Timeshare apartment for sale

El Castillo, Fuerteventura

Overview:

The apartment is above the village of El Castillo, Fuerteventura (or Caleta de Fuste - both names are used for the same place) on a timeshare resort which is split into several "villages". As a timeshare resort, the apartments are fitted out to a far higher standard than typical holiday apartments.

We own two weeks per year of floating time: These are weeks that you can take at any time. You're not restricted to a specific week of the year. We'll be happy to sell either one or both weeks.

The apartment:

The apartment sleeps 4 people and comprises:

a twin bedded room (cots are available on request) with wardrobe, a document safe, two chests of drawers, bedside tables & individual lights. There's a ceiling fan to keep you cool at night.
bathroom with wc, wash basin, cabinet, bath & shower;
sitting room with separated kitchen & dining area. Double bed-settee, phone, satellite TV, DVD player, ceiling fan;
a well-equipped kitchen with 2-ring cooker, fitted oven and microwave, fridge, toaster, coffee-maker, cutlery & crockery (there's even an iron & ironing board, should you feel so inclined!).
bathroom towels are changed daily if necessary and bed linen is changed weekly.

Each apartment has a small patio with table, chairs and sunshade. There is a daily maid cleaning service (except Sundays). All apartments are at ground level. There are some apartments specifically appointed for people with disabilities.

Bookings can be made either Wed - Wed or Sat - Sat.

Castillo Beach Club resort:

Castillo Beach Club comprises a number of timeshare "villages", of which two - Lake and Moon - are reserved for timeshare owners. The apartments on these villages are fited out to a far higher standard than the others used by the tour companies.

Lake has it's own bar which also serves snacks. It also has two connected swimming pools. The resort also boasts a tennis court, a 5-a-side football pitch and a well-equipped gym where you can work out, have a massage, or sign up for a yoga class. Some of the other Castillo Beach Club villages (Sol, Vistas, Moon, Park) have pools & restaurants of their own which you are free to use.

There's a central reception - open 24x7 - where you can book taxis, car hire, buy & post cards, arrange for keys for the apartment safe, hire tennis racquets, mountain bikes, exchange money, etc. On your arrival day, you can buy a sensibly-priced "starter pack": This contains most of the things you'll need upon arrival and to get you through the 1st day without worrying about making it down to the shops. They can also arrange for hire of things like cooler boxes with ice packs, children's buggies, CD & DVD players, etc.

There is a welcome drink & chat on Thursday mornings where you can find out more about what's going on & places to go. There are plenty of organised trips to see parts of the island should you wish to make use of them.

There's a nursery and children's playground on Moon with organised childrens activities during the school holiday periods.

Caleta de Fuste/El Castillo:

Lake and Moon are 4 minutes walk from the nearest "commercial centre" with it's array of shops, pubs, restaurants and supermarkets. It does predominantly cater for the tourist - and mainly english ones at that.

The beach at El Castillo is a 10-15 minute walk from Lake - downhill all the way. There's a "train" - affectionately known as The Wally Wagon - that runs frequently between the reception & the town.

The beach is a horseshoe shape - open at the S end, with a wide, golden, sandy beach. There's a windsurfing hire centre and sunbeds can be hired over most of the beach. It's a very safe beach with no noticeable currents, and ideal for children. The swimming area is sectioned off from the windsurfing/boating area.

El Castillo itself has grown somewhat over the last few years and has become more upmarket. There are a few big hotels there now - including a Sheraton, a new promenade and the beach has been "refurbished" (more sand imported!). There is a plethora of shops, supermarkets, restaurants, pubs & clubs. Tuesdays sees an open market in the town.

The older part of the town still has a working harbour with fishing boats, boat trips, etc. The hotels in this area are mainly used by Germans & they arrange a brilliant array of evening entertainment for and with the kids - plays, pantomimes, etc - during school holiday times.

The town has scores of bars and restaurants to cater for all tastes, so you can go from karaoke to laid-back blues, from tapas to Thai, from all-day english breakfasts to Italian pizzas. All within easy walking distance of the apartment.

For those who are into golf, a huge golf centre opened up almost next door to the timeshare village in 2003. I understand discounts are available to people staying at Castillo Beach. A 2nd golf course is being constructed practically next door tho the first. The golf course in now attracting some notable events.

