rugbymatt

Would that be the same Sandbanks that has some the most expensive real estate on the planet?

amideislas

OK... last rant on this topic:

I believe a comparison of tourist behaviours by nationality is also worth noting, as the OP implies how "everything is British".

Having said that, and arguably in support of the OP's view, from my experiences, the English indeed are the most "foreign-phobic" of them all, the vast majority steadfastly unwilling to stay anywhere that does not cater specifically to English tastes.

In the tourism business here it's a de-facto expectation that English tourists will most oft make their choice of holiday resort based on whether English breakfasts, Fish & chips, Roast beef & puds, boddingtons, tetleys, carling, etc. are served, whether the resort offers English TV, and how many "English" pubs exist in the resort (or to put it another way, if they risk being subjected to some sort of despicable "foreign" stuff), which helps to explain why places like Magaluf are exclusively English. It's one of the few places on the island that offer all these things everywhere.

Check out the travel forums - see how many people ask about which resort offers these things. It's routine to read comments like "I read that <destination> is too Spanish or too German, has anyone stayed there? Do they have english pubs? Does the hotel serve English breakfasts"?

Conversely, the Germans for example, consistently look for something "different" than their own culture. Sure there are German resorts where things cater to German tourists, but most will deliberately not exhibit blatent German character. Here's just a few examples:

German Resorts: (the following are all well-known German-dominant resorts):


Santanyi, Mallorca


Paguera, Mallorca


Cala Ratjada, Mallorca


Port de Andratx, Mallorca


British Resorts: (all pictures from Magalluf, the only truly English resort here)









See any differences yet?

Domino

I wouldn't argue with that, once a piece of land has been zoned for development that is the start of the downward journey. Even then it is what your do with it - remembering Benidorm of the late 70's and early 80's which I believe they have now pulled down because it was crap tat.
But some places still manage to put a bit of quality into the building by only approving quality and ensuring it is actually completed to that quality.

Pocaloca

Shhh Ami, you're doing too good a job! It looks gorgeous! I'm definitely putting it on my lottery list.

jackytoo

Selective photos..you are in the wrong job. A couple of those "german" resorts had no shortage of the full English 20 years ago! Admittedly more select than Magaluf but then most places are. There was no shortage of German bars and sausages either....unless it's all changed since I was there

Domino

are you referring to me your highness ??

I know Sandbanks well, having lived in Merley.
Sandbanks, the place where perfectly fine 10 year old buildings are demolished because the buyer didnt like the building - but did enjoy the view and the status of living next door to someone.

Averice has no bounds when living in Sandbanks.

jackytoo

The "German" resort of Cala Ratjada has 62 hotels listed on Trip Advisor...grown a little since I was there
There are only 80 listed for Marbella!!

Fred James

Probably want to live next to 'Arry Rednap.

agoreira

I must confess to only ever having been to Mallorca once, on the east coast, Porto Colom area, and most of the area up towards the north is wall to wall Germans. Never felt the urge to go back. Torrox Costa in Andalucia is the largest gathering of Germans outside Germany, to me they seem to behave much the same as the Brits of a similar age.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDOELcbFAZk

jackytoo

Yes they are all idiots no class at all I doubt some will have heard of Arry!

amideislas

Germans also like to stay in hotels.

amideislas

Well, with all due respect to you Jackie, you also are of the belief that Mallorca is "Benidorm with scenery" and every cove and beach has "high rise hotels, which is obviously wishful thinking on your part. There are places like that, but as you can see, it's the minority. Besides that, you of all people should know better.

Anyway, here's a few more "selective" photos you missed on your maiden voyage (A free Boddingtons on me - to anyone who finds the "benidorm" hi rise hotels on these beaches):













But back top the original topic: Why would anyone like to live here?

Well, it's NOT because it's "Benidorm with scenery", that's for sure.

rugbymatt

Preeeeety much the Mallorca I know as well. We have family there who run a charter business in Santa Ponsa and the coast around to the North from there is amazing, many places off the beaten track and miles from anywhere.

Domino

well a Google trawl seems to throw up Harry Redknap at every opportunity, perhaps he gets royalties

there is his son an a couple of other lesser known footballers but there doesnt seem to be anyone one else - so pretty much a one horse town compared with Mallorca

you may like a giggle at
http://www.beingabusinesscelebrity.c...oon-tea-party/

doesnt look like our Jacky got an invite

jackytoo

You mean you actually googled that...saddo Why aren't you in mallorca then? I don't recall actually saying there weren't any nice places, there are on the mainland too....just that it's not the shangrila that some claim. As i pointed out even some of those so called unspoilt German enclaves are actually the home of the Brit package tours.