Caleia Mar Menor Golf & Spa Resort

The impressive palm tree-flanked entrance to this upscale resort, complete with an imperial staircase and cobbled driveway, leads to pleasant but fairly lackluster interiors. Decor is chainlike and a bit dated, featuring a contemporary Spanish look dotted with Moorish influences. The lobby is awash in sunlight thanks to lots of large windows and a color palette of creamy neutrals paired with rosy terra-cotta tile floors. Dining spaces have a similar feel, save for the Clover Irish Golf Tavern, which stands out with its atmospheric all-wood interior and cozy pub vibe. Outdoor spaces are pleasant as well. The hotel's golf course swaths the grounds in green, while the elegant pool area features a stone sundeck studded with graceful palms. The property mainly attracts older couples and those on golfing vacations -- though a selection of kid-friendly features also makes this a suitable choice for families. 

The resort is located in the region of Murcia, though far from the city of Murcia itself, which is about a 40-minute drive away. Some guests complain that it's in the middle of nowhere, while others value the scenery and peaceful nature of the setting. Either way, a car is necessary to get around as there's not much beyond the resort itself in the area. The nearest town is Torre Pacheco, a 13-minute drive, which offers some dining options and shops, as well as a train station. The city of Cartagena is around a half-hour away, and offers several historic Roman ruins, as well as restaurants, bars, shops, and a large port and naval base. The nearest beach is about a 15-minute drive away, while the popular La Manga beach strip is 35 minutes away. Alicante's airport is a bit over an hour away by car.

Rooms follow suit with the rest of the hotel's interiors, featuring a pleasant albeit lackluster Spanish-inflected style that's a bit dated. Cream walls, terra-cotta tile floors, and wood furnishings make up the subdued palette, and large and hefty dark wood headboards frame beds. Glass sliding doors open onto private balconies overlooking the golf course or pool. All rooms have desks and seating areas, as well as flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles, electronic safes, ironing facilities, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Junior Suites add living areas and terraces, while the Presidential Suite has a large living room. The Royal Suite has a living room, dining room, pantry, and bar area.Bathrooms feature pleasant tiling and are equipped with both walk-in showers and separate jetted tubs, as well as magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and toiletries. Guests have complained of poor water pressure, however, and some have also noted various maintenance issues in rooms, including broken air conditioners, flooding showers, and malfunctioning hot tubs.

The hotel provides a wide range of features. There are two outdoor pools on-site, one of which is a kids' pool, surrounded by a large sundeck lined with loungers and umbrellas. There's also a lovely indoor pool in the spa area, which is pleasantly appointed in Moroccan style, and offers a wide menu of treatments as well as a sauna, steam room, ice fountain, hot tub, and a relaxation lounge. There's also a hair salon on-site. Other wellness features include a fitness center with TechnoGym equipment, outdoor tennis courts, and a golf course, which has a pro shop and a club house.There are several dining options on-site, though food gets mixed reviews. The daily breakfast buffet (for an additional fee) is served in the hotel's main restaurant, Nomad, which also serves Spanish fare for dinner. Other cuisine options include Japanese, Italian, and an Irish pub, plus there's a poolside bar.Family-friendly features include a kids' club (3 to 12 years) and babysitting services (for a fee). Other amenities include meeting and event space, a business center, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.