Brian Taylor
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From the Spring 2025 Newsletter
—-Days Out—Firgas
Firgas is situated 25 kilometres from Gran Canaria’s capital and lies at an altitude of 465 metres above sea level. It is characterised by having both long and narrow hills, which in turn are divided by a dense and complex network of gullies.The town centre of Firgas offers numerous cultural and religious places. It is recommended that you visit the Parish Church of San Roque, constructed over the ruins of what was the first hermitage of San Juan Ortega, built in 1502.
In the Plaza de San Roque, where the church is situated, we also find the monument to San Juan d’Ortega, the first patron saint of the municipal town. The building of the Firgas Town Hall is a large neo-Canarian style house constructed in the 1940’s. Also close to the square of San Roque is the commemorative fountain, built of quarry stone to celebrate the 500 years of the foundation of Firgas. The fountain has various light and water combinations, as well as piped music.
Reaching Firgas from Anfi del Mar by public transport is not easy, and the preferred option would be to hire a car to reach this inland island gem.
from the Spring 2025 Newsletter:-
Spring Skincare: Tips for Glowing, Healthy Skin
As the days grow longer and flowers begin to bloom, it’s time to shake off the remnants of winter and refresh your skincare routine for spring. The change in seasons brings new challenges for your skin, including increased sun exposure, fluctuating temperatures, and seasonal allergies. To help you maintain a radiant, healthy complexion, here are some essential spring skincare tips to keep in mind.1. Switch to a Lightweight Moisturizer
Winters rich, heavy creams are great for combating dryness but, as the weather warms up, your skin needs something lighter. Opt for a hydrating lightweight moisturizer that provides adequate moisture without feeling greasy.
2. Don’t Skip the Sunscreen
With more time spent outdoors, protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is essential. Even if it’s cloudy, UVA and UVB rays can still cause damage, leading to premature aging and sunburn. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen and don’t forget to apply it to often-missed areas like your neck, ears, and hands. Reapply every two hours, especially if you’re spending time outside.
3. Exfoliate for a Fresh Start
Winter can leave your skin looking dull due to a buildup of dead skin cells. Spring is the perfect time to reintroduce exfoliation into your routine. Use a gentle chemical exfoliant containing AHAs (like glycolic acid) to slough away dead skin and reveal a brighter complexion.
4. Stay Hydrated Inside and Out
With warmer temperatures, your body may lose more moisture through perspiration. Keep your skin plump and dewy by drinking plenty of water and incorporating hydrating foods like cucumbers, oranges, and watermelon into your diet.
5. Combat Seasonal Allergies
Springtime allergies can lead to puffy eyes, redness, and irritation. If you’re prone to allergies, using a cool compress on your eyes and investing in a good antihistamine can also help reduce puffiness and inflammation. Taking a vitamin C supplement can be great for limiting reactions.
6. Protect Your Lips
Your lips and the delicate skin around your eyes need extra care during seasonal transitions. Use a nourishing lip balm with SPF to prevent chapping and sun damage.
7. Adjust Your Cleansing Routine
Springtime can mean more outdoor activities, increased sweat, and exposure to environmental pollutants. Switch to a gentle foaming or gel-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping your skin. When you wear makeup or sunscreen, double cleansing in the evening with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one can help keep your skin clear and refreshed.
8. Incorporate Antioxidants
Antioxidants help protect your skin from free radical damage caused by pollution and UV exposure. Look for serums containing vitamin C, green tea extract, or niacinamide to brighten and protect your complexion. These ingredients can also help fade dark spots and even out skin tone.
Final Thoughts
Spring is a season of renewal, and your skincare routine should reflect that. By making small adjustments like using lighter products, staying hydrated, and protecting yourself from the sun, you can keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Take the time to listen to your skin’s needs, and enjoy the fresh start that spring brings!
Ready to glow this season? Try incorporating these tips into your daily routine and watch your skin thrive!
Katherine Taylor
Owner & Skincare Specialist – SkinGym
If anyone would like to contact Katherine regarding any skin related issues, please ring 01274 845078 or email Katherine@theskingym.co.uk.
from Spring newsletter
—-In case you missed our February email to members, Anfi have substantially increased guest certificate fees from 1st February 2025. The increased fees were raised with Anfi management in the resort committee meetings, and whilst Anfi have not moved on their decision, you can read comments from the elected representatives in the reports for Gran, Puerto and Monte (see the next section, Committee Reports).
If you are renting out a week, or renting from someone and the guest certificate fee is not included in the price, you need to remember that there has been a big jump in the fee charged by Anfi. If you are renting you may need to review your price or inform renters of the change.
