Gourmet offerings across Europe tempt travellers to enjoy more than just winter sunshine

by Louise Albania Italy Spain Appassionata, Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, Taylor Wimpey Spain

Spanish cuisine attracted 7.4 million international travellers in 2013 (Turespaña)
67.5% of visitors to Italy frequent restaurants and pizzerias (National Union of Chambers of Commerce)
Foodie focus at Albania’s most exclusive Adriatic resort, with properties from €35,000 (Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa)

Britain used to have an incredibly poor reputation when it came to cuisine, but two decades of love and attention have revolutionised the UK’s edible offerings. Now, the country can proudly boast of its world-class cuisine, with everything from fine dining establishments in big cities to gourmet country pubs attracting tourists to the UK.

However, Britain’s foodie offerings were insufficient to earn it a mention in the Huffington Post report on the 20 most Michelin starred cities by capita in the world. Instead, France, Italy and Japan stole the limelight, with Spain (San Sebastian and Marbella) also earning two spots in the top 20.

The Spanish results are a far cry from the ‘Costa del Nightmares’ currently being showcased on British TV by Gordon Ramsay. Of course, nightmare restaurants can still be found in Spain (as in any country), but the majority of establishments are offering fresh, locally produced food that celebrates the country’s fantastic flavours. In fact, Spanish cuisine drew 7.4 million international tourists to the country in 2013, according to Turespaña – an increase of 32% on 2012.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“Spain has some wonderful flavours flowing through its cuisine. Saffron and paprika add both taste and colour, while a rich variety of meats and cheeses delight the pallete. The climate here also means that Spain benefits from a wonderful range of domestically produced wines and olive oils, as the long summer season makes growing conditions just perfect.”

Taylor Wimpey España has two developments currently near the foodie capital of Marbella: La Floresta Sur, in a peaceful location near Elviria Beach, where the large two and three bedroom apartments start at €178,000; and Avalon, in the best golf resort near Puerto Banus, where apartments are available from €265,000.

Italy’s gourmet reputation is unquestioned and its pizza, pasta, gelato and wine have been drawing tourists to it for decades. Data from the National Union of Chambers of Commerce reveals that 67.5% of those who travel to Italy attend its restaurants and pizzerias, while 68.3% frequent bars, cafés and bakeries.

Luxury Italian fractional ownership company Appassionata has found that food and flavour cooking holidays are one of the key attractions for the owners of their properties. From the urban fractional Casa Tre Archi (from £65,00 per fraction), in close proximity to an award-winning pizzeria, to the rural Casa Leopardi (£195,000 per fraction), where owners share in the wine, olive oil and truffles produced on the estate, food is high on the priority list. Owners regularly indulge in cookery lessons with pasta chef Fabio, either at his Castello di Marte restaurant or at their Appassionata holiday home. Appassionata founder Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs observes,

“Italy has such an incredible reputation for food and it’s definitely well deserved. Here in the Le Marche region, the emphasis is on locally sourced produce, so the diet is rich in game, fish, wonderful cheeses, peppery olive oils and soft, velvety red wines. We buy and cook what is in season, the ultimate in healthy living. My personal favourite are the local mussels, caught in Pedaso, cooked in white wine and garlic, accompanied by a chilled glass of local passerina white wine’’.

One less obvious gourmet destination, but one that is fast rising up the ranks of foodie must-visits, is Albania. Just 45 miles from Italy, Albania’s cuisine shares many of its neighbour’s flavours, but without the heft price tag. While Italy is known as an expensive place to eat and drink, Albania offers the same wines for as little as €4, making it a wonderful alternative for a foodie holiday.

The food offering formed an important part of the development and planning stage for the exclusive Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa on Albania’s Adriatic coast, where deluxe apartments and villas can be purchased from between €35,000 and €360,000. Marketing Director Peter Walshe explains,

“Albania’s traditional and Italian inspired cuisine is fantastic and we were keen to showcase this as part of the Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa. The development’s emphasis is on high-end, luxury accommodation and facilities and we knew that the food has to be first-class. We will feature both local dishes and select international dining experiences, as well as freshly caught seafood – with 300 m of private beach frontage, it would be a crime not to! The fruit and vegetables grown in the region are outstanding for freshness and quality and it’s incredibly cheap too.”

