Just back from a week in the Sandy Golf - our first visit to this establishment. If we were to return to Maspalomas, we would stay here again without a doubt.

I booked two chalets (one for myself & wife and the other for another couple) through Travel Republic and also used them for scheduled flights (with GB Airways) and car hire for the week - A Renault Kangoo which was upgraded free to a Megane Scenic (with Holiday Autos/Record). The whole deal came to £1,100 - considerably cheaper than using a traditional tour operator. I will certainly use Travel republic again.

The flight was on time and the service on-board was the usual exemplary GibAir - reasonable meal with free pre-meal drinks and wine followed by tea or coffee. Good leg room as we checked in online for the outbound journey and nabbed emergency row seats! No online check-in available for the return but the normal economy seat pitch was fine anyway. 23Kg hold baggage allowance each. This will all sadly change when easyJet take over at the end of this month.

Navigation from Airport to Sandy Golf straight forward, plenty of parking available. Reception was efficient and had us in our rooms within minutes of arriving. Our request for adjoining chalets had been noted and provided. The chalets are bright and fresh and well appointed. The kettle provided (whistle type) is more suited to a gas hob than electric induction so we used our travel kettle for boiling water although a filter coffee maker is provided. Utensils were basic but adequate - we only used them to cook breakfasts. A toaster is also provided which was welcome.

The bedroom had plenty of wardrobe and drawer space and included a built-in safe (extra cost). Bathroom was shower only - no problem to us but my friends missed their bath! There was a nice enclosed courtyard at the side with a washing line and external boiler which provided constant hot water on-demand.

Out the front was the patio area with plastic table & chairs and sunloungers. This was in the shade in the afternoon for the rooms we had, but no great deal as the pool area was uncrowded and better for sunbathing - sun in the mornings made the patio lovely for a leasurely breakfast!

As mentioned, the pool area was large with a plentiful supply of sunbeds. The pool was heated (up to the end of March it seems) and was used by us (and others) on a daily basis. The management are hot on prohibiting sunbed reserving, so never a problem getting 4 beds together with sunshades and trees providing respite from the sun when needed. There were plenty of showers for pre-swim cleansing and the snack bar provided plastic glasses for poolside refreshments.

The snack-bar was limited as regards menu, but what they did do was good and reasonably priced. Except the coffee - nasty instant stuff of low quality and foul taste. Had to have an early beer to wash the taste away!

We wandered over to the Green Golf one evening for a drink which was only slightly marred by some poor karaoke performances - we sat outside but could still hear it! All of our evening meals were taken in the restaurants found in the Faro 2 Commercial Centre which was some 10 minutes walk from Sandy Golf. Not my choice, but it kept the others happy. The restaurants were all much of a muchness - international cuisine of a bland but fair quality. Prices were higher than expected though, bills averaging between Eur85-100 for the 4 of us. This would be for 2 beers & 2 7-Ups, 2 or 3 starters, 4 mains, 2 or 3 deserts, bottle of wine and 1 or 2 local brandy. The one outstanding meal was served up in Michaelangelo's - the pasta was perfect, the steak perfectly done to order and the service exemplary. The only down-side was that this was on our last night and thus we did not have the opportunity for a return visit!

All in all, a relaxing and enjoyable break in a venue I would be more than happy to return to.

Cheers,
Jet