Introduction to Resorts & Developments

Under the bullet point ‘Resorts & Developments’ in the left menu is a list of Resorts and  Developments, and within each is a brief overview of what is available there, who builds or built it, the ‘scale’ of the place, where it is located etc. But what is a “Resort” and what is a “Development”?

A “Development” is a group of properties built by a builder or developer. From one end of the spectrum to the other it may be just one block of apartments, just 6 villas, or 3,000 or more properties. Although it will never be just a single dwelling, it will always be a group of properties, the term ‘Development’ does itself not give any indication of the scale of the project. For this reason we have given an idea of the scale of the project in each write up. Larger Developments will tend to include shops, cafés, bars and restaurants as well as just dwellings.

Large developments are often called “Urbanisations” but this is an unfortunate term, as it conjures up a mental picture of urbanity, of masses and masses of properties all on top of each other so to speak in some great metropolis.  And of course this may sometimes be the case … but it so often is not the case, with incredibly pretty Urbanisations set in very rural locations next to olive groves and little Spanish Churches. For this reason we have tended not to use the term “Urbanisation” in the spanish home 4u web site, instead, as mentioned above, we have given an idea of the scale and size of each project in each write up.

A “Resort” is an upmarket, “All-Inclusive” Development, where the developer has not just built properties, but has tried to build-in everything not only that one needs, but also what one might also like on-site. For example often (but not always) a golf course, a hotel, a Spa, gym, shops, banks or cash point machines, cafés, bars and restaurants, and maybe the main distinguishing feature of a “Resort” is a Social Club for property owners (not just some ‘beer and skittles’ club, but a sophisticated, often luxurious and upmarket Club House with leather sofas, more café bars and restaurants etc., and sometimes even open log fires). Another distinguishing feature of a “Resort” is that more often than not they are secure, with a walled perimeter and security access.  But please do not let this idea grow into some great sprawling Urbanisation either! Some “Resorts” are indeed large with upwards of 3,000 properties on them, but some have just 688! The greatest exponent of, and the most successful Resort builder in this part of Spain is Polaris World. 

So even within a "Development" one is buying more than just a property, one is buying a "lifestyle", yet buying in a "Resort" one has this lifestyle more on-hand, more local, and possibly with the extra layer of security one is buying more peace of mind as well as the lifestyle.