Valle Del Este Hotel Golf Spa

“Lovely hotel but the course is a curate’s egg.”

This review will split the hotel experience and then the golf. We have relatives living in a nearby village with whom we normally stay. We decided to break our stay by booking one of their suites. Check in was easy and the suites was capacious. We have noticed comments about the food and our com... more

This review will split the hotel experience and then the golf. We have relatives living in a nearby village with whom we normally stay. We decided to break our stay by booking one of their suites. Check in was easy and the suites was capacious. We have noticed comments about the food and our comments reflect a comparison between the 4 and 5 star golf type hotels that we have experienced. Breakfast is very good and better than many 4* hotels. The evening meal is another buffet style. If staying for say 7 nights then maybe a bit repetitive but it was overall a good experience. The hotel does a theme evening. Unfortunately I hit the American theme. Sorry, but I avoid anything to do with American food like the plague but there were many other alternatives. Ordering drinks was a bit odd. Wine list? Missed an opportunity with that. In summary, as a 4* hotel it is about correct. Parts are a little tired but I can name many that are worse. Staff are pleasant and helpful. I do have one major gripe. Why can you not replace the room provided water bottles? Parsimonious is being a polite term. And now the golf. We have played here in excess of 50 times. Major improvements have been made. Multiple tee boxes are designed to reflect the ability of the golfer. Unfortunately, and no fault of the Hotel, many players fail to recognise their lack of ability. Hence, congestion can be a nightmare. Starts on 1 and 10 are a warning sign as is the lack of effective course marshalling. Fairways and bunkers are good. However, ask any serious golfer and inevitably the question is, “what about the greens.” Here is the issue. The practice green in front of any course anywhere is pristine. Inevitably what follows does not reflect what is promised. But here, what you see is often what you get. Awful. No grass. Some greens are really immaculate and a pleasure to play. However, far too many are a disgrace. I have no doubt that the Hotel knows those culprit holes but I will highlight just two.On hole 8, the pin was placed in the middle of an area of zero grass! Seriously? On hole 14 we were faced with a patchwork quilt of well indescribable rubbish. Yes, many of the visitors have zero idea of repairs to pitch marks. Personally repairing on each green about 4 craters left by oiks in front and sympathy to green staff keeping on top of this but zero grass on a green and its surrounding area is unacceptable. We love the area and appreciate the tee improvements and access to say tee 11 from green 10 but please sort out the greens. We know with the current world handicap system and this inclusive idea of all abilities but following a lady who took took balls of every tee is pushing boundaries. I am a pragmatist and philosophical of what is in front but the wife, a good golfer almost lost the plot when viewing what was happening. I had a real old ear bashing! Finally, the summary. Hotel, staff etc are worthy 4 star and look forward to another visit. Golf. Sort out the greens.

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