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| Guest Welcome Pack | ||||||||||
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Compendium of Help and Advice for Visitors | ||||||||||
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Directions to the apartment from Malaga Airport : If you are picking up a hire car, note that you will need your driving licence (preferably the new photo licence), your passport and the credit card you originally booked the car on. Having picked up your hire car, follow the directions to Algeciras. You need to join the N340 motorway, heading West. Once you are on the motorway, our advice would be to take the toll road (Peaje/Autopista A-7) all the way to Estepona (it will cost 4.84€ at the Peaje de Calahonda and 3.28€ at the Peaje de San Pedro, but is well worth it). You can always explore the busier coast-road later during your stay. We find the easist way to pay the tolls is by credit card. The drive will take about 1 hour and is easy on the motorway with good views of the Mediterranean and surrounding countryside. Take heed of the lower speed limits through tunnels - these are favourite spots for police speed-checks, and make sure you know how the lights are operated on your vehicle. After you pass the Rio Castor services, start watching the signposts, take the 3rd Estepona exit (Salida 153, signposted N340 Costa, Estepona, Algeciras). Do NOT go through the tunnel! Go straight on at the next roundabout (signposted N340, Cadiz, Algerciras). At the 'Estepona' roundabout carry straight on under 2 footbridges, you will now see the Costa Natura tower on your left. Turn left, almost a u-turn, at the next roundabout (signposted Urbanisations) and turn immediately right into the Costa Natura Reception carpark. Click here for a map of Estepona showing Costa Natura Call in at Reception to register and pick up the key. Reception is open 24 hours a day. You will need to give a small deposit of around £5 in Euros to get a magnetic card to operate the gates to the complex. Keep the receipt you are given, so you can claim your money back at the end of your stay. Once through the gate, turn right and drive about 50 yards to the main car park, turn left at the fig tree and park as close to apartment 170 as you can. The path to apartment 175 is down 4 steps between apartments 170 and 183. Apartment 175 is on the right and can be identified by the words "Heavens Gate" in tiles on the outside wall. Please note that the prices of the tolls etc and the directions, are correct as of our last visit, if you find them to be different please let us know so that we can keep this information up to date for other guests. Details of buses, taxis etc can be found on our How to Get there page. | ||||||||||
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The Apartment | ||||||||||
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Once at the apartment, (and after you have admired the view!), unlock the french windows with the key. The outside light light-switch and central light/fan switch are immediately to the left of the french windows. The cleaners usually leave the patio table and chairs inside the apartment, but these can be moved outside onto the terrace to give you more room. The parasol can be left outside and is for the terrace only, please don't take it to the beach. Welcome Folder You should find a Welcome Folder in the apartment, which we have put together to provide information on local attractions etc. There is also a page for comments in which you can read other people's comments and make your own. There are also full instructions for all the electrical items at the back of the folder. If there are any problems at all, let Reception know immediately (and we would appreciate an email at some time). We have always found Reception to be very responsive. Note that there is a spare kettle and heater under the bed. Hot Water Heater The hot water heater and tank is in the toilet, and should be switched on and hot when you arrive. Bedding There should be a set of clean dry sheets and towels waiting for you in the apartment (and the apartment itself should be clean and dry). Ceiling Fan Left cord operates the light, right cord operates the fan (speeds 0,1,2,3). There is a slider switch on the fan casing, UP is the winter setting and pushes warm air down, DOWN is the summer setting and sucks warm air up. You will need to climb on the bed to operate this switch and we accept no liability for accidents while doing so. Storage for Luggage and Clothes The storage area under the right side of the bed is locked, please use the storage area under the left side of the bed and the wardrobe in the bathroom. Security for money and passports There is no safe in the apartment, the safest place for valuable is in a safety deposit box at reception. Note that we do not accept liability for valuables stored in the apartment. Phone To operate the phone, you have to leave a deposit with Reception. Dial 0 for an outside line. Mobile Phones We have always had very good signal strength on our mobile phones, so you should be OK so long as your phone has been enabled for overseas calls. Check with your operator for details. Sony TV The remote control should be in the apartment, if not please let Reception know (the TV can still be operated from the front switches). You should get perfect reception on the main channels, if not check that the aerial cable has not been pulled out. DVD