As rain and winds descend on the UK once more, the lure of winter sunshine becomes ever stronger. Thanks to destinations such as those mentioned above it can now be accompanied by gourmet feasting as well.

For more information on the properties detailed above, please contact:

Taylor Wimpey España: +44 (0) 8000 121 020 or www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Appassionata: +39 33154 13225 or www.appassionata.com.

Lalzit Bay: +44 845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.

From restaurants to property, Portugal offers some of the best value in Europe, as UK holidaymakers seek out bargains

by Louise Portugal Ideal Homes Portugal, Overseas Property Show

Average holiday cost rises 7% in a single year to top £1,400 (Halifax)
Portuguese property prices up 1.22% in the year to Q1 2014 (INE)
Penthouse with sea views, terrace and Jacuzzi for less than €300k (Ideal Homes Portugal)

New research from Halifax has revealed that the average holiday cost has now reached £1,404 per person, a hefty 7% increase on the previous year’s figure. However, the increased cost hasn’t put people off heading overseas. In fact the reverse is true, with Halifax revealing that 56% of those surveyed headed overseas in 2014 for their main holiday, compared with 45% in 2013.

Value for money was a key concern to the survey’s respondents. 44% shopped around for deals before booking their holiday, while 19% booked well in advance in order to take advantage of ‘early bird’ offers.

Those looking for value for money from a holiday would do well to consider Portugal as their destination of choice. Chris White, Founding Director of boutique real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, explains,

“Portugal is a country with a rich heritage, delicious cuisine and welcoming attitude to visitors. It’s a wonderful place for the whole family and the Algarve region in the south is particularly attractive, benefiting from a reported 300 days of sunshine every year. The Algarve is packed with entertainment options, including world-class golf courses, water parks and retail centres, providing activities to keep the whole family occupied. Of course it also has some absolutely stunning beaches and a wide variety of water sports, including several first-rate harbours.”

Portugal’s property market currently offers excellent value for money for visitors looking to pick up a bargain second home in the sunshine. Statistics Portugal (INE) reported a 1.22% increase in property prices in the year to Q1 2014, following years of price declines, making now the optimum time to find a good value holiday home before prices rise too far.

A two bedroom penthouse apartment in the pretty eastern Algarve village of Fuzeta, for example, can be bought for just €295,000. The price includes a view that stretches out over the Ria Formosa nature reserve to the sea. It also includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms (one en suite), a high spec kitchen and a terrace complete with Jacuzzi.

Portugal has long been a favourite with British buyers looking for a sun-drenched second home just a short flight from the UK. Seen as more exclusive than Spain and less obvious than France, it offers a rich blend of culture, quality of life and incredible scenery that is hard to resist, all within a three hour hop on a budget airline from Blighty.

Interest has certainly been keen at this year’s celebrated Overseas Property Show, which has toured the UK over the course of September and early October. Two events remain in the schedule – Newmarket on 25-27 October and Aberdeen on 31 October to 3 November. Free tickets are available from www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com and attendees are invited to view and discuss the full range of properties currently on offer from Ideal Homes Portugal.

For further details of properties currently available in Portugal, call Ideal Homes Portugal on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email enquiries@idealhomesportugal.com or visit www.idealhomesportugal.com.

Germans top the table as ever more visitors head to Mallorca

by Louise Spain Taylor Wimpey Spain

Germans account for 18.4 million overnight stays during 2013 (Ultima Hora)
Touristic apartment occupancy up 3.4% in August 2014 (INE)
High spec 2 bedroom apartments from just €230,000 (Taylor Wimpey España)

Mallorca is an island blessed with stunning beaches, scenic mountains and a climate that attracts holidaymakers in their droves. It became a major tourist destination in the 1950s, since when the island has delighted millions of visitors, offering everything that a summer holiday should entail.

