Chairman's Blog

Edition Four, September 2022

• He we go with blog numero cuatro. Are you ready for some more interesting updates and exciting information regarding the people, activities and events happening in and around La Quinta, La Manga Club and the Cartagena/Murcia regions? Straight to your email inbox. And don’t forget that the blog is also accessible on our website www.laquintaclub.com
• Well as September has arrived, its time to reflect a little on this years wonderful summer here on the Costa Calida. Having spent nearly three weeks at the club during July & August I can report that for me personally, it has been really fantastic. It was just like old times but somehow even better. The weather has been very hot here too, but hey it is summertime in Spain after all. Thank heavens for air conditioning.
• There is a real exciting buzz at La Quinta, as members put the pandemic behind them and get on with the business of having a fabulous time. Everyone seems genuinely happy to be back and there is a real sense of togetherness. It was really busy during my stay and at all three Monday night dinners I attended, we had over 100 guests. Two-Twenties and our new solo singer Jesus provided the music and had everyone up and dancing. The service and the food at these events has been truly exceptional.
•  The new format Wednesday pool party has exceeded our expectations and has been really successful. So much so we have been starting it earlier with music from 5pm and food from 6pm. It has been great to see friends and families laughing and joining in the pool games with the rope pull being particularly popular. Drinks have been flowing at the pool bar and we having been doing an excellent trade in pizzas, chips and hot-dogs. 2022 has definitely been the year of the cocktail and long may it continue.  

• La Solana has also been very busy at both breakfast and lunchtimes. We served our guests with 30+ breakfasts and a staggering 170 lunches on Saturday 13^th August, (a new LQC record) and all on the hottest day of the year so far too! The quality and variety of food and the service provided has been outstanding, so I am sure you will join with me in saying a huge thank you and well done to all our kitchen and waiting staff.
• The additional 65" Smart TV in La Solana has been well received and offers more flexibility for watching sporting channels in the club house through the DAZN App.

Meet the staff

Here are some more members of our La Quinta family that I would like to introduce to you as part of my regular feature of 'meet the staff'. So this month a warm welcome to: Maria de Guía Jódar & Isaac Lorente.

Maria de Guía Jódar 

• Maria is 33-years old and has been working with us here at the club on reception since 2015. She has a lovely personality and is always smiling. A great asset and so helpful and efficient in her role.
• She was originally from Cartagena but now lives with her partner, Pedro in El Garbanzal, La Union.
• Maria is away at the moment, on maternity leave having given birth to a health baby girl, which she has also called Maria de Guia on 14th July 2022.
• While she is currently enjoying her new baby, she also likes spending time with her family, practising aerial Yoga and continuing to improve her English.
• Since the age of 16 she has taught privately; English, French and other primary school subjects.
• She plans to return to work next spring.

Isaac Lorente

• Isaac was born locally in La Union and he still resides there in the El Garbanzal area of the town. He is multi talented, undertaking a dual role at La Quinta. For 6-months of the year he works in maintenance and for 6-months he works in housekeeping.
• Isaac is 34-years old and has been part of the La Quinta team for 7-years having joined us in 2015.
• He has been married for 10-years to Maria Elena and they have one daughter called Elena who was born on 17^th March 2020, at the same time that Spain went into lockdown due to Covid-19.
• Outside of La Quinta Club, Isaac’s main interest is football and he is actually a qualified football coach for the local ‘La Union’ youth team. Perhaps in the future he may invite us to watch his team play.

A Recap of August Events

• August has been even busier than July and as mentioned above the new format Wednesday pool party, has been a huge success and great fun, so much so we have been starting earlier.
• In general our pool etiquette seems to be working well with members following the guidelines we have introduced. Securing a sun lounger on most days this summer hasn’t been a major issue, but children using the spa pool to some extent has. May I remind parents that children under 12 are not permitted in the spa pool unless they are physically supervised.
• Our lifeguards have been a great asset and were on duty daily throughout the month of August, including assisting and joining in at our pool parties.
• Our kids club, has also been very well received by members and children alike. Both Teresa and her replacement Maria, (who were running the club) did fantastic jobs and the kids really loved them.

• Christina Conesa, (who works on reception) will sadly be leaving on 18th September to complete a PHD in sustainable development at the London School of Economics. Although only working with us for 6-months during this time she has been extremely helpful and professional. I have received glowing reports from members and I would like to personally thank her and wish her well with her studies and future career.

• Monday night dinners have been brilliantly supported by members and we have had around 100 attendees each night over the last 4-weeks.
• 2022 has been the year of the cocktail and our extensive cocktail menu seems to have gone down a treat. Just so you don’t forget, here is the cocktail menu board’ again....

