- From: Colin Burgess, Bradfield College
- Date: Thursday 18th February, 2016
- Subject: Colin Burgess comments regards his teams experience of the III Desert Springs & Millfield European Schools Team Championships between Saturday 14th -Wednesday 17th February 2016
- From: Hartpury College Golf Academy
- Date: Monday 8th February, 2016
- Subject: Students and Staff comments following Hartpury Golf College 5-day winter training camp at Desert Springs
Richard King, Golf Elite Programme Manager & PGA Instructor, Paul Johnson Sport Performance & Excellence in Golf Coach and Joanne Ronald, Head of Department for Sport at Hartpury College Golf Academy, accompanied twenty-four students aged between 16 – 18 years for 5-days of warm weather winter training at the Desert Springs Resort between 31st January & 5th February.
Student Caitlin Evans-Brand remarked;
“The staff and facilities were extremely welcoming and made the week amazing!”
“The Indiana is an excellent course in superb condition!
We were all made to feel so welcome, what a week!”
“The Indiana is a great course in a spectacular environment with really kind, attentive and helpful staff.”
“Beautiful weather, fantastic facilities, and a faultless golf course, a great week!”
Those are the verdicts of Josh Marshall, Reece Swain and George Bryant, all full time students from the Hartpury College Golf Academy.
The training camp utilized the excellent practice facilities at the Desert Springs Golf Academy where the PGA Instructors were able provide one-to-one tuition and take advantage of the use of the Desert Springs short game academy prior to the students embarking on their rounds on The Indiana course.
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 each evening in the ‘El Torrente’ Restaurant.
Richard King: Golf Elite Programme Manager & PGA Instructor at the Hartpury College Golf Academy remarked:
“Another fantastic tour to Desert Springs Resort where our students got to use the outstanding facilities and golf course in preparation for their competitive season. I just wish we could stay for longer!”
- From: Adam Lyth
- Date: Tuesday 2nd February, 2016
- Subject: AdamÂ’s comments following his families 3-day golf break at Desert Springs
“Thank you for such a wonderful stay for my family and I.
The service we received throughout the whole resort was superb.
We will definitely be back!
All the best"
- From: Barry H
- Date: Wednesday 20th January, 2016
- Subject: Fabulous Menú del DÃa – El Torrente Restaurant
Set in the Desert Springs complex, the “menú del día” is very tasty and really well presented.
The surroundings are beautiful and the staff are very attentive.
Well worth a Visit.
Barry H
- From: Various New Years Eve Dinner diners at El Torrente Restaurant
- Date: Monday 4th January, 2016
- Subject: New Years Eve Dinner at El Torrente Restaurant
Hi Ellie,
You beat me to it! My next job was to e-mail you to say thank you so much for last night. Brilliantly organised, excellent food, great atmosphere. We enjoyed the company at our table, nice people. A shame that we left a little early, always an issue when you give someone else a lift! Still, probably a good thing, given Maggie's sprained ankle.
So, a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2016 to you and your team. Barring incidents and accidents I think you can book us for next year!
All the Best, Roger & Maggie
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Thank you Ellie, we all had a wonderful evening. The food and service from your fantastic team made it the best night of the year. You are all very much appreciated by us, I hope people tipped you well!
Hope 2016 is your best year yet!
Kind regards,
Brent & Brenda xx
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Hello you lovely lady!!!!
I hope your ears are burning because we have been singing your praises with Nicky and Rob Holmes and Angie and Alan Parr – yet again a truly spectacular night and you and your staff are superstars!!!!
Feliz año Nuevo to you too xxxxxxxx
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Hi Ellie,
Allan and I would like to thank you and your team. We had a great time last night, lovely meal but what made it was the friendly and warm welcome from you and your team. The whole evening was organised and managed impeccably.
Thank you so much for all of your time and effort.
Kind regards,
Angie & Allan Parr
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Thank you Ellie & your team for a super night. You all worked really hard to make it go so smoothly. We enjoyed the food & the service was brilliant especially considering the number of people
Happy new year to you all
Kind regards
Liz & Tom Shutlar
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Dear Ellie & the Team
No it’s us who want to thank all of you.
You did a wonderful job. The food was lovely and everyone on our table commented on hot it all was and how all the separate meals came together so no one was left waiting to eat. The service was faultless and the whole evening from 8.00 pm to the early hours of the morning was a lovely happy experience.
