Manzano snack bar and sports facilities

Darren, sure they have all that but would you really swap you place in Condado for one in Camposol ? It's good Camposol is there 10 minutes from Condado and I'm a regular user of some of those facilities but I can tell you I'm quite happy to leave the Camposol behind after an hour or two to return to the sanctury of Condado - and have you looked closely at some of the state of the properties there ? Take a look at this from Simply Netwoking and thank your lucky stars ! http://www.simplynetworking.es/news-2833-31-la_verdad_article_journalist_reports_on_the_people_of_camposol.html

Whilst the La Verdad journalist was quipping jovially about the size of the beer the lady interviewed was drinking, did they show any interest in the plight of the "happy smiling people" whose homes are splitting apart, whose swimming pools have sunk by several inches and are now in a dangerous, uninhabitable condition? I've stood in a house which slopes so badly that a golf ball rolls fast across the floor and which made me feel dizzy and sick, which coupled with the mould growing up the wall and the crack in the bedroom ceiling through which the sky could be seen left nothing but a deep sadness that the constructor who is responsible for the condition of these peoples home has abandoned the urbanisation and is failing to deal with the issues it has created

But I dont think things are on the decline- far from it.

I'm told the CdAservices podcast was very positive last night. Several lorry loads of major sized shrubs have been arriving on the resort. The golf course and all the Jardines are being regularly maintained. For whoever posted that the 'rough' on the Golf course is terrible, apparently its meant to be that dense and the lunar landscape was intended though needs getting used to.  There will be a couple of units open in the Al Kazar shortly- although I agree nothing to be too excited about but the Resort Management are finishing up the fitting out of their new offices and PW have a sales office onging and I'm sure I read there will be a tourist information office there before long too. All of which will give Al Kasar a bit more soul. 

Our recent visitors reported nothing was amiss at The Clover- they got served, staff were civil and attended to them asap at the bar and they heard someone ask for the music to be turned down and it was.

A temporary club house or at least Olagolf pro shop will be established by hole 1- better than having that long stroll from Al Kasar and the messing about in and out of cars and buggy's. Maybe they'll do a tad of landscaping i that area too..

In the main the apartments are lovely ( I know there are peope who have had problems with with individual apartments but in the main.....) and the various Jardines/Isla very attractive. There are also far more apartments taken than earlier this year if outside lighting is anything to go by.

I cannot emphasis enough how lucky we are not to have half built properties littering the sky line- unfinished golf course and no facilities. Rental income may not be what owners anticipated but thats the same across Europe not just on our resort.

I know the Sports Zone is a disappointment but the Banks must be looking for someone to manage it- they want profit out of it. Otherwise I understand the Resort Management Company will look into the community taking it over but they want to get beyond the AGM. Maybe we need a few volunteers to keep graffitee at bay and do a bit of weeding and tending. I doubt we can keep people out but presentation is everything. Screening the windows of Manzano's would have helped.

I just feel we have a smaller resort than anticipated but only the most blinkered would think that berating PW about the other two golf courses and Oasis will change that situation- they escaped going to the wall by the skin of their teeth and what the future holds is still dicey. I think they will use Al Kasar as offices because they own them and can close down elsewhere saving money thats all- they can advertise the resale proerties they have, their holiday rental properties and anything else they didnt give to the Banks. The extra two pieces of land for golf courses at CdA and the Oasis land is with Banks- very little property is being built at the moment because they can't sell what they have already got so there's every chance that Isla residents will have scenic views for years to come. Not even a whisper of the Paramount deal is anywhere in the media or on the 'net so even less for the Isla residents to worry about.

We should be talking this place up not down- prospective buyers read this forum and others and dont get a balanced viewpoint at all.

just because other people have it bad does that make us lucky ?

polaris rentals, dont think they will need office space for that 

I bet we have spent more euros on campasol that on condado 5 star  , go for it wish i had not 

Jeb - I was refering to facilities not build quality. Thats what stars are awarded for and I have never complained about Polaris Build Quality.

TQM, your right about this forum not being balanced! The positve coments far outnumber the negative onces, many disilusioned people are too scared to post on here for fear of being bullied by some of the half full brigade.

Please respect our opinions too, we are owners just like you, however our experiences and expectations have been different to yours

Darren, Camposol has a few years head start on Condado and was built in better economic times, hence no doubt the number of units on there, which by the way, often seem to change hands do doubt due to lack of profitability. In case you missed it, Condado was just getting going when Gordon Brown, other European Govts and their banking buddies stood by and watched/allowed the greatest ever property bubble and subsequent economic collapse ever to occur. Now come on be REALISTIC - what do you really expect, with MASSIVE unemployment, and low job security (for those that have jobs) to happen now - I'll say it again - WE ARE DARN LUCKY TO HAVE WHAT WE HAVE. Do some people think Polaris could operate in a bubble and ignore the economic maelstrom unleashed on the economies and continue to deliver to the original plans - I DON'T THINK SO.

