Updates April 2010

For anyone worried about what is happening at Marina d'Or, we have just returned from a short visit and were pleasantly surprised by what we found around the resort in general.

The general appearance was good, the gardens are well maintained and have been extended since our last visit a couple of years ago. There were a few cafes open in various locations during the daytime, and a few restaurants on limited days a week.

There was some building work going on on a couple of  new apartment blocks (not necessarily Marina d'Or ones) and the Marina d'Or Golf tent was still open showing people the new development planned (don't know when they'll be started but there were groups of people looking around it.

The 4 star hotel was open and the Gran Duque 3 star too (where we were forced to stay since our old managers had left our apartment in a terrible state - fortunately we have help in hand from the new managers recommended to us). As we were preoccupied in sorting out this mess we didn't have time to investigate very much.

Oropesa town looked fine, too, all the shops we remembered were still there - the market has moved to next to the Bullring since we last went and work was going on nearby in creating a garden area. All in all we came back reassured that the place was not deteriorating into dereliction just yet.

Hi Babs 16

Its good to hear a nice report from marina dor for a change.

I think we are all worried that the golf etc wont go ahead as this is why so many of us bought there.

Any news on the airport opening up?

Keep up the good work posting news here

Regards Colette

Hi Colette

It's good to know there are others around using this forum.

I had a pm from someone saying the golf course is definitely going ahead, but the larger projects are on hold, not surprisingly.

There was activity going on around the airport - the buildings seem to be there and we saw road signs to it but didn't have time to follow them as we'd spent ages driving around in the wrong direction. The connection to the N340 wasn't finished but there may be another route. I have heard a rumour that Ryannair are planning to fly there from Ireland this summer - will keep a look out for other routes. I believe it is just down to the airlines now to choose to fly there.

There is also work going on on a desalination plant near the northern entrance to Marina d'Or. I feel optimistic that things will eventually pick up again, though it may take a few years - as in the rest of Spain.

Thank you for the updates on Marina Dor - this is very helpful

Curran

Glad to see that people are using the forum again.

We are in Vistamar 1 since 2005, we are coming out around 14th May and will take a look at the airport.

Margaret

I was there not too long ago..i was surprised to see that in late season things were still busy. certainly not like before. but i think the airport is ready, it is just a matter of when it will open, currently there is talk about september/october of this year. also, the golf resort in cabanes has been approved already. i think this speaks volumes given the overall situation in spain..it will just take much longer now to see the resort we had hoped for, but things are moving forward.

I was in Marina D'or in May and was also pleasantly surprised by how nice it looks now.  The trees and shrubs have all grown and the whole resort looked 'greener' which was much better than the total 'red brick' look which is all I saw last time I was there!  The gardens appear to be being well maintained and we actually found a lovely restaurant along the seafront with an English menu!  The Italian restaurant was still serving great food, although a lot of the other bars and restaurants were not open and there was not very many people about (however the ash cloud was a big broblem the week we were there and the weather quite cold for the time of year, so that probably had something to do with it).  There was work going on at the water park (although not a lot).  Our swimming pool in Vistamar III was still closed.   We hired a car and explored the area this time, and found Alcossebre which is about 20 mins drive North which was really nice with a lovely Marina at the far end of the resort.  Also loved Benicassim.   Hoping that business will pick up once the new airport opens, and also hoping that work will soon start on the rest of the resort - it will be a big bonus even if they got on with the golf courses for now!

Please keep the updates coming!

Haven't been on for a while. Has anybody got any definitive information on when the long awaited new Castellon airport is actually going to open? There seems to be a drip feeding of information, and even that appears to have dried up. I often wonder will the damn thing ever open? It would seem that all the infrastructure is in place, so what is the problem now? Is it simply down to the economic situation? Has Ryanair actually made any real commitment to this airport or is it a case of the usual hype from them? They have just thrown the toys out of the pram(again) and pulled out of Belfast City Airport because they aren't getting a quick enough decision re their proposal to increase the length of the runway. I seem to remember them pulling out of Valencia in a huff a few years ago, because they could not get their own way. The usual attempt at economic blackmail,  although something tells me they did return with a limited service later. I may be wrong about that, not sure.

my understanding it will open in feb/march 2011..keeps getting postponed..i heard local spnish airlines have signed up and that the hold up is partly related to the economy and partly to typical spanish delays.

 Hello

Has anybody got any news on life in Marina Dor.  I visited in January and noticed a new Church but everything was closed for the winter -  even the large hotels.

Will be going back again soon so would appreciate any hints,tips etc., to make trip enjoyable.

Any idea how to be involved in rentals - I received a reply last year  with some info but cannot find it now!!