The largest of the four main Balearic Islands, which together accounted for 18.3% of Spanish tourism during 2013 according to Ultima Hora’s economic review of the year, Mallorca is the isle of choice for those looking for a sun-soaked family holiday, as well as for couples looking for a beach break with a little more sophistication and elegance.

The Ultima Hora report highlights the popularity of Mallorca with German tourists in particular. German visitors far outstripped those from other countries, with 18.4 million overnight stays during 2013. Visitors from the UK trailed behind, with just under 10.8 million overnight stays over the course of the year.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which has a number of leading developments on the island, comments,

“Mallorca is a true holiday paradise. Sun, sea and fabulous cuisine keep people coming here year after year and there are enough activities available to amuse everyone from toddlers to retirees.”

Pritchard speaks from the heart. His passion for Mallorca is such that he moved there with his family more than 20 years ago, since when he has been proud to present Taylor Wimpey España’s developments on the island to those looking for a high end second home in an exclusive location.

The company’s latest key-ready properties at the picturesque Cala Magrana III offer everything that visitors to the island are looking for from their accommodation, regardless of their country of origin. Available from just €230,000 thanks to an end of season offer, the last apartments have sea views and are located just 600m from Cala Anguila beach. Golf courses and Porto Cristo marina are also nearby, as well as a wealth of restaurants, bars and shops.

With either spacious gardens or generously appointed roof terraces, the apartments ensure that owners can partake of Mallorca’s laid back, outdoor lifestyle. The resort boasts a large swimming pool, communal gardens and dedicated sunbathing area in furtherance of this approach.

According to data from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), occupancy in touristic apartments on Mallorca during August 2014 was some 3.4% higher than the previous year, emphasising the popularity of this kind of accommodation on the island. Visitors looking to own their own apartment, rather than renting someone else’s, are frequently delighted with the range of offer from Taylor Wimpey España, as well as the ease of the buying process.

Barbara Hibbert, an owner at Cala Magrana, was impressed with the high build quality of the development and that the apartments had clearly been built for owners to live in, rather than just as holiday accommodation. Features such as decent-sized fitted cupboards and a handy utility room ensured that her apartment could be a true home from home, meaning she could relax the moment she arrived. The location, with the beach, restaurants and shops all within walking distance, was also perfect.

With more and more visitors discovering Mallorca each year, Taylor Wimpey España’s developments are rarely for sale for long, so those looking to live the Mallorquin dream, whether full time or just for a few weeks of the year, are encouraged to act sooner rather than later.

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

The student becomes the master. As a new batch of Apprentices line up, former star Zeeshaan Shah undertakes £7 million hotel development

by Louise United Kingdom One Investments

Series 10 of The Apprentice launches 9pm Tuesday 14^th October 2014 (BBC)
Apprentice start Zeeshaan Shah heads up £7 million hotel development (One Capital)
New ibis Styles Hotel, Greenwich Peninsula available to investors from £134,995 (One Investments)
Millennials to account for 50% of global workforce in next four years (EY)

As the latest series of The Apprentice gets set to air on Tuesday 14^th October at 9pm on BBC1, viewers across the UK are eagerly awaiting the new batch of candidates who have lined up ready to carry out Lord Sugar’s business whims as he winkles out his next protégé.

Meanwhile, former Apprentice star Zeeshaan Shah recalls the time he spent on the show.

“Being a candidate on The Apprentice really opened my eyes to the business world,” he states. “As CEO of my own property company I already had extensive experience of the international property and investment sector, but The Apprentice gave me the opportunity to understand the business world from a different perspective.”

Just 12 months after filming The Apprentice, Shah finds himself undertaking a hugely successful new hotel project as part of the £5 billion Greenwich Peninsula redevelopment.

Shah heads up London-based development and private equity firm One Capital, which is undertaking the development of the £7 million ibis Styles Hotel, Greenwich Peninsula through a joint venture with Cherif Investment Properties (the property development arm of the Beaverbrook Family Office).

