By howard edwards
on 17th May 2005
howard edwards's Ratings| Date of stay | May |
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| Board Basis | Self catering |
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| Tour Operator | Holiday Lettings |
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| Accommodation | 8/10  |
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| Customer Service | 7/10 |
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| Food | 7/10 |
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| Resort | 7/10 |
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| Location | 7/10 |
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| Value for money | 8/10 |
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| Overall value | 7/10 |
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 howard edwards's recommendation |
Good Points
Clean Airey Apartment, good archtecture only on 2 levels. Quiet complex. Next to the golf course.
Bad Points
Only a pool and bar, aircraft noise.
General Comments
We recently stayed at the Sand Club for a week. It was booked direct with the owner via the internet. Although there is a reception - we were sent the keys directly, got a taxi from the airport, and 10 minutes later we were in. The apartment was nicely furnished, spacious, and very airy. The kitchenette was fully equipped, but did not have an oven, not that we needed one. The fridge looked fairly new, as did the microwave and hob. The owner later told us he had refurbished the apartment last year after he had bought it. I did have one gripe though that the TV only had 2 English channels - CNN and Euro Sport. However, there was a small collection of books and there was a DVD Hire shop nearby which made up for it.
The Sand Club itself is not over endowed with facilities it just has a Reception, Pool with a bar. The Pool itself was quiet, but in good spot as it caught the sun and was out of the breeze which seems to blow constantly on the Golf. The apartments after talking to the chap upstairs are owned either by people who live there permanently; rent them out or by a local property company. The better apartments are those rented out by the private owners as they also use them themselves. There are also signs around the complex saying that pets are not allowed but I saw at least 2 apartments with dogs not we heard them. Some parts of the complex seem to be in need of a lick of paint. Overall the complex itself was quiet.
Although the Golf course is across the road from the complex, it is 10 minute walk to the club house from the complex. The San Blas complex is on the other side. This is a mixture of bars, Restaurants, car hire/excursion offices and shops. Most of the bars seemed British owned. The China Palace - Chinese restaurant does an excellent cheap all you eat buffet. There is also a good Indian restaurant. There are also plenty of Italian style pizza places, some more Chinese, a Thai and a Peruvian restaurant. The Netto supermarket is excellent though a little pricey but does great fresh bread and pastries. A walk down the promenade takes you to more restaurants and bars.
The local beach consists of pebbles and looks abandoned. There is another sand beach but you have to walk across a rocky headland and it is a bit of a trek. The easiest way to get to it is by car or taxi to Los Abrigos the local fishing village which specialises in fish restaurants. If you are going to do that you might as well go to the beach on the other side of Los Abrigos or go to the beaches in Los Christianos or Las Americas. I would not recommend the area if you are into beach holidays. The other problem is the aircraft noise the whole of the Golf Del Sur and Amarilla Golf next door is on the flight path to or from the airport. Great if you are a plane spotter. Mind you we soon got used to it and it did not disturb our stroke play. Would we go back again - yes.
