• From: Julio Fernandez Ramos
  • Date: Thursday 30th May, 2013
  • Subject: Comments from Julio Ramos following his 4 night stay in Desert Springs from the 1st to the 5th May 2013

Hello & good afternoon,

I would like to praise the great kindness with which we are treated, each of the times we have been to the Resort.

We received the camera we left there straight away .

Thank you very much for everything.

Until next time!

Julio Fernandez Ramos

  • From: Matt Porton
  • Date: Thursday 30th May, 2013
  • Subject: Matt's comments following his 3 day golf break at Desert Springs between 26th – 29th May

Hi Sandra,

Just to let you know we very much enjoyed our stay and would like to compliment all of the staff from restaurant to reception, marshall and internet support for their friendliness and helpfulness, a great team!

Regards,

Matt

 

  • From: Pepa Morata
  • Date: Tuesday 28th May, 2013
  • Subject: Alicia's Communion Celebration at the Crocodile Club

Hi Ellie,

I am sending this message to say thank you for how well the Communion of my daughter Alicia went.

The food was very good, the organisation excellent and Michael was great with the children.

Please pass our thanks to all of the waiters and special thanks to you for making sure that the celebration went well.

Thank you very much for this exceptional day.

Kind regards,

Pepa Morata

  • From: Hans & Elsje Van Den Bossche
  • Date: Thursday 23rd May, 2013
  • Subject: Search For Dream Holiday Home Found At Desert Springs Resort!

Search For Dream Holiday Home Found At Desert Springs Resort!

“Desert Springs Golf Resort stands for Quality, Reliability, Professionalism, Excellent Service and Highly Skilled Staff.”

That’s the view of Hans & Elsje Van Den Bossche, proud homeowners of a new three-bedroom ‘Buenaventura’ Country Cottage at The Desert Springs Resort!

Elsje Van Den Bossche proudly tours her father around the purchase of her new three-bedroom ‘Buenaventura’ Country Cottage at Desert Springs, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort, located in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía, south east Spain.

 

After much searching for their paradise location and second home, Hans & Elsje Van Den Bossche whose home is in Belgium, have just completed on their brand new holiday home at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort, located in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía, south east Spain.

“At the end of 2011, we started looking for a second home in the South, as we were not getting any younger and were becoming a little frustrated with the weather in Belgium. Our paradise place had to be close to both sea and snow, and in a quiet, safe and non-industrialized area, though not remote, and of course with lots of sun. Not so easy ……” says Elsje.

“In May 2012 the estate agent from Alicante that we engaged, brought us to Desert Springs after hearing our wish list. It was love at first sight for the two of us, but we initially tempered our enthusiasm, because surely there must be minuses and downsides to the place’.”

The couple praised the way in which the purchasing process was made so easy by Playas del Almanzora, part of The Almanzora Bay Group in Spain, its sales agent, which handles the developer's sales company in Spain.

Elsje remarked: “We met Paul, Julia and several other people from the Management in the resort and together with our agent, they did a marvelous job: showing us the resort and all the possibilities, driving us around to surrounding beaches and pretty villages, taking care of accommodation and transport whenever we were there, helping us out with the (fantastic) lawyer in Vera and with all the other administrative matters that we were totally unfamiliar with. Top class!

We must have visited dozens of houses, cottages, villas and apartments of The Almanzora Bay Group in the Resort but also near or at the beach in Villaricos and Playa Marques. It was all done in the most friendly, reliable, professional, confident and patient manner, so much so that it boosted our feeling: ‘This may well be the place we are looking for but never thought it existed’.”

Elsje continued; “In the end we bought “our” cottage in the summer of 2012, although at that time uncompleted, we agreed with Julia and the Desert Springs Management that they would finish and complete it for us by the end of March 2013. And surely, that is when the house was ready, exactly in time and precisely as we had agreed it all. The service and quality of work that we got from Paul, Julia and all the other team members was exemplary and is what you normally only hope for but never get.”

 

 

The view of a typical three-bedroom ‘Buenaventura’ Country Cottage at the development of ‘Desert Gold’ within the Desert Springs Resort with a solarium of 76 sq m. Only four remain for sale with prices currently reduced by 50% from €597,000 to €298,500.