From 1st February, the fee Anfi charges for guest certificates is now €180 per week if your week is not in AVC. Even if you are in AVC, if you have other resale weeks that are not in AVC, the non-AVC charge will apply.
Anfi have added information to their website saying “The fee is applied per reservation, and costs €180 (per reservation) for those not in the Anfi Vacation Club, and €30 (per reservation) for Anfi Vacation Club members.”
If two adjacent weeks for the same apartment and contract are rented as one, the single fee applies to both as one “reservation” (but please check with Anfi, in case they update this policy).
This fee is set by Anfi and not subject to scrutiny by resort committees as it is a central charge.
from the Spring Newsletter
—In the winter newsletter we launched the Anfi UK Restaurant Award. We are collecting your opinions about your favourite restaurants and cafés. Through this we can expose hidden gems throughout the island and reward the places that have served our members well. So far, we have received 36 responses.
I have saved this link to my phone and often fill in the form while waiting for the bill.
It literally only takes a minute! Your opinion can help others find great places, and avoid the duds. It can also win one participant a year’s free membership.
The results so far are:
Restaurant Name Overall Average Score
Fernando’s 5.00
Slow Boat to China 5.00
Svarta Pannan 5.00
Allende Muelle 5.00
Cueva Pirata 4.83
Los Canarios 1 4.83
Mercadito Iberico 4.83
Maximilians 4.83
Pizzadillo 4.83
Palm Gardens 4.75
Nube 4.67
Samsara 4.67
Supermarkt El Greco 4.50
Valentino’s 4.50
Namaste 4.50
Sagitario 4.33
Puerto Vista 4.00
By Rocio 4.00
Tropicana 4.00
Restaurante Tertulia 3.83
On the Rocks 3.83
Gran Bahia Khun 3.50
Bella Pasta 3.42
La Posada 2.0
The scores categories are titled Food Quality, Food Choice, Service, Ambiance, Value for Money and Future Recommendation. We have also added a field for approximate cost, so you can have a good idea about the budget before going out.
Roger Byatt
recent news about the Lopesan control from the Spring 2025 newsletter
==============Lopesan Takes Control of Anfi Del Mar
After years of uncertainty, our beloved Anfi at last sees a promising future. Anfi Inter was the lead bidder for the shares held by the failed Cazorla companies. Anfi Inter is a company linked to IFA Hotels and is controlled by the Lopesan Group. This represents a definitive respite from uncertainty for more than 700 Canarian families whose livelihood depends on the company.
It also marks the beginning of an ambitious investment plan, which will serve not only to refloat ANFI and get it out of the bankruptcy proceedings in which it has been mired since 2021, but also to modernise its facilities and guarantee its positioning within high-end tourism.
The Lopesan Group’s commitment to the Canary Islands is evident. A forward-looking rescue plan means the operation is not just limited to Anfi. Lopesan has pledged investment of more than 100 million euros in Anfi and to expand its hotel network on the islands. In addition to the acquisition of Anfi, the company plans to build a 1,000-room hotel in Meloneras, which will generate around 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, and another in Mogan with 250 rooms, which will boost employment in the area with more than 600 new jobs. Work has just started on the new hotel near the Meloneras Exhibition Centre. At the same time, a proposal for an agreement has been presented to the Santana Cazorla Group, SL, with financial support from IFA, to establish long-term viability through the capitalisation of credits.
The challenge is that there are two quite separate legal processes going on here. One is the fallout resulting from the liquidation of some companies in the Cazorla Group. The other is the administration of Anfi Sales and Anfi Resorts. Although Lopesan may have secured the shares in Anfi, there is no immediate resolution to Anfi’s administration, as some creditors are holding out against the court approved resolution. Therefore, everything will depend on the support of the creditors and judicial approval, but the horizon seems clear for what was once one of the main tourist promoters of the archipelago.
This business move not only saves Anfi, but also strengthens the position of the Canary Islands as a tourist destination of excellence. With Lopesan at the helm, Anfi’s history is being rewritten with a chapter that promises growth, stability and, above all, a future where uncertainty gives way to prosperity.
