Update - just got back today!

Been out for a long weekend - Thursday to this morning (Sunday).

Weather - had two sunny days Friday and Saturday, cold out of the sun definitely need jumper and a coat in an evening.  Through the day however if you find a sunny spot you can sit in shorts and even a bikini top (if you are feeling brave).  Sat on Mazarron front yesterday lunchtime, having lunch and taking in the rays, caught the sun too!

Complex has changed since our last visit in October, the main difference being the Foro, there is a new road built from the Jardines to the Foro site, at present this is a massive red brick building, this has gone up remarkably quickly and the chap in the sales office said it was on schedule to open in April.  I have posted some photos.  Infront of the Foro is a massive grass area which they are watering all the time, we were told this is to be 3 football pitches, a bowling green and a pitch and put area?  The Polaris supermarket will open here straight away, I asked who else would be able to take units, he was quite vague so not sure if it will be limited to Polaris restaurants/shops etc, we will have to see.

An update on the golf course is October, as soon as the Foro is complete they are then going to start on the club house, however the build of the clubhouse will not be intime for the start of the golf so there will be some interim buildings/portocabins to serve as the clubhouse until it is ready.

Looking at the big site plan in the sales office we were informed various "bits" have been postponed/cancelled including Mirador and some penthouse apartments which were due to be built inbetween the Foro and leading towards the Jardines.  This is due to the current financial climate.  Asking what would be built behind the Jardines it was still not decided, however they were going to start to landscape it to make it more attractive, and the original area where our "town" was going to be to serve the Jardines would not have residential properties built on it at anytime, it would always be kept for services/shopping/utilities in the future if required.

Whilst you hear the word postonement of building, we have not come back panicking that things will not happen, we feel very much reassured and confident in their plans.  The complex is looking fabulous and we can't wait for the better weather and to go back in a few weeks.

When asking about the TV it is as has already been said on the Forum, 2-3 weeks and 400 Euros, the techie bits are apparently all in place, they just need to sort out the paperwork, I have left our e-mail address for them to advise us when it is ready, if I hear anything I will post on forum.

Had a couple of mini power supply problems across the complex this morning but only for a minute or so each time.

All in all a good visit and we are happy!

Lindsey & Martyn

Hi Lindsay, thanks for all the info. Our eldest son has been over all week and his texts and phone calls have been positive about the resort. Though they were a bit chilly first night and whilst they sorted the heating. This is first time he's been over and he's due here any minute so we're looking forward to his update.

Hi Lindsey

We too have just returned from a break in Murcia, we were there to see how our apartment was getting on in Condado del Alhama (La Isla).  We wee very surprised how it was getting on.  We want to go out there again in the near future and want to rent an apartment on the complex do you know of anyone willing to let there property out?

Where are the best beaches we went to one I think called Bolveno which was very quaint and so warm.  We are getting quite excited about our purchase despite the extra it is costing us (the euro!!)

Regards

Mandy

Hi Lindsay

What a great up date! Will be over form 22-29 Feb and will try and update yout update!

Ray & Ethnea

Sons visit over and he and girlfriend really enjoyed the resort and can see the potential. This is good as he and she are more 'Clubland Spain' holiday makers and we weren't sure what they would make of CdA but they didnt have a bad thing to say (other than girlfriend found lack of street lights a bit disconcerting at night time) They used Camposol on several evenings but hope Foro will have enough to entertain them in future, plus looking forward to bbq weather. For the time being they recommened Tony's taxi @12 euro's- also said Carol (anglebabe) couldnt have been more helpful and really helped them with Lasagne food parcels and Champagne for a birthday breakfast!!

Hi Mandy

Welcome to the forum - sure you will find lots of useful information on here and everyone is really friendly!

Can imagine you were very impressed with the progress on La Isla - it is really coming on well and the views from the apartments are going to be stunning. 

You ask in your posting whether anyone has an apartment for rent at Condado for your next visit - we have two apartments in Jardin 12 which we rent out.  If you would like to look at photos etc, please visit our website (address below).

There is a thread somewhere from a couple of weeks ago entitled "Beaches" which gives quite a lot of information about various beaches in the area, with directions, details of facilities etc. 