 

Hans and Elsje were also attracted by the easy access from their home in Belgium to Alicante International airport, with less than a two hour drive by car directly via the E15, making Desert Springs Resort easily accessible using both chartered and scheduled 2 1⁄2 hour flights.

Post property handover, Hans & Elsje availed themselves of the support of The Almanzora Bay Groups ‘Home Buyer Services’ that provides a Property Set-Up Service, organising household insurance, contracting services such as water, electrics and communications and setting up a local bank account for payments, enabling instant use of the property on handover.

Elsje commented: “You may think that their service and help would slowly come to an end after they handed over the cottage to us, but Paul and Julia continue to give us their friendly and accurate support for any question or problem we still have.

This is how service should always be; what the people in Desert Springs do is top level and highly commendable!

Great job guys and thanks for everything.

These people are really part of the reason why we will feel like we are coming home whenever we return to Desert Springs.”

Kind regards,
Hans & Elsje

  • From: Paco Garcia Picazos
  • Date: Thursday 16th May, 2013
  • Subject: Marina, Cristóbal and EstelaÂ’s Communion Celebration in the Crocodile Club

The Crocodile Club Restaurant prepared for the Communion Celebration

The Crocodile Club Restaurant prepared for the Communion Celebration

Hi Ellie, how are you?

Conchi, the children and I would like to congratulate you for the great service you gave us at the Communion Celebration on the 5th of May 2013 in the Crocodile Club.

All of our guests congratulated us on our choice of restaurant, the great food and the great service. Also thank you to Michael who looked after the children, they had a great time with him.

IT WAS AN UNFORGETTABLE COMMUNION, WE WILL RETURN.

Thank you for everything,

Kind regards,

Paco and Conchi.

  • From: Jose Brena
  • Date: Tuesday 7th May, 2013
  • Subject: Jose's comments following his party of 8 golfers 4-day golfing break at Desert Springs between 3rd-7th May

Natalia,

We had a great time.

Thank you for all your help and advice.

I think you will be getting some of us back again soon!

Best regards,

Jose

  • From: Matt Porton
  • Date: Thursday 25th April, 2013
  • Subject: Matt's comments following his 4 day break in a four bedroom villa at Desert Springs between 19th - 23rd April

Hi Natalia

We had a good stay at the resort and your staff were all excellent.

In particular, Javier in the clubhouse bar went out of his way to help us with his local knowledge of bars and restaurants, and Carmen did everything she could to make us welcome.

Please pass on our thanks to them.

Matt

 

  • From: Tony & Pips Fernandez
  • Date: Wednesday 17th April, 2013
  • Subject: Email from Tony and Pips Fernandez, the new owners of 138 las Sierras III, a new 2 Bedroom Townhouse at the Desert Springs Resort

Tony & Pips Fernandez, the happy and proud owners of 138 Las Sierras III, a new Colonial Townhouse at the Desert Springs Resort

 

Dear Desert Springs Team,

More often than not, people write to complain about the service that they receive than to give praise.  But, when you receive an outstanding level of customer service that goes above and beyond the call of duty, it's only fair to let everyone know.  

This was definitely the case when we purchased our home at Desert Springs, Almeria.  From beginning to end, Elvira made us feel very welcome and comfortable, she never put pressure on us to make a decision.  We had some anxious feelings, this being the purchase of our first home abroad, but through Elvira's professionalism, great advice, contacts, and her terrific personality, she put us at ease and made this experience a great one.  We knew that she had our best interest at heart.  The whole process was handled smoothly and professionally.  The thing that impressed us most, was the "tenacious work ethic" of Elvira.

Once we completed the purchase, the level of service continued at the same level.  Julia has been tremendous in terms of helping us settle into our new home, taking care of our shipping delivery from Sweden and making sure that our home was spotless on our arrival.  Elvira and Julia have integrity and both fully committed to us.

This letter is to express our complete satisfaction and appreciation to Desert Springs Sales, Admin and Club House team.

We want to personally thank you Elvira, Julia & Paul for all your incredible hard work.

We have no apprehension in recommending your services to anyone.  We wish all of you a very successful career.  Of course without saying, we will definitely recommend Desert Springs to all our friends and family. 

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Tony & Mrs. Pips Fernandez

(Proud homeowners at the Desert Springs Resort, Almeria)

  • From: Helen Lovatt
  • Date: Wednesday 17th April, 2013
  • Subject:

Hi Sandra,

Thank you for your e-mail.

