The Spanish acquisition (Reviews)
We didn’t expect Alicante to enter RedKarpet’s
lexicon of airports anytime soon but neither had we experienced the
great strides in corporate and leisure hospitality taking shape in
south-east Spain.Sat Bal took in the view from InterContinental's 5-star La Torre resort. (20 Oct'09)
On
board Monarch’s Airbus 321 it’s a reassuring start as the
fresh-off-the-assembly line aircraft pushes back on time and lines up
for flight clearance. Monarch’s Vantage Club loyalty scheme made light
of the departure experience, whisking Club passengers airside via a
(queue-less) priority channel. Legroom in the the nose of the Airbus
was business class-generous, particularly with only a two-hour flight
in prospect .
Generous too is the natural bounty enjoyed by the Spanish region of Murcia where 300 days of sunshine reigns over the so-called “Garden of Europe”. Coastal Murcia is a landscape fringed by sea and shaped by mountains, fields of lemon and orange trees and artichoke groves. As we discovered these natural assets boost the region’s restaurants on both taste and value fronts.
Murcia's
coastline meanders along its two seas, Mar Menor and the Mediterranean
mingling long, sandy beaches with unspoilt areas (such as Calblanque)
and small coves largely reached by boat.
Inland,
the city of Murcia bustles until the early hours against the backdrop
of its imposing baroque cathedral.
Caravaca de la Cruz, once claimed
to be the original home of the Cross, is still acknowledged by Rome as
one of the world’s five official Holy Cities.
Business infrastructure is efficient with three international airports serving the area and
new road links easing the travel. But it's the advances in business and leisure facilities that are attracting corporate visitors to Murcia.
Leading the charge here is Spanish property developer Polaris World which boasts nine Nicklaus Design golf courses. These comprise the Nicklaus Trail, the largest Jack Nicklaus golfing experience in Europe. Polaris World has changed its business model from purely selling property to offering its luxury properties for holiday rentals.
As Jose Luis Hernandez, president of Polaris World comments, "Research has revealed that many people who are not looking to buy are also attuned to the Polaris World offer. They might be golfers, food and wine connoisseurs or even walkers, divers or cyclists looking for a relaxed base from which to explore Murcia."
The result of this policy is that discerning vistors can now stay at one of the two 5-star InterContinental hotels
located at La Torre and Mar Menor resorts or book a stay in one of
Polaris World’s luxury apartments.
RedKarpet took in the 5 star experiences at the above venues which are a click away at:
InterContinental Mar Menor Golf Resort La Torre Golf Resort Murcia