What does this mean for us as owners? To be honest, we don’t know yet. There are all kinds of rumours flying around. They range from “Lopesan will turn Anfi into a hotel.” or “Maintenance fees will massively increase.” at one end, to “Nothing will change” at the other. It is clear that some scammers are continuing to use the uncertainty to call people and try to scare them into surrendering their ownership or join dubious ‘compensation claims’. It is actually quite difficult to change a resort from timeshare to anything else as we own rights, called RERs, in the property. What we hope is that the new owners will instill a culture or management more willing to engage openly with us owners who, after all, provide a regular and guaranteed income stream through our maintenance fees. One of the key benefits of belonging to a club like ours is that we will always try our best to avoid spreading speculation and represent your views and concerns directly to Anfi. If you meet other people around the pools, ask them if they are members and, if they are not, point them in the direction of our website. It’s only by working together and growing our numbers that we can really build influence.
Sources:
https://www.canarianweekly.com/posts/Deadline-set-for-contesting-timeshare-contracts-in-Spain 8/1/2025
Bill Taylor / Roger Byatt
recent news about the Lopesan control from the Spring 2025 newsletter
==============Lopesan Takes Control of Anfi Del Mar
After years of uncertainty, our beloved Anfi at last sees a promising future. Anfi Inter was the lead bidder for the shares held by the failed Cazorla companies. Anfi Inter is a company linked to IFA Hotels and is controlled by the Lopesan Group. This represents a definitive respite from uncertainty for more than 700 Canarian families whose livelihood depends on the company.
It also marks the beginning of an ambitious investment plan, which will serve not only to refloat ANFI and get it out of the bankruptcy proceedings in which it has been mired since 2021, but also to modernise its facilities and guarantee its positioning within high-end tourism.
The Lopesan Group’s commitment to the Canary Islands is evident. A forward-looking rescue plan means the operation is not just limited to Anfi. Lopesan has pledged investment of more than 100 million euros in Anfi and to expand its hotel network on the islands. In addition to the acquisition of Anfi, the company plans to build a 1,000-room hotel in Meloneras, which will generate around 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, and another in Mogan with 250 rooms, which will boost employment in the area with more than 600 new jobs. Work has just started on the new hotel near the Meloneras Exhibition Centre. At the same time, a proposal for an agreement has been presented to the Santana Cazorla Group, SL, with financial support from IFA, to establish long-term viability through the capitalisation of credits.
The challenge is that there are two quite separate legal processes going on here. One is the fallout resulting from the liquidation of some companies in the Cazorla Group. The other is the administration of Anfi Sales and Anfi Resorts. Although Lopesan may have secured the shares in Anfi, there is no immediate resolution to Anfi’s administration, as some creditors are holding out against the court approved resolution. Therefore, everything will depend on the support of the creditors and judicial approval, but the horizon seems clear for what was once one of the main tourist promoters of the archipelago.
This business move not only saves Anfi, but also strengthens the position of the Canary Islands as a tourist destination of excellence. With Lopesan at the helm, Anfi’s history is being rewritten with a chapter that promises growth, stability and, above all, a future where uncertainty gives way to prosperity.
What does this mean for us as owners? To be honest, we don’t know yet. There are all kinds of rumours flying around. They range from “Lopesan will turn Anfi into a hotel.” or “Maintenance fees will massively increase.” at one end, to “Nothing will change” at the other. It is clear that some scammers are continuing to use the uncertainty to call people and try to scare them into surrendering their ownership or join dubious ‘compensation claims’. It is actually quite difficult to change a resort from timeshare to anything else as we own rights, called RERs, in the property. What we hope is that the new owners will instill a culture or management more willing to engage openly with us owners who, after all, provide a regular and guaranteed income stream through our maintenance fees. One of the key benefits of belonging to a club like ours is that we will always try our best to avoid spreading speculation and represent your views and concerns directly to Anfi. If you meet other people around the pools, ask them if they are members and, if they are not, point them in the direction of our website. It’s only by working together and growing our numbers that we can really build influence.
Sources:
https://www.canarianweekly.com/posts/Deadline-set-for-contesting-timeshare-contracts-in-Spain 8/1/2025
Bill Taylor / Roger Byatt
The Monte committee met on the 27th February 2025 – one of the main purposes of the February meeting is to review the outturn of the 2024 finances and to discuss Anfi’s proposals for the allocation of the replacement fund budget for 2025.
Key points discussed included update on administration / budget outturn for 2024 / replacement fund projects for 2025 / guest certificate fees / lifts / furniture replacement / drainage and artificial grass / TV’s / soap dispensers.
—–
Club Monte Anfi Liaison Committee report: February 2025
The first meeting of the year took place on 27 February.
We learnt shortly before the meeting of the sad news that Mrs Christine Johnson, the director of the Anfi Del Mar clubs, had died a few days previously. She had been a senior manager at Anfi for many years and Club committee members had regular contact with her and she will be greatly missed. Christine had a great knowledge of all things at Anfi and yet was also helpful on all sorts of practical matters.