Shah is delighted to be at the leading edge of such a prestigious new venture. He comments,

“The redevelopment of the Greenwich Peninsula is going to turn an already popular area into a truly world-class site and it’s wonderful to be at the forefront of such a venture. The ibis Styles Hotel, Greenwich Peninsula is expected to become one of Greenwich’s premier hotel venues, offering high end, stylishly designed accommodation at an extremely reasonable price.”

Full of enthusiasm for his new venture, Shah perfectly embodies his generation. Described by the EY Global Hospitality Insights 2014 report as ‘self-assured, optimistic, globally connected and curious,’ the Millennials are a generation that demands efficiency, speed and convenience. Defined as those born between 1980 and 2000 the Millennials account for around 1/3 of all business travel expenses, despite 20% of them only just entering their peak spending age and 40% yet to enter the fulltime workforce.

Millennials work hard and play hard. They expect a lot from the world and their hotel accommodation is no exception. Hotels can no longer opt for a choice between location, design, facilities and price – they must offer all of these and more in order to attract the attention of Millennials, who are projected by the EY report to account for 50% of all employees worldwide in the next four years.

The ibis Styles Hotel, Greenwich Peninsula has been designed with this demographic firmly in mind. Not only does it offer all of these aspects and more, it also provides Millennials (and other generations) with an excellent investment opportunity. Prices begin at just £134,995 for a double room, reaching £179,995 for a family suite, with rooms available through master agent One Investments. Accumulated returns are projected to reach up to 65.63% over five years, making this a highly attractive investment opportunities for those looking to be at the cutting edge of London’s future.

So as the new series of The Apprentice begins to air, does Shah have any regrets that he didn’t make it to the final of series nine?

“Absolutely not,” he says. “The Apprentice was a valuable experience, but since then I have followed my true passion – property investment. Presenting such a prestigious project as the ibis Styles Hotel, Greenwich Peninsula is more exciting than the boardroom could ever be. Sorry Lord Sugar!”

For more information please contact One Investments on +44 845 548 5454, infor@oneinvestments.co.uk or visit www.oneinvestments.co.uk.

Italy’s crowning glory: Hilltop towns prove a hit with visitors from around the globe

by Louise Italy Appassionata

Italian hilltop towns draw tourists from around the world (Appassionata)
Italy is favourite country for second year in a row (Conde Nast Traveller)
Hilltop living available from as little as £65,000 (Appassionata)

Italy has been crowned the favourite country for the second year running by Conde Nast Traveller readers. Everything from its beaches to its shopping has impressed visitors, with food and culture receiving particularly high ratings.

World-class cities like Rome and Milan are a delight to visit, but those wishing to look a little deeper into the history of this fascinating country need to head out into the countryside, where ancient hilltop towns provide glimpses of a past steeped in rich tradition.

Italy’s iconic hilltop towns were built for defensive purposes. Settlers could sit upon the hilltop and see anyone who approached with enough warning to ready their town’s defences. Early hilltop towns were built with stone and wood, until the Middle Ages brought thick stone walls, watchtowers and sturdy gates into the equation. The Renaissance then added churches packed with works of art to even the most remote of hilltop towns, creating a wonderful voyage of discovery for future generations.

Italy’s ancient hilltop towns remain of interest to this day. Tourists can’t get enough of them, as Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs, owner of fractional ownership company Appassionata and hilltop town connoisseur, observes,

“Hilltop towns have an incredible charm that draws tourists to them and captures their hearts and imaginations when they visit. There is something about the thick stone walls, cobbled narrow streets and ancient architecture that brings the past to life, giving visitors a sense of days gone by that no museum can quite match.”

It is in the medieval hilltop town of Petritoli in Le Marche that Appassionata has developed its latest luxury urban factional ownership holiday home, Casa Tre Archi. In fact, the town’s ancient defences actually form part of the house, with the curved watchtower wall creating a delightful feature in the living room and roof terrace. The house is named after the three arches, which provide entry into Petritoli and from which it was most heavily guarded in years gone by.

