We Have Said It's Time To Pack Up & Sold Our M/H

[chaser]

Rats are everywhere, even around your house at home.

 

[Ian Bosman]

Following recent 3 months in Spain have sold our Motorhome and looking at future options.

Very disillusioned this year at the sites that we have visited for many years with their new policies regarding pitch etiquette. We have seen in many sites that I won't name the way the Spanish occupy pitches and, in my opinion, make it like 'Shanty Town'.

Not being snobbish but I don't want to pitch up next to some of these as on one site I viewed Rats running under the heap of a caravan into the awning.

You feel that they may try and enter your unit next, ah no thanks.

From what was confirmed at a site near Benidorm they are charging the Spanish €1 per night to keep their caravan on a pitch and then they charge the full rate when being occupied, and that poses another, at one site a couple arrived opposite us with two children, no problem. But later another couple with two children followed by another couple.

Must have been cosy in that caravan with six adults and four kids.

This was pointed out to the management and yes you guessed it they did nothing.

I have pictures showing how they fill the pitches, firstly carpet the full pitch, then place a S***** Old Caravan on it, large awning, plastic sheeting stuck to caravan where it leaks and as many other tents that can be fitted on the pitch, not to mention the wind break bolted and screwed to the kerb edge.

Oh' I forgot the patio or wooden door in the awning.

I'm sure that many of you have seen this in the past, however this seems to be more prevalent this year and I've had enough, so bye bye camping in Spain, I think that you will soon 'Kill the Goose that laid the Golden Egg'

I have seen similar in Germany but nothing which included a huge sheet over the entire pitch. ManyGerman sites have permanent pitches using ordinary Caravan with bits added on. In some cases the caravan has been almost new just not road legal for Germany. But most German sites are nothing like you have shown us in the photos. That is grossly extreme!

 

[lovingliving]

I have seen far worse, just move on. The beauty of a motorhome to us is that you are totally self sufficient and mobile. We rarely stay on sites as there are far nicer places to park up, enjoy fantastic views and often be the only ones there. We are all different-thank goodness

 

[Winger]

I quite liked camping lo monte, clean, tidy with all you would want within walking distance to the village/port. The screening roof is supplied by the site obviously to screen the sun in high season.
And as chaser said your home is surrounded by rats so don’t blame the tenters who set up camp a few days earlier

 

[jumar]

Referring to our personal experience being involved with Spanish camping and sites in general...these type of permanent pitches keep the site going....pay the wages and upkeep...the tourers are profit and further development...some sites depend on the city dwellers who may live in apartments with no access to open space...to fill the site at weekends...
Touring for Spanish folk is fairly new perhaps just 20 years..this type of campsite use is fairly common in some areas and virtually non- existent in others..

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[ToBoldlyGo]

Strange reason to give just because you don't like a few sites, plenty of other sites.
We mostly use Aires and Camper Stops you don't get that problem on those.

What is a Camper Stop?

 

[Lenny HB]

What is a Camper Stop?

Posh Aire loads in Spain.
Actually it's a CP, Camper Park, I got it wrong.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Would just keep driving on, no doubt plenty of other sites.

 

[Brains]

If you don't like a site, move on.

Tens of thousands of sites all over Europe.
You do not have to be in Spain.
You certainly don't need to be anywhere near Benidorm!

 

[Fdhadi]

Went to Croatia once.
Alan Rogers Camping Guide book described the campsite we went to as “one of the best in Croatia” well, it was like a shantytown honestly. Didn’t pitch up, drove off and got the hell out of Croatia.
If that was one of the best we didn’t want to sample any others.

I’m sure someone will come on and say how lovely Croatia is, however, we will not be going back.

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[philann]

We were at that site a few weeks ago, many of those pitches were being occupied by Swedes and Germans who were overwintering. Many of them had all their equipment in palletised storage there and were slowly setting up their pitches. As far as I could see they were very smart set ups and they had been going there for years. The pitches were huge compared with many sites we have been on, all the roads were tarmac with gravel pitches and shade netting over them. We were probably one of the few who were touring and passing through.

 

[Brendan + Kath]

sites as pictured are too close and cramped for me, but, each to our own!
We would just move on.

I would have to be completely disillusioned and see absolutely no alternative to give up the motorhome.

We have always found campsite pitches to be too small and close to each other. We use camperparks and Aires and especially away from the coast there's usually loads of room and a kind of free feeling

 

[Midnightflyer]

I do appreciate your views but as I said this type of camping on such decent sites is not for us. We prefer not to wild camp and enjoy the amenities which we are prepared to pay for.
First saw this sort of behaviour many years ago at La Manga and have never been back.