We held a minutes silence at the beginning of the meeting in memory of Christine.Luis Martinez has taken Chritine’s place on the committee & there will be a restructure as Chritine’s role will not be directly replaced. The two administrators responsible for the committees have left. Carolyn Cusack recently retired and Heike Schirmer has moved to Germany to be closer to her family and will leave Anfi in the next few months.
The ongoing committee is made up as follows:
Anfi management: Emilio Rodriguez (Anfi Legal Dept), Luis Martinez (Anfi Resorts), Maria Hidalgo (Anfi Customer Services)
Elected Representatives: Mr Peter Siegler (Germany), Mr Brian Taylor (UK), Mr Fred Anderson (Norway).Budget
The Club has a budget of over €7m per year. It ended 2024 with a surplus that added to the Replacement Fund (RF), though the RF itself at around €1m is low for future needs.Replacement fund 2025
– We had hoped furniture replacement would begin in 2025, however only the design and display of two demonstration apartments has been planned. In part due to increasing cost of the project and a change in approach to selection of furniture. The replacement will be made during 2026-27 and there are some uncertainties over the total cost though circa €2m.
– There are a number of civil works projects including improvements to the grounds, increasing the area for sunbeds and seating, tiling, the reception staircase etc. Also improvements to drainage in the grounds and artificial grass to cover the brown soil next to the pool areas.
– The ceiling in the roadway outside Monte/Puerto reception will be repainted and funded from the communal fund that Monte, Puerto and the other resorts pay into.
– Lifts – the severe problems since October appear resolved now that Schindler are back as maintenance contractor. The update of lift displays and controls has been delayed due to this change.
– Guest certificate fees were discussed and complaints from members raised. The decision was made in Anfi Sales/Resorts and is outside of the committee’s scope – and Anfi show no sign of changing their minds on the fees.
Anfi did confirm that any owner who bought direct from Anfi could join AVC and gain the benefits of AVC membership.
Guest Certificates fees are €30 per booking for AVC members and €180 per booking for non AVC members. However AVC membership is over €200 per year, and is more attractive of you have more than one week, as only one AVC fee (Unlike AVC weeks membership which is a per week cost)– Plans for the replacement of the door locks and cards by proximity cards are well advanced and expected in May/June when occupancy is low.
– The expected spend from the RF fund in 2025 is about €1m.
Flexible weeks and AVC
At our October meeting, we had discussed the issue of flex weeks converted to fixed, which the new contracts allow. Members who have tried to do this were told they would lose AVC membership if they convert to a fixed week.
Anfi feel that if they allowed this it would damage the points system by members who had more attractive weeks, converting to fixed weeks, and are not likely to change their policy.TV’s, Chromecast and HDMI connections
The streaming of UK channels has produced some complaints about picture quality and interruptions. Some hotels have discontinued UK channels.Anfi have tested Chromecast devices at Emerald and plan to role out to all resorts this year. To use them you need a phone, tablet or laptop to stream to the Chromecast. For UK channels you will need a VPN to connect via a UK server – I use NordVPN, there are others and if using check first which work best for streaming.
Or download films and programs before you leave the UK!At Monte I found the TV HDMI connection did not work when trying to connect an Amazon Firestick. Turned out reception have to ask IT to enable it for the week you are there. Seems unnecessary and Anfi management have said they will look into it.
I suspect this is related to the Chromecast role out, as the TV system menu was also restricted.Administration
The Administration process is ongoing and timescale dependant on whether appeals are lodged to proposed settlement. Should know more in next month or so.Soap dispensers
Wall mounted soap dispensers are being fitted to all apartments. Anfi are considering whether to provide dispensers at the washbasins to reduce the usage of soap tablets.
Hi Vee
You’re right, the guests name and address is at the top on the guest certificate I had in January. The owners name is shown near the bottom of the certificate.
Regards, Brian
I was told last week by Anfi management that siblings are included as family.
If anyone is asked to pay they should raise that with Customer Services
Ref family and siblings – I am told
– direct family pay no fee i.e. children, grandchildren and parents
– also siblings i.e. brothers and sisters pay no fee – but sister-in-law and brother-in-law do pay guest cert fee
– any other relatives pay a guest fee
I’m told this is on Anfi’s website though I can’t find it yet!
On your second point about internal transfer
– when you check in at Beach make sure they know you have a follow on at Gran
– a day or two before end of Beach week, Anfi leave you a transfer form in your apartment
– you list everything you want moved, and bag up in fridge & freezer chilled and frozen food.