Thank you from all on our table and I am sure you could ask anyone who had the pleasure of being at El Torrente for the New Year’s bash would say the same.
Well done all of you.
Best Wishes for the New Year.
Donna & Chris and the rest.
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Ellie, thank you very much for everything. As always the dinner was delicious and the ambience was exceptional.
We had a great time!
It was an honour to spend New Year Eve´s at Desert Springs.
A big hug and I wish you all the best for 2016
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Hi Ellie,
You beat me to it as we were wanting to send an email to thank you for a fabulous New Year’s Eve at El Torrente. It was a great night and a wonderful way to see the New Year in. It was the first time we have celebrated it at Desert Springs but it certainly won't be the last. We are already looking forward to next year’s event.
A big thanks to you and all the team.
Richard and Esther
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Dear Ellie,
Many thanks for the mail, Tony and I would like to thank you and the team for superb night. We appreciate the hard work and effort it must have taken you to make it such a wonderful evening for us all.
We would like to wish you a Very happy 2016
Kind Regards
Tony and Karen
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Hi Ellie,
It was a fantastic evening many thanks to you and your team who once again pulled out all the stops to make it such a super evening of fine food, music and dancing. I shall look forward to many more like it……
Kind Regards,
Paul
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Dear Ellie,
We want to thank you and your staff for a wonderful New Year's Eve. Everywhere looked very festive. The food was excellent and hot, and the choice of music fantastic.
We look forward to next year. Happy New Year to you all.
Thank You, Sandra & Peter Edwards
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… You beat me to it! What a night – you and the whole team absolutely nailed it – well done to you all. The food and the service were excellent and a good time was had by all! Mr Kendall eventually got home at 4.15a.m. – The dirty stop out!!! Please pass on our thanks to all concerned and special love and thanks to you for caring so much about what you do!
Love Linda and Jim xxx
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Dear Ellie
We just wanted to say what a fabulous job you all did last night. How you managed to cope with so many people so efficiently was amazing.
The food was excellent, the service was superb and the evening (however long it went on?) was a terrific success.
Congratulations to all the team and thank you again for all your help throughout the year.
Happy and healthy 2016
Barry and Jaki
- From: Various Christmas Day Lunch diners at El Torrente Restaurant
- Date: Sunday 27th December, 2015
- Subject: Christmas Day Lunch
Hello Ellie and the team,
It was a great meal and we enjoyed the service.
Happy and healthy 2016 in return.
Cesar De Timmerman and family
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Dear Ellie
We very much enjoyed our meal and thank you all for looking after us so well.
Looking forward to more of the same on New Year’s Eve!
Jaki and Barry
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Many thanks Ellie I can assure that the pleasure was all ours, thanks to you & your team!
You have created a real team feeling and this comes across to your customers.
Best wishes we look forward to joining you all again on New Year's Eve
Philip
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Dear Ellie,
It is we who should be thanking you for the way we were fed and looked after, also impressed by your management and organisational skills.
Thank you so much.
David and Jacqui Bryant
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Dear Ellie,
Yes, I second what my husband has just said to you.
For me, it was our first Christmas in Spain and away from all our family and you and your team made it most enjoyable.
Have a successful and happy New Year to you all.
Hasta Luego,
Jacqui Bryant
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May I thank all of the serving staff for the excellent service you gave on Christmas Day.
The food was all that we could have wished for, so well done to the Chefs and kitchen staff.
I'm sure we will carry on coming to the El Torrente throughout 2016.
The roses my partner had ordered were a lovely surprise.
Thank you again for a lovely day.
All the best for 2016
Christine & Bob
- From: Rudi Knapp
- Date: Friday 4th December, 2015
- Subject: Comments from Golf Professional Rudi Knapp following his groups Winter Training Camp held at Desert Springs Resort between 19th November – 06th December, 2015
- From: Tom McKean
- Date: Monday 23rd November, 2015
- Subject: Tom's comments following his 3-day golf break at Desert Springs
- From: Julian Todd
- Date: Friday 13th November, 2015
- Subject: Tuition package at Desert Springs
My wife and I were looking for a sunshine holiday in November at a good resort and I wanted to work on golf game with a teaching professional. We found Neil Evans European Golf School based at The Desert Springs Resort near Almeria and our expectations were exceeded!
