In the heart of Murcia Province is a popular resort for golf enthusiasts who wish to enjoy the wonderful climate and surroundings of the Costa Calida area. Situated near the warm and shallow waters of the Mar Menor, Europe's largest saltwater lagoon, lies Roda Golf & Beach Resort. Beautiful parkland with an 18-hole championship golf course is considered one of the best in the region.

1. Location

The region of Murcia offers an abundance of culture and natural wealth. Being located in the Costa Calida area and blessed with 253 km of Mediterranean beaches, it's also a world-class destination for both nautical (activities such as swimming, sailing, or water skiing) and terrestrial (with options that range from hiking, tennis, or golf) sports lovers.

Opened in 2008, Roda Golf & Beach Resort has become a prominent place in Murcia. A luxurious golf community located just 2 km from the beachfront and vibrant coastal town of Los Narejos. A town with many bars, restaurants, shops, leisure facilities and the golden sands, and warm, calm waters of the Mar Menor Lagoon.

Roda Golf is 5 km away from San Javier international airport (Murcia) and 45 min. from Alicante airport. The resort also has direct access to motorway AP7. Both air and land routes provide numerous connections to major cities in Spain and Europe.

2. Security

Buying a golf home in Roda Golf & Beach Resort consists of apartments, semi-detached, and detached golf villas were designed with quality, tranquility, and safety in mind. Located inside the golf resort, the gates are manned 24/7 along with patrols securing the golf properties.

3. Homes

The gated golf community in La Roda is your classic southern European golf resort complemented by the stunning scenery of the beautiful Spanish countryside. The golf homes are built around the golf course with pedestrian walkways connecting the different golf houses and leading to the clubhouse. An ideal place for a golf home for remote workers, active families, over 55s', retirees, and long-stay tourists.

Buying a golf home in Roda Golf & Beach Resort offered are a selection of apartments and golf villas. The apartments come in 2 or 3 bedroom types with private balconies. The golf villas come in a diverse selection ranging from front line villas, 4 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms to 3 bedrooms and 2 to 3 bathrooms, swimming pool, and landscaped garden, detached and semi-detached.

Apartments may come in the range of 85,000 to 200,000 euros while the golf villas range from 200,000 to 400,000 euros.

There is also a team of professionals that provides supplementary services for the comfort of the residents. This includes housekeeping, property management, maintenance when the owner is away, gardening, a repair service, and catering with home delivery.

4. Weather

Roda Golf Resort located in Murcia Region along the Costa Calida area has a Mediterranean subtropical climate. It has a mild temperature of 18.2°C (64.7°F) with very minimal rainfall all year long. In Roda Golf, the average annual high temperature is 26.1°C (78.9°F) and the average low is a cold 11.4°C (52.5°F). The hottest month of the year is August with a high-temperature reading of 30°C (86°F). The coldest month is January with a low-temperature reading of 7.8°C (46.1°F). The rainfall in a year is around 319mm (12.6 inches). The driest month is July with 2mm (0.1 inches) of rainfall. In October, the precipitation reaches its peak with an average of 44mm (1.7 inches). On average, the sun shines 301 days a year in Roda Golf.

Costa Calida offers the best and healthiest climate in Spain as confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO), declaring the province of Murcia the cleanest province in Europe due to its clean air.

5. Golf Course

Roda Golf is a popular par 72 18-hole championship golf course designed by Dave Thomas, a British golf architect. The beautiful parkland course features wide open fairways surrounded by palm trees and lush southern European vegetation. The course covers a distance of 6,177 meters (6,755 yards) interspersed with well-thought man-made mounds and carefully placed sand and water hazards. The 3 large strategically placed lakes add play to at least 6 of its holes making the round more challenging. Prominent among the holes is the signature hole of Roda, the par 3 Hole no. 7 island green. Lastly, the greens of the course average under 11,000 square meters in size, constructed to USGA standards, and crafted to test your putting skills. Overall, the course is a bit tough yet rewarding for players of all levels.

