current situation at Playa Macenas

Hi everyone,

Just came back from Spain, have visited Playa MAcenas. I have been surprised to hear that it will be at least 10 months delay at Los Altos completion (apartments in the far end, up to the hill, sheduled summer 2010). Currently they have got problems with building company and how long it will take no one knows. Anyone at the same situation? What are you going to do? Have you asked MEdGroup for discount?

Hello in response to Olya message about the ALTOS delay, i myself was waiting for my Alto when Medgroup told me about the delay's in construction, at the same time they offered the possibility to change to a PATIO finished apartment. After few thoughts we decided to go for the change. I have to say that we were given a better deal for same price, that is the Patio apartment was a bit more expensive than the Alto, the only condition was that I had to buy in the next 2 months, no delay. We are very happy about it, anyone can be offered the same deal if you are interested in the change and meanwhile they are still Patios or Torres unsold, you just have to ask.

I have just come back from 4 days at Playa Macenas.

Definately no building work going on - and unlikely to be for the forseeable future I was told.  Only a few workers on site and these were doing remedial work on some Los Patios apartments. Water has been a major issue for some.

Seems as though they are concentrating on running the resort until the property market picks up. They still have quite a few Los Patios apartments to sell so will be a while before they continue with other stages.

The resort was very quiet - probably less than 5 other apartments/townhouses being occupied but then it is out of season. Ursula and Sheila did say that interest for rentals was strong and they expect to be busy from April onwards. Everything seems to be working to that date re the facilities. The girls were hopeful that the gym, restaurant etc would be operational by then - but were not 100% confident.

The two additional golf holes were not started yet.

Dean

 

 

Dean

Thanks for the update. We have a Los Patios which we completed on last August and are due to go out on 2nd April for a week before we have guests arriving at various times throughout the year. Was the Beach Club Swimming Pool open and operational and if so was it clean. I told Ursula last year that I was not prepared to pay the resort fee until she could give me some assurances that facilities would be open. When I was there in October she seemed to be indicating that the Beach Club would only be open from June until September and as there is no indoor pool this concerned me.

If what you are saying is correct I my need to pay the fee so that our paying guests can use the limited facilites that are available when they arrive.

Neil

 

Neil

The Beach Club pool was drained for the winter so obviously not open.  They reckon they will be busy April onwards so I presume the pool will open early April. As it is not heated it may be quite cold to swim then so maybe it will be a bit later.

The coffee bar was open for drinks and lunchtime food etc.  This is the one on the same level as the golf reception. 

I believe enough people have paid the Resort fee for them to ensure that users of the pool are restricted to members and their guests but I could not say for sure whether they will enforce this. I am paying monthly so if it transpires that you do not need membership to access the pool I may well stop the direct debits - unless they are being successful re bookings.

The place is lovely though - was good to go back and am looking forward to revisiting in August.

Golf course is a little disappointing but then we played Valle De Este and Desert Springs as well which are excellent and very close. Playa Macenas needs those extra two holes built asap but this may be a long way off given their sudden reluctance to spend.

Dean

 

 

 

 

Dean

I agree the place is lovely and I believe that once people start visiting the development they will want to return.I will speak to Ursula and try to find out when the pool will be open as I have guests arriving on 9th April with 3 children and it would be good if the pool is up and running. Good to hear that the snack bar was open as this is also important. Do you know how many Los Patios are left to sell and if the Med Group are lowering prices to attract buyers? How much did you pay for a round of golf at Playa Macenas and how did this compare with Valle de Este and Desert Springs? I thought I may try and advertise the property on a few golfing web sites. I played the course a few times last year and I agree without the additional two holes the course is extremely short.

Neil

 

Neil

I believe there are around 80 apartments yet to sell on Los Patios.  Some people have had trouble raising a mortgage in current climate and consequently the unsold units are higher than they might like.  I also understand that Med Group have retained some units for themselves and will be renting these out - not sure if they are in the 80 or in addition.

As for property prices I did not get an up to date price list when I was over last week,  When I was there in August the prices were certainly high and they were not budging in order to sell. This may well have changed. The Spanish economy is in the same if not worse position than our own and this must affect property prices and probably summer rentals.

Playa Macenas golf cost us 45 euros each (after the 20% discount) and this included carts.  We also played Valle De Este which was 60 euros (a cart was free if you wanted one but we walked) and Desert Springs which was 50 euros (excluding a cart but we walked anyways).   Valle De Este is about 25 mins away and is a very good course - quite tough. Desert Springs is about 30 mins and is excellent - well worth a visit. Great swimming pools for the family to relax whilst you play the course in the summer months. 

How do they compare to Playa Macenas?  They cannot compete for scenery and location but they are better courses at the moment. If Playa Macenas make their two new holes par 4's and maybe lenghten one or two of the other holes I think Playa Macenas will win hands down.  If the new holes are par 3's then the course will never be as good. With the two new holes being par 4's that will leave six par 3's which is just about OK. If the new holes are par 3's that will increase the par 3's to 7 or 8 and that is too many for any decent course. Will be a nice walk and a pleasure to play but there will be better courses elsewhere. 

I have a feeling they had to give some land back to the government so the course is not as originally intended but they can still make it a top notch course if they spend some money on the new holes.  

Dean

 

Hi Dean / Neil,

I understood that a lot of land was given over to the protection of the "rare plant" and correspondingly the course length & unit density both suffered. Unless anything has changed the two missing holes are both par threes and the course will suffer because of it. In reality they have not got the room to extend resort side of the road. Maybe they could extend the beach side, however, these holes will be pretty good anyway when the 2 par fives are back in full operation.

Sorry no good news really.

David