Caleta also has a large supermarket, plenty of shops and banks, a multi-screen cinema and ten-pin bowling alley all in the new, modern, air-conditioned shopping mall on the main road.

Further afield:

It has to be said; the best beaches on the island are by Corralejo in the North, and Sotavento in the South. The former is part of a Natural Park of sand dunes stretching over many miles, and is thus protected from any further commercial development. Sotavento (meaning leeward side) is a 16km long stretch of white sand! On the Northwest point lies El Cotillo - famous for its surf. The town is still a fishing port and is largely uncommercialised. There are a number of excellent restaurants where you can view the day's catch before ordering it! There's a fantastic, West-facing beach, exposed to the Atlantic surf, and to the North of El Cotillo, are the reknowned lagoons where you can hunt amongst rock pools and relax. To visit these beaches from El Castillo, you'll need to rent a car.

The West coast of Fuerte is still wild and untouched. There are fantastic beaches which practically no-one visits due to their remoteness. The roads are dirt tracks, but just about negiotiable by rental Corsas! Buy yourself a map first, but don't rely on it being too accurate! (Please note: The rental car insurance is usually not valid these days if you stray off surfaced roads, so do take care if you want to visit some of these more remote places.). These west coast beaches are great for body-boarding, or just getting away from it all.

Fuerteventura is a very windy place in the summer months - a fact that the windsurfing and kite-surfing communities make great use of! Sometimes, sand is picked up and blown along the beaches where it then adheres to the suncream-coated bodies lying there. Over the years, many visitors have constructed "hides" on the beach, using the abundant lava or sandstone rocks. These hides provide excellent shelter from drifting sands and winds, but if you want one, make sure you get there early enough to beat the Germans ;-)

If you want to stay by the pool and/or the beach at El Castillo, then that's fine. Sun loungers are provided free of charge around the pool areas.

The more adventurous will be rewarded by traditional, local, inexpensive restaurants, superb beaches, challenging tracks (I can't call them roads), & fewer tourists. If you want a real challenge, try to do the N coast track in a Corsa or Clio, but be prepared to be stranded in soft sand. It's really only (sanely) doable with a 4 wheel drive. Some restaurants out of town offer a free collection/drop-off service - ask at reception or at the welcome meeting. Don't expect a stretch limo, 'though!

Generally speaking, the main roads are excellent with well surfaced finish. It's only when you get away from the main tourist areas than the standard of road surface deteriorates.

If you're into windsurfing, Fuerte is a mecca and the PWA world tour visits Sotavento in July/August, each year. But do remember that the trade winds only blow reliably between late April and mid September. For more windsurfing-orientated info, plus more on the towns & beaches, car rental and other useful web sites, check my write-up here.

The Canary Islands are a tax-free haven and not officially part of the EU. This means that you can use your full duty-free allowance in both directions. It also means there is a proliferation of shops selling drink, electronic goods & perfumes. Many of these are cheaper and have a wider choice than those at the airport, so if you're looking to use your duty-free allowance, it may be best not to wait until you're leaving!

Getting there:

El Castillo is 10 mins by taxi South of the airport. Wednesdays and Saturdays are about the only days you can get flights to Fuerte from the UK, with Wednesdays usually being the less expensive option. There are flights now from most regional airports, though the least expensive UK departure airport I've found is Gatwick.

Look around for flight deals - Teletext is a good place to start. You can often get slightly reduced fares by playing one agent off against another. Alternatively, there are now a number of flight operators taking web bookings.

Arriving & departing:

The airport in Fuerteventura is just S of the capital - Puerto del Rosario - on the East coast of the island. It has a very modern, air-conditioned terminal building. I have found the baggage handling to be very efficient, and certainly far better than that at some UK airports. Most of the large car hire companies are situated here are hire car pick-up/dropoff is very quick & simple in most cases.

To get to Castillo Beach Club without a hire car is easy - just grab a cab outside the terminal building. Most taxis on the island are very plush Mercedes and all are licensed. I've not noticed any unlicensed operators here. It's just a 10 min drive to Castillo Beach, so the cost is very reasonable.

If you'd like to know more, please contact me