Hi Germaine – many thanks for your post and if correct, it does go a long way into explaining why the hotel on Roda was not built. There are a few other important bits of information that could also be added.
Carl Leaver (a bit of a young hotel superstar) left De Vere very shortly after the takeover.
In May 2007 AHG attempted to float all of its hotel concerns as a Reit under the name of Vector –
This is a lengthy document and does not contain any mention of Spain / Roda or Corvera. Although it does mention other hotel that are in the “pipeline”. Perhaps this isn’t the place to mention a simple “right to manage” arrangement as it seems the agreement actually was (or is).
On this basis it seems clear to me that there is definitely something not right about all of this – the hotel foundations on Roda were started – when was this? When did they stop? Calidona claim that they were stopped due to problems with planning – was anyone told this officially? Why are the new leisure facilities located where part of the hotel should be? Why is a local business running the beach club and clubhouse restaurant? Why don’t De Vere ever advertise their association with Roda or Corvera anymore?
That said, it is the case that a De Vere employee (Mike Maloney) is still present on Roda (I think). In addition, De Vere did put a page on their website in July 2008 which read –
“We are proud to announce that De Vere has signed a contract with the Calidona Group to manage Roda Golf and Beach Resort, a 140 bedroom hotel, spa, beach club and 18-hole golf course in the Murcia Region of Spain. Located in a natural setting close to the famous Mar Menor, this golfer's paradise offers an excellent year round climate and easy access to miles of Mediterranean beaches.
At the resort guests can indulge in a range of actoivities including swimming, tennis and, of course, golf. Nearby, can try a range of activities including sailing, water skiing and trekking. Or why not step out in to the local area and discover medieval villages, explore fertile valleys or simply indulge in a spot of retail therapy.
The golf facilities are now open so why not indulge in a round of golf in the Spanish sunshine? Construction of the hotel will commence later this year and the hotel is expected to open in the summer of 2010. “
This suggests the arrangement was still on after the takeover but also throws up the fact that the hotel should be almost complete!!!
Another worrying feature for Corvera is that the official news items from Calidona and De Vere have historically always failed to mention Corvera.
Whatever the truth is, I doubt much more will be revealed in the New Year.