Guest House Reveal and Restaurant Opening Night | A New Life In The Sun

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00][Music] a new life in the sun is a pipe dream for most but thousands choose to live it friends let's move to friends what's not to like why does everyone move here it never comes easy we're going to give it a go and it's a big step to take let's go live get some money in Happy Days as they say Happy Days from cafes and pony trekking in Spain it's a total upgrade from Life in the UK living the dream to restaurants and bnbs in France it feels like a car crash of organization I haven't got the foggiest idea what we're doing but will they be raising the RO up and running [Music] yay or hitting the floor overwhelmed overwhelmed overwhelmed well I wanted a pool this is an next them and can the latest expat make a success of their new life in the Sun Mr happy things looking up je for a life hey bab money today in France time's pressing and there's still quite a bit to do expats face the final push to welcome guests at their BNB I think I might uh burnout this is what you look like after four 5 Hour night sleeps in Spain sorry about that but yeah the conditions just probably aren't right today there's a damp start for a Jordi lad's water sports business we've just spent another €10,000 getting all the new equipment in it is quite a big investment and sisters at the steakhouse yeah give me one second guys just leave it and I'll take it when I can face their biggest night of the year we doing need more stuff it's like crazy out here nobody has any idea what's going [Music] on an hour north of the popular Coastal Resorts of Malaga the landscape makes a dramatic transformation from the rugged mountains to the Deep Gorges of el churo where tourists come to experience the hair raising footpath Cito Del Rey it's very wobbly stop it that is you making it wobble just walk it some however prefer their Adventures to be a little more Serene look down there no get over your Fe no I'm not looking down like Kent couple Michael and Sha who relocated to Aur in Andalusia there's a hard hat down there I'm not looking to take on a tranquil guest house with stunning Mountain views after coming over here you're pretty much guaranteed some good sunshine and good weather and it lifts your spirit I guess the dream is for us to have a better quality of life spend more time together enjoy the sunshine um and just change that whole work life balance [Music] it's June and Michael and sha have worked into the small hours to finish renovations to one of their three apartments in time for guests this is what happens when you do a 20-hour day of Renovations after a 18-hour day under 90 now a day the apartment is totally ready for them the other bits and pieces outside we'll take a time and get get them done as them when we can but today's guests are no Ord customers they're hosting regular visitors who have stayed here for the last 7 years it's very different it's got a different feel to it it's got a different character now um and I'm very aware that they've obviously loved what it was previously so I just I just hope they like it I'll be a bit crushed if they don't in a bid to impress Michael and sha are rolling out the red carpet we're doing the cooking and we've also said because they've been coming here so long and are used to being kind of Taken around and about they said we'll do the same so we'll be busier than perhaps with other guests with SH on his way to collect the VIPs airport here I come Michael tackles the last minute jobs I think I've got 2 and 1 half hours before the back this is our emergency art until we get some art specific for here including the building site outside can all go in the shed if you can find space for it that cushan can go in the bin sail can come down cuz it doesn't fit there oh it's fine we'll do a bit of renovation we'll have a couple of weeks before any guests come this is us finishing it off about an hour before the guests arrive and with just enough time for a quick change Sean's back with Kim and John from Bournemouth nice to meet you John I'm Michael hi Michael I'm Kim nice to meet you how are you in 7 weeks the boys have stamped their own mark on this rustic apartment adding a new kitchen and bathroom and a bedroom with a bright and contemporary feel but will the regular guests approve you're probably more used to these steps than we are to be honest oh this it's nice you painted it white yes nothing gets past you Kim wow this is lovely I think it looks gorgeous looking forward to staying here oh good is that okay got Co y uh T you got the airon put in the bedroom yeah what an amazing idea I know thank you so much what an amazing idea I think it's lovely yeah it's really nice still kept the character the white paint has really opened it up made it look more spacious this is exactly what I would have done if ID bought it it's very clean isn't it contemporary I feel quite relieved yeah feel like a big hurdle's been a couple of big hurdles yeah actually if a bit of a weight has been lifted yeah with their first check-in under their belts they now need to prepare supper for for their guests but that's not before Kim pays them a visit and she's brought a list so in the garden yep you're definitely going to need to put some shade up somewhere right and it's a fairly thorough list flies and ants yeah there we go what I used to bring over and I haven't done it this year I used to bring over the sticky papers yeah otherwise