Ponta Bicuda vs Sambala Development Resort

Ponta Bicuda goes head to head with the Sambala Resort

In this our very first new development head to head. We have chosen two developments on the Island of Santiago in the Cape Verde Islands.

To get an idea of the landscape on the Island of Santiago, please click here for a satellite view.

Ponta Bicuda	Sambala Resort
From £50,000-1,100,000 1 bed apartment	From €165,000 2 bed townhouse
Nubricks Verdict
Bicuda has gone to town with their marketing and the resort looks wonderful and glossy, but you have to wonder whether you are paying for this in the price! The resort seems to have people and community at its heart and offers a wide range of facilities. Its early days, so could be a good bet for speculators.	Sambala took on the challenge of developing the first large tourist resort on Santiago in the Cape Verde Islands. They have successfully sold out their first and second phases and are due to hand over the first properties very soon. As a buyer if you want to see the qualities and get a real feel for what this developer will achieve you can visit today and make a decision based on bricks and mortar.
Location in Cape Verde
S/E tip of Santiago island A short drive from Praia and Airport Close to the sea on a peninsula	Southern coast of Santiago island 15mins drive from Praia and close to Airport Set over 20sqkm of valleys and coastline
The Development Concept
To create a lively resort in a sustainable environment. A community with a pedestrian zone at its heart, no traffic is allowed inside the resort apart from a shuttle, so walkways and cycleways are the way to get around.	To create an environmentally friendly development, utilising some recycled materials and minimising its impact on local community by creating its own sustainable energy solutions, via solar technology, desalination plants and waste water treatment. Commitment to local community by creating jobs and helping with children’s education.
Resort Facilities
Beach Club, Cricket Club, Tennis Club, SPA Fitness Club, not to mention the restaurants, live music bars, hotels, shops. Medical centre, kids club Chapel and facilities for receptions and marriages Normal concierge services An oceanic swimming pool will be featured in one of the natural bays.	Marina, 2 world class golf courses, SPA, gym, tennis courts, restaurants, bars, swimming pools, and retail centre Swimming, diving, sailing, big game fishing, windsurfing, hiking, cycling, boating, whale watching
Investor Rental Schemes Available
The Hotelier scheme is made up of houses completely equipped and furnished, and sold in full ownership. Insurance and maintenance are the responsibility of the hotel management and a 5% guaranteed return over the first five years is offered in return. Any home owner may use the house up to 4 weeks per year (2 in any season and 2 in low season) and must sign a ten year contract for the house to be utilised at all other times.The easy living scheme encompasses the same houses as in the hotelier club and may achieve a higher return than 5%, but will have to budget for maintenance charges, marketing of the property, property management fees etc.The final options are homes built on private plots for personal use, benefiting from the resort’s services, but not integrated within the hotels. These are offered as two different products:- Dream villa built in a generous plot- Homes & Garden, with a stylish dream villa built in the garden to better enjoy the panoramic views.	Sambala are offering investors a 5% guaranteed return over the first five years and they will assume all maintenance and management costs.
Expected Completion Dates
Launched October 2006 Available 2009/early 2010	Launched in December 2004 Sambala Village available for occupation from 2008
Overseas Buyer Profile
As the first two phases have been sold these properties may suit Long Term or Buy to Let investors	Prices have risen since launch, but may suit seasoned travellers looking for eco project with good long term prospects
Video Snapshot	Video Snapshot
Developer Contact Details
Web: http://www.pontabicuda.com/ Tel: +351 21 759 45 58	Web: http://www.sambaladevelopments.com/ Tel UK: 01608 813160

Points to note:

International Airport
The newly opened international airport has direct flights to and from Lisbon, London (starting this autumn), Manchester, Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, the Canary Islands, Boston and Fortaleza (Brazil). Further direct European flights will be added during the winter - Copenhagen and Dublin flights will be offered in the near future. Connecting through Sal Island (15 min flight) you can find flights to other European airports (Milan, Rome, and Munich).

Summary of UK flights
Demand for flights to Praia on Santiago is small from the UK, but with Sambala having completed phase 1 this year, it is expected that one of the carriers will start this route. Sambala developments have indicated that should no carrier take this route on that they may be prepared to charter an aircraft themselves.

Rumours not facts
There is a planned cleanup of Praia bay and a planned 5 star casino and hotel on the bay.
Furnishing a property in Ponta Bicuda, is cheaper than at Sambala.
In Ponta Bicuda you can sell-on before completion.

Finally
Which ever development you decide fits your requirement, it looks like owners are already setting up a number of sporting events for these two resorts, including a Cricket Tournament and a Ryder Cup style golf championship. So it sounds like a lively community is already forming before any one is even living there!

Do you agree or disagree with any of the above? Comment here…