A first look at the La Torre golf valley

La Torre Golf Resort was laid out around a Jack Nicklaus signature course, and the design shows in how the buildings sit: low, white, and set back from the fairways rather than crowded onto them. From most of the resort you are looking at grass and palms rather than at other people's balconies.

The centre of the resort is a small plaza with a supermarket, a pharmacy, a couple of bars and restaurants, and the hotel. Around it are the communal pools, padel and tennis courts, and football and basketball areas. None of it is more than a ten-minute walk from either of our villas.

The practical appeal is that a group can split up for a day — golf for some, pool for others, a drive to the coast for the rest — without anyone needing to book a taxi.