Hotel Principe Felipe – La Manga Club

La Manga Club Principe Felipe is the upscale hotel of the large resort of La Manga Club. Covering over 1,400 acres, La Manga Club Principe Felipe is just a blip on the resort village’s map which is filled with separate neighborhoods, sports facilities, three golf courses, and restaurants. The grounds can feel a bit overwhelming and the hotel’s minibus shuttle is a must to get to some amenities like the wellness center and spa. Only the pool and a handful of restaurants can be found on-site at the main hotel. 

Focusing on the hotel itself, it makes a grand impression upon entering the lobby with cream glossy floors, curved ceilings, hanging iron chandeliers, a central seating area with chic contemporary cream couches and chairs, and abstract nature art pieces on the walls. The classy setting of the lobby makes its way to the restaurant which has wooden floors, soft purple, green, or blue chairs, and plenty of light from a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. With kid-friendly amenities and a large population of guests, there’s often overcrowding at the pool or in the restaurant and a decent amount of noise in public areas. 

The hotel is set in the La Manga Club on the outskirts of Murcia. It’s not easy for guests to get to all areas of the hotel on foot, so it provides a free minibus shuttle throughout the resort. For those who wish to explore or visit restaurants not owned by the property, a car is generally required. Calblanque Natural Park is a 12-minute drive away, while Playa del Barco takes nine minutes to reach by car. Murcia’s city center is about an hour’s drive away. Guests might enjoy exploring Cartagena (26 minutes by car) or Playa Honda and Mar de Cristal (12-minute drive) for their beachy atmospheres. It takes 27 minutes by car to reach Murica-San Javier Airport. 

The room decor is a bit tired and lacking in sophistication or modernity. Room styles vary, but generally have tan and cream color schemes with hints of color in blue or red armchairs or striped carpet. Framed beach photographs add an artistic element. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, safes, free Wi-Fi, and kettles. Most rooms generally have balconies or terraces, while Suites have separate living rooms. Views vary between pool and golf course views. The marble bathrooms are outfitted with Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, hairdryers, and shower/tub combos. Guests can upgrade to Royal Club Rooms which have a private wing and benefits like free breakfast buffet, access to the Royal Club Lounge, welcome amenities, and discounts to activities. 

When it comes to features, La Manga Club Principe Felipe reigns supreme. The hotel offers an outdoor pool and children’s pool serviced by a pool bar, as well as indoor pool in the Wellness Center. A spa with a sauna, steam room, massages, hot tubs, and beauty treatments are also offered at the Wellness Center, as well as a large gym with cardio and weight equipment. Guests receive special rates on outdoor activities offered on-site including three golf courses, rugby, soccer, tennis, cricket, horseback riding, and more. 

This property has a whopping 13 dining options with restaurants and bars at the on-site hotel, some at the golf course, and others at the nearby apartments. At the hotel, there’s the Amapola Restaurant which serves Mediterranean cuisine. There’s a lobby bar and a Piano Lounge Bar open in the evenings with live music. A hot and cold breakfast buffet is offered daily for a fee, but has received varying reports of quality and is expensive -- which seems to be a common aspect for most of the restaurants here.

For business travelers, there are meeting halls and an events terrace that can hold up to 400 people, plus free Wi-Fi throughout and a business center. Kids can enjoy a small playground or the Junior Club. Parking is free on-site.