They move everything for you. Normally you are in by 1pm, though moving between resorts can take a bit longer if a lot of transfers on same day. Ask reception who will give you a guide.
I’m not sure about your first question, others may know more.
Hi Robert
The fee for weeks not in AVC is going from 60 to 180€, which is a huge increase.
For weeks in AVC, members still pay 30€, plus either 240€ per year for points AVC, or 129€ per year for each week in AVC Weeks.
I agree it is a shame Anfi never got a good solution for managing rentals
For families, children and parents of members pay no fee. I’m going to check this week if siblings are exempted
Regards, Brian
Please let me know asap if you have any questions for the Monte meeting on the 27th Feb
Our agenda already includes guest certificate fees, and the lifts and a number of other topics, including progress on the outside area near block B and apartment furniture replacement.
You will be aware that installation work on the chromecasts has not completed yet, and that some of the kitchen cabinet units are showing their age.
Please note on Anfi’s website they also say
“For any questions or complaints regarding the personal data process, you can contact our Data Protection Delegate via the email address: DPO-officer@anfi.es or you can file a claim with the Spanish Agency of Data Protection, the control authority. http://www.agpd.es”
Anfi have today added price information to their website regarding guest certificate fees (to see this on their website log into anfi.com members area and look at the holiday planner topic) which confirms our understanding of the fees:-
“4. Should you decide not to use your week/s yourself, but invite guests, please complete this form stating the full name and home address of your lead guest and send it to the Customer Services Department or to the Anfi Vacation Club who will issue the required guest certificate for the corresponding fee.
The fee is applied per reservation, and costs €180 (per reservation) for those not in the Anfi Vacation Club, and €30 (per reservation) for Anfi Vacation Club members”
Hi Richard
Your advert was “paused” – adverts are live when first purchased and you manage the status via MyAdverts (https://anfiukmembers.co.uk/my-adverts/)
I have unpaused it for you.Please also see the email we sent when you advertised, that gives info about managing your adverts, & links to our webpages with more detailed advice.
Kind regards, Brian
A member has reported that Anfi have confirmed that weeks in AVC remain at €30 for guest certificate
Please remember you can place a Wanted advert and either make it visible just to members or to anyone.
Create the advert from the “My Wanted Notices” section which is within My Club – https://anfiukmembers.co.uk/my-wanted-notices/ – it is free to set up Wanted notices.
Or look to see what other members are looking for here https://anfiukmembers.co.uk/wanted/
You were unlucky Robert, on their Facebook page they closed on the 3rd and opened again on the 13th Jan
===============
Restaurante Cueva Pirata
13th January 2025We’re back today!!!
After a short break we face 2025 with a lot of eagerness, excitement and the embers lit..=======================
Restaurante Cueva Pirata
3rd Janaury 2025Today we say goodbye to one of the most important people in the history of our home: its founder, owner, first cook, and the driving force behind the last 10 years of those of us who have followed her legacy.
We thank God for allowing us to enjoy her until the age of 96, and we say goodbye with the certainty that we will remember her every day because angels are never forgotten.
We will be closed SINCE TOMORROW for the next few days to honor her memory and gather strength for the rest of the season.
We will announce our reopening a few days in advance.
Hi Robert
There has been quite a bit on our Facebook group though not in forum – I had meant to add into forum so thank you for doign that.
It gets good reviews
Anfi have recently published a letter warning about bogus calls regarding maintenance fees
==============
Dear Members,
The Anfi Management wishes to inform you about a situation we have recently detected. Over the past few weeks, several members have reported receiving calls from companies claiming to act on behalf of Anfi. These companies request payment of overdue maintenance fees, threatening legal action by Anfi if the payment is not made.
We want to emphasize that these practices are entirely fraudulent and that Anfi has no connection to these companies or their communications.
If you receive such calls, please:
1. Do not provide any personal information or make any payments.
2. Contact our Customer Services Department directly to report the incident.
At Anfi, the security and trust of our members are our top priorities. Any official communication regarding maintenance fees or other matters related to your membership will only be made through Anfi’s official channels.
We appreciate your attention and cooperation in helping us put an end to these fraudulent practices.Sincerely,
The Anfi Management
ANFI
I’ll be paying my maintenance fees soon using Halfix Clarity and will update on how the currency rate looks – I have a Wise card too, after Roger suggested that so will see what looks best before I pay up.
thanks Robert – good to know the potential saving on maintenance fees with a better exchange rate & your postive experience with Currensea
more news of phased introduction in 2025 – on EuroNews.com
and then the visa requirement will follow 6 months after the EES is introduced
