Puerto de Santa Maria Info
Oct 18th, 2008, 05:21 AM
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Puerto de Santa Maria Info
Hello to all on the board who were so helpful to me in 2006 when I planned our 6 week trip through Spain. I'm coming back for 3 weeks starting November 2.
We will be staying near the Costa de la Luz (my son is competing in a tournament at Costa Ballena Golf course)
We want to stay in a house/apartment type situation and have the chance to stay in a nice rental house near Puerto de Santa Maria, about 5 min drive out of town, just off of A2001, the Carreretera de Sanlucar.
What's it like to drive into Puerto de Santa Maria? How is parking? Should we keep looking for something in Town Centre? Any good restaurant tips in town?
Thanks for the advice...
We will be staying near the Costa de la Luz (my son is competing in a tournament at Costa Ballena Golf course)
We want to stay in a house/apartment type situation and have the chance to stay in a nice rental house near Puerto de Santa Maria, about 5 min drive out of town, just off of A2001, the Carreretera de Sanlucar.
What's it like to drive into Puerto de Santa Maria? How is parking? Should we keep looking for something in Town Centre? Any good restaurant tips in town?
Thanks for the advice...
Oct 18th, 2008, 06:47 AM
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ksddfam,
I can't help you with the driving into and parking advice, but if you're looking for a gourmet dining experience, THE gourmet hot spot in town is Aponiente, whose chef, Angel León is one of Andalucía's rising stars, say the Spain restaurant critics. He's the former chef of Casa del Temple in Toledo. He and a partner started a tapas bar/Andalusian-Magreb fusion restaurant, El Tambuche (adjacent to the Vaporcito pier on Avda de la Bajamar 2), then he moved on to open his highly creative new restaurant on Calle Puerto Escondido 6.
www.aponiente.com
Another very good chef-owned (Fernando Córdoba) restaurant:
El Faro de El Puerto, on Avenida de Fuentebravía, a more traditional, classic, beautifully decorated Andalusian place, located near the Puerto Sherry yacht harbor.
www.elfarodelpuerto.com
I can't help you with the driving into and parking advice, but if you're looking for a gourmet dining experience, THE gourmet hot spot in town is Aponiente, whose chef, Angel León is one of Andalucía's rising stars, say the Spain restaurant critics. He's the former chef of Casa del Temple in Toledo. He and a partner started a tapas bar/Andalusian-Magreb fusion restaurant, El Tambuche (adjacent to the Vaporcito pier on Avda de la Bajamar 2), then he moved on to open his highly creative new restaurant on Calle Puerto Escondido 6.
www.aponiente.com
Another very good chef-owned (Fernando Córdoba) restaurant:
El Faro de El Puerto, on Avenida de Fuentebravía, a more traditional, classic, beautifully decorated Andalusian place, located near the Puerto Sherry yacht harbor.
www.elfarodelpuerto.com
Oct 18th, 2008, 07:21 AM
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Hi-
My mom and I stayed in Puerto de Santa Maria a few years ago. Interesting that you ask about parking- I noted in my journal that there "was very little street parking" and that we had to park in an underground garage a few blocks from our hotel.
If you want to see my journal from there, go here:
http://www.wired2theworld.com/spain2005day7.html
In terms of dining, I would go with Maribel's recs. Or, there are a ton of restaurants along the water, all selling seafood by the pound. They are pretty touristy, but not that bad.
My mom and I stayed in Puerto de Santa Maria a few years ago. Interesting that you ask about parking- I noted in my journal that there "was very little street parking" and that we had to park in an underground garage a few blocks from our hotel.
If you want to see my journal from there, go here:
http://www.wired2theworld.com/spain2005day7.html
In terms of dining, I would go with Maribel's recs. Or, there are a ton of restaurants along the water, all selling seafood by the pound. They are pretty touristy, but not that bad.
Oct 18th, 2008, 11:00 AM
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Thanks to both of you for the advice/insights/recommendations...
Maribel, your guides were so helpful to me in 2006 and I will use them again. I loaded them onto my PDA and saved a lot of weight in travel books!
Kristina, your trip guide is wonderful, brought back lots of memories of 2006.
I'm so excited to be going back to Spain.
Maribel, your guides were so helpful to me in 2006 and I will use them again. I loaded them onto my PDA and saved a lot of weight in travel books!