With the need for armed defence thankfully now ancient history, Petritoli’s arches are open and welcoming to visitors from around the world, as more and more people discover the delights of hilltop living. Casa Tre Archi’s prime position affords owners views of the surrounding Le Marche countryside from the property’s generously proportioned roof terrace, while three bedrooms and three bathrooms provide room for the whole family. Fractions are available from £65,000 for five weeks’ exclusive usage per year.

For more information on fractional ownership and the wonders of life in Le Marche, contact the Appassionata team on +39 33154 13225 or visit www.appassionata.com.

Record August drives up tourism employment in Spain as holidaymakers from Italy to the US flock to its sunny shores

by Louise Spain Taylor Wimpey Spain

Spain is world’s third most visited country with 60.7 million annual visitors (WTO)
Tourism-related employment up 3.8% (Ministry of Tourism)
August visitor numbers at all-time high of 9 million (FRONTUR)

Spain is the world’s third most visited country, according to figures from the World Tourism Organization, and with everything on offer from beautiful beaches to delicious cuisine, there’s no questioning why that is. According to FRONTUR – The Inbound Tourism Survey Spain welcomed some 60.7 million visitors in 2013, up 5.6% on the year before.

2014 looks on track to be another fantastic year for the Spanish tourism sector, with August figures from FRONTUR showing a record month. Visitor numbers in August reached 9,070,024 – the highest figure since the FRONTUR surveys began and an increase of 8.8% on the previous year.

What is particularly interesting is the origin of the visitors. While the UK remains top of the table when it comes to visitor origin, with 2,136,879 in August, followed by France and Germany (with 1,981,643 and 1,290,777 respectively), the countries showing the largest growth were the US, Portugal and Italy.

Visitors from the US increased by 35.4% during August, according to the FRONTUR figures, while those from Portugal increased by 24.4% and from Italy by 15.5%. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which has been satisfying overseas holiday home owners for years with its stunning housing developments, comments,

“We see a true mix of international visitors here in Spain. While the UK, German and French markets remain strong, it’s good to see that Spain’s appeal continues to widen, adding to the diversity of those who visit its sunny shores.

“Spain itself is a country of vast contrasts, from landscapes to cuisine, so it seems fitting that those who visit it should also be from contrasting countries and backgrounds. Of course for many one visit just isn’t enough and many look to Taylor Wimpey España to provide them with a fantastic holiday home that they can enjoy time and again.”

Taylor Wimpey España’s brand new La Vila Paradís apartments and townhouses typify the kind of properties that overseas visitors are demanding. With an enviable beachfront location at Villajoyosa, the gated development boasts swimming pools, private parking and communal gardens. Buyers at La Vila Paradís can opt for two or three bedroom apartments, or three bedroom townhouses. All enjoy well thought out layouts, with beautiful views over the Paraíso Beach and sea. Prices start at €265,000.

Such properties are increasingly popular with those visiting Spain on a regular basis. The FRONTUR data revealed that while those staying in hotels in August increased by 4% (and accounted for 53.7% of total visitors), the 46.3% of visitors who stayed in non-hotel accommodation increased far more sharply – by 15%.

With such a strong month for tourism in August, employment in Spain has seen a marked benefit. Figures from the Ministry of Tourism show an increase of 3.8% during the month for the tourism sector, putting the total of those employed across the sector at 2.15 million. It’s a win win situation – Spain is opening up to new markets and attracting growing numbers of visitors from an increasing range of countries while building a strong economic foundation for its own future. Something for which future generations of Spanish citizens will no doubt be most grateful.

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

£43 to go on holiday? The Portuguese dream calls out to Manchester residents

by Louise Portugal Ideal Homes Portugal, Overseas Property Show

Overseas Property Show to hit 7 UK cities in 3 months
Tickets available for free at www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com
Flights from Manchester to Faro for just £43 (Skyscanner)

As the English autumn sets in, people across the country are thinking wistfully of sun-kissed beaches on foreign shores, where they can escape the rain and the extra edge of chill in the wind.

For those in Manchester, jetting off to holiday destinations in Europe has never been easier, and with Skyscanner listing flights from Manchester to Portugal’s Faro airport at just £43, it’s rarely been cheaper either.