you're going to have to go electric and I couldn't find a wine bottle open Oh I thought I put one in there the only thing I felt needed in the bathroom was somewhere to put your toothbrushes either oh okay so a toothbrush holder and for holding I'll just use a glass at okay because we've been so many times we're not like under their going to find that that that and that I feel really bad no don't honestly this is all good well they asked for feedback but if perfectionists Michael and sha are to achieve a five-star review I'm a little bit annoyed myself with a few of these things on this list because the stuff that should happen they have some work ahead of them there's nothing on there that's surprising um andless stuff we can do there some stuff we might not be able to do straight [Music] away when it comes to Quality of Life Spain tops the chart in just about every category recently voted the healthy place to live it's hardly surprising it attracts younger expats in search of a new adventure including Fitness Fanatics Nikki and Vicky Herdman my life here is just so much better enjoy my day-to-day life you don't just work for the weekend and because it's back to the rat race on Monday but these sisters have taken on their heaviest challenge yet with the help of a hefty loan they've bought the steak restaurant they used to work as waitresses we're still young and to own your own business at the ages we we are like I think it's just a fantastic opportunity we've got to make the restaurant work and we've got to make our finances work as well so it's a huge commitment to [Music] us it's the start of the summer season in naha Nikki and Vicki's restaurant has been open for lunch for 10 days now officially open but it's been a bit hit and miss just to let you know we also have a lunch menu running as well till 5:00 just here all right this week has been a little bit more quiet and we've done a few of no people we had some really really busy days one day we did like 30 people and everybody left really happy and they came back in the evening as well so you've just got to give it a chance the only downside is at the minute is you you're here all the time you were here literally from 1 to 1 in the morning in danger of burning out the sisters have decided to give themselves each a day off what you like to try the wine this evening tonight it's Nikki's turn leaving a shattered Vicki in charge hi hello with the tourist season upon them they've taken on Summer Staff including a new waiter lisand do you know for drink you have a FS on top he's got really good personality with the customers he just gets on with it you literally have to tell him something once and he just does it and he's got common sense I don't know what and he'll be put to the test tonight with fries or potatoes fries Vicki's preparing for a crazy service hey guys on this table here is that's okay perfect got a few people on the Terrace now once you get one or two tables in that's that's it so it's good good news we need to be busy we would be busy wouldn't we it's Nick's night off might have to call her in a minute tell us to get get down here oh yeah can I have six spicy chicken wings six chick Wings yeah an hour into service the staff are already rushed off their feet perfect okay has anyone taken drink off eat no but I can go okay it's literally just crazy here you just never know if it's going to be busy or not we doing any more stuff it's like crazy out here nobody has any idea what's going on yeah give me one second guys just leave it and I'll take it when I can as the Team Battle to manage the rush it's probably going 20 minutes half an hour new way to lissandro slips up you go with the starters right what's for their Mains the enchilada we're have to cook them again okayand you need to remember to put the line yeah you have to press this button this is the button this is the line okay no problem because you're learning but yeah you have to press this me put the starters through then he hasn't put the line underneath and the mains so all the food's gone together instead of the stars going first and then the mains after so all the main courses for that order have had to be thrown in the bin it's just a mistake that sometimes you have to have to swallow and yeah it's a it's is like his fourth shift so he's going to make mistakes but Vicki knows they can't afford too many mistakes this summer can I get another portion of jalapenos please maybe we haven't got enough stuff to cope this evening but we're just like we're paddling hard to try to give a float but this is like the busiest night this year yet 98 people tonight we're human we we all make mistakes we're not perfect so the rugged Coastline of the Costa Blanca is a mecca for water sports fanatics from jet skiing to scuba diving there's something for [Music] everyone and when 9 to5 life became too much for Mark rutage from Newcastle he turned to Spain's white [Music] Coast in the office where I was working the average age was around 55 58 something like that um everybody's telling you you know get a good job buy a house find a nice girl settle down and that kind of scared me a little bit so that's what draw me to go traveling in the first place but whilst running away from commitment it was here in Spain that Mark met his polish partner Natalia and romance blossomed over a shared love of paddle boarding I always wanted to try it so it was my present for for Mark actually on a Valentine's Day but he he was the uh um The Mastermind