Marina d’Or Changes Hands Again, Shifting Ownership in Castellón’s Tourism Sector
A new chapter unfolds for Marina d’Or as ownership changes hands once more in Orpesa, Castellón. Four years after the prior transfer, the keys to the popular complex will pass to a fresh proprietor. For the first time, Valencia emerges as the owner of Marina d’Or, with the current stake held by the Alicante-based company Magic Costa Blanca. The deal reportedly involved an agreement that persuaded the US investment fund Farallon to enter the transaction.
What has been described as a strategic operation by the Mediterráneo group, which previously belonged to Prensa Ibérica as information, has reached a formal close. While negotiations proceeded cautiously, this publication could not confirm the final price of the sale. The 2019-2020 period saw Farallon acquire the bank loans backing Marina d’Or Hotels, ultimately injecting capital through a 99 million euro increase after a 125 million euro investment. These steps positioned Farallon to influence the day-to-day management of Marina d’Or, a responsibility assigned to management by the actuator Restructuring and Tourism Asset Management (GAT) team, according to official statements made over time.
Details about the payment terms agreed between Magic Costa Blanca, Farallon, and GAT remain undisclosed, leaving room for speculation about how the purchase was structured compared with previous control terms. For months, market chatter suggested a sale in the making, driven by evolving interest from several operators. Yet this occasion finally gave a tangible proposal, culminating in a transition that reshapes Castellón’s tourism landscape.
Magic Costa Blanca steps into the Castellón scene with a well-known footprint in Benidorm’s competitive tourism market. The group stands among the most prominent operators in the regional hospitality and leisure sector. The company is a family enterprise founded by Francisco García, who oversees the organization, while his son, Javier García, manages daily operations as vice president. Javier García also holds the vice presidency at Hosbec, the Valencia Community hotel and tourism association where Marina d’Or will be integrated into the association’s commercial framework.
The García family brings a broad range of experience spanning hotels, water parks, and diverse entertainment formats. Magic Costa Blanca has already built a portfolio that includes six Benidorm hotels, with additional properties in central Benidorm, Finestrat, Alfas del Pi, and Gandia. The latest strategic move marks a deliberate expansion into Castellón, signaling a new era for the group and a potential shift in regional tourism dynamics. The Castellón market is now poised to see the family business scale its operations beyond its Alicante heartland.
Within the Magic Costa Blanca network, there are luxury villas in Benidorm and a music-themed hotel that reflects the group’s varied hospitality approach. The water park division operates four facilities—two in Benidorm, one in l’Alfàs del Pi, and one in Cala Finestrat. In addition, the resort imprint includes ventures like the Magic Robin Hood Camp, which features medieval-themed shows paired with meals to attract families and visitors seeking immersive experiences. This diversified portfolio positions the group to leverage Marina d’Or’s existing strength while integrating new entertainment and hospitality concepts into Castellón’s tourism mix.
Industry observers note that Marina d’Or has faced a challenging period, including the broader real estate downturn and pandemic-related pressures. The current ownership arrangement aims to stabilize the complex’s operations and unlock new growth avenues, anchored by Farallon’s financial framework and GAT’s asset-management guidance. The sale’s completion is expected to bring renewed investment, improved service offerings, and closer alignment with Castellón’s regional tourism strategy as outlined by local industry bodies and tourism authorities [CITATION: Market analysis and regional tourism plans].