Comments received within a ‘Thank You’ card from various guests who attended a number of organised social events at the Desert Springs Resort over the Christmas and New Year period.

To Ellie and her team,
Many thanks for all the hard work and effort you and your team have put in to make Christmas and New Year festivities the success they have been.
WELL DONE EVERYONE! XXX
Jim Kendall

Great Job Ellie and Team.
What a great time was had by all X
Thank you
Sue Kendall

A great time was had by all.
Many thanks for all your hard work.
John and Jo Gill

Thanks to all you hard work we had a great time. You have a first class team of very special people – they make this a very special place.
Thank you.
Richard and Liz Farmer

Thanks for looking after me!!
As ever love Jim XX

/em>

Ellie,
 
Happy New Year

Can I thank you and your staff for a lovely Xmas day lunch; the meal
and service was excellent. I look forward to dining with you again when
I return early in the New Year.
 
I hope you all have a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Regards Brian

Following Christmas Day & Lunch at Desert Springs Resort.

Dear Ellie,

How remiss of us not to have e mailed you sooner to thank you and your staff for making our Christmas Day so enjoyable. The food was excellent, the atmosphere great and the staff, as always so pleasant and helpful.

As we told you, our plans for next Christmas are to visit our family in New Zealand, so hope to see you in 2013!! Although no doubt we will see you on our frequent visits to Desert Springs for golf.
 
Happy New Year

Gordon & Val Ross

Email of thanks from the Administration staff of UTE Veragallardo (AVE) for their Christmas Lunch held in ‘El Torrente’ restaurant at the Desert Springs Resort on the 22nd of December 2011.

Good morning Ellie!

Firstly I would like to thank you for the quality of the service and the food that we had yesterday, we were all very happy.

The only problem is that we forgot to ask you for an invoice.

I have sent the company details, please email it to me.

Thank you for everything and we hope to return soon.

Happy holidays and a prosperous new year.
 
ELISA LEÓN DE ARCE
Dto. Administración
UTE VERAGALLARDO

 
Good afternoon Ellie,

I would like to thank you for a wonderful and well organised birthday party held at the Crocodile Club, for my daughter Maya Charlton Morales.

At only three years of age, I’m sure she has experienced an unforgettable day together with her twenty-one little friends!

The food, the service and the decoration were worthy of a princess- all pink and Hello Kitty themed as I requested. The smiling faces and kind attitude of all the staff from the minute the guests started arriving until they left, were to a standard that is very difficult to find nowadays! Even one of your waiters, Dimitri, offered to entertain a group of twenty-two three year olds after the hired professional entertainers had finished! Such a nice touch!

Most of the mothers who attended will be contacting you very soon to organise the birthday party of their own children, as they were pleasantly surprised with both the atmosphere created and how well organised everything was! This shows how “word of mouth” is the best marketing and advertising tool! (This comment came from myself and other parents who are professionals and work in this area)

My most sincere congratulations to all the Crocodile Club team!

Best regards and good luck! Keep up the good work!

Vanesa Morales Dorado

Dear Peter,

I hope you are well.

Just a very quick line to bring to your attention the magnificent effort Nacho/Natasha put in in organising the recent Ladies Winter Golf Festival. He really did enter into the spirit of the occasion and won lots of admiration for both his tack and diplomacy in “managing” 40 strong willed, opinionated women” (no mean feat”) – but also in generally “working the crowd”.

The ladies from other Clubs were very impressed by his approach and attitude and he/she is to be commended for his/her effort in trying to keep everyone happy all of the time.  He/she certainly did “above and beyond” in dressing up in drag for both the social events and I think we all saw a side of him/her that has not previously manifest itself!  

Essentially he/she won lots of new friends andsupporters – male and female alike – and his/her effort should be recognised by the management of Desert Springs. We are all too quick to criticize but praise where praise is due!

I think I speak for a number of the Lady members when I say that we were all concerned that this very special week in the calendar would not be the same post Christine’s departure but, thanks to Nacho, to a significant extent our fears have been allayed.

Best wishes.

Linda Kendall

2004 Athens Olympics 200m Bronze Medallist Butterfly Swimmer, Reporting on his stay at the Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club between 16th – 19th November, 2011

Steve Parry enjoying his golfing break at Desert Springs

As an avid golfer I have been fortunate enough to have played a lot of golf at many different Golf Resorts throughout Spain. I have to say that my experience at Desert Springs has been by far the best!

The Indiana Course offers a great golfing challenge and is maintained to the highest of standards.

In my opinion and from my own personal experience, the golf is only surpassed by the customer service which was excellent at all times.