For those looking for more than just a quick holiday, the Overseas Property Show is due to arrive in Manchester Central’s The Cobden Rooms on 10-13 October. The property industry’s most dynamic show, the event will present properties from Portugal, Spain, Italy and the US to Mancunian buyers. From holiday apartments to retirement villas to primary residences, the free to attend Overseas Property Show has something for everyone.

The Overseas Property Show has a reputation as the leading event for buyers looking to turn that dream of owning an overseas property into reality.

International property expert Chris White, Founding Director of boutique real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, will be attending the shows with his expert team, ready to answer any questions that prospective buyers may have about owning property in Portugal.

The Manchester event will be followed by two further Overseas Property Shows during this second half of the event’s nationwide tour:

Newmarket on 25-27 October
Aberdeen on 31 October to 3 November

Tickets are free and available at www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

Ideal Homes Portugal’s Chris White comments,

“The Overseas Property Show is the show for anyone who is interested in buying overseas. As well as an incredible range of properties, it offers access to some of the sector’s key professionals all in one location – an opportunity not to be missed for those who are serious about owning overseas.

“Earlier this year, a Rightmove Overseas report revealed that 51% of those planning to buy abroad were doing so in order to have a holiday home, around 1/3 were looking to emigrate and 13% as an investment. Expert advice on all three of these options will be on hand at the Overseas Property Show, along with the perfect property to suit every attendee’s desires.”

Rents reach record heights, while Northern Ireland leads the UK’s housing market

by Louise United Kingdom Property Frontiers

Rents reach record high of £761 pcm (Your Move and Reeds Rains)
NI records strongest UK house price gains (RICS)
£13,000 instant equity for those investing before 01/10/14 (Property Frontiers)

Northern Ireland’s housing market is leading the UK when it comes to price gains, according to the latest data from the RICS and Ulster Bank Residential Market Survey for Northern Ireland. The market is tied with East Anglia for the strongest price momentum and demand in the UK, while other areas are wobbling in the face of the speculation concerning a Bank of England base rate rise.

Successive success

“Northern Ireland’s leading position comes hot on the heels of the news that August was the 15^th successive month of price rises, according to data from local surveyors,” comments Ray Withers, Chief Executive of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers. “The market there is really showing itself as a robust, long-term prospect, particularly when it comes to residential property investment.

The commercial property is also thriving, with agents CBRE projecting that activity is expected to continue at a lively pace as winter approaches. The market’s buoyancy is accredited to a combination of banks clearing their property loan books and a number of high profile properties coming onto the market. Investor announcements such as the 250 jobs to be created by US legal firm Baker & McKenzie are also contributing to Northern Ireland’s progressive commercial property market.

Belfast buy-to-let

Within the residential market, buy-to-let is booming, particularly in urban centres such as Belfast, where young professionals have flocked to the cities for work and are demanding high end, long-term rental apartments in which to settle.

Property Frontiers’ elegantly designed one and two bedroom apartments and duplexes encapsulate the desires of this new generation of professionals. Within walking distance of Belfast city centre, they offer luxury accommodation with high end internal finishing. Available from £96,000 until 1 October 2014 (after when a price increase will ensure those buying now benefit from £13,000 instant equity), the apartments offer the potential for strong returns to investors. Withers explains,

“Prices in many parts of Northern Ireland are still as much as 50% below their 2007 peak. As prices are now on the move, it’s the perfect time for investors to buy, before the market really turns around and prices shoot up again.”

Rising rents

The most recent Buy-to-Let Index from Your Move and Reeds Rains has given investors even more reason to look closely at buy-to-let property. The figures reveal that rents are now at an all-time high, with an average of £761 per month across England and Wales, beating the previous record of £758, which occurred during October 2013.

Certainly Property Frontiers have found that their buy-to-let properties in leading UK cities are much in demand. No doubt this latest confirmation of record rents will encourage even more investors to discover the benefits of buy-to-let, with Belfast’s strong price growth and excellent potential continues to turn heads around the globe.

