Hi
Just thought I would try to update everyone following my recent trip.
I tried to get a few "honest" views from some of the sales staff at the resort about how things are going.
Peter Whitehead had noticed that new sales was going through a quieter spell at present but because it is shortly after Xmas and New Year he didn't think that the sales figures were particularly low. He has had significant interest from some large investors from Scandinavia who are looking to invest in property as their money is not earning much interest in the banks at the moment. These investors are particularly looking at the "golfer rental market" with a medium to longer term investment plan of 5 years or more. The recession has undoubtedly had an impact but for investors who were adopting a longer term view this was still an attractive proposition. I haven't heard whether the chief executives of RBS or Lloyds TSB had placed a large order though !!
The hotel is due to open in August, and having seen the progress that has been made since my visit in October, I would imagine that this is pretty realistic.
The Oasis development has come on significantly and December is still the intended completion date. There are a couple of show flats that are now available to be seen (unfurnished) and the finish looks fantastic. It appears that all the "white goods" are now going to be included in the price which is good news. The show flats should be furnished within the next 4-6 weeks, and I understand will be done by "Home Kare" services.
The Spanish village looked lovely. Still only one unit open (Home Kare) but there was work going on in a couple of other units with tiles on floor and walls so that looked promising. Again I understand that 31 units have been sold with agreement that they will open within 12 months. I was also led to believe that a large Indian Restaurant chain were very interested in buying one of the larger units adjacent to the main square.
I understand from the resort team that Corvera Airport is still on track for 2010. Although having spoken to some of the staff who work at San Javier airport 2012 is a more realistic date.
Access road has a pile of earth still on it (town hall have still not paid the farmer, although HDA have paid the town hall). The service road off the roundabout on the exit of RM2 still provides excellent access to the resort. This is the only access I have ever used so I hadn't realised there was another access road!!
I spoke to a golf pro who lives on the resort who informs me that work on the second course is unlikely to start until 2014, after the Ryder Cup has been held at HDA !!!!!! I think he was being serious but he may have been at the 19th hole for longer than I imagined.
The resort still felt like a breath of fresh air, very relaxing and blissfully quiet. I came away feeling very optimistic about the future there, although the time scales appear to have extended a bit. Once the hotel has opened with the gym and health club facilities they are going to offer, one would hope that this will bring more people on to the resort which will result in more people wanting to spend time here.
I rented through a company called "Connect Rentals" and everything went smoothly this time. I will probably try to use Home Kare as well, as they have clearly shown their intention of remaining at the resort and making a success of things by moving in to one of the units on the Spanish Village.
I have taken a few more photos which I will try to upload.
Hope this information is vaguely helpful to everyone, and once again I have a very optimistic feel but hopefully without any "rose tinted spectacles" obscuring my view.
Richard