The apartment was comfortable, quiet and well furnished. The Club House offered great food and drink served by friendly staff. The atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed. The practise facilities were ideal and the course was very special and superbly maintained. The weather was warm and sunny all week.
The highlight for me were my daily sessions with Neil both on the course and at the range. In a relaxed style all aspects of my game were improved, for which I am very grateful. Lots to work on but now I feel I am on the right path thanks to Neil's knowledge, skill and direction.
We are looking forward to returning to Neil's Golf School and The Desert Springs Resort early next year and we cannot recommend the whole experience highly enough.
- From: John G
- Date: Thursday 12th November, 2015
- Subject: A few comments from John G on his holiday experience at Desert Springs Resort
“Another great time at DS”
We stayed in a villa owned by a family member, we played golf and we enjoyed the superb service offered by Ellie and her team in the El Torrente restaurant.
The food here is well cooked, beautifully presented and served by attentive staff for whom nothing is too much trouble.
The golf course is hugely challenging but the golf reception staff and those in the caddy shack are great.
Above all, the people on the front line of service are excellent and this is not always the case.
WELL DONE ELLIE & CO.
- From: Players and Staff attending the 2015 PGA Europro Tour Championship held at Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club
- Date: Monday 2nd November, 2015
- Subject: A few comments from some of the players competing in the PGA Europro Tour Championship and PGA and Europro Tour Staff
- From: Ben Smith
- Date: Friday 23rd October, 2015
- Subject: A few comments from Ben Smith, Broadcaster and writer at the BBC, on his experience of playing The Indiana course at Desert Springs
- From: Les
- Date: Tuesday 20th October, 2015
- Subject: A few comments from Les on his experience of playing The Indiana course at Desert Springs
"Desert Golf"
"We used the golf facility for two days staying off site.
The Clubhouse and course were in great condition and a beatiful setting.
Greens are superb and the bunkers generally good.
A buggy is recommended as even in October as it can be to hot to walk."
- From: Richard Salters
- Date: Saturday 17th October, 2015
- Subject: Tuition Package at Desert Springs
" I have just spent a fabulous 6 days at Neil’s golf academy on the Desert Springs Resort.
Everything on the resort; the accommodation, restaurant, golf course, academy and especially Neil’s tuition is 5 star standard.
The hospitality and service I encountered were equal to the facilities and I couldn't recommend a break with Neil highly enough, whether it is a relaxing golf holiday or some more serious game improvement tuition that you are looking for.
I will certainly be returning!”
- From: Peter L.
- Date: Monday 5th October, 2015
- Subject: PeterÂ’s comments on his experience of playing The Indiana course at Desert Springs
"We didn't stay in the property, just went for a round of golf.
A real privilege to play it even for a 25 Handicapper.
Met and was greeted by Kirt, one of the Directors. Great advice and very welcoming.
The course of course is challenging so you need to play well within yourself.
Abiding memory is the quality of the greens: never played on any so good.
All the staff are very friendly and helpful so don't be afraid to ask for help, even if you're a hacker like me!”
- From: Sue Simons
- Date: Saturday 3rd October, 2015
- Subject: Thanks
Dear Daniel
Thanks so much for all the arrangements that you made to help our Lord Taverner's Celebrity Golf Classic such a success.
You and your team worked very hard and in difficult circumstances at times and I really appreciated your help.
Our guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we also raised money for the Lord Taverners to help those children less fortunate than ourselves.
Please also pass on my thanks to Ellie for her dedication to the job and for her work too.
Kind regards
Sue
- From: Stephen P
- Date: Thursday 1st October, 2015
- Subject: Review of El Torrente Restaurant
“Oasis in the desert”
We stayed at the Desert Springs Golf resort earlier this year. The El Torrente restaurant sits centrally on the site. With nothing else within walking distance this bar and restaurant is very convenient if you want to have a drink or just not worry about driving!
I was pleasantly surprised by it all, I have to admit. With a captive audience I expected prices to be very high but they were very reasonable indeed. A very good starting point!
The restaurant has an inside and outside space, both very nice, and tables are far enough apart that you can enjoy privacy.