Fantastic stay yet again.

Villa was immaculate with every need catered for and the staff are outstanding too.

Looking forward to a return trip next year!

 

HELEN LOVATT

  • From: Michael Welch
  • Date: Saturday 6th April, 2013
  • Subject: Comments from Lee Westwood Golf Academy students and staff following their one week winter training camp between 31st March – 6th April, 2013

PGA Instructor Michael Welch (Far Right) with 11 full time students from the Lee Westwood Golf School during their return visit to the Desert Springs Resort for a 7-day intensive winter training camp.

During 31st March – 6th April, eleven students accompanied by Michael Welch, Lee Westwood Golf School PGA Instructor, escaped the snow in the UK and returned once more to enjoy the sun in Spain and complete a 7-day training programme at Desert Springs.

Henry Tetley aged 16 remarked of his experience at Desert Springs:

“This is my second visit to Desert Springs and I love coming out here.

In the spring the grass throughout the golf facilities is so lush that it makes you want to practice and play more and more.

Whilst it’s snowing in the UK, the weather here has been superb and this intensive training will surely improve my golf.

The on-site accommodation is perfect and there are plenty of non-golfing activities available at the Resort to keep us all occupied.”

 

A Lee Westwood Golf School student tees off on Hole 14 “Tiburon” on the Indiana course at Desert Springs. 

 

The group were accommodated in some of the privately owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the award-winning El Torrente Restaurant. During their time at the resort the players have utilised the excellent practice facilities at the Golf Academy and played the Indiana golf course.

Georgia Coughlin aged 17 remarked of her experience at Desert Springs:

“I had come on a previous visit with the Lee Westwood Golf School back in January of this year, and I´ve definitely found it worth while returning again!

The weather has been superb and the amount of flowers and colours throughout the course are amazing.”

 

A Lee Westwood Golf School student putting for birdie on Hole 15 “Abyss” on the Indiana course at Desert Springs. 

 

Michael Welch, Lee Westwood Golf School PGA Instructor commented: 

“I can only take positives out of our return visit to Desert Springs.

All of the staff ensure that you are made to feel welcome and the service provided is perfect.

We have loved the meals at El Torrente Restaurant and therefore we use it more and more frequently.

The golf course is in superb condition and I find it a true test for any player. Course Management plays an important role, as every hole could be played in several different ways.

The Practice Facilities are ideal; especially the chipping green and its variable mowing heights that allow us to practice a wide variety of shots.

Desert Springs is a great venue for golf.

I´m extremely pleased that the Lee Westwood Golf School had selected them for our Winter Training Camps and I look forward to organising many more trips in the future.

They make everything so easy for us!

 

 

  • From: Gwyn Williams
  • Date: Saturday 6th April, 2013
  • Subject: We had a fantastic time! Gwyn's comments following his families one week holiday at Desert Springs between 27th March – 3rd April

Dear Tania,

I hope you are well, I just wanted to send you this photo and also send my sincere thanks from myself, my family and our friends that came with us out to Desert Springs. 

We had a fantastic time.  

All the staff were so helpful and the resort had an amazing feel to it throughout week, the place certainly made the holiday. 

Please pass on my thanks to your staff especially Paul who was very helpful in sorting out our excursions and a birthday cake for Debbie. 

Thank you ever so much for all you did to make our stay at Desert Springs unforgettable and there was even talk of future holidays back out there.

Many Thanks
 

Gwyn Williams
Head of Hockey
Cheltenham  College

  • From: Duncan Scott
  • Date: Wednesday 27th March, 2013
  • Subject: Duncan's comments following thetrilife.com's 6th One Week Triathlon Training Camp held between 5th – 12th March 2013, with participants accommodated at Desert Springs

 

Members of the the trilife.com team on their early March tiathlon training camp at Desert Springs

 

Desert Springs provided the perfect location for thetrilife.com’s  6th triathlon training camp in early March.  

Obviously the location is blessed with warmth and sunshine while it was horrendous in the UK and northern Europe.  

There is easy access to spectacular, smooth, quiet roads, which either soar into low mountains, or roll along the shores of the Med.  In addition, there are off-road running trails where you might see a scuttling rabbit, but very little else, and they have a gym for stretching, strength and core work.  

 

Stretching, strength and core work in the Sierra Sports Club gym for the trilife.com triathlon team

 

We swam at the nearby Kinetic PB 25m indoor pool at Cuevas de Almanzora.  

