by Justin | Mar 8, 2011 | Local News
From 120 Kph to 110 kph...
As from yesterday, the 7th March 2011 (sorry for the late warning!) drivers in Spain have been forced to slow down on the roads as the Spanish Government has reduced the speed limit! This is definitely a good thing – there are way too many loonatics on the road – however, the reason for this reduction has nothing to do with road safety; it’s all about economics!
This new measure is the government’s response to rapidly rising oil prices due to the unrest in Arab countries such as Libya and is one of the principal initiatives to lower the countries energy bill. Until yesterday, the maximum speed on motorways (referred to as autopistas or autovías here) was 120 kph; this has now been lowered to 110 kph.
Road crews working for the transport ministry had a busy night on Sunday, replacing road signs all over the country. Actually, the signs haven’t been replaced, in most cases, large stickers have been placed over the existing signs. Why stickers? Because this measure is only temporary; it will remain in place until the end of June when it will be reviewed.
Also worth noting is the fact that all radar traps around the country (more than 400) have now been re-programmed. Anyone found speeding will be fined 100 Euros if caught driving at speeds of between 111 kph and 140 kph; if you are caught driving at over 140 kph the fine increases to 300 Euros. You have been warned!
Public opinion sways heavily against the measure with many saying that reducing the speed limit will only help to increase government coffers; just think of the speeding fines the Guardia Civil will be issuing. L
But there is some good news….commuters and passengers who use short distance rail services will be able to enjoy a 5% reduction in train fares; the perfect excuse to take a train from Benalmádena to Málaga and make the most of the sights and sounds of the Coast’s capital city! 🙂
What do you think? Will these measures have much of an impact on Spain’s energy bill? My experience on the motorway this morning leads me to believe that the answer to that question is a definite, NO!
by Justin | Mar 4, 2011 | Hotel News
As many of you know, whenever Sunset Beach Club attends a trade show or exhibition, we offer everyone who visits one of our stands the opportunity to win a short stay at our hotel.
We’ve been very busy over the past two months, attending various trade shows in Dublin and Belfast. All those shows offered attendees the chance to enter a free draw for a weekend break in the sun; all they had to do was fill in their details on the entrance form and they would be automatically entered into the draw.
Well, I’m please to announce that we have had the draws – one for each show – and are ready to announce the lucky winners!
The following lucky people have each won a 3 night stay at Sunset Beach Club. The prize includes 3 nights accommodation for 2 people including our famous hot buffet breakfast:
1) Citywest Wedding Journal Show 2011 – Tanya Marum
2) Holiday World Belfast 2011 – Ray Cochrane
3) Holiday World Dublin 2011 – Margaret Harley
4) Belfast Wedding Journal Show – Gemma Stewart
Congratulations to all the winners! We look forward to welcoming you all to Sunset Beach Club in the very near future.
Note: Prize excludes flights and transfers and has no cash value. Valid until 23/12/2011 (excluding 01/06/2011 to 30/09/2011).
by Justin | Mar 3, 2011 | On the Costa del Sol, What's On
This week, Torremolinos has become the European dance capital by hosting the XXII edition of the European Dance Championships.
With more than 1500 dance pairs from all over Europe signed up for the competition, spectators are guaranteed a great show!
The championship started on Monday the 28th February and ends on Saturday 5th March with the grand finals. Today and tomorrow (Friday) there will be qualification heats in the morning (10:00am) in order to choose pairs for the finals which will be held in the evening at the Palacio de San Miguel. Entrance to the heats is free and the evening finals require an entrance fee of €5.
Throughout the whole of this week, spectators have been dazzled by dancers from all over Europe performing a wide variety of dance styles: Waltz, tango, paso doble, artistic dance, chachachá, rock and more…..
Tonight (Thursday), dance enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the following dance finals: (more…)
by Justin | Mar 2, 2011 | Eating & Drinking
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day; we totally agree! That’s why we have recently given our famous hot buffet breakfast a small “face lift”.
Taking note of previous customer comments, Miguel, our Operations Director decided that it was time to make a few changes: We have improved the overall presentation of the buffet (see photos), increased the variety of the food and drinks on offer – the new coffee and orange juice machines are getting great reviews – and we have changed our baked goods supplier; the Danish pastries are to die for!
Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you visit the Oasis Restaurant for our hot buffet breakfast:
Our new hot drink and orange juice machines
(more…)
by Justin | Feb 25, 2011 | Holiday Tips, Places to See
Bioparc in Fuengirola
Next week is half term here in Andalucía (we call it Semana Blanca) and many children will be off school. Because of this, the Bioparc in Fuengirola (Zoo) has decided to put on some extra activities targeted mainly at children – although no reason why adults can’t join in!
If you’re staying at Sunset Beach Club for half term next week and haven’t visited the Bioparc in Fuengirola yet, this is the perfect chance to do so.
Between the 1st and 4th of March, visitors to the park will be able to enjoy free guided tours in the morning (for parents and their children); in the afternoon, there will be special educational workshops designed to explain to visitors, in an easy and non-techie way, facts about protected and endangered species which face extinction.
A visit to the Bioparc is a great day out for all the family. The park is very well maintained and a lot of care and attention has gone in to ensuring a fantastic experience for kids and adults alike.
If you’d like more information, please stop by our Leisure Desk where Annemie and Susanna will be able to help you.
by Justin | Feb 22, 2011 | At Sunset, What's On
Make a note of the date in your diary: Saturday the 12th March at 8pm at Sunset Beach Club’s Moonlight Rooms. This is the date chosen for our “Gala Carnaval”, an amazing evening of gourmet food, fine wines and live music; the best part is that all proceeds from the gala will be donated to the Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice in Benalmadena.
Every year, Sunset Beach Club makes a donation to this very important charity; however, this year, we’ve decided to try something a little different in an attempt to raise more funds for Cudeca. The “Gala Carnaval” will give us the perfect opportunity to do just that; tickets to the event will go on sale in the next few days and all proceeds will go to Cudeca.
We’ve got a real treat planned for all those who show their support for Cudeca and buy tickets to the event. Our Head Chef, Paul Tugwell, and his team have prepared an incredible 6 course gourmet meal (See Menu below) which will be accompanied by a fine selection of wines , specially selected by wine expert Charlotte Rodriguez, from Cervinco Wines.
6 Course Gourmet Menu
Gala guests will also be treated to an enviable line up of music and entertainment with the Marbella Big band and the King of Swing, Ricky Lavazza, both performing live on stage; not to be missed!
One of the highlights of the evening will be the Art Auction: A number of well known artists on the Coast have been kind enough to donate samples of their work to be auctioned on the evening. This will be a fantastic opportunity to raise extra funds for the Cudeca hospice.
Tickets to the “Gala Carnaval” are priced at €50 per person and can be purchased at Sunset Beach Club’s Leisure Desk or by calling 952 579 400.
Places are limited so make sure you book soon to avoid disappointment!
