Club House Restaurant. Beware.

Just back from a week at Roda with a group. Quality of food at club house as erratic as ever and service likewise. An embarrasing experience when you have guests.

My brother had a top-of-the range Blackberry, which he accidentally left  unattended when he moved to join the rest of our group, stolen from his table. We are quite sure we know who took it but cannot prove it as the club house's security cameras only come on after closing time. We reported it to the Los Alcazares police but they can do nothing.

When I asked about the phone at the bar the waiter was quite incredulous that I might expect to see it again. He said,  'Nobody would hand in such a valuable item. I know as this has happened many times before at the club house'.

Be well warned and careful you are not preyed upon by the same brazen opportunist who might be the person you least expect and not necessarily a fellow customer at that.

Can't comment on food or service as we only had snacks up there on our recent 3 week stay, but I do know one or two locals who are not impressed.

Main thing that concerned me was the amount of mossies inside the bar/restaurant as doors were open and air con was off, friends got bitten badly and visitors will be put off.

Also downstairs changing room doors were left open apparently because of smell of sewer system, notices up not to put toilet paper in lavatories. So much for a 5 star clubhouse facility. Mossies were rife in both changing room and toilets.

I believe spraying has now taken place but not very good impression for visitors.

 Good news on the mosquito front Hugh, I am just home from a ten day stay in Roda and ate in the clubhouse four times and had snacks after golf twice. We forgot the spray stuff on one night and actually didn't need it even eating on the terrace so the fumigation which is signposted at the front gate has clearly taken place successfully. 

To be very fair to the staff I find them helpful and friendly but I support the clubhouse a lot when I am in Roda and am probably a "regular" by now as I am down in Murcia a lot. I use the laptop there and usually have the cake of the day with a coffee then too which is good value at 4 euro for both and the cakes are all home made. Not bad for an hour when you consider that the WIFI is free. It is disappointing to see some WIFI users who do not buy a drink and sit there for hours.  I think that it is high time that they start either charging for internet use by perhaps giving an hour free with a tapas and drink or insisting that users buy something as they are taking up much needed space at this time of year.  I have seen several groups of golfers who could not get a seat whilst there were people on their computers dotted round tables in the bar area and this is not good business.

Following my hip surgery I was down in Roda for three weeks and was driven by buggy to the clubhouse and back by the staff without asking so perhaps you can understand why I cannot complain. Ramon, Alec, Laura and Paco cannot do enough for us when we are there even if our Spanish would not pass muster.  

The food in the restaurant never disappoints and the snacks in the bar are always good. I speak as I find and can understand that some people have a different experience but I had the Menu of the Day twice and with a starter, main course and dessert for 15 euro including coffee and a glass of wine or a small beer you cannot beat the quality and value anywhere. 

We went down to the Precinct on one occasion but the food was very mediocre and we don't like the crowded streets. Also tried El Chato and Encarnacion which were as usual excellent and although lacking in atmosphere steaks in Restaurante Ramon are still great. 

We are back down in Spain in two weeks and no doubt booking will be required for the terrace as the music nights are proving very popular. Silvio provided the music on two nights and his easy listening music was just lovely whilst sitting watching the sun go down. 

Don