our favourite starters are brie smeared with fig marmalade and smoked salmon drizzled with vodka, lime, and pink peppercorn syrup. Fabulous flavour combinations.
What can you do off-resort?
Dom: La Manga Club has views to two different stretches of water – the calm Salt Lake of Mar Menor, which lies between the mainland’s coast and the La Manga Strip, with the Mediterranean Sea on the other side, with its rugged mountainous coastline. We recommend taking to the water with a boat trip on the Mar Menor with Happy Boats. The firm hires luxury speed boats for six adults from just 190 Euro for two hours.
Also located in the seaside town of Playa Honda, less than a 10-minute drive from La Manga Club, you will find Apicoco Bar and Grill, owned and run by our son Daniel. Serving a mix of Spanish and English food and known locally for its Sunday Paella, Apicoco is the hub of the area and offers a great atmosphere, all year round. Gabriella, our daughter, also works front of house, so hospitality really does seem to run in our family’s blood.
What about for the not-so-sporty?
Sarah: A fun couple of hours can easily be spent off resort, at the new Adventure Golf complex, a short 10-minute drive away at Cabo de Palos. It is run by the incredibly friendly Ian Miller, who himself is full of stories. Many will, in fact, recall the tale of how the mini golf course was built by Ian from Channel 4’s recent series A New Life in the Sun. We love the natural landscaping of this fun course, with the mountains and sea as a backdrop. Beware, however, it can get very competitive, very quickly!
Where can you find the best cocktails at La Manga Club?
Dom: Without a doubt, the best cocktails are made by mixologist-superstar Carlos, at the funky Flute bar in Las Sabinas. This brilliant bar sports a jungle theme inside and even has its own ‘tree of life’ in the centre inside. Grab a sundowner after a full-on day of sport here.
How can you unwind at La Manga Club?
Sarah: We advise guests to unwind at The Beauty Chambers. Run by experienced beautician Laura Chambers, the treatments are carried out in a cool, calm setting, by her dedicated team of therapists. Massages are heavenly.
Where can you have a good night out?
Dom: Fun is always had a The Last Drop, followed by karaoke at Mulligans next door. Messy at times, but always a craic.
How does La Manga Getaways do things differently?
Dom: All rental villas and apartments are situated on the resort and conveniently located. As an independent and family-run company, we pride ourselves with unrivalled resort knowledge and can recommend the best places for dining, sport and relaxation at La Manga Club. La Manga Getaways is also the only agency on La Manga Club that offers solely property management and not property sales, based in the established community of Bellaluz.
Factbox
La Manga Getaways rents one bedroom apartments from £400pw, luxury one bedroom community villas from £650pw and two-bed villas from £800pw. ((0034) 868 086 990 / info@lamangagetaways.com)
Fly to Murcia, from Stansted. The Stansted Express runs every 30 minutes between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport.