When we weren’t training we were sleeping or eating!  

The accommodation at Desert Springs is delightful – clusters of apartments and houses grouped around swimming pools – in February the outdoor pools are too cold for swimming, but perfect for post-ride cryogenics!!  

The accommodation is close to the action, but also private and secluded enough to rest and relax alone with TV and wi-fi.  

As for eating, the Clubhouse restaurant provided great breakfasts (cereals, juices, toast, hot buffet, tea and coffee), packed lunches for when we needed to refuel quickly post-ride, and a good variety of dinner choices which meant we happily stayed in-house every night (the last thing you want to do after a hard day’s training is think about where to go for dinner).  

A big thanks to Desert Springs – we’ve found our new winter training home….  

Duncan Scott
thetrilife.com

  • From: David Kearney
  • Date: Thursday 21st March, 2013
  • Subject: Irish Ladies Golf Union Winter Training Camp

Between Saturday 9th – Saturday 16th February 2013, 12 players representing the Under 18 & Under 21 Irish Ladies International squads accompanied by three officials visited the resort for a week long intensive training programme to develop their individual golfing skills in warm weather while experiencing a golf course which offers a challenge to players at all levels.

The students and officials were accommodated in some of the privately owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the award-winning El Torrente Restaurant.

 

David Kearney, ILGU Coach (Centre) with the members of the U18 & U21
Irish Ladies International Squad at Desert Springs 

David Kearney, ILGU Coach commented:

“I was very excited about using Desert Springs as the base for our Winter Training Camp, since I had heard many great things about the Resort and its popularity amongst Squads and other Teams.

During our stay we have never been intruded upon; actually there has been a lot of respect for our group and we have been enabled to practice with great freedom.

In accordance with a pre-designed and agreed itinerary, everything was perfectly organised and the staff met our needs without error.

The layout of the Resort is brilliant as all facilities are on hand and within easy access. I´m already looking at the next Academic Year to pre-book our next training visit to Desert Springs!”

 

Squad member Danielle McVeigh who is now to turn Professional remarked:

“Desert Springs is an excellent Resort to come and practice your golf, the conditions of the practice facilities and the golf course are fantastic.

In fact, it is the best Resort I´ve come to play, surely a very enjoyable experience.

The service on the Resort is simply top level and the apartments are exactly what we needed for rest and relaxation and the beautiful weather makes you want to stay. I can´t believe I´m going back to the cold of Ireland!”

  • From: Leif Bernhard
  • Date: Wednesday 20th March, 2013
  • Subject: Two week break in one of the resorts 2 Bed Townhouses with golf

Hello Dear Sandra,

Thank you and your organisation for a good job that gave us a nice stay at your resort. 

Give our best regards to all, especially to Ellie.

Best regards,
Leif

  • From: Murray Greig
  • Date: Sunday 10th March, 2013
  • Subject: 6 Night Villa Golfing Break for 8 -'We all really enjoyed our stay at Desert Springs!'

Dear Sandra

Thank you very much for your email.

We all really enjoyed our stay at Desert Springs. 

Having been to other Spanish golf resorts, my friends were pleasantly surprised at the attitude of all the staff. Everything was done with a smile from the cleaners, greens staff and bar staff and of course you and the others at the desk.

The accommodation was great, ?a lot of us don'?t have the chance to stay in a villa of that quality and we thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Once again we were all really happy and impressed by the quality of the resort and golf course and the friendly attitude of the staff and I certainly look forward to my next visit to Desert Springs.

Regards

Murray Greig

  • From: Iris Hamilton
  • Date: Saturday 9th March, 2013
  • Subject: Dames in Spain Lunch in El Torrente Restaurant on International Women's Day

Dear Ellie,

On behalf of the President, Chairman and members of the Dames in Spain, I would like to thank you and your team for making our day such an enjoyable occasion. A big thank you also for the welcome drink and how lucky we were to have such glorious weather.

Many thanks
Kind regards

Iris Hamilton.

  • From: Richard Scott
  • Date: Friday 8th March, 2013
  • Subject: Middlesex County Cricket Club Training Camp

Middlesex County Cricket Club Training Camp at Desert Springs  

 

Middlesex County Cricket Club 'Catch Practice!' 