Unfortunately, it is spreading these pictures were taken at Lo Monte but I have similar pictures taken at Olive and La Bella Vista.

Think about it they are taking a lot of the Good Pitches which will reduce availability for us Snowbirds as the Spanish do not visit in the Winter.

I believe the site owners have got it wrong, as the more this spreads the less Brits will visit.

 

[Midnightflyer]

There are still many full facility sites elsewhere in Europe that are less crowded and more pleasant.

However, you have made your decision.

Thank you for understanding my views and keep on camping, me I'm off to Australia in the new year for 3 months, hired a camper!!

 

[Midnightflyer]

There are still many full facility sites elsewhere in Europe that are less crowded and more pleasant.

However, you have made your decision.

But cold and closed in the winter.

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[cliffanger]

I do appreciate your views but as I said this type of camping on such decent sites is not for us. We prefer not to wild camp and enjoy the amenities which we are prepared to pay for.
First saw this sort of behaviour many years ago at La Manga and have never been back.

Unfortunately, it is spreading these pictures were taken at Lo Monte but I have similar pictures taken at Olive and La Bella Vista.

Think about it they are taking a lot of the Good Pitches which will reduce availability for us Snowbirds as the Spanish do not visit in the Winter.

I believe the site owners have got it wrong, as the more this spreads the less Brits will visit.

I think the worst we saw for pitches like this was in Croatia. We hadn’t seen it before in France or Spain, but there were usually enough free pitches on the sites, so we were ok. I have to say though, it didn’t do the sites any favours!

 

[Midnightflyer]

Marjal?

No Lo Monte, and I have photos of La Bella Vista and Olive

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Went to Croatia once.
Alan Rogers Camping Guide book described the campsite we went to as “one of the best in Croatia” well, it was like a shantytown honestly. Didn’t pitch up, drove off and got the hell out of Croatia.
If that was one of the best we didn’t want to sample any others.

I’m sure someone will come on and say how lovely Croatia is, however, we will not be going back.

Obvious all the firms will say theirs is the best, how can you judge a whole country by a flying visit to one site

 

[Midnightflyer]

These look more to me like “seasonal” set-ups” rather than touring pitches.
Are you saying that these once available touring pitches have now been turned over to semi-permanent residency by the site owners?
Seem to remember something similar about UK brits setting up similar in such places as Benidorm, and putting down flooring, proper windows and doors in “awning” constructions”, and even fitting out these “rooms” with various electrical appliances.
Only to eventually be told by the Spanish authorities that they don’t own the land and this type of adaptation was not allowed.
But what do I know?

Yes, you have it. Pitches being sold for b1 Euro a day and then charged going rate per day when used.

Fine but this reduces the number of available pitches especially in the winter when of course the Spanish don't visit as it's too cold for them.

 

[DerryW]

To be perfectly honest I can't see the attraction of Benidorm, been there once and couldn't wait to get out.
But then we're all different I suppose.
The site the OP mentions reminds me of a site we stopped at in Cambrils a few years ago. just like a shanty town. Apparently, the Spanish families from the south move to the north for the whole of the summer, bring everything with them including the kitchen sink. Luckily, we only had the 1 night there.

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[maison]

But cold and closed in the winter.

I certainly hope they are not closed!

We are heading to Europe tomorrow for four weeks.

Having lived in France for six months each year for sixteen years we have never found problems in finding places to stay.

Yes, it can be cold but the right clothing sorts that out.

Nevertheless, enjoy your trip “down under”. I do envy you.

 

[Madmag]

I believe the site owners have got it wrong, as the more this spreads the less Brits will visit.

The Brits may not but every space left by a Brit will soon be filled by someone from Northern Europe. The Swedes in particular seem to have massive setups and stay all winter. I’m afraid we Brits won’t be missed

 

[maison]

The Brits may not but every space left by a Brit will soon be filled by someone from Northern Europe. The Swedes in particular seem to have massive setups and stay all winter. I’m afraid we Brits won’t be missed

Sad, but probably true.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Somebody posted this on Facebook the other day so maybe they're trying to tidy the pitches up a bit..

Dear Villamar Resident,

We are getting in touch with you to let you know that we will proceed to check all Villamar plots, one by one, to insure that everything that each resident has stored and installed in their plot is in accordance with the Law 10/2021, Article 37.3 of the Valencian Community Government; it is expressly prohibited for any camper to install elements which are not in accordance with ‘temporary use’ and/or damage the ‘touristic image’ of the establishment. Specifically it is prohibited to install floorings, fences, sinks, electrical equipment, or any other element which looks permanent.