Debbie

Hi Mandy,

We have an apartment in Naranjos garden 1, right next to La Isla.

Details below

Phil

Hi Mandy

We have an apartment to rent at very reasonable rates.If you are interested use the link below to have a look.

Kev

Heres hoping that everything they are still working on continues at the pace of the last 6 months. I am really looking forward to going back over at Easter (sounds like there will be quite a few around as well) and seing the changes from the last visit in November. Great to see the regular postings of up-date photo's but nothing like seeing it in the flesh.

On a seperate note, I must complement Debbie & Paul on their web page. Very professionally done. If I was wanting to show anyone I knew what the resort is about and the properties that were available for rent I think your page would be the one I would ask people to look at so far. Standard of decor is very appealing - I hope you are successful with your renting out over the coming years. Same wish of success goes to other renters and hopefully we don't get a price war with give-away lets because the success of the resort will very much depend on a reasonable level of occupancy to keep the planned facilities in the Foro (said facilities also need to get their prices right) in buisness but at the same time we need to keep the standards of the place HIGH because I'm sure that's what most of us bought into.

Regards,

The pics of the Foro show just how much it has come along. It looks quite a chunky building- do you think they will have any windows on the outer sides and whether it will be white or terracota rendered?

I would guess terracotta to match the Customer Services/Sales Centre, but don't know for definate.  They have inlets within the brickwork, but these are bricked up and not for windows, again similar to Customer Services I presume these are just for "Morrocan" character.  From the sketches available of what it is going to look like, I think the plan is for a central water feature and glass fronted shops within the courtyard.  Does look a bit worrying all the red brickwork thrown together, but I am sure it will all come together.  The entrance ways on each side are massive and very impressive, so will allow plenty of light in.

I think it adds to the excitment each time you visit or log onto to this web site to see what is happening!

Lindsey & Martyn

Hi Lindsey,

We've just got back also, we were there friday to monday, we have just agreed to swap from a penthouse on terazzas della torre to a penthouse on condado instead. (we paid our deposit in 2006, and the property in terazzas might be ready in 2010!)

Like you, we were really happy with what we saw and were told about the future plans for condado.  However i was a little disappointed to discover that polaris carhire do not offer the 'collection from the airport  to a waiting car at your appartment service' for condado. So i was wondering  if you or anyone else had found any hassle free car hire in the area?

Thanks

Simon   ( In Holmfirth and now condado aswell)

We've just used the regular variety of car hire firms at the airport, no real problems with any. We were told that the collection at airport with hire car being in your parking space awaiting your arrival would be a service offered- eventually. Also told there will be a shuttle service to and from Corvera Airport- eventually.

We used www.doyouspain.co.uk, worked out really well as no additional charge for flying into Alicante and out of Murcia, something Centura charged 25 Euros for last year, although who knows what will happen come summer.  They utilised Auriga Crown which had the longest queue and when you are stood there waiting for your keys you do question if you have used the right company and at that point would happily pay that little bit extra to just get on your way!  Anyway we said no to the extra insurance charge of 3 Euros a day (I am from Yorkshire!) and paid the 300 Euros for tyres etc whihc would get refunded when handing the car back if all ok,  So paid 22 Euros for 3 days car hire (yes 22 Euros!), 36 Euros for fuel and an extra 300 Euros deposit for tyres.  We rented the car Thurs to Sunday and got the refund back into our credit card account Monday, so no complaints.  Car hire after conversion cost £23 for 3 days, we returned the car full of fuel, a bargain!

There again winter prices, let's wait for Summer..................

Lindsey & Martyn

Hi

Regarding the car hire, where is the nearest or best place for filling up with fuel before returning the hire car at Murcia Airport?

Thanks

Phil

We normally fill up at the petrol station next to polaris world garden centre.

Tom and Jane
 

Hi Phil,

We filled up at the petrol station at the shopping centre, couple of minutes from Murcia airport.

Lisa

Hi Phil,

We filled up at the petrol station at the shopping centre, couple of minutes from Murcia airport.

Lisa

Hi Lindsay and Martyn,

Many thanks for the great update, so reassuring and good to hear things are still progressing well. We're heading down on Sunday and reading your post have made me look forward to it even more. :)

George