Friends have booked a villa-whats available for them locally?

I have friends (2 adults and two teenage girls) who have booked a villa on Mar Menor for a couple of weeks in August. We have stayed at the Intercontinetal and know the resort is lovely. We know that the hotel has a few nice bars and restaurants and that there is a supermarket. They are looking for a relaxing holiday so dont want to be spending ages in the car trying to find places. So, I'd like to be able to direct them to a couple of good off resort restaurants too- indian, chinese, italian, whatever- another supermarket and a couple of places to visit.

We have recommended Cartagena but havent yet visited Los Alcazares ourselves although its been highly recommended is there a particular location we should direct them to?

They are keen to visit the La Manga area-  is there a particlar part of La Manga that would interest them rather than a drive along the strip which due to time limitations is all we have managed so far?

Any advice welcomed.

Los Alcazares has a great beach with good bars and restaurants.  It's a long beach but if you get a taxi to the "525 Hotel" (North End of Los Alcazeres), there is a good little strip there which leads down to the beach area.  You'll find Indian, Chinese etc., along this strip too.

If you drive towards Los Alcazeres from Mar Menor go under the A7 motorway and straight down that road you will find a "Super Valu" shop which has everything.  At the end of this road you wll meet the main street of Los Alcazeres where there are good Pizza and Spanish restaurants.  One in particular is Ramon's which has a great Tapas Bar to the front with full Restaurant behind.

The Mombasa is now open at the new entrance at Mar Menor and has a great Tapas/Bistro bar, 2 Restaurants, a Pub and a Night Club.

If your going to Cartegena drive to the port area where there is plenty of car parks.  This will lead you the shopping areas and streets of the town which is well worth a dy out!

Hope this helps!

This is great information for them (and us) thanks very much.