For this reason, we once again insist that you please check your plot and if you see elements in it that don’t comply with the rules below, please solve the issues before December 31, 2022.

It is prohibited to tie up washing lines between the trees in your plot and attach items to the trees such as bicycles, ladders, chairs, tables, barbecues, gas bottles, chests, and sheds.
It is prohibited to have plants and rocks on the plot. All rocks, plants and stones must be removed or kept inside the awning or the caravan.
From now on, do not install a wooden or metal shed, as it is prohibited. Only 1 plastic canvas shed per plot is allowed.
Kitchen-laundry-storage shed / container chest / 1 per plot is allow and must be a distance away from the electric box (1 meter minimum), pipelines (40 cm), and trees( 40 cm). Staff always need unobstructed access to the electrical box and pipelines.
Keep gas bottles (maximum 2 gas bottles per plot), heater, or any other flammable element away from a the perimeter of the electrical box; it is a fire hazard.
All air conditioning, heating or gas installation devices must be inside the caravan. If currently this installation is on the outside and also visible, it has to be modified and either installed attached to the caravan either inside or at the rear of the plot, not being visible from any angle.
Decoration on the windbreaks. Any decoration on the windbreaks must be removed (stickers, banners, hanging plants, etc.)
Pitch must be kept clean and tidy. Each resident is responsible for the state of their pitch. Even if they are not present in the campsite, residents must take responsibility for the pitch to be clean and in perfect condition. Please remove all pieces of wood, tiles, construction debris, branches, leaves, loose cables, scraps of metal, broken buckets, old wheels, broken and unusable items, rubbish, and so forth, on both sides of the caravan (that means between plots and as well as under the caravan). If the campsite detects abandonment, garbage and dirt on the plot, we will fine between 100€- €300 caravan depending on the degree of dirt.

In addition, if you are going to leave the campsite for long time or just for a few days, keep in mind that all your furniture (sofas, tables, chairs, bicicles, etc ) or any other element has to be stored inside the AWNING/CARAVAN, not being visible from the outside.
If it is detected that there is no activity on the plot and it doesn’t look like these examples, you will be fined (between 300-600€). If you have a windbreak or toldo, this does not affect it, that is, you do not even have to disassemble it or store it inside the awning
Example 1 and 2. Her are examples photos of how the plot should look like:

If after December 31, 2022, our maintenance team is forced to remove objects that are not in accordance with the rules or threaten the security of the campsite, the residents of that plot will be liable for fines that range between 150 € and 300€.

We take advantage of this email to send (click the button below) you the works regulations on plots. IF you are planning to carry out a work on your plot or you are currently carrying out of the work, check that the work complies with the established regulation for works on plot.
SEE PLOT REGULATIONS
If you are out of the campsite and you will not to return to the campsite before the deadline, please contact us by email to camping@campingvillamar.com to see the best way to solve the issues.

We are counting on your cooperation. We are simply trying to comply with the Valencia Community laws that apply to campsites. We have no way around it.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions by email to: camping@campingvillamar.com

Thank you.

Villamar Management

 

[bobnick]

Thank you for understanding my views and keep on camping, me I'm off to Australia in the new year for 3 months, hired a camper!!

Give us a wave if you are running down the Nullabor.

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[Parrot Face]

There are loads of good sites that wouldn't allow that. I sometimes admire the Spanish and the way they set up there long stay outfits. Had a lovely couple who turned up with the kitchen sink and somehow plumbed it into the awning. Then they arrived again with a white pvc front door and frame and attached it to the front of the awning. Never had any problems with them.

 

[philann]

When we were at La Monte a lot of the Spanish summer long termers were starting to pack up and the plots were being taken over by Northern Europeans, especially Swedish. There is a warehouse on the site where equipment is stored on pallets and delivered to the plot on a fork lift for the residents. They are only reacting to what people are wanting. It is better than the UK business model where former touring sites are covered with statics and lodges, leaving only a few touring pitches.
Personally, I thought the site was very well set up and orderly, definitely not a shantytown, there are many far worse

 

[cyberyacht]

Given the defensiveness of most Brit caravaners over the perimeter of their pitch in the UK, I suppose covering every square centimetre provides a solution to the perceived problem of people cutting across your pitch.

 

[Nanniemate]

Given the defensiveness of most Brit caravaners over the perimeter of their pitch in the UK, I suppose covering every square centimetre provides a solution to the perceived problem of people cutting across your pitch.

electrified razor wire helps

 

[Just smiffy]

campsite snobbery at its finest…..

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