he decided just yeah just let's do it Mark and Natalia recently launched a paddle boarding business at Cabo Roy Beach but since the birth of their son Leon they've realize they need more money coming in so this year they're expanding TVA has a lot more population so we're hoping to capture a bit of them as well so it's going to be fun it's going to be fun trying to attack that new Marketplace and I say we're always up for a new [Music] challenge it's mid June and together with his team Mark is preparing their Beachside base for the rest of the summer I took my finger off there Cabo Roy Beach is the first of mar Natalia's paddle boarding locations okay there is quite a lot of attractions down here um including jet skis and the banana board and then we have ourselves doing the paddle boarding and the pedalos and things as well which is obious grateful at the families and kids there's not many undercurrents and we don't get many waves so makes it ideal for families on most days of the year perhaps but not today June 14th the summer season officially starts tomorrow and June 15th and we have rain today the conditions are far from ideal for paddle boarding and Mar Mark is already turning customers away you might get away with doing the jet skis here now let's say guys sorry about that but yeah the condition's just probably on on right today 14th of June we don't normally have this type of weather you know it's a frustrating start we been another screw driver but Mark and Natalia are optimistic that this location will earn its keep this year this is one of our Prime locations Natalia she's coming back into the frame now so she' be looking after this place we've got a good little team together now and I think for the summertime we should be fine [Music] hopefully with Natalia managing business in Cabo Roy Mark can head to their new paddle boarding location a spot in the exclusive tour OFA Marina which has been a massive investment for the couple we've just spent another 10,000 in um getting all the new equipment in so new paddle boards leashes carbon fiber paddles Which actually cost considerably more you look about €130 per carbon fiber paddle it is quite a big investment Mark has come to check the site before it opens for business in 2 [Music] days we have very flat water conditions which is perfect for padle Bing because you have always passing traffic along the Boardwalk here it is a very popular destination and there's a lot of big fishes here so that's one of the things for me I kind of feel like a small fish in this area and Mark also has concerns about the marina base when you're getting on at the beach you're always entering in from shallow Waters and just getting deeper and deeper at this place uh although it is quite shallow here once you get out there it is quite a deep location and also again on and off the platform the platform is actually moving so you need to kind of have your sea legs hopefully there's nobody for any sea sickness but this isn't the couple's biggest challenge they now have just 3 months to recoup their € 10,000 investment we have put a lot of money into the equipment um Insurance permission and leasing of the space also it's obviously going to take people to be down here so there is a lot of investment going into it in such a short space of time so you need to kind of hit the ground running [Applause] if you're looking for value for money then look no further than the dooro in southern France here you can pick up a renovation project for as little as 30 [Music] grand Brian and Paula from Payton couldn't resist the lure of a bargain and moved here last August to set up a b andb there was a question that I asked and I've never told anybody were we waiting for this house or was this house waiting for us you know it can it can do no wrong as as much as we've had issues it's not put me off at all just a few but despite their dream home turning into a money pit come on it's called be back surely mom do you need any help yes please they've never lost sight of their Vision let me look at the stru there's that thing isn't there where they say if we build it will they come and I know they will so I just can't wait to have people come in and and stay and be spoiled take the screw out put that on top and then put the screw in It's Working seriously I actually fig this bit out and it took a day darling you did you clever girl it's late June and Brian and Paula are about to Welcome Friends who will be giving the B&B a dry run before they finally open for business wine for our guests the cost of wine is just ridiculously low and there so tasty their plans were recently nearly scuppered after a mixup with their cooker delivery Brian confessed that he'd made you know an error of judgment with the cooker which to be fair was not his fault but you know it happened and this turned out to be electric and we wanted gas so when our electrician stroke plumber came we kind of told him what had happened and he just said y i all it and he did so it's all working and it's amazing the end is finally in sight for Brian and Paula all that's left is the finishing touches right time's pressing our guests are due in about 3 4 hours I think and there's still quite a bit to do I think I at uh burn out stage now this is what you look like after several weeks of four 5 Hour night sleeps right so that's another tick that one's done there's something else that I needed to do quite urgently door handles next door on [Music] yes yeah beautiful well on babes