Golf instructions are available at the Roda Golf Academy where courses for beginners and advanced, those wishing to perfect their game, and those competing, can enhance their skills. The school makes use of the latest technology including Trackman, Video Analysis, PuttLab, K-Vest 3D, etc. to analyze the student's movement and form to get the most out of the training. The school offers programs for both juniors and adult classes.

The practice facility includes a driving range with covered bays and floodlight, and ample putting and chipping green.

A well-stocked Pro Shop is available for the latest golf merchandise and a rental facility for clubs, trolleys, electric trolleys, and buggies are on-hand.

6. Membership

La Roda is normally open for walk-in bookings as well as online bookings. But for those playing regularly, the club offers several membership options based on a plan. It can be an annual or a 6-month membership subscription with unlimited play or with a fixed number of rounds. Terms of play may also include a certain day or time of day. The price range is from 1,190 to 2,250 euros which includes the green fee. Other offers are the low season pass for 1 or 2 months priced at 450 and 750 euros respectively.

7. Clubhouse & Amenities

The resort has an impressive clubhouse with a modern and stylish restaurant and bar on the ground floor. The restaurant, the “Vive Roda” offers a gastronomic feast with a stunning view of the resort. While the rooftop, Roda Nights is an open-air music and cocktail lounge.

Other club amenities include locker rooms and a sauna to relax the body after a long game of golf.

8. Home Owners Association and Fees

There are over 15 golf communities in La Roda and each community sets its own fees. The community fees for residential complexes like an apartment or townhouse will pay for common services such as pool cleaning and repairs, garden maintenance, cleaning of communal areas in the blocks, building maintenance, communal water for the gardens & pool, plus electricity for block lighting and gardens, etc. The fees are based on the property size or square meter contribution. As a rough guide, the range is around 90 to 350 euros per month for the apartments and villas. But for accurate community fees, contact the resort administrator or Resortalia.

For golf villas, some detached golf villas may have no community fees but you will be responsible for looking after the golf property which includes the private pool and a garden. For semi-detached golf villas, there is a minimal amount to pay for the maintenance of the common garden area.

Aside from the community fee, additional fees a property owner has to pay are:

Entidad Fees - This fee is for security, bins and trash collection, street lighting, communal gardens around the perimeter of the resort plus water and electricity for the resort.

IBI (Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles)Tax - The council tax or property tax that needs to be paid each year to the local council or municipal district (San Javier). The amount will depend on the size of the property or around 450 euros per annum.

IRNR (Impuesto Sobre la Renta de No Residentes) - Commonly known as “La Renta”, it is payable by all non-residents whether they rent their apartment out or not. If you own a property and are a non-resident it is “deemed” that you must be renting it and so, therefore, have to pay a tax. The fee is based on all your assets and is around 150 euros per person per annum. Also referred to as the wealth tax.

Other fees to look out for would be utilities (water, electricity, and gas) and the property manager or key holder.

9. Other Sports Facilities

The resort has a gym, tennis courts, pools, children's play parks, and multi-use courts for football and basketball.

La Roda also has a private beach club accessible by a private water taxi at the Mar Menor Lagoon. It features a tropical-style private pool and a terrace bar with waiter service, a first-class restaurant, and its own private beach with complimentary sun loungers.

Being part of the Costa Calida area, it is also recognized as a top world-class paradise for nautical sports lovers. Sports such as swimming, sailing and water skiing are popular in this place.

10. Dining Options

A magnificent gastronomic fare can be experienced at the clubhouse restaurant, the Vive Roda. Sumptuous dishes such as starters, paella dishes, meats, fish, and desserts are served. With a beautiful terrace view overlooking the entire resort.

Or just outside the compound of the resort is the pretty and charming village of Senora De Roda. In addition to a picturesque hacienda and church, there are several choices of bars and restaurants and other local shops.

In summary, if one desires to live in paradise, Roda Golf & Beach Resort offers an excellent choice. You have the beach or saltwater lagoon just a kilometer away, a championship golf course just outside your doorstep, and a climate that's the healthiest in all of Europe.

Images Courtesy of: Idealista, Kyero, Calida International, Chersun Properties