Advice Needed
 

Hi All

I'm a newbie looking for advice.

We are looking to semi-retire to Spain & are beginning our research into which area/ location would best suit our needs.
My wife & I have been hoteliers for many years & would like to down-size to a small B&B in spain.
We would be very grateful of any suggestions on location i.e. we are looking for a small/ medium size "Town" location that has regular visitors to support the B&B. We hate cities & also do not wish to be too rural.

Any advice would be helpful at this stage to enable us to start our research.

Phil

Re: Advice Needed
 

In all fairness you will probably need to give a bit more information. I could tell you that Tossa de Mar is nice and the other person will tell you how great Granada or Alicante is, but what are you looking for? What is your budget, what type of property, climate (Semiarid, Mediterranean, Oceanic, Continental), near the sea or inland? Even with regular visitors, some areas might have too many B&B's etc.

Re: Advice Needed
 

Hi
Thank you for your reply. We are not looking to be on the coast but within say 30 mins of the coast.

Re: Advice Needed
 

Head to the Costa del Sol and up into the sierra, places like Mijas pueblo match your profile

Re: Advice Needed
 

I would agree with this. If you are opening a b&b then you may want to be closer to the touristy places I guess (Mijas is one). A bit further inland from the coast you have Alhaurin el Grande and Coin. Beautiful countryside surrounded by pine clad mountains and within 30 mins of the coast but also good for Malaga airport.

Re: Advice Needed
 

But if it's a very touristic area, wouldn't there be enough hotels around? I would have also thought that B&B's are mainly used by people who drive and stay for a night or 2 and then move on.
People or Groups who fly probably book a hotel or a villa for the whole week, rather than a B&B unless it's more like a private hotel with pool etc.

Re: Advice Needed
 

Agreed. That is why I suggested the places further inland which are less touristy but still within 30 mins of the coast. :-)

Re: Advice Needed
 

If you specialise as a B&B in something like Yoga/painting et al your up against Airbnb where you can get accommodation to fit all budgets. My two grown children and the grand children have rented a Villa in Cyprus, private pool, internet, TV, washer/dryer etc for £178 a night for the villa; I doubt you'd get B&B for that price and certainly won't get all the amenities the villa has. You need to offer something a bit special these days in a B&B.

Re: Advice Needed
 

I would do alot more research first, theres b&b's all over the place.

Re: Advice Needed
 

look at search sites such a rightmove, zoopla, kyero, spainhouse, etc

Re: Advice Needed
 

try bluesky as well

Re: Advice Needed
 

Most posters on this site will be situated along one of the various Costas. Yes, there are lots of foreign tourists, but most come on packaged holidays.
We live in the Basque country, because my wife is Basque. Property here can be relatively expensive, though cheaper in Navarra. However, you could try looking at places in Asturias or Galicia slightly inland, where the foreigners tend to be more discerning, and have more money to spend than the average sun-seeker in southern Spain. You could be at an advantage to be located near to the Camino de Santiago trail, where there is a regular supply of walkers, some of whom would be looking for more than dormitory accommodation.
I'm sorry I cannot give you any website suggestions because property is something that I have no experience in whatever.

Re: Advice Needed
 

All I can say at the moment is that Spain is facing a calamitous future in the tourist industry, and many expat-owned businesses are already up for sale and asking price is being slashed to attract buyers. While you may pick up a property at a bargain price, you may find it's extremely difficult to have a profitable business in the expected sharp downturn in visitor numbers, especially overseas, which form the bulk of B&B clientele. Make sure you have enough cash reserve to tide you over for at least a year or two.

Re: Advice Needed
 

A bit of advice; folks should look at dates of the original post and if the OP has ever come back before replying.
Recommendations are not very valid now.:wink_smile:

Re: Advice Needed
 

But the discussion is useful to others...I am planning to purchase property as well and have been looking at potential places to buy.