Pension Cuatro Vientos

Firstly, we'd like to say the staff work very hard and could not be better; both friendly and helpful. Reasonably priced drinks and meals. Nuts and olives were brought with some rounds of drinks. Great place to watch the world go by. Near to bus station, which also has a nice bar, so together they form a little sheltered square off the main road in and out of Cuevas. The rooms have balconies and this place really makes you feel like you're on your holidays. Turn right. Head up to the Castle with its cafes, bars and El Castillo restaurant, plus a market twice weekly (Tuesday & Thursday). Turn left. Go towards Av. Barcelona, with the lovely parks and cafe culture. Ice cream bars, Irish/international bar (very cool) and shops. Generally the town has loads to do. Beautiful town squares, town hall, churches, views, fields, hills, walks and all the amenities any town or city would need. Walk to the dam for views and water sports. A golf resort (Desert Springs) is less than 5 minutes by car, where Ian Botham and Daley Thompson have holiday homes and where there are restaurants, pools, gyms and spas. Several supermarkets are a very short walk from the hotel. Taxis are over the road, but buses are so cheap. This town is very Spanish, which is great, and the place is very laid back. Many fiestas occur all year. You have some quite days here and some busy days with plenty going on. Just bliss. The beaches of Cuevas are about 10 minutes away. Cuevas includes the lovely village of Villaricos, where there is a dance festival in August (don't worry - hotel is safely a good car journey away), and two marinas. Quiet the rest of the year, but nice places to eat and drink. Likewise Palomares village is nearby. Cuevas has a motocross in the summer near the river. Then heading south is Vera town and Vera playa. Nudist beach is you want it. Clothed if you prefer. Lovely beach bars - "Chiringuitos". Vera is great to catch buses further afield all over Spain from this central location. Mojacar Pueblo and Playa are about 25-50 minutes away, depending on whether you drive or take the bus. Beautiful, again chiringuitos - loads of bars, shops and restaurants - lovely beaches. Even restaurants that do loads of fish, meat and even vegan dishes. Mojacar is a tourist resort, so more international crowd. While that's fine, it is always good to get back to the real Spain in the wonderful Cuevas del Almanzora.