For further details, contact Property Frontiers or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.

Greenwich means time for relaxation, as new ibis Styles Hotel adds to area’s mounting appeal

by Louise United Kingdom One Investments

Greenwich generates 9 million day visitors and 600,000 overnight stays (LGA)
Investment in new ibis Styles Hotel, Greenwich Peninsular, from £134,995 (One Investments)
£5 billion regeneration scheme set to put Greenwich Peninsular firmly on the map (Meridian Delta)

London’s Greenwich is known across the world for its connection with time. An area steeped in chronological and meteorological history – it was from the Greenwich Royal Observatory that the world’s first weather forecast was made in 1848 – and in existence far back enough to have been mentioned in the Domesday Book, Greenwich is now a vibrant and fascinating community.

The area’s chronological heritage was celebrated in the creation of the Millennium Dome, now known as the O2, which is both the largest single roofed structure and the largest dome in the world. The building is 365m in diameter, reaches a height of 52m in the middle and has 12 supporting poles, representing the days, weeks and months of the year respectively. Tourists flock from across the world to visit the O2, both inside for its live music events (the O2 is the world’s busiest music arena) and outside for the spectacular views of London to be had from climbing to the top.

Despite the area’s already massive popularity, a massive regeneration scheme is set to make Greenwich even more attractive. The £5 billion redevelopment of Greenwich Peninsula is being tackled jointly by Meridian Delta, the National Regeneration Agency, English Partnerships, Anschutz Entertainment Group and the London Borough of Greenwich. The O2 will benefit from the development of a new world-class arena, while the Greenwich Peninsula area will see some 33,000 sq m of retail space and 340,000 of commercial space added. Around 10,000 new homes will also be built under the scheme.

Zeeshaan Shah, Chief Executive Officer of One Capital, who is active in the Greenwich area thanks to the development of the ibis Styles Hotel, Greenwich Peninsula comments,

“Greenwich is a fantastic part of London. Its royal connections date back centuries and to this day it is one of only three royal boroughs in the capital. Greenwich is one of those rare places that has everything to offer right on its doorstep and the huge development scheme that is currently underway will secure Greenwich Pneinsula’s position on the world stage for years to come.”

The new ibis Styles Hotel, Greenwich Peninsula is one of the most exciting parts of the scheme. A joint venture between Cherif Investment Properties (the property development arm of the Beaverbrook Family Office) and London-based development and private equity firm One Capital, the hotel will be the latest offering from the ibis Styles brand, which has made a name for itself through its non-standardised hotels in sought-after locations.

One Investments is the master agent for the ibis Styles Hotel, Greenwich Peninsula, with investment beginning at £134,995 for a double room and rising to £179,995 for a family suite. The prestige of the project is such that accumulated returns are projected to reach up to 65.63% over five years.

With a young population – 21.8% are under 15 years, while only 10.3% are of retirement age, according to the 2011 Census – Greenwich is a thriving borough richly packed with entertainment and leisure options. Indeed with figures from the Local Government Association showing the borough as attracting in excess of 9 million day visitors and 600,000 overnight stays, the ibis Styles Hotel, Greenwich Peninsula has arrived just in the nick of time!

For more information please contact One Investments on +44 845 548 5454, infor@oneinvestments.co.uk or visit www.oneinvestments.co.uk.

Not just for affluent retirees – Golf looks to attract the younger generation

by Louise Portugal Spain United Kingdom Barton Wyatt, Ideal Homes Portugal, Taylor Wimpey Spain

Only 22% of under 33s played golf in 2013 (D.K Shifflet)
Round of golf equivalent to 3.5 mile run (JC Golf)
Golf tourism to increase for 3 consecutive years (IAGTO)

The impact of leading golf tournaments, such as this year’s exciting Ryder Cup, is felt around the world – not just amongst the sporting community, but also within the property sector, as those with a love for the sport decide to turn their passion into purchasing power by picking up a property on a golf resort.