Free - 'Try Dives' in La Quinta Club’s Pool

• We started offering this activity on 18^th August in partnership with local company - Adventure Divers & Activity Center.
• La Quinta guests can experience what it is like to Scuba Dive in our swimming pool.
• Adventure Divers will be visiting every week so please do come along to one of these taster     try dives. They are provided free for anyone over the age of 8-years. You will be overseen by a dive instructor and will be able to see what it is like to breath underwater!
• See: Adventure Divers & Activity Center | Facebook

Kids Climbing Wall

• Sadly although ordered in advance of the summer, we were sent the wrong type necessitating a re-order. This is designed only for our younger children.
• Anyway it arrived in early August and although it seemed we needed a degree in construction to erect it, it’s now up and running.
• Hopefully the kids will have a great time honing their future climbing or mountaineering skills.                                       

New Feature - Dish of the Month

For the first of this new feature, I am showcasing that quintessential of Spanish dishes - Paella.

So what is Paella?

The key ingredient is rice, with a mixture of vegetables, meat, seafood and seasoning to produce a variety of flavours, which cater for different tastes and regions.

How did Paella get its name?

• Paella originated in the Valencia region of Spain and isn’t just the name of the food, it’s actually the name for the wide, shallow pan that it is traditionally cooked in. If you don’t cook it in one of these pans, its not considered proper Paella! It is likely that Paella got its name from the French word ‘paella meaning ‘frying pan’.
• Did you know at La Quinta we can offer a variety or Paella dishes cooked to your specification?
• So why not get a group together and experience one of Spain’s best culinary offerings?
• 24-hours notice is required with a minimum of 2-persons.

Members Photographs 

• Don’t forget to send in your holiday photos so we can showcase them in our new members photos folder in our gallery on the website.
• Just email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will add them for you.

Transport

• As mentioned in my last blog securing rental cars has been a challenge this year so early booking is essential. However many guest have been using taxi’s to and from the airport and to get around La Manga Club & the local area.
• With the police seeming to be tightening up on drinking and driving in the area the use of taxi’s when going out for the night is a sound idea. They are plentiful and reasonably priced.
• With most of the supermarkets also now providing a delivery service too, there is less onus on needing to hire a car.        
• Having said that a car does provide greater flexibility and I am sure that supply and rental prices of vehicles will be back to normal or near normal by next summer.

Buggies 

• The use of buggies in and around La Manga Club remains a contentious issue.
• There were an inordinate amount on the roads during my visit, many being driven by young people and worryingly, some in a reckless manner.
• Here this is the latest guidance issued by the General Community in relation to their use:

Upcoming Events and Activities - September 2022 

The Festival of Romans & Carthaginians

• This unique annual festival is held in Cartagena between the 16th-25th of September and attracts visitors worldwide.
• Originally started in 1990 it is a colourful and quite noisy spectacle, where locals dress in period costumes and weapons to re-enact the fierce battle that took place during the second Punic War over 2,200 years ago.
• It is well worth a visit.
• For more information visit: Carthaginians and Romans in Cartagena Spain, 16 - 25 September 2022 (allexciting.com)

Rock Against Cancer Festival 9th-10th September 2022

• Want to listen to some great tribute bands whilst supporting a really good cause? Then head to at the Parque Soria, Torrevieja on the 9^th & 10^th September 2022 for this 2-day event.

• It has been organised by the Rock Against Cancer Association in support of AFECÁNCER and Alicante Para La Lucha Contra el Cáncer and features some of the best national and international tribute bands in Europe such as AC/DC, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bryan Adams and U2.

For more information and tickets visit: Rock Against Cancer Festival 2022 - Entradium

Serena Soul Weekender - Los Alcazares 16th - 18th September

• La Serena Golf Resort in association with Charity Soul, (a UK based cancer charity) are hosting another Soul Weekender over the weekend of the 16th-18th September. Start time is 7pm.
• There will be an international line up of DJ’s including Keith Money, John Parker and Terry Hopkinson from the UK, Bruno Jerez from France, John Berchtold from Denmark and Mark Forrest from Germany.
• The cost is £30 for a weekend pass. To book contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or see their website: Charity Soul – Somebody somewhere needs you (charity-soul.co.uk)

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  Well that’s the September’s Blog done and dusted. I really hope that you have been enjoying them.
• October’s Blog will be coming to an email inbox near you at the end of September and although activities and events have been checked and validated at the time of publication, please don’t blame me if they are cancelled or rescheduled.

• Also don’t forget to a) visit our website where we have lots of other useful information in the info+ section (see +Info (laquintaclub.com) and b) use the members forum where you can swap, exchange, rent or sell weeks and share information, ideas, suggestion or just ask questions. If you haven’t signed up yet, please visit: La Quinta at La Manga Club - Official Forum - Index (laquintaclub.com) to register.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing you at La Quinta Club.

Take care, enjoy your holidays...Mark.