We were out at HR last summer, and have been quite a few times while they were building, and there are lots of things to do, although you will need a car:
-On site the Play areas should be ready for the summer and hopefully the multi sports courts. The exercise machines are already in place!
-A free bus ride to La Torre or Mar Manor is a nice excursion, with a couple of coffees or a beers while you wait for the bus back.
-The Polaris World Garden Centre is also worth a visit, I think we spent around two hours looking at Furniture, plants and the parrots!!
- Calablanque national park is about a 40 minute drive, it is South past the La Manga Golf resort. You need to go along a rough road to get to the beech, but it has spectacular views along the southern coast, and it is completely untouched, including no facilities! While you are down that way, it is woth carrying on a few more Kilometres and visit the little fishing village called "Cabo ????". It is worth having lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the harbour.
-The small resorts on the Mar Menor are great for a day at the beech. We like Lo Pagan, but there are many more with lovely promenades, fun fairs, parks etc.
-Try a day out at Cartagena.Calle Mayor is the main shopping street in the Town and there is also a huge out of Town retail park. There are lots of Roman ruins, and don't miss the Roman Museum which leads through to the restored Ampitheatre. If you are feeling energetic you can climb to the top of the hill over looking the port. You can also take bus tour of the city as well as a boat trip around the massive harbour which is full of history, as well as being a busy modern port.
-For natural peace and tranquility try the Sierra Espuna, South West of Murcia, for some breathtaking views, although in the summer it might be too hot to go for walks. See EoS photos from last July.
-The City of Murcia is also worth a visit. There is some great architecture, nice parks and good shopping, but you need a map and you need to plan what you are going to do as it is a large busy city. If you have not been there, we like the IKEA too! There is also a Zoo/theme park, although we have not been there.
-We had a day in Alicante Town, and really enjoyed it. You can climb upto the castle overlooking the town, or you can catch the lift which goes through the rock to the top. There is a busy well established shopping area, and some nice beeches. There is also a spectacular park with huge palm trees and waterfalls just before you enter the port area, See Photos from EoS photos from last August.
-Like it or loathe it Benidorm has got lots to do, Mundomar Marine park, Terra Mitica Theme park and Aqualandia Water Park. The Old Town is lovely and there are some really nice green areas leading down to the beeches. Obviously in the summer it is likely to be crowded though.
-Torrevieja is another well established resort which is closer to Hacienda. There is a water park called Aquapolis.
These are just some of the places we have visited when we came over while they were building HR and we did quite a few trips last summer. Little wonder the time goes by so quickly when we are out in Spain. We are trying a City Break to Madrid this Summer by Train.
I hope this gives you some ideas.
Thanks Paul