Almenara Hotel

A great deal at the price we paid!

As Ed has said below, the fairways were in poor condition, and the bunkers resembled mud holes in most cases, that said they had had a week of rain the previous week, and with the course being on hills, naturally the water/rain had caused problems. The greens were good, very fast. On one green the balls were speeding up when putting up hill!!

I enjoyed all 3 courses but as can be seen from the scores everyone struggled (in our group we had handicaps ranging from 28 (should have been 128) down to 7, but the highest legitimate Stableford score was 27.

Eds tip of “using the local contours of the course your ball will go a long way” actually means miss-hit your T shot 50 yards on to the cart path and watch it roll 150 yards down the hill and onto the fairway or similar as many times as possible!! ;-)

I didn’t use a buggy, choosing to walk and carry, which by day 3 was telling. Even with a buggy unless your pretty fit you may struggle as you can only use the carts on the cart paths.
The resort is great, gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, Ice bath was 10 Euros per visit but well worth it. Evening meal top quality buffet 25 Euros including a beer or wine.
I would jump at the chance to go back!!
Ed…........Did I mention “the cart path” enough? I think you forgot ;-)


  

A great deal at the price we paid!

As Ed has said below, the fairways were in poor condition, and the bunkers resembled mud holes in most cases, that said they had had a week of rain the previous week, and with the course being on hills, naturally the water/rain had caused problems. The greens were good, very fast. On one green the balls were speeding up when putting up hill!!

I enjoyed all 3 courses but as can be seen from the scores everyone struggled (in our group we had handicaps ranging from 28 (should have been 128) down to 7, but the highest legitimate Stableford score was 27.

Eds tip of “using the local contours of the course your ball will go a long way” actually means miss-hit your T shot 50 yards on to the cart path and watch it roll 150 yards down the hill and onto the fairway or similar as many times as possible!! ;-)

I didn’t use a buggy, chosing to walk and carry, which by day 3 was telling. Even with a buggy unless your pretty fit you may struggle as you can only use the carts on the cart paths.
The resort is great, gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, Ice bath was 10 Euros per visit but well worth it. Evening meal top quality buffet 25 Euros including a beer or wine.
I would jump at the chance to go back!!
Ed…........Did I mention “the cart path” enough? I think you forgot ;-)


  

Disappointed because of the fairways & bunkers

Almenara consist of 3 loops of 9 holes. Alcornoques (Corks) Lagos (Lakes) & Pinos (Pines)
Greens were in good condition fast undulating and true.
Fairways were poor. I would say 50% of the fairways were bare or very little green. The Pinos being the worst.
Bunkers were very poor about 60% had very little sand or none at all.
2 practise putting greens one outside the pro shop very friendly staff, and the other next to the 1st tee on the Lagos.
The distant between holes & each course can be very long and hilly.
The chipping area with 3 practise holes was at the driving range which was off the complex about ¼ miles away.

Alcornoques is very hilly course with very undulating fairways and greens. Some holes guarded by water at the side. The 5th par 3 is only 127 yard but drop down 70 feet to a thin green.

Lagos like the name suggests has a lot of holes guarded by water with very undulating fairways and greens. The 7th par 3 is 180 yards, but you have to carry 150 yards over water.

Pinos is a mature pine course. With tight undulating fairways with O/B’s & undulating greens.

I found all 3 courses very testing because of the design and undulating fairways and greens.

Trolley 7 Euros, Buggy 28 Euros, 18 holes should be 65 Euros around.

All 3 courses had some super 'driving' holes & views
The hotel was super 4 star.

At £290 for 4 days bed breakfast, 3 rounds of golf, fights & transfer it’s a good deal. Any more then £350 I would think again, because of the condition of the fairways.

Golf tip, using the local contours of the course your ball will go a long way??


  

Alemenara, a fantastic facility, well recommended

I've played here a couple of times and both times had a great time.

The clubhouse, with terrace, looks down the 1st and 18th of the original course. The staff are all very friendly and professional. The cost was reasonable when considered against its neighbours (San Roque, Sotogrande etc) and the course is a fantastic design with lots of interesting holes, options for risk/reward shots, huge greens and all very well maintained.

Definitely one to play if you get the chance