Steve Parry with his 2004 Athens Olympic Bronze Medal

The Accommodation at The Lodge at Desert Springs is first class with excellent facilities throughout the resort and I am looking forward to returning again soon with more of my friends!

Best wishes

Steve

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Desert Springs embraced the charity initiative “Golf for Lorca”

On Sunday, November 13, 2011, the golf competition was held in the wonderful Indiana Course at Desert Springs. The event was filled with 84 entries, but eventually were 74 players / as those who enjoyed the praises of this wonderful and perfectly manicured golf course. After golf, the Prize Presentation was held at the Crocodile Club, together with an extraordinary catering offered by the Event Sponsor.

From Lorca Golf Club we have only words of thanks for all the participants to this tournament, as well as Insurance Ruiz Ré, as a sponsor, and Desert Springs who supported our initiative of the “Golf for Lorca” day.

Many thanks.

Juan Antonio Reverte

2011
Reporting on the Winter Training Camp of the Scottish Ladies Golf Association and their stay in four luxury apartments at the Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club and their experience between 01st – 05th November, 2011

Dear Sandra

Thank you for your email.

The squad all really enjoyed their few days training at Desert Springs.

The facilities are excellent and the staff are so helpful, which allows the players and the coach to make the best use of the time.

Four members of the Scottish Ladies Golf Association Squad preparing to play the Indiana course

I have booked in a week in February, 11th – 18th with Carmen.

Best wishes

Beth

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Reporting on his group of 8 golfers stay in two luxury apartments at the Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club and their experience between 27th – 30th October, 2011

Dear Sandra,

We all enjoyed our golf stay at Desert Springs.

Everything was perfect and will be back next year.

Please make sure that Simon gets the letter from Ed at Golf News reference a Golf News trip to Desert Springs in the New year for 30 to 40 players.

Many thanks

Roger Wedge

Reporting on his group of 12 golfers stay in two luxury villas at the Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club and their experience between 24th – 30th October, 2011

Thanks very much Jennie.

We had a great time and I am sure we will return.

Jim

Reporting on his group of 12 golfers stay in two luxury villas at the Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club and their experience between 24th – 30th October, 2011

Hi Sandra.

We all had a wonderful time… the standard of service at Desert Springs is amongst the best I have experienced.

See you next time.

Jim Trainor

011

Hi Nacho,

I want to take this opportunity to say thanks for all your efforts and the assistance received during the Charity weekend, on October 22-24. Without your help, it would have been impossible to organize and the weekend was very exciting.

I beg to congratulate the Golf Reception Staff: Roxana, Natalia and Sandra, and the Caddymaster, Francisco, Angel and Ayesha, on behalf of all members and visitors since the comments received are worthy of this congratulation.

Well done!

Best regards.

Wikkie de Graaf
Club Captain

011

Hi Jennie and Simon

Just a quick note to say a huge thank you for sorting out everything with our booking last week and just as importantly booking the DS sunshine! The 4 of us had a fab few days, it was a real treat! Especially topped off by beating the boys on the golf course. We’ll be back!!!

Thanks again, please pass on our sincere thanks to all the staff on site, as helpful as ever!

Take care

Kind regards
Allison

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Dear Tania

Just a quick email to thank you so much for arranging for myself and Heather to stay at Harbour Lights last week.

Its a great development – it ticks every box from super views to luxury living.

With kind regards
Maria

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Morning Brigid and Simon,

Hope you’re both well. Just thought you might like to see some lovely feedback we have recently received for Desert Springs, and which is now live on our website!

“Absolutely wonderful holiday.  No complaints at all.”
Review Id: 44036, Holiday Id: 5380684

“Outdoor living, size of pool and the location were all great.”
Review Id: 43840, Holiday Id: 5435789
 
“The property was fantastic. 5 star quality and facilities were excellent.”
Review Id: 46757, Holiday Id: 5422047

“The villa was amazing. It was even better than it seemed in the brochure. It was superbly equipped and felt like a real home. I would definitely go back there again.”
Review Id: 43532,   Holiday Id: 5400736

Thanks and kind regards
Jo

011

Dear Peter

Firstly it was a pleasure to meet with you on the Wednesday evening of our golf week.

Can I say that, after we spent a week in Abu Dhabi last year, the first of what we hope will be a yearly event for many of our 100 or so members, it was said that we could not repeat or better that.

The comments that we have received so far from those who attended at Desert Springs are to say the least very heartwarming. Although Almeria is not Abu Dhabi, Desert Springs itself came up far above everybody’s expectations; even the course, they felt was just as good as Saddiat Beech and Yaz Links and some even said it was even tougher.

