Madrid Real Estate Exhibition – Winter Edition

SIMA Winter Edition is a commercial show that lets exhibitors make contact with qualified and segmented buyers and small investors interested in buying residential properties.

Both consumers and private investors attend this show.

Dates: 24-26 February 2012

Location: Ifema – Parque Ferial Juan Carlos, Feria de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Official Website:
www.simaexpo.com

Info and registration:
SIMA ESPECIAL INVIERNO

Winter getaway to the coast

There's no frost here!

As Europe descends into winter many people are looking for some winter warmth.

Each year thousands of tourists flock to the Costa del Sol to grab a bit of guaranteed sun. With average winter temperatures around 18° C you are far more likely to get a Christmas tan on the Mediterranean coast than in most other European destinations.

Right now the weather is good – dry and sunny. During the day the sun shines warm through the clear blue skies. There is a chilly wind gently blowing but you only really feel it when you step out of the sun.

The beaches around Marbella are busy but not crowded. The soft sand of Marbella’s coast is always attractive to both tourists and residents alike and at this time of year, after a short lull, start to fill up with winter travellers.

Over the weekend I went for  a bike ride along the beach front from San Pedro de Alcantara to Marbella and it was perfect. The sun kept me warm while the sea breeze gently blew in. The waves lapped at the rocks and the sand and the sun glistened on the surface. I saw many occupied sun-loungers on the sand and even a few daring swimmers. I’m not going to pretend the sea is warm at this time of year, it certainly is not, but it’s tolerable for the hardy (or is that foolhardy?). The “paseo” (promenade) is very popular with walkers, cyclists and runners. It’s wide enough for two-way traffic and is good enough for older folk who enjoy a walk but need a level surface.

Life on the coast doesn’t stop just because it gets dark early (around 7:30pm) and Marbella and Puerto Banus continue to bubble throughout the winter. Some bars and restaurants close a little earlier but the majority do not. There is a huge amount of trade to be had over Christmas as the queues of planes deposit their sun-seeking cargo.

There is always a chance of rain during the winter months. We have already had some. Last week we had a months rain in one day (probably an exaggerated  estimate) causing flooding, and mess. When the rain comes it comes hard and fast and this often has an affect on everyone. The Spanish roads are not very good at coping with the sudden flow (even though it happens every year and is no surprise) and underpasses flood and many become impassable. If it rains while you’re here and you don’t have to go out then I suggest staying inside.

So choose – stay home, scrape the ice of your car before work, wear a scarf and gloves and trudge through the snow OR pack a bag, book a budget flight and come to Marbella. Spend your Christmas warm and relaxed. Enjoy your turkey on the beach front and start the new year relaxed and tanned.

Quiet winter planned for hotels

Marbella's Villa Padierna will close for winter

Despite 2011 showing record numbers of tourists and hotel occupancy the union Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) said that some 30 hotels are planning to close over the winter months, reducing available beds on the coast by 40%.

Some hotels close every winter due to low occupancy but some are planning to close for the first time. Hotel Alay in Benalmadena and Marbella’s exclusive Villa Padierna Hotel will both close, claiming the closure is for “reforms” and not because of seasonal drops in tourism. Villa Padierna will be closed from December 11 to March 15.

Tourism numbers reached record levels this year and, by the end of April, 65% of rooms in Marbella’s 5-star hotels were already booked for June.

Ignacio Acirre owns the 4-star Hotel Alay in Benalmadena which will be closed until February. Talking to the Euro Weekly News he said “The last time we carried out reforms was 2003, so since occupation and prices are half that of summer, we decided to take advantage of this down time for renovations,”.

Meanwhile, Malaga City’s only 5-star hotel, the Vincci Selección Posada del Patio, confirmed it will remain open throughout the winter.