Valle Del Este is a spectacular new resort in the Almeria province of Spain. Boasting a fantastic golf course, good leisure facilities and a fine 4* hotel, not to mention easy access to local attractions and some of Spain’s best beaches, this resort is a fantastic option for those looking to travel to Spain for their next golf holiday, especially when you consider the incredible value for money on offer with our discount packages.
Here we take you through the ins and outs of the resort including when to go, who to bring with you etc, etc…let’s have a look around!
On the tee…
Valle del Este, which is nestled into the spectacular desert landscape between Almeria and Murcia, is a relative new comer to the Spanish golf scene, having been completed for play in 2002. Despite its relative youth, this Jose Canales design has bedded into its desert surroundings well and now offers an excellent test of golf for both the scratch and handicap golfer alike.
At 6,255 yards, Valle del Este is by no means long by modern standards but that is no bad thing. What the course lacks in length it more than makes up for in intrigue, the need for strategy and the demands on quality shot making.
The golf course is an integral part of the impressive resort which houses not only a luxurious 4* hotel, but a residential complex too, and its fairways are routed in a figure of eight between and around the buildings.
Water is a common danger on the front nine with water hazards having been incorporated into at least half a dozen holes. When the golfer makes the turn, they will have left the real estate behind and will have been taken further into the rugged yet beautiful desert landscape, with even the blue hues of the Mediterranean visible in the distance.
While the fairways can’t be described as tight, there is little joy waiting for golfers who fire their tee shots too far off line, with deep ravines, desert shrubbery and wasteland waiting to gobble up any stray golf balls. Many tees are elevated though, and give the player a fantastic view of the hole laid out clearly in front of them, making shot selection all the more clear. Solid course management and good execution then, are the keys to a good score…easier said than done we know!
Like many courses these days, Valle del Este boasts a “signature” three hole stretch rather than just one signature hole. The trio of holes from the 11th tee onwards are undoubtedly the most memorable part of the course. Get through these three with a hat trick of pars on the card and you’ll walk to the 14th with a grin like the Cheshire Cat! The dry river bed of the Nuno River comes into play in this stretch and the resulting holes are truly spectacular.
The large and well protected putting surfaces are maintained to an excellent standard and thanks to Canales’ intelligent design, there is plenty of variety for the golfer to enjoy throughout their round.
Comprehensive practice facilities allow golfers to go through a thorough warm up before taking to the 1st tee, or to spend some time simply sharpening their game.
Food & Drink…
The hotel’s restaurant serves a daily buffet, allowing guests to stock up to their hearts content, either before heading off the golf course, or in the evenings when international themed dishes such as Japanese and Italian, not to mention traditional Spanish delights are served for your evening meal.
Show cooking allows guests to enjoy the creativity and skills of the hotel chefs and with a large terrace attached, guests can also take advantage of the region’s amazing climate and enjoy their evening meals al fresco style.
Valle del Este also boasts a cafe that sits alongside the golf course, providing a lunchtime à la carte and snack service; perfect for a boost of energy before or after a round of golf.
Guests can also take advantage of the Hole in One Sports Bar and Hoyo 19 TRIANA Restaurant where traditional homemade classics and live music can be enjoyed all through the week. Chipper, with its views out over the Golf Course, enjoys vibrant yet charming atmosphere, and is a great place to wind your evening down while sipping a refreshing cocktail or two.
In addition to the resort’s dining options, Valle del Este’s excellent location also allows guests to venture away from the resort, towards local towns in search of an evening meal, or indeed a night of well deserved revelry.
Head to La Estancia for the best steaks in town. A family run Argentine steakhouse, this is one of Almeria’s best loved restaurants and a sure fire hit for an intimate evening meal.
Those looking to party into the night should check out Cafe del Arte, where local DJs do their thing on selected nights. Taxi fares to and from local towns are relatively inexpensive and for those with a rental car, the journey will be easy.
Away from the fairways…
On the resort, guests can find relaxation and rejuvenation at the spa, which boasts a wellness lounge, hydrotherapy spa, beauty treatment cabins and a solarium. Here guests can enjoy a good selection of specialist treatments designed to ensure total relaxation, while there is also a well-equipped gymnasium for those in search of a thorough work-out.
The resort also boasts excellent paddle tennis courts and just a short drive will take you to the coast and Playas de Vera beach where you can try your hand at a variety of exciting watersports including sailing, wind and kite-surfing and surfing itself. For a more relaxing time on the water, why not enjoy a leisurely paddle in a canoe or ride on the pedalos?
With many of the region’s beaches having been awarded Blue Flag status, you’re sure to find a spot by the sea where you can relax to your heart’s content.
Mojacar, Vera and Garrucha all boast their own unique attractions too and resort staff are on hand with recommendations according to your specific requirements.
Who to take…
Valle del Este is ideally suited to groups of golfers and couples. Those travelling in family groups will also enjoy their stay here, but a hire car is recommended for convenience, as excursions away from the resort might be required on selected days to satisfy the exuberance of young ones.
When to go…
Murcia might be the king of sunshine in Spain, with over 300 sunny days per year but Almeria isn’t far behind. An average yearly temperature around the 20 degree C mark means golf is on the cards all year round, with June through September being the warmest time of the year, with an average temperature of 27 degrees C for the month of July.
During the winter months, temperatures fall to an average of 14 degrees C which is more than enough to warrant shorts and tee-shirts throughout your stay!
With the number of rainy days in the region being extremely small, a holiday to this part of Spain almost comes with a guarantee of good weather, no matter what time of the year you choose to book.
Getting there…
Located on the eastern coast of Almeria, in Andalusia, Valle del Este boasts an enviable location and is serviced well by the A-7 motorway (known as Autovía del Mediterraneo) with Almeria (and its airport), Murcia and Alicante, 40 minutes, 1 hour and 1 hour 45 mins away respectively.