Player The DVD player is multi-region and can also play CD's. You should find a selection of DVD's to play in the cupboard. Clock Radio There are a number of English language stations available 96.5 Global FM, 99.5 Radio 5 Live, 105.5 Spectrum FM. Microwave Set the upper knob to the power required (blue settings are microwave only, other settings are Grill & Microwave, Grill only). Lower knob sets time required and starts Microwave. If nothing happens, check it is plugged in! There is a metal rack for grilling in one of the cupboards. Ceramic Hob Upper ring is dual power, switch to full power by turning the control fully to the marked setting, the control can then be turned down to the desired setting. Do not use abrasive cleaners on the hob. If the cooker appears not to be working, check the fuse box in the wardrobe, in the bathroom - all the switches should be in the 1 position. Electric Fan-heater (Situated under the TV). This is thermostatically controlled, simply set the temperature control to the desired setting and the heater will maintain the temperature automatically. NOTE: IF THE HEATER IS ON FULL, AND THE FAST-BOIL KETTLE IS OPERATED, THE FUSE WILL BLOW IN THE MAIN FUSE BOX. If this happens, the fuse-box is in the wardrobe, simply open the box and push the right-hand switch up from 0 to 1. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to make your holiday more enjoyable, and also if there is any other information you think should be included here. The location of the items will be as we left them after our last visit, but as people have their own preferences, this isn't always where we find them! | ||||||||||
| Costa Natura Resort | ||||||||||
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If the weather is good enough, naturism is expected within the resort, and compulsory at all times in the swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi. It is normal to dress for the restaurant in the evening . We have had some very good meals in the restaurant and the terrace overlooking the beach and pool is a very comfortable place to spend an afternoon. The restaurant also hosts special events and entertainment most evenings, check restaurant notice board or the board by the carpark exit. The shop is a convenient place to buy essentials such as bread, butter, coffee, milk etc. It has a bread baking machine for fresh bagettes and croissants. Some items, such as jam and butter can be purchased in individual portions.
Friendly games of Volleyball, Petanque and Shuffleboard take place on a regular basis. If you haven't a car, or if you just feel like a rest, reception can arrange excursions to various destinations such as Ronda, Gibraltar and Tangier (for Tangier we would recommend the tour, especially for a first visit). The beach by Costa Natura is a public naturist beach. Any feedback on the facilities would be welcome. As with most naturist sites, Costa Natura has a set of rules of conduct which we ask you to adhere to. Rules and Regulations 1) Nudity is both normal and expected within the whole of Costa Natura, weather permitting. 2) Swimwear and clothing of any kind is not allowed in the pools, jacuzzi or sauna at all times. 3) Photography or video is prohibited in all public areas if it involves others without their express permission. 4) No animals are allowed. 5) Private barbecues are not allowed. 6) All signposted instructions must be observed. 7) Adults in charge of children are responsible for their behaviour at all times. 8) No improper conduct, offensive or unacceptable behaviour will be allowed. 9) The Management reserves the right to expel visitors who contravene these rules, without refund, and to refuse further entry. | ||||||||||
| Surrounding Area | ||||||||||
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Estepona Centre Turn right out of the resort and turn right at the 'Estepona' roundabout, follow the dual-carriageway all the way to the town centre. Estepona is an old town and has a well-developed centre with lots of shops, restaurants, bars, banks etc. There is an underground car park in the centre of town, the entrance is on the main road, on the right, about a hundred yards after you pass the exit. Carrefours Hypermarket If you go through Estepona Centre and out the other side, you will reach a roundabout with a big Carrefours on the right. This can be a good place to stock up with food and wine. Estepona Port On the way to Estepona Centre, you will see a sign pointing to Estepona Port to the right at one of the roundabouts. There are a number of bars and restaurants here (our favourite is Le Bistro). It is possible to walk along the beach from Costa Natura to the port, but note that it is a longish walk, and not advisable after any rain as a small stream ( which is usually dry) has to be crossed. Duquesa Port Turn left out of the resort and about 5 miles later, you should find DuQuesa port. This is packed full of bars and restaurants (a lot of them British) and caters to the golfing crowd visiting the golf courses in this area. Estepona Golf The nearest golf course is Estepona Golf, turn left out of the resort and do a U-turn at the next roundabout, you should see the sign to Estepona Golf on your left. The track is about 2 miles long before you reach the golf course. Ask in Costa Natura Reception for a voucher entitling you to 10% off green fees. Further information on places to visit can be found on the following pages: | ||||||||||
