I can't quite believe my luck. It's late November, and here I am sitting outside in just a T-shirt, tucking into the most sumptuous salad imaginable and warmed by the glow of the sinking sun. To my right are the rolling hillocks of an emerald golf-course; to my left a vast and completely empty swimming pool.

So where is this paradise? Dubai? The Bahamas, perhaps? No, it's the new Polaris World development in the Spanish region of Murcia.

It is easy to see why the region has begun to attract property developers with an eye for a profit. Land is inexpensive and communications are excellent – cheap airlines like Monarch fly regularly into the area's three international airports. Sun worshippers will be wooed by sandy beaches and all-year-round heat, and culture junkies drawn by the ancient architectural delights of Caravaca de la Cruz, Lorca and Murcia town centres.

But among the many Spanish property companies competing to invest in the area, one has a bigger stake than the rest. Polaris World offers its customers a new concept: each of their nine Murcia resorts is designed along the lines of self-contained town. Among the facilities offered are 24-hour security, supermarkets, delicatessens, restaurants, bars, social clubs, pharmacies, hotels, spas and banks.

"Polaris is not just the latest version of an existing concept," claims CEO Jose Luis Hernandez. "This is a revolution in the development of leisure and entertainment resorts."

Wandering around the development of Mar Menor, taking in the sun-drenched villas, immaculate streets and relaxed locals, it is clear that Hernandez's comments are no idle boast. Mar Menor is not yet complete, but is already developing a unique atmosphere. In the dry, dusty Murcia landscape, Polaris has created a green oasis, complete with a close-knit resident community centred around a social club and Jack Nicklaus designed golf course.

But the most attractive aspect of Mar Menor and its sister resorts is the range of services on offer to residents. As well as cutting your lawn, cleaning the streets and providing security staff for a small service charge, Polaris offers qualified baby-sitters, shopping services, house-cleaning and dog-walking. The resort of Condado de Alhama, currently in development, will also include a bi-lingual private school and a healthcare centre. 

Although far from the only option for those looking to buy Spanish property, Polaris world is able to offer both an investment and a bargain, with prices for an apartment on one of the resorts starting at £81,000.

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Water on the brain in Spain
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Article published on 28 November 2006