The CLC World story, from the COVID outbreak until 2023

Club La Costa's catastrophic fall from grace has been documented in countless articles and media stories. In 3 short years it has plummeted from its position as Europe's leading timeshare sales operation, to a floundering enterprise struggling with insolvency and removing all public signage from its properties.

We recap the CLC World downfall story, step by step.

December 2019. Tragedy strikes with pool drowning:

At this point CLC World is riding high as Europe's most successful ever timeshare operation. But disaster strikes as three members of the Diya family drown in the Costa Del Sol resort swimming pool on Christmas Eve 2019. The following wave of negative publicity attracts accusations of prioritising sales over guests' safety and quality of their resorts.

May 2020. The global pandemic closes CLC's doors to guests:

Like all tourist accommodation in Spain, CLC announce resorts closures during the pandemic but unlike regular hotels, CLC charge customers in full. This attracts widespread criticism as it will allow them to chalk up unprecedented profits in 2020 while the rest of society is struggling financially.

September 2020. Rumours flourish about potential CLC 'receivership' while timeshare sales operations close down 'temporarily':

Rumours abound that CLC World might soon be facing receivership. Something they hotly deny.

Club La Costa more directly set alarm bells ringing with a letter sent out to their entire database of members announcing their intention to "pause" all timeshare sales operations "until further notice."

October 2020. Inside Timeshare website fuels speculation of CLC's financial struggles:

The Inside Timeshare website (now moved to After Inside Timeshare) reports on the 14th October that CLC will soon be announcing their approaching administration and experts advise that even the suggestion of a major timeshare operator like CLC facing receivership should be taken very seriously.

November 2020. CLC World announce permanent closure of sales department:

CLC confirm the permanent end of all timeshare sales via an announcement by email on Friday 20th November 2020. After over three decades at the top of the timeshare industry, they call it a day. The email which was sent to all CLC members informs them that the decision was made to place the timeshare sales companies into a "controlled administration process"

December 2020. CLC World announce further company liquidations:

Barely a month later, Club la Costa finally confirms the liquidation of various Spanish companies under the CLC umbrella, leaving many CLC members concerned about their future holidays. Accountancy firm BDO are appointed as administrators

June 2021. CLC announce suspicious TripAdvisor award for 2020 while being closed:

Despite being shuttered for the previous year, CLC publish that they received the prestigious 2021 Tripadvisor 'Travellers' Choice Award.' Sceptical observers wonder how this is this possible, when for most of 2020 and (so far) 2021 the resort has been closed to any guests at all.

July 2021. FRP replace BDO as administrators:

A successful High Court application sees administrators BDO replaced in Club La Costa's ongoing administration scandal. In what is seen as a a huge win for the creditors of Club La Costa, who are owed an estimated £47 million between them, the UK High Court ruled that the appointed administrators, BDO should be replaced by the creditors' choice, FRP.

October 2021. Wyndham 'partnership' announced:

A Club La Costa (CLC) press release on 25th October 2021 announced a 'strategic partnership' with Wyndham, sending the timeshare rumour mill into overdrive. The announcement is conspicuously devoid of detail about what it actually means for both businesses as well as CLC's members.

December 2021. Extra 12 months given to administration:

Administrators FRP are granted an extra 12 months to thoroughly investigate CLC companies and uncover links to assets, due to CLC's complex corporate structures. The news is welcomed by creditors.

January 2022. FRP update:

The first (and eagerly awaited) update for Club La Costa timeshare claimants from official administrators, FRP is published. This document is always highly nuanced as the administrators want to avoid letting the administration subjects know their progress. Nevertheless various positive aspects are revealed See update here

February 2022. More negative CLC publicity about 'pandemic profiteering':

Club La Costa come under media spotlight again as disturbing information emerges re their actions during COVID. Industry observers discuss their shock at the extent of CLC profits during the 2020 (and 2021) pandemic.

February 24th 2022. CLC beg members not to sue:

Under huge financial pressure, CLC send a desperate email letter to members who try to leave and/or claim compensation from them. The letter begs them not to sue them over illegal activity and attempts to paint claims firms as con artists. CLC have at this point been ignoring consumer laws for over two decades.

April 2022. CLC's public branding disappears:

Club La Costa's prominent, seafront signage is replaced by a similar style giant Wyndham sign. All other signs and public CLC World branding is removed and only Wyndham's name remains visible.

June 2nd 2022. CLC whistle-blower reveals truth behind CLC sales culture.

A former CLC salesman 'whistle-blower' reveals grim sales culture in Club La Costa in shocking interview. The anonymous salesman's revelations about high pressure sales and contempt for customers sends shockwaves through the CLC membership community.

July 11th 2022. CLC members discontent revealed on social media:

"So much for a quiet holiday!" CLC owners 'raging' at decline of formerly prestigious timeshare resort. Members of CLC blast the company's lowering standards on Facebook groups, with many blaming the fact that the resorts is no longer exclusive to owners. CLC World apartments are now available to rent on sites like Booking.com to the general public for around what CLC members pay in annual fees.

November 20th 2022. CLC administration moves into liquidation:

As the FRP Advisory administration is officially terminated on November 20th 2022, the process shifts into a new phase called Liquidation (Creditors Voluntary Liquidation, or CVL). The difference is described by Timeshare Advice Centre experts as follows: "During Administration, the Administrators are looking to manage the company's situation, whereas during Liquidation they are solely looking to retrieve funds for the creditors."

November 28th 2022. ECC's Law partners issue explanation of current claim process:

In order to clear up confusion and misinformation spread by CLC and their paid advocates, leading M1 Legal lawyer Sofia Solano Diaz explains exactly what happens when a Club La Costa claim is submitted to the UK administration/liquidation.

April 3rd 2023. CLC award payout testimony published:

Former CLC World owner Josh Buckler shares emotional video testimony about the £19,000 compensation award payout that European Consumer Claims achieved for him.

August 2023. Roy Peires reappears after a year's absence:

Roy Peires accused of delusion over bullish email amid CLC insolvencies and legal chaos. The CLC boss talks expansively about new projects, upgrades and real estate development plans, (while CLC are claiming poverty to Administrators FRP.)

Need more info?

If you are a CLC World owner currently claiming compensation against them, or even considering whether to do so, then get in touch with our team for the very latest updates.