La Manga

We stayed in our motorhome for 3 weeks in February/March. Our pitch on the edge of the site was level, quiet and overlooked mountains. We enjoyed many walks and cycle rides from the site through the National Park adjacent. Motorhome outings to Cartagena and La Azohia were enjoyable. On site facilities were very clean, if a little dated, and some extra maintenance is needed for 5 stars. The running machine in the gym remained broken for 3 weeks. The indoor pool was lovely, but a few tiles missing and the changing rooms needed updating. The on site shop is great. The meat and deli counter was well used by us.No need to go off site for shopping. The dog friendly area on the bar/restaurant terrace was not the best, but a short walk takes you to better locations. We used the restaurant once and were underwhelmed. If you walk through the site, you realise it is vast. The previously mentioned Spanish Holiday homes, in different areas from the touring pitches, are a feat of ingenuity, with the majority clean and well cared for, with friendly inhabitants to test your Spanish on! Hola and a smile worked well! All in all a positive experience and we will return at some time.

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This site really could not be easier to find, it is directly off the main duel carriageway to La Manga, albeit you have to go past it on the westbound carriageway for about half-mile to exit, cross-over and return on the eastbound carriageway. The site access is very easy and a security guard at the entrance will direct you to the parking area, while you go the check in. This also gives you the opportunity to walk the site and chose a different pitch if you're unhappy with the one allocated. The pitches are not over-generous - our 8m caravan has a little room front-and-back, but with the awning up we literally fill the width of the pitch. In the main you have to park your car in one of the plentiful parking areas. A good proportion of the site has chalet / static caravans / dwellings, some of which are quite scruffy and there is no uniformity to them, which makes the site look a little unkempt - I fully understand the "Shanty Town" comments in some other reviews. The site road does generate quite a bit of noise as vehicles tend to travel at much greater speeds then the 20kph limit. This would be a major concern if we were travelling with little ones. The site toilet and shower facilities are pretty basic - the shower cubicles are not really large-enough to dress within your cubicle. However, they are spotless, there is a team of cleaners that just rotate through the facilities blocks all day long. The site amenities are numerous - there's an excellent supermarket, an excellent bar and restaurant. Swimming pools (yet-to-open), tennis courts, paddle courts, basketball courts, children's play areas. At the bottom of the site is the beach, where the bar restaurant is located. From this point it's a short walk to Playa Honda or Mar de Crystal. In Cabo de Palos a couple of miles away there are several supermarkets, petrol stations and other shops - and a market every Sunday. The rally itself is brilliantly hosted, with loads of activities happening throughout each week. You can join in as many or as few as you like.

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We spent 2 weeks at this site in February this year, while the site is massive and is 50% static holiday homes of all different styles and age which does give some parts the feel of a "shanty" town however the Club pitches are in a separate block. Good size pitches, each hedged for privacy with plenty of shade if required, fresh water, electricity and grey water drainage on each pitch. The shower/toilet block was central to the block of pitches and was kept very clean with plenty of hot water. The site restaurant is on the beach so was about a 15 minute walk from our pitch but served good food, both English & Spanish cuisine at reasonable prices. Several villages are within walking distance and the local bus service stops just outside the site entrance, Trips to Cartegena and Cabo de Palos recommended.

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An enormous site, 75% occupied by permanently occupied pitches with static caravans hidden behind an large variety of 'structures', some actually bricks and mortar. The touring pitches are rectangular level and all separated by hedges and there a plenty of trees for shade. The touring pitches all have electricity, water and drainage and are separated from the 'shanty town' zone at the top of the site. It is is a long walk from that area to the 'beach' and the restaurant (which is ok). If you are thinking of using this site you should read up about the "Mar Menor"(the large salt water lagoon where this site is located) and the pollution issues. Personally I wouldn't use this site again.

Response from the Club:

We`re sorry to read that you weren`t happy with La Manga. The campsite is very large with a number of cabins for rent to tourists plus many static units used by permanent residents, although touring pitches do still account for over 60% of the campsite pitches. First impressions when initially driving through the campsite may surprise some members as the main road goes past the permanently sited residential area before reaching the touring pitch side. The residential area has a large variety of adapted static vans which may look haphazardly built upon. The touring area as you say, is separate to the residential area and has well sized pitches separated by hedges for privacy or shade.
The campsite does have a loyal following amongst members, who return to the campsite every year, especially in winter to enjoy the facilities and entertainment on-site and in the local area.
We cannot avoid the well publicised environmental issues experienced by the Mar Menor in recent years but understand that the local authorities are investing in a cleaning operation alongside various environmental initiatives in an attempt to secure the future of the lagoon. We will continue to keep the situation under review whilst we continue our partnership with this popular campsite.

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We were thinking of booking this site for a couple of months, as one of the hosted winter long stay options for early 2023. We were nearby in April 22, so decided to stop. Thank goodness we did. The site is dreadful. As we drove in to choose our pitch it looked exactly like a shantytown. The site is supposed to be all year, but the shop was shut (possibly for siesta, but I wouldn't expect it to be, no other on site shops have shut at lunchtime) it was so appalling we just drove straight out. When we went to reception to explain they didn't seem surprised. Another couple were doing exactly the same. I have been totally put off any club winter sites if this is the standard chosen for over winter hosted sites. It was 22euro a night, so more expensive than other sites too I think the club really need to reconsider their license. We have never had a bad experience of a club site in the UK and all the sites in Spain have been great, but this was shocking.

Comment from the Club:

We`re sorry to read that you will not consider La Manga for our hosted holiday in Winter 2023 based on this short experience in April. Whilst over 60% of the campsite is formed of touring pitches, it is true that the first impressions when driving through the campsite may surprise some members as the main road passes an area of permanently sited residential units before reaching the touring pitch side. The residential area has a large variety of adapted static vans which can look haphazardly built upon. The touring area is separate to this area with well sized pitches separated by hedges for privacy or shade. In winter our members enjoy the indoor pool and the activities that the hosts organise in the pool bar building which is conveniently located close to the holiday pitches at the top of the campsite near to reception. The bar by the lagoon is a popular spot to socialise with others on the hosted holiday or the local residents as well as the restaurant which serves good quality well priced food. It`s not uncommon for campsite shops to close for a few hours each day to give their staff a break, especially if they have limited staff available. Based on our 2022 Winter holiday feedback the shop was a good size, well stocked and at prices comparable to the local supermarkets.
We`re pleased to hear that otherwise you have had a good experience with Club sites and are happy with our other European partner campsites and perhaps you can consider our other hosted winter holiday at nearby Alannia Costa Blanca.

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