11 May 2010 6:44 PM:

Hi all Irish/Uk owners at Spa Valley.  I missed yr post about the meeting. Did not get to know about it in time. Please post again if you are organising another meeting , no matter how small attendance I would like to be there and share views /opinions and ideas for future on the Spa Valley .

Community thread: Meeting in Ireland for owners in Spa Valley 1 and 2

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23 Sep 2009 2:10 PM:

Hola Fernando and Other Subscribers to this forum,

Many Thanks for your information and advice re IKEA. Although we originally bought off plan with intention of renting or reselling, I would not have considered the Spa Valley concept unless I felt in my heart that it would be a nice place to have and use for personal lifestyle and enjoyment if we had to hold on to it.  I see Spa Valley as being more ideal for short winter breaks. It is in a  warm and sheltered location with heated pool and gymn at a time when the usual holiday locations along the coast will be very windy. For us North Europeans it will be nice to have a mid winter break to the Balneario and winter sunshine with a choice of airports.

I do not see it as a major attraction to North Europeans in the Summer as most people will go to the beach locations. Those who are informed about the attraction of the Balneario may go for a day trip with perhaps a 1 night stay.

There may be a summer rental market for Spa Valley within Spain itself where you are lucky enough to have plenty of sunshine all year round and have Spanish people looking for an alternative or a stopover on the way to/from the coast.

The key to future success of the Spa Valley concept will be a direct pedestrian link to the Balneario from where people can continue on the existing paths towards the town.

Other than justified criticism of the Developers and Sales agents, I would be reluctant to egage in too much negative criticism on a public forum of the development as any negative comments will appear when potential purchasers and renters google Spa Valley. As you say , we must think of it now as our second home or a long term investment and emphasise the many positive aspects.   However we must stay in contact as individual owners to share our views and  ideas and to have the strength and co-ordination to get things done.  For this reason I will text you my E-Mail.  As I cannot include my E-Mail on this post, other Spa Valley owners are welcome to text me on 00-353-87-677 2345 and I will forward by return

Hasta Luego

Community thread: Property Management Company?

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22 Sep 2009 3:34 PM:

Hola All Spa Valley Owners/Residents,

I can agree fully with JustJay last post. I was there twice in July and August. . In July we reluctantly completed on a Penthouse in Fase II. as could not just walk away from the almost certainty of losing a substantial deposit. The contracted price now appears in excess of the market value if any market exists at all so we will just have to think long term and hope for a slow upturn in 6 to 10 years.

This was something we were all aware of when we bought off plan so dont expect much sympathy in this regard. However although not included in the private contract, it was implied to us that we would have a reasonable expectation of a rental return and of course a direct path linking us to the Balneario, neither of which seems to be forthcoming at least in the short to medium term.

Does anyone else recall being told somewhere that owners in Spa Valley II would also have membership of the "sports/social club" facilities ??  I understood this was included in the purchase price but now I find you have to pay €600 per year for membership of something that is not yet finished and this is part of the agreement to join the OASIS LUX Spa Resort Rental Scheme. ??

Other than the aforementioned , I can say that the development looks very nice and is finished off to an acceptable standard. Everything within the complex appears to be OK and we enjoyed the use of the pool and gymn facilities on our short visits during the summer.  There is an issue about the pile of rocks and builders rubble on the perimiter of the site particularly the corner facing the town and the mountain with the cross on top. but this land may be the responsibility of the town hall for future development.

Two observations on the pool/garden area of Fase II during August.  The crazy golf is a nice landscape feature and the sound of the water in the stream good idea but it was a source of mosquitos who seemed to be breeding in the stagnant parts of the water. I cannot see anyone going near this facility in summer until this issue is addressed.   

Also I was shocked to see people (Spanish I regret to say) smoking constantly IN the pool and two adults in particular who lay in the childrens pool smoking.  There were large bowls provided in the seating area and on the grass as ashtrays for smokers. These were filled with water resulting in a foul  "Gazpacho" mix.  They were not emptied and left right at the pools edge. If someone came out at night and accidentally knocked one of these "ashtrays" into the pool ,- Who was going to pay to have the pool cleaned out and possibly refilled. ?? To think that this was even tolerated at the childrens pool was shocking.  I reported this as best I could to the Porter who did remove the bowls back to the grass but next day they were back at the edge of the pool.  I will be contacting the Administrator about this issue anmd asking the President to put rules in place forbidding smoking in the pool.