The service, which your staff provided, was second to none and even if it is said that Abu Dhabi has the only 7 star hotel in the world, then Desert Springs must have the only 7 star staff. , In every department from the grounds man to reception, especially Carmen who just excelled, including your catering staff and managers, especially Ellie and Daniel and the chefs, who excelled in our opinion with a fantastic array of food from the first night in the Cave Bar to the Gala Dinner on the last night.

The course management, and all the other parts that we enjoyed on the golfing side, requires a very special thanks to Nacho who, without whose professionalism and helpfulness I am sure the event would not have been so successful.

Finally thanks to Paul Taylor, for his acceptance of my early morning calls, late evening and weekends during which, now the event is over, he can sleep; he did us proud.

And to your company may we, at the Foundation, and our Warblers wish youall the very best for the future.

Kind regards

Michael Taylor

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Kids Club 2011

I just wanted to pass on how happy and pleased we were with Mike, the new organiser of the kids club at the Crocodile Club this year. We have owned a property in Harbour Lights in Villaricos for the past 8 years and come out every summer – our 3 children attend the kids club a few times during our stay but I think they enjoyed it most this year.

Mike is such a nice, enthusiastic and personable young man and did an amazing job. All three of our kids thought he was fantastic!

Kind regards
Steve and Kirsti Newbold (and Max, Georgie and Tilly)

11
Reporting on their family holiday at Desert Springs between 14th July – 1st August, 2011.

Hi Nacho

This is just to say a very big thank you for looking after us so well during our holiday at DS. Both George and I felt we had improved our golf under your excellent tuition, which in my case is a miracle! George is out playing a few holes today and both of us (and William) are determined to make time to play more at home rather than wait until our next visit to DS.

I have to say that you have a very good way of dealing with adults and children alike. William and George both said how much they enjoyed the lessons with you and I would endorse that too. The problem we have now is that none of us will want to have tuition from anyone else!

Also, just to mention the excellent treatment we had from all the caddy masters, Cisco and the two ladies whose names I didn’t quite manage to learn. It all adds to the good experience of visiting DS. Please thank them all on our behalf, as like you they are a credit to the resort. Tell Cisco I will be looking out for Barcelona’s results when the season starts; no doubt they will once again be the team to beat in Europe.

I am deliberately copying this email to Peter so that he can make certain our positive comments are formally noted.

We look forward to returning to DS and seeing you again soon.
Best wishes,

Gareth

Reporting on the visit of UD Almería for their official 2011 Pre-Season Football Training Camp

UD Almería Manager, Lucas Alcaraz

I met with the UD Almería Manager, Lucas Alcaraz, for an informal meeting to receive his views and opinion on how he felt the visit to Desert Springs Resort had gone to get as much feedback as possible.

Union Deportiva Almería (Almeira Football Club) selected the Football Academy at the Desert Springs Resort to be host to their official Pre-Season Football Training Camp between Monday 18th – Saturday 30th July, 2011.

UD Almería Team 2011

A squad of 24 players and twelve officials from UD Almería – which currently competes in Liga Adelante (Spanish Division Two) also benefited from access to and use of the 18-hole Indiana golf course and golf academy. They enjoyed the opportunity to swim, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, padel tennis and beach volley ball courts. They also had access to the resort’s Private Reserve which incorporates a spa, private sauna and jacuzzi suite, personal fitness workout room, games room with bar, and a home cinema. Accommodation for the players and officials was in some of the privately-owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs. The resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the resort’s two restaurants – the award-winning El Torrente and the Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club.

UD Almería Manager, Lucas Alcaraz, commented;

Accommodation
The Apartments at Las Sierras are superb. Because we usually stay at Hotels during the season, we were expecting that sort of operation. Nevertheless, we are very satisfied with their location, quality and privacy.

Food and Beverage
Excellent service. The food is great and meals are always served as scheduled. It could not be any better!

Resort Staff
Each department throughout the Resort has been very supportive during our stay. Also, attention to detail and flexibility are key for the training success. We have found that the professional team at Desert Springs has smoothly attended to all of our “last minute” requests in an efficient manner.

Football Pitch
The conditions of the Football Pitch are absolutely superb and ideal for training. Moreover, our preferred specifications have been accommodated on a daily basis.

Sierra Sports & Fitness Club Facilities
They were fine, including the Gymnasium.

2012 Preseason Camp
We have had an extremely positive experience at Desert Springs, and in my opinion the team will surely be interested in returning in the future.

Summary
When a professional football team travels for a Pre-Season Training Camp, there are always small inconveniences, schedule changes and last minute problems that are disruptive and unfortunately cannot be resolved. In my 28-year football career, Desert Springs Resort has been the only venue where all aspects have run smoothly, and requests have been accommodated. Thanks to their facilities and professional staff, we have been able to fully concentrate on the training camp.

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