Service was relaxed, very helpful and very friendly. Most of the staff were bilingual so English was rarely a problem. That said, they were patient and helpful as I practiced my Spanish!
The menu was varied, changed weekly and there were special nights each week which had a different menu. On the whole, the food was very good. We had a variety of meals and none of them disappointed.
My only grumble, and you cannot please everyone, was that the menu was very English! Obviously the main clientele is English but I would have enjoyed trying a wider range of Spanish dishes.
Eating outside during the day, did mean you got a few flies but I have to say, no more than I've experienced elsewhere. With the restaurant extending out to a large veranda, sparrows quite often make their way inside, meaning you have to watch where you sit, lest you collected a "badge" for your stay. This wasn't a major problem, overall, our meals and relaxed drinks in the bar were excellent value and quality.
- From: The Lady Taverners
- Date: Monday 28th September, 2015
- Subject: Comments from some of the attendees of The Lady Taverners Celebrity Golf Classic hosted at Desert Springs Resort between 24th – 27th September, 2015
The Lady Taverners, in association with the Lord’s Taverners, selected Desert Springs Resort to be host to ‘The Lady Taverners Celebrity Golf Classic’ from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th September 2015.
This mixed event was open to all golfers, with individual, couples or team entry. With celebrities attending, a magnificent range of sponsored prizes on offer and other golfing surprises, competitors enjoyed a practice round and two rounds of competitive golf along with the incomparable social ambience that can only be found at Desert Springs Resort, enjoying a high level of interaction with the celebrities who kindly gave up their time to play and support the Lady Taverners.
Monies raised from the event were to support the Lord’s Taverners outstanding work, which gives disadvantaged young people and children with disabilities a sporting chance.
Chris Tarrant & Tom O’Connor with competitors on the 1st Tee of The Indiana Course at Desert Springs
Festivities commenced on Thursday evening with a Welcome Drinks Reception & BBQ at the The Cave Bar.
Friday saw tournament round one on the Indiana Course to be followed by attendance at The Crocodile Club restaurant for the Celebrity & Sportsman’s ‘Q&A’ attended by comic Tom O’Connor and TV Personality Chris Tarrant, followed by a Spanish themed dinner with live music entertainment.
Saturday commenced with tournament round two.
El Torrente restaurant was the venue for the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony with entertainment for the evening being provided by renowned and notorious comedian Tom O’Connor.
A Lady Tavermers Celebrity Golf Classic competitor playing their approach shot to Hole 15 on The Indiana Course at Desert Springs
Sue Simons, The Lady Taverners Celebrity Golf Classic Event Director remarked:
"A sensationally organised golf event, with a fantastic level of service.
We could not have asked for more support, our expectations were far exceeded and nothing was too much trouble.
Thank you.”
Chris Cunliffe, event attendee and competitor commented: –
"The whole event was organised excellently.
Desert Springs is a wonderful resort, without doubt the most challenging golf course I have played, however with good course management it proved to be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding too.
The resort and its service levels are a credit to Kirk and his team and I look forward to visiting again in the future.”
Lady competitors in The Lady Taverners Celebrity Golf Classic ready to take on The Indiana Course
Carol Ann Smith, event attendee and competitor remarked of her experience:
“A really enjoyable stay at Desert Springs.
The course was very challenging but fun!
The staff were very helpful ad the service received excellent.
Would love to come back again!"
- From: Lorna H
- Date: Monday 28th September, 2015
- Subject: Review of El Torrente Restaurant
“Good food, great prices!”
We loved this restaurant which is part of Desert Springd resort. You can choose from a frequently changing set-price menu (with choices) or the a la carte menu. The quality of the food is excellent and we were especially pleased that it was not overpriced. There is also a good children's menu which even my fussy little eaters loved!
The atmosphere and location are lovely. It is part of the clubhouse but everyone is welcome even if you don't stay on the resort. Can't wait to go back next year!
- From: Ian Radford
- Date: Friday 25th September, 2015
- Subject: Ian´s comments following his group of 8 players golf round on the championship Indiana course at Desert Springs in September
"The course was absolutely fantastic!"
Hi guys,
Just to say thank you for looking after us.
The course was absolutely fantastic!
Its come on a long way from when I was here last and all the staff were great in this great setting.
Thanks again to all and see you again.
Best wishes,
Ian