Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 3:11pm
I've played golf at El Valle several times and also stayed there in rental villas twice a few years ago; and I've played golf at El Torre.
In my opinion (and it's just my opinion):
The golf course at El Valle is one of the best in the area and better than La Torre; the course and whole resort are well-maintained. However, at El Valle there is only one bar & restaurant and a small but adequate shop. The resort feels 'classy', but also suffers from similar issues to many other golf resorts in the area, in that there are still quite a few villas that have never been sold, or were bank repossessions. This means that the resort is pleasantly quiet, but also that there are empty villas, with empty pools, some unkempt gardens etc. The villas have small-ish pools and, whilst detached, are quite close together (although I live out in the 'campo' with 5 acres of land, so my perspective may be different!). I agree with your comment on the attractive style of the villas and they are quite roomy inside and well-equipped (although I think the kitchens are a little small). There is 24/7 security, which is reassuring. You need a car to drive to the nearest other shops, supermarkets, bar & restaurants, which are generally half an hour's drive away. I'm no expert on road cycling - the local main road is a motorway, which you can't cycle on and the only other roads that I have driven on in that area are quite bumpy and I would assume not great for cycling.
La Torre is a larger resort, with more bars, restaurants, etc. so there is more going on. The golf course in parts feels like you're playing between rows of villas & apartments and there are large sandy areas of earth where on other courses there would be rough (that said, I haven't played there for several years, whereas I played at El Valle twice last year). The other issues mentioned above also apply.
Hope this helps!