When the European economies turn and better economic times return (but it will take some time for Govts to get their deficits in order) things will improve but please get real - is that coffee I smell ?

Ok, Jeb, if I take on board all you say and agree with it. Do you still think Condado is a 5Star resort, which was the original point of this exchange?

I agree 100% it's not what it said on the tin - but for very understandable reasons - and you know what, Polaris have probably done their best by owners in the circumstances - but come on, lets not drag the whole place down with negativity - support the Presidents' in the work they are doing - it's not really all that bad, in fact the place has a lot going for it, and I really hope Debbie gets on a plane and comes and takes look for herself ! and in few years you will hopefully look back and think it wasn't so bad afterall,

One would hope its not being suggested that I was being a bully- I was merely putting the case forward for being abit more positive about the resort. I am entitled to do that.

When we first were buying on the resort we planned to buy a Golf Suite apartment and my various in laws planned to buy an assortment of 3 bed and 2 bed apartments on Jardines and Naranjos. The ideas being to run a golf break holiday company with a variety of accommodation to meet all needs. We lucked out on Golf Suites and then Mirador and finally settled on a Jardines- the move to Mirador and then Jardines worried and unsettled me greatly as the cost was much more. In the end I was persuaded to go ahead and our apartment has three owners as a result. Our first visit to fit out the apartment was marred by noisy and inconsiderate neighbours and co-incided with a long conversation with a very embittered man who owns on CdA and also on Camposol. He couldnt wait to tell me all that was wrong on the resort which included neighbour's tresspassing, noise, people using the pools at 2am and so on. My early posts on this forum were incredibly negative as I was disappointed by almost everything including the original resort management companies lack of teeth when it came to enforcing the resort rules.  As the credit crunch bit most of the expected family purchases did not take place and people walked away from their deposits, the golf breaks company has not happened. My relationship with my partner broke down in the main because of the purchase we finally went  with but that I couldnt come to terms with.

However, you move on and in time I have come to see that CdA has much going for it. Unfortunately it wont make me a bucket load of money Darren. On balance we've got a better product than many people who bought just prior to the recession and as selling isnt an option I have to say I'm happy with that and see myself as luckier than many others.

 It is understandable that owners are disgruntled, we were all expecting three golf courses, town centres, lakes with restaurants, sporting facilities, million euro villas et al. Will these ever come about?, I don't know, but I do know that we have to offer support to each other and to our resort.

We simply cannot allow the resort to degrade into a place where the golf course and other facilities are not respected and acts of vandalism are allowed to go unchallenged. 

This forum is to assist owners by offering advice and assistance, to keep owners informed as to the management of the resort and to offer ALL owners a platform where ALL views can be aired. BUT It is also a gateway for potential visitors and those looking to rent a property to get a feel for the resort and find out what's happening on Condado. It is important therefore to ensure we behave responsibly when we post. Personally I believe there is no need to use language that h@s to be disguis*d to get across a point of view or express anger. Also some past forum posts where disgraceful in their content and childish in nature. Again this does not help or advance our cause.

I'm quite prepared to meet people face to face or stand toe to toe as needs be, but I'm not prepared to let my hard earned money be wasted or family enjoyment ruined by unacceptable behaviour. I intend to make the best of a bad lot in the hope that the future brings better days.

Great point Raff and well said. Whatever our opinions, there is absolutely no point in bad mouthing the investment we have all made on a public forum as only bad things will come from that.

I think it is good that Jeb has started the ´Moaners´thread but wish it was unavailable to the potential customers and investors that will view this forum as fertile ground to judge how things are on CDA and form an opinion that may influence their decision making.

I wonder who edits or controls the content of this forum as some of the stuff has been way below the standards required and is tantamount to ´having a punch up in the bar´.