Kristina, your trip guide is wonderful, brought back lots of memories of 2006.
I'm so excited to be going back to Spain.
Oct 19th, 2008, 04:35 AM
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Is the Golf Course at MatalasCañas resort? If so, it ts West of the Doñana wildlife preserve (largest in Europe). You might consider staying at the Parador in Mazagon (Huelva) or in Almonte or Rocio.
From el Puerto, it's a 'hike.' But my cousin tells us about people driving 4X4's across the Estuary at low tide. Not for Tourists!
Years ago, I had never heard of the Costa Ballena (Whale coast). It was all Costa de la Luz from Cadiz to Huelva.
In el Puerto, I usually stay at Hotel Santa Maria. There's a large parking lot across C/Bajamar from the Hotel. Cristina, concierge at the Hotel can tell you if it's safe to park there
From el Puerto, it's a 'hike.' But my cousin tells us about people driving 4X4's across the Estuary at low tide. Not for Tourists!
Years ago, I had never heard of the Costa Ballena (Whale coast). It was all Costa de la Luz from Cadiz to Huelva.
In el Puerto, I usually stay at Hotel Santa Maria. There's a large parking lot across C/Bajamar from the Hotel. Cristina, concierge at the Hotel can tell you if it's safe to park there
Oct 19th, 2008, 07:01 AM
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Hi Nedsireland,
The golf resort is actually called Costa Ballena Club de Golf and is located on the Carreterra de Chipiona 5 km north of Rota. It's right on the coast and is quite well developed. There's a Barcelo hotel there as well as several urbanizations which they rent as apartments.
We're not staying there because we prefer to be closer to a "real" town, and it sounds like Puerto de Santa Maria will be nice.
Thanks for the help...
The golf resort is actually called Costa Ballena Club de Golf and is located on the Carreterra de Chipiona 5 km north of Rota. It's right on the coast and is quite well developed. There's a Barcelo hotel there as well as several urbanizations which they rent as apartments.
We're not staying there because we prefer to be closer to a "real" town, and it sounds like Puerto de Santa Maria will be nice.
Thanks for the help...
Oct 19th, 2008, 11:37 AM
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Hi ksddfam,
I have not yet had the pleasure of Cadiz & Puerto. But there is a poster named Kathym that often writes about her favorite area, Cadiz. I was waiting to see if she replied.
Also on Trip Advisor there is someone names "Cadizlover" or something like that. If you do a search from these two folks I am sure you will get useful info too.
Let's try this:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35057528
I have not yet had the pleasure of Cadiz & Puerto. But there is a poster named Kathym that often writes about her favorite area, Cadiz. I was waiting to see if she replied.
Also on Trip Advisor there is someone names "Cadizlover" or something like that. If you do a search from these two folks I am sure you will get useful info too.
Let's try this:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35057528
Oct 20th, 2008, 06:38 AM
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El Puerto de Santa Maria is Domecile for Bodegas Osborne. You can tour the Bodega. El Puerto also has a 5-Star hotel (Monasterio de San Miguel) w/restaurant. It's not a Parador but it's Gran Lujo.
There's a pretty nice public beach at the foot of c/Bajamar.
On the river across the parking lot from the hotel Santa Maria you can take a Ferry to Cadiz. Spend a while shopping in Cadiz and take the ferry back. I recommend taking the ferry because no vehicular traffic is allowed in the older part of Cadiz.
Many of the Navy & Air Force people from NavSta Rota live in Chipiona. There's an all night Diner in the center of el Puerto named: "All Night Diner" (English). I don't know if it's run by some Retired US Navy Officer or some Spanish guy who saw too many American Movies. Don't go to the Irish Pub in Rota! The bartender couldn't even 'pull' a proper pint of Guinness.
There's a pretty nice public beach at the foot of c/Bajamar.
On the river across the parking lot from the hotel Santa Maria you can take a Ferry to Cadiz. Spend a while shopping in Cadiz and take the ferry back. I recommend taking the ferry because no vehicular traffic is allowed in the older part of Cadiz.
Many of the Navy & Air Force people from NavSta Rota live in Chipiona. There's an all night Diner in the center of el Puerto named: "All Night Diner" (English). I don't know if it's run by some Retired US Navy Officer or some Spanish guy who saw too many American Movies. Don't go to the Irish Pub in Rota! The bartender couldn't even 'pull' a proper pint of Guinness.