excellent fantastic now that was funny ow did he not say he was going to clear this room of all his tools or my tools should I say [Music] as a girl Paula dreamed of running a BNB and after an eventful and expensive 10-month renovation today that dream has finally come true hello oh my God you how you [Music] doing their first arrivals are friends Sharon and Stewart who first saw the B&B last September well wow oh my God it's amazing I can't believe it is it lovely it's beautiful all your touches as well look oh now you spoil when we last visited them we I was particularly struck by Paula's Paula in particular her vision she just had this vision of what it was going to be like and that's never strayed and that's that's amazing I hate to think what must have cost them before long the rest of the guests have arrived to help celebrate this Milestone no it's not business it's a home at the end of the day it's our home um it's how we want want to kind of decorate it and have people come and stay here and appreciate it I think um that's the best reward that we can have actually oh besides a good night's sleep yeah that be nice sleep very nice may we welcome you to our humble abode one and all and thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to come and visit us and be our first guest ever first and not the last guest no cheers Health [Music] everybody back in N it's a big day for restaurant owners Nikki and Vicki as the town is gearing up for the Festival of the year so today some one so it's our busy night of the year so we've come in a couple of hours early just to get the place set up ready ready ready and ready to go in a few hours time thousands will take to the streets to celebrate the San Juan Festival pull the strips of paper away one by one they in layers like this so pull them out there yeah and the sisters are making sure they're ready to line the party go as stomachs there's always crazy amounts of people at the beach so we want to capitalize on that and get as many people in as we can last year the festival was an incredibly successful night for the previous owners but the girls are determined to go one better every night it's our little Mission just to try and be the take on last year so I they did 181 people and I think they took three grand it'd be awesome if we can beat lashes figur tonight we'll be well happy yeah I like these I think we should keep them all some all the time but before they can open the girls need to get to grips with their pom poms I've only got another like 20 of these today I might be here a while oh I thought you said you were tying them high necks no well you said not to I can't work out how to do this it's Hab Us 2 now we want to be open for 3 so we've got literally half an hour so we're just sh them up now can you pull it this way done wa let's get on now there's only minutes to prep the kitchen we officially open at 3:00 um it's 10: to 3 now so we got 10 minutes I'm just getting everything turned on so everything's hot but the deep fat fryer won't ignite why is that not turning on come on on give me a break here turned it off and start again and now their first customers have arrived here we go guys you're very welcome thank you I can't get the FR turned on that's going to stress me I'm going to go get changed and then go back and then try and turn it on again cuz yeah I just don't need that sort of negativ negativity in my life right now if they can't get the fryer working they won't be able to serve their full menu on potentially their busiest day of the year do you know what you'd like to eat perfect after a quick change with fries and onion Vicky tries again the FR is not lit just needed a minute I think I would have had an officially a mental breakdown if I couldn't get that Lit with the fryer lit and their first table served that was your one and your the girls are now ready for the onslaught [Music] but it's surprisingly quiet so we've got 42 books so far it's really early so we we get bookings up until like about 7 8:00 is where people start to panic and get booked in so hopefully going have a lot more than that fingers crossed but after a slow start hi guys the restaurant begins to fill up we're starting to get people in now but we've done nobody in the last one two hours really I don't think it's possible for us to do the same numbers as aser now if we do 120 people we'll be really really really lucky with more and more customers arriving it's not long before the restaurant is full we got squeeze an 8 it's going crazy and although the orders are flying in give me two seconds the food's not quite flying out I don't I don't know where I'm at Sylvio they've all got out in the wrong order I don't know what I'm taking I have literally no idea nobody's talking to me like what is this I don't know what it is this is a black there's just a bit of confusion with the food going out the minute weby there you go g bread eventually the food makes it to the table has everybody got everything [Music] wonderful and as the party gets going on the [Music] beach time for the girls to tally up so we have taken € 2,680 best night yet everyone's done an absolutely amazing job tonight and we're definitely going to have a glass of C to [Music] [Music] celebrate in Andalucia southern Spain you're now feeling what I've been feeling for the last 3 weeks two days after Kim and John checked into the guest house Michael and sha are busy tackling their guests suggestions for improvements one thing that we have done