I will be back in Spa Valley II on Tues 6th and Wed 7th October to install some light fittings and be glad to meet with any owners who happen to be available.   I will be in Attico Apt. 33 Bloque 2  Fase II and my Mobile is 00-353-87-677 2345

Does anyone know how best to access the riverside walk from Spa Valley or the Balneario towards the town. ??

As I will have very limted short time this visit, Is it worthwhile going thro all the hassle of IKEA to buy light fittings,bathroom mirrors etc ??   Would it be easier to go to Leroy Merlyn or the Electrical shop "Electrodomesticos Carlos Abenza " in Archena who done the electric connections. Has anyone any recomendations on this.

Community thread: Property Management Company?

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27 May 2009 8:48 PM:

Hola Ger and All Spa Valley People,

Glad to hear you are making good use of yr apartment and enjoying the area.  Like you , one of the main reasons I signed up to buy at Spa Valley was the promised direct footpath connection to the Spa.  I have walked thro the orchard a few occasions, No problem myself , but with wife and child it is far from ideal.  Also possibility of danger in the dark from mugging/robbery although I have not yet heard of any actual attacks and hopefully it will remain so.  I consider the footpath across the orchard to be very important as residents and renters in Spa Valley would like to stay late to enjoy the music, dancing and have late drinks at the Casino Bar in the Balneario and avoid having to drive all the way around and through the town after consuming alcohol.

 Without the direct footpath connection, the whole convenience of being near the Spa is lost. Also future marketing of Apartment Rentals will be pointless without this peatonal /footpath facility. For example look at the Internet prices of the Archybal Touristic Apartments and Hotel Hyltor in the town which are very competitive and right beside bars and restaurants. Also good value prices for midweek stay in the On-Site Balneario Hotels.  Note also the restricted parking at the Balneario, you now have to pay for underground parking which further adds to the expense if staying longer than 2 hours. There is nothing other than the Balneario within reasonable walking distance of the Spa Valley development. OK you could walk the 2 km into Archena town at night, but would you walk back at night along a road with no pavement/path.

Most visitors dont mind hiring a car to drive from/to the airport or go to the beach etc, but there are days when you arrive at your apartment you would just like to relax and not have to worry about driving. Does anyone else feel the same.?

My family and I will be arriving into Alicante on 25th June.   If we have reached agreement and completed on the apt. then we will probably  stay in Spa Valley or in rented accomodation for a few days before driving on down to Costa Del Sol.  I would like to take the opportunity to meet with other owners to discuss matters of mutual interest.

If the path is not complete and the landowner  holding out for more money , then this may be a serious long term concern and I would have to take this into account in deciding whether to proceed with our purchase or not. In addition , the marketing material suggested that residents of Spa Valley would get discounts at the Balneario.  This was a blatant lie as the Spa Valley Oasis Med Development is seen as competition to the On-Site Hotels who control the Balneario. In fact it is in the interest of the Balneario Hotels and other touristic facilities in the town to make life difficult for Oasis and the owners in Spa Valley . So I gues  the orchard landowner has plenty of local business and possibly political support. This does not bode well for direct access from Spa Valley I and II to the Balneario.

Thanks again for the update and info.

Community thread: Property Management Company?

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27 May 2009 10:34 AM:

Hola ,

Fernando, Sarah , Anthony and all others with an interest in Spa Valley .

It was good to hear some positive news about the development.  I myself have not yet completed on a Penthouse as I am awaiting on final agreement of some issues with Oasis and clarification of the Rental Management Scheme.  I have grave doubts if the rental scheme will ever get going off the ground as at present from my experience with them I do not have confidence in the present rental management.

I am still awaiting confirmation that the direct walkway across the orchard will be completed. There is very little to be done at either end but there appears to be no movement for some reason perhaps legal issue ?  My other concerns are the poor quality of the handrail finish on the internal stairs and the delay in obtaining touristic licence. Even if it is granted , the Bedrooms are very small and Bedroom No. 2 will only be approved for 1 person - does this mean only 1 small bed allowed ?    The longer these issues remain unresolved makes me re-consider and look at cheaper alternative opportunities with similar facilities that are available in other countries. Perhaps it would be better to walk away now rather than get into something that could be a nightmare to sell and impossible to rent out due to the oversupply of rental accomodation in the Archena area.  I agree it will be a very nice place to live but as an investment, I now have my doubts.  I will also be in Spain in the first week of June. I could go to Archena but only if it is worth visiting to see any progress since Easter.  I would be grateful if anyone can give an update on the direct walkway, the touristic rentals, and the heated pool.

To those of you who have already completed, I wish you well and happiness with your new acquisition.

 

 

Community thread: Property Management Company?

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