Global golf tourism is a big industry. According to Peter Walton, Chief Executive of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), golf tourism expanded by 9.3% in 2012 and “reported further growth in 2013.” 2014 is set to be the third consecutive year of growth, as keen players travel the world to indulge their habit.

Many players who find a course that they particularly love, or an area with several courses in the vicinity, are tempted to take the next step, as Chris White of Ideal Homes Portugal, which offers a selection of exclusive Algarve golf properties to the market, explains,

“Owning a golf resort property combines the traditional benefits of a holiday home with indulgence of a sport that for many is a lifelong passion. Many golfers dream of owning a second home on a golf resort and we tend to notice an upsurge in interest following the main tournaments each year.”

While the Algarve’s obvious choices of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo may be beyond the budgets of many – a four bedroom villa with sea and golf views at Vale do Lobo costs a cool €11m – those looking past the obvious choices can pick up good value properties for far less. A three bedroom semi-detached villa at Carvoerio’s delightful Vale da Pinta golf resort, for example, costs just €465,000.

Golf is a fantastic way to keep in shape. Though viewed by many as a leisurely sport, research compiled by JC Golf has shown that playing 18 holes and carrying your own clubs burns 2,000 calories, equivalent to going for a 3.5 mile run. It also aids balance and control, boosts brain power by stimulating blood flow and improving neural pathway connections and increases life expectancy by the equivalent of five years.

It’s also a great way to enjoy the sunshine of some of the world’s most tempting holiday destinations, as Marc Pritchard of leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España observes,

“Many of those buying Costa del Sol apartments and penthouses at our popular Avalon golf resort have mixed motives for their purchase. They want the resort’s swimming pool for the children to enjoy, proximity to Marbella for dining, shopping and people-watching and spacious terraces on which to relax and appreciate the stunning sea views. The golfing element is of course a huge draw as well, with keen players loving the views across the whole golf valley, inspiring them daily to get out on the course and hone their skills.”

Taylor Wimpey España’s luxury Avalon properties can be picked up from as little as €265,000 for a two bedroom apartment. Their location is an attractive one for young adults who aren’t prepared to wait until their golden years to own a golf resort property, as the popularity of ‘Marbs’ with that generation continues to increase.

Young adults are being courted particularly hard by the global golfing industry at present, in the face of research by D.K Shifflet and Associates that has shown that only 22% of travellers under the age of 33 played golf in 2013. Keen to ensure that a new generation takes to the courses, many resorts are looking to attract younger players. Certainly the luxurious modernity of the Avalon apartments does just that.

Of course, it’s not just those looking to buy overseas who can enjoy the advantages of owning a golf resort property. Those buying in the UK have a fantastic choice of courses in the Surrey area, many of which have the added advantage of offering great deals for youngsters, as well as plentiful coaching and matches. James Wyatt, Partner of award-winning UK estate agency Barton Wyatt, comments,

“Courses at locations such as the Wentworth Club and Sunningdale in Surrey offer some fabulous golf for UK players and many are working hard to attract a new generation of players to the sport. I’ve even just signed my 10 year old son up to be a member! While we find that it’s the baby boomers rather than their children who are purchasing resort properties in the area, many families are certainly doing so with a view to encouraging their children to play.”

Properties in the area include the wonderful, seven bedroom Roundbarrow House, which benefits from its own swimming pool, landscaped gardens and one bedroom staff flat and the equally attractive five bedroom Longbourn, with swimming pool and tennis/sports court, valued at £3.95m and £5.95m respectively. Roundbarrow is situated just minutes from both Sunningdale Golf Club and Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club, making it the perfect choice for golfing couples who love the sport but don’t want to let competition on the fairway ruin their otherwise harmonious relationship!

Whether overseas or abroad, it seems that the enduring allure of golf resort properties is not to be underestimated.

For more information on the properties detailed above, please contact:

Ideal Homes Portugal: on +44 (0) 800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, enquiries@idealhomesportugal.com or www.idealhomesportugal.com.

Taylor Wimpey España: +44 (0) 8000 121 020 or www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Barton Wyatt: +44 (0) 1344 843 000 or www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

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