is try and create some more shaded areas in the garden went out and got a sun sail um to put down by the pool so that there a bit more shade down there that's one quick win ticks off the list and it seems the new look apartment has won over these regular visitors the decor is more edgy and contemp free rather than before it was more quirky quirky yeah but we're being looked after and cared for as much and I'm sure sha and Michael will become friends of us as did the previous owners as well as impressing their Discerning customers the boys have been hard at work finishing the second of their Apartments it's looking good it's all come together which is just as well really we've we got to be very mindful of fact that we've already got guests here drilling has been a bit difficult and soaring has been a bit difficult done our best to try and make it as quiet as possible for the guests that are already here with sha quietly working his magic the second apartment is now ready to provide the couple with another stream of income it's done and I've shut the door well almost although I've just remembered coat hangers that's the only thing I'm sure a few days later Michael and sha have turned their attention to the exterior so we've decided to turn this space into like a little kitchen Garden so this bit here is going to be a wall of herbs so having all the herbs to hand will be really helpful when we launch the new menu to guests we'll just be able to come out grab them put them in the food the couple have decided to offer evening meals to guests as well as breakfast it's still a little Drive um to the nearest good restaurants so 12 15 minutes each way um there isn't anywhere on the doorstep that you can walk to being a bit more proactive about it not only gives people a better guest the experience when they're here uh but also is good for business but in the meantime there's a more pressing job to attend to hand down with cases guests Kim and John are checking out out you want to take one of those I'm done it beautifully balanced your wife a week after their arrival their first customers are leaving as new friends you have a safe journey home it was lovely meeting you see you soon best of luck for the rest of the thank you thanks so much going to be fine no it will be cooking was great food was lovely good but not without a final piece of advice we left a little tortilla un wrapped up to you fine but sometimes that you know when you do the breakfast with the meat and couple of little slices of that go down well okay cool yeah yeah absolutely take that on board but there's no time to take a breath for Michael and sha by they're about to receive a visitor who could make or break their business so last night we heard from our lawyer that submitted our tourist application um that we've got someone from the Malaga tourist office coming tomorrow morning so nothing like a bit of notice I'm assuming that if they came and everything was wrong they could tell you you can't take any more guests until you put it right as well as checking work on their two renovated Apartments Michael and sha are hoping the inspector will sign off the third which they plan to open next year it's in two Hales that's that is storage but then the other half is currently a tiny little studio apartment but what we want to do is reopen the whole thing up and make it a bigger studio apartment there shouldn't be any reason why it wouldn't cuz it's it's a habitable space but we really need that document to come back just to kind of you know dot the eyes and cross the teas meanwhile there's one quick fix Michael can make before morning one of the things that they'll definitely pick us up on is signage we've ordered a really nice Mosaic sign to go at the end of the drive it still isn't here so in the meantime I've made one the boys have worked hard to make sure they're ready to pass inspection reservations about the stickiness of this thing all they can do now is await their fate tomorrow morning oh well it'll be [Music] fine lovely filter coffee you can't be it first thing in the morning took a while to find the right type of coffee and strength but I think we've Hit Upon one now it's late June in southern France where Brian and Paula have been entertaining guests at their BNB for the very first time you going to go s today I expect sir yes for 3 Days Seven of their friends have been putting the newly renovated building to the test we wanted to ensure that the house will actually withstand having a lot of people in it at the same time you know for example you know the new pipe work and all the new you know the bathroom and how the hot water will cope with a lot of people potentially sharing at the same time so you know those are the real real major concerns just their visitors have been staying for free breakfast is ready but Brian and Paula hope to welcome paying guests in a matter of weeks so as they all gather for breakfast you know banana is go on babe banana what about strawberries yeah it's verdict time so folks you've been here now for uh what three nights very hot nights as well so how's it been folks very comfortable yeah quiet that's surprising yeah that's surprising where we are and the Heat at night isn't that bad once you learned close the shutters swim pool's been an absolute end it's been lovely watching everybody getting in the pool isn't it I think what surprised me is that we've focused so much on the interior of the house and getting uh the Terrace ready and even the front