Mind you it is much better that the content on the forums for Mar Menor and La torre - ziltch.

i came back from cda just over two weeks ago and i have to say i was in no way disapointed with the way the resort is shaping up. sure there are problems, there are problems all over the world, but nothing insurmountable, and yes i do respect the views of those who are not like minded.  the uncertain financial position polaris world found itself in and are now out of may be of benefit to all on cda. the resort is (finished) to a high standard with superb infrastructure and with the continued support from the powers that be i.e. local and regional government the resort can only get better, as it also has in seeing the new airport at corvera develop. when i say of benefit to all on cda, i mean with the green shoots of recovery people will have the confidence once again to purchase abroad and particularly in spain and right now there are fantastic bargains to be had. so if there is a quick-ish turn around for the banks to offload then they in turn will once again be in a position to offer loans to developers etc. and while people say it may be 10-20 years before we may see the oasis and the rest of what we were promised, it may be a more tempting opportunity at the right price for developers as all the surveys and licences and expensive ground-works are already in place, so maybe debbie you should not be so down heartened.

we have just gone through one of the worst winters in a long long time, especially for spain and of course the plants and shrubs are going to suffer the same as everything else,and as TQM has said they are already correcting this problem.

as for the poor misfortunates in camposol and other parts of spain i feel really sorry for them as it could have been any of us as many of us were at the mercy of estate agents so we can be thankful polaris did everythng by the book and i am sure they would have delivered the type of resort we all envisiged when we signed up if things did not go belly up.

when buildings are left unoccupied they become magnets for kids and teenagers to gather an with nothing on the resort to keep them interested (not all kids are interested in golf they want slot machines and pool etc in an appropriate place) they invariably turn to vandalism and graffiti, if only to impress their peers.

we just need for polaris to open up the al kazar to out side entrepreneurs to attract more people and keep us  owners and residents on site and  encourage growth. camposol right now serves a purpose but i would rather spend my money at cda given more choice and value.

i for one will alway stay positive

jake

Well said Jake and Raff and my good mate and neighbour Jeb

Graham

Well said Jake and Raff and my good mate and neighbour Jeb

Graham

We have a ground floor apartment on Jardine 10. We made eight trips out there last year and hope to do the same again this year.

Our opinion is that even though there aren't many facilities on sight, there are enough in easy reach and as long as the jardines etc. are looked after and not allowed to deteriorate, then we are quite happy to ride it out and see what the future holds.

We did not buy as an investment but to have a place in the sun to escape to, and we are very happy with what we have got, as are our grandchildren who absolutely love the place and can't wait to go again.

So lets not talk the place down. It may never be what it was supposed to be but it is still pretty good and I for one have no regrets whatsoever.

Tom.

I feel there are enough like minded owners/residents wanting to see Condado flourish to ensure we have a bright future. I cant wait to get back there for what will be our 8th visit since we completed.

I think we all realise it probably wont be on the scale of what we were expecting but have to be thankful that we have at least got a functioning resort and ensure we get the best out of it.

We need to continue to support the bar/restaurant and supermarket which will ensure these facilties remain and who knows, may encourage other units to be occupied

With Polaris scaling back operations, I'm hoping there will be a bigger opportunity for the community to run things such as the sports area

Lets stick together

Salud   

Hi Darren,

You'll be running for president of your garden then? since you are not happy with the state of afffairs, no I didn't think so, quite happy to mouth off but not prepared to put your time or effort in to help inprove things.  I do agree with SOME of the things you say, but on the whole your comments are niether helpful or constructive.  Waddle is correct we all have to work together to improve what we have and to add to what we have.  Bad mouthing the resort and PW does noone any favours.

Still in the half full brigade

Ali

hi jake could not agree more looking forward to coming out this july sorry i wont see you this year still love having my own escape to the sun drinks on the rooftop pool on my doorstep 30 mins to some fantastic beaches..could do with a bit more entertainment but you never know maybe someday..soon hopefully  

hi steve

we missed you by one week ths time and a mix up in dates for our main break, pete was telling me. we hope to see you both soon maybe we will get a good deal for a long weekend in july. i will drop you an e-mail, regards to liz

jake

cheers mate hope you and the family are well it would be great to see you all again this summer hopefully ..all the best

I am looking forward to my first visit to condado since July. I loved the place last year before I had even had the chance to sample golf course, clover and restaurant. My partner also loves the place so it can't be that bad, I certainly do not have a pool in my garden at home. Some people think we have been lucky some don't and I respect that. I think we are somewhere in the middle as yes we don't have the facilities we were promised but we do have a clean nice looking resort.  I initially bought the place as an investment as thought it would be a golfers paradise with 3 golf courses. I personally do not see this happening now nor do I see the Oasis becoming a reality. I have accepted this in my head and I just pray we get a clubhouse and the landscaping is complete on what I believe is a magnificent golf course. 

I am so looking forward to my first experiance of the clover, golf course and restaurant and I hope I am not let down.

I will post further thoughts on my return.