The Resort – Golf del Sur, Tenerife

The fantastic array of plants, shrubs and flowers on show at the garden centre at the very top of the resort, gives an indication of what to expect in the picturesque resort of Golf Del Sur.

The first time I drove down the long straight road into 'The Golf' it was clear that there was something special, hidden away in this little Oasis on the south coast of Tenerife.. The sea is sprawled in front of you, the road is lined with palm trees and the green of the golf course contrasts beautifully with the barreness of the rest of the island. For me though, one of the most magical things about the Golf is that lovely smell of freshly mown grass coming from the fairways conjuring up images of an English village green in mid August after a scattering of rain.

The 'helter skelter' sign welcomes you to Golf Del Sur and this is when you begin to appreciate the resort. The golf fairways stretch out either side of the road, to the left, winding upwards to the foreboding mountains in the distance and to the right, cascading down to the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Barring the odd off-shoot, the Golf mainly consists of one winding one-way system working its way from the golf club house at the top of the resort, round past the new marina, up to the main Commercial Centre at 'San Blas' and back up towards the golf course. The first complex you will see is 'The Palms' on the left hand side – Four stunning swimming pools set within picturesque grounds as well as a highly reputable restaurant makes this is a very popular complex to visit.

'Las Adelphas' is the next complex you will come to which is next to the very popular Irish bar, Grandee O’Donnells, home of all the top sporting events by day and some high quality live music in the evening.

As you continue around the one way system the popular holiday apartments of Royal Park Albatross is on the right, whilst those who enjoy a pampering may want to visit the Atlantic Spa next door with its spa, whirlpools, hydro-massage, Jacuzzi, massage and gym.

Winter Gardens is one of the best maintained complexes in the area, with high quality accommodation, a lovely sunny pool area and of course the Tenerife International Bowls stadium.

Just passed Winter Gardens you will leave the one-way system and drop down to the sea to the westerly corner of the Golf, here you will find the complex of Duquesa del Mar, many of these apartments offer balconies with stunning views across the Atlantic. Next door to this is The Wild Geese which is the sister pub to Grandee O’Donnells, offering the same friendly ambience and good entertainment.

In this little corner of the Golf lies the new marina and its many sea front restaurants set on a picturesque promenade. Many people come from miles around to eat at the 'Golden Bay' Chinese restaurant set on the road leading to the marina. For those who like a bargain, just past the Golden Bay and outside the Aguamarina Hotel is the home of Golf Del Sur’s Friday market.

Here you will find the link road to the neighbouring resort of Amarilla. Heading back on yourself and onto the one way system, the road begins to veer upwards away from the sea. On the left you will see the older complex of Golf Park followed by the new and modern front block of Ocean Golf and Country Club, with its picturesque pool areas and lovely sea and golf course views from its balconies.. In front of the complex is a quaint coffee shop.

As the road continues to wind uphill, the fairways of the south course are still on your right and opposite lies Terrazas De la Paz (terraces of peace) which is one of the older developments on the golf, but nevertheless it offers good sea views from the surprisingly spacious terraces.

You will soon see the signs for the resort centre of Golf del Sur, Centro Commercial San Blas and it is on this corner where you will find the traditional looking Sand Club complex which is only a two minute walk to San Blas.

San Blas is a slight detour off the main one way system and is the area where many people flock to at night to enjoy an evening meal or evening entertainment. Before you reach the Commercial Centre there is an estate called Alamos Park which is where the most luxurious villas on the Golf are located. All with private pools and many with sea and golf course views within large grounds puts these villas at the elite end of the market.

Sunset View is the term used for the road that drops down towards the sea to San Blas and is also the name of the complex opposite. Proximity to the Commercial Centre and lovely sea views makes this a very popular complex. Anyone visiting the Golf must visit the restaurant within Sunset View with it’s cabaret bar style evening entertainment.

Within the commercial centre you will find three picturesque squares each with an array of boutiques, good quality bars and restaurants, banks, a doctor, a chemist, a large supermarket and an internet café. In Tenerife, it is unusual to find such a pretty square with neat stone buildings and a friendly atmosphere.

There are plenty of bars to choose from where you will be greeted warmly by the locals. Friends bar with it’s popular happy hour, chatty bar staff, quizzes and karaoke has always been a favourite. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy K’s Bar which shows all the major sporting events. Most of the bars have some evening entertainment but the top and main squares also have their own outside singers and dancing acts.

The restaurants in San Blas are too many to mention but it’s worth highlighting that some of the quieter (and some might say more classy) restaurants are out the back of the main square which many people can miss. Here you will find Golf Del Sur’s only nightclub, Taboos with music and drinking until the early hours.

From the back of San Blas you get views across the gorge to Los Abrigos which is a quaint Spanish fishing village and a marina that is home to some of the best fresh fish on the island, its definitely worth a visit on at least one occasion, perhaps combining it with a trip to the night market on a Tuesday night.

Head back up the hill from San Blas and you are back on the one way system. The golf course is on your left and so is the very pretty area called 'Fairway Village'. Set within the golf course, the village is full of lined villas each with their own gardens – most of them enjoying sea and golf course views.

As you get back onto the one way system you are again heading along Palm tree lined roads with some the beautifully landscaped gardens of the east part of the Alamos Park estate on your right hand side. Before you know it, you will be back at the top of Golf Del Sur and back to the clubhouse where there is also tennis courts and crazy golf. Here you will hesitate – do you really want to head back out into the hustle and bustle of the real world? Why not stay and enjoy the tranquil picturesque setting of Golf Del Sur!