garden and yet most of the time everybody has been around the back of the building where one area that I don't like and in the area that we've yet to kind of um you know develop and make look pretty so um so that's come as a big surprise to me the B&B has passed the test drive with flying colors but guest Christ does have one small request I think English people prefer oblong to the French square square world yeah well we're off back to the UK on Monday so we'll be stocking up it's gone well all the major stuff that we've had done there's been no issues with whatsoever all the hidden stuff um which have been fantastic and the only things they've pointed out ably little minor stuff that we just haven't got round to doing which we will do before we open proper so all in all um actually it's G better than I [Music] imagined but after several months of costly Renovations Brian and Paula now desperately need some [Music] guests all we've done now for for 10 months now is just spend spend spend spend so it will be nice just to get a bit of Revenue coming through so we can then plow PL that back into you know the redecoration and renovation work it's essential really [Music] back in Tor OFA Mark and Natalia are about to launch their new paddle boarding Venture water conditions are lovely there today sunshine is beaming down on us looking forward to it it's the first stay at the new location you gave me the best job ever so Natalia has come down from their other site to help out it's very very nice place there's loads of young people around here it's other sport what the sports going on around so it's nice and Buzzy after the um after the puddle you can have some some lunch some drinks it's very good but with this prime location comes a set of new challenges for the couple there's daily boat trips heading out jet skis and stuff so we just have to be a little bit careful of um passing traffic on the water so Mark's Keen to test the bay before paying customers paddle out okay guys yes so just make your way down the platform over to the right he's brought in some Pro boarders to check the conditions but as the test group limber up Mark receives some unexpected news uh we've got uh three uh customers for L they were booked for 11:00 for today yes can you just tell them to come out for 11:30 11:30 please in the chaos of opening day Mark and Natalia failed to spot a booking made on social media late last night so we're going to go straight out and through the yellow boys towards the red and green lucky for Mark the party of three are happy to wait normally I get a chance to look at more but she been crazy busy there today obviously and with the initial setting up of the board and stuff we're a little bit late getting out um so we just ask them to wait an extra half an hour and they're going to come out later so that's great that we've already got bookings coming obviously and social media must be working and Mark's hoping the experts display might turn onlookers into paying customers pel down the board [Music] after a tour of the marina experienced borders Toby and Carl give their verdict I think it'll do well obiously you have all the sports here as well down in the marina got the K ski here as well all the tourists come here for the seafront and everything and you got like this sort of like amazing walkway here that people are just going to pick up on seeing the what's going on here so the location I think is amazing yeah they're going to do really well here with all checks done Mark greets their first family of the summer season that's actually there we go open for business ready for our first clients sorry we're a little bit late there obviously there's been a few little um little hiccups and stuff that we're just trying to iron out we had a little bit later going out with the group there so we'll get you guys out as soon as possible after a quick lesson we have the blade the grip and the te okay the tea is very important when you're standing up and paddling always have your hand on top of the tea the first time paddlers take to the water keep on PING just that right side you're going to head over towards this red boy over there okay three paddles down that left hand side one [Music] 2 and this despite Mark's initial concerns it seems this location is a [Music] hit we decided we'd come here because the lake is nice and calm we've seen paddle boarding on beaches where it's a lot rougher and people can't get up on it so so we knew the the bay here the the inet would be nice and calm and we'd be able to actually stay on it some of us we'll be back definitely next year anyway so week I just we yeah but very soon the marina is quiet so Mark and Natalia decide to try and drum up some trade hello ladies and boys how we getting on can I interest you some standard P boarding for the gang oh we're just hey it's been a steady start to life in the bay and if Mark and Natalia's business is going to pay its way more customers are [Music] vital next time Paula yeah babe they're here can Brian and Paula keep up the pace at the B&B I can get away with this one then I can cope with anything Michael and sha get ready for INSP ction at their guest house we only got a couple of days notied that he'd be coming at the moment it's a bit like being on probation we don't have our official license yet and Nikki and Vicky reach burnout at the steak restaurant we're literally at our level at the minute we've just had another toil of two walk in here we are living the dream [Music]