Further to a 4-day warm weather fitness and cricket training camp held at Desert Springs between Tuesday 26th February – Friday 1st March, 2013 Middlesex County Cricket Club, Head Coach Richard Scott commented:

"We chose Desert Springs to give a large proportion of our squad (16) the chance to physically train in a different environment and also to work outside for the first time this year on fielding skills.

The players were accommodated within the luxury Colonial Apartments at the resort, sharing twin rooms, which were clean and up to date with each apartment housing a total of four.

We had exclusive use of the gym and the full size international football pitch on a daily basis and utilised the 'trim trail' cross country tracks laid out around the golf course and mountain bikes, which were made available, for the whole squad, to provide variation.

Tee times were booked on the excellent Indiana golf course for the afternoon as part of our package.

Desert Springs provided menus, which were agreed in advance and the standard of the food was excellent.

Nourishment packs, which included water, snack bars, fruit etc. were also provided.

The service within Desert Springs is first class and everyone in all departments ensured our stay went to plan and was enjoyable."

  

Richard Scott

Middlesex County Cricket Club

Head Coach

 

  • From: Simon Parkhill
  • Date: Tuesday 5th March, 2013
  • Subject: Nike Golf EMEA Management Meeting

Between Tuesday 26th March- Friday 1st April 2013, Desert Springs was host to the Nike Golf EMEA Management Meeting organised by Simon Parkhill, Sales Director of Nike Golf EMEA

In attendance with Simon Parkhill were Nike Golf Regional Managers covering every major market from the UK / Ireland / Nordics / Germany / Austria / Switzerland & Southern Europe / M.East & Emerging Markets.

The attendees were accommodated in some of the privately owned Country Villas normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the location of the Sales Meetings held was within the Private Meeting room at the Private Reserve at Desert Springs.

 

 

Venue for the nike Golf EMEA Management Meeting – 'The Private Meeting Room' at the
'Private Reserve' at Desert Springs

 

Hi Sandra,

Thanks for the note. 

Our stay was excellent, the level of service provided by the staff is truly exceptional, from the welcome all the way through to departure.

Our accommodation was of a very high standard, the meeting space was ideal and provided us with the level of technology required to make us 100% functional whilst providing a very unique ambience which we found very productive. 

Finally, the quality of food throughout our stay was also fantastic,  my group were from different parts of Europe with varying ?tastes? so kudos to your team for being able to keep them all happy.

Many thanks again

Simon

Simon Parkhill

Sales Director Nike Golf EMEA

  • From: Players & Staff of Lancashire County Cricket Club
  • Date: Friday 1st March, 2013
  • Subject: Lancashire County Cricket Club Fitness & Cricket

 

Lancashire's players are now back in England having completed a successful fortnight of warm weather fitness and cricket training between 27th January & 10th February at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain.

Two groups of six players completed three sessions a day for five days as they stepped up their physical preparations for the upcoming 2013 season.

Below are some comments received by both players and staff:

"Great place to challenge yourself and enjoy the benefits of your hard work with time to relax with some very friendly people."

Luis Reece, LCCC Player

"Very enjoyable place, with brilliant facilities and staff."

Oli Newby, LCCC Player

"A friendly environment and great facilities to train hard, while also being able to enjoy some active rest on a challenging golf course."

Stephen Moore, LCCC Player

"Great week, the people at Desert Springs looked after us very well. Great facilities and perfect for pre-season training."

Tom Smith, LCCC Player

"The facilities and weather allowed us to train hard and get a huge benefit from the week that being back in England would not have allowed. The Staff were brilliant, attending to our every need through the week from equipment to nutrition. Highly recommended."

Phil Scott, LCCC Strength & Conditioning Coach

"The grass facility on which we did our fielding practice was excellent. The staff were courteous, helpful and attended to all our needs throughout. A thoroughly enjoyable and beneficial week for all our players and staff."

Gary Yates, LCCC Assistant Coach

  • From: Valerie Burdett
  • Date: Wednesday 20th February, 2013
  • Subject: 7 Night 'Golf & Tuition' Break

Dear Sandra

Many thanks for your email regarding our latest stay in Desert Springs. 

Just so you know we had a very pleasurable stay, and cannot fault the service we received from all the staff at the resort, everyone is very friendly and ?calm?, with nothing being too much hassle.

All the very best.

Kind regards,
Valerie