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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

11

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.

Click here to visit the website

Reporting on their stay at the Desert Springs Resort to celebrate the wedding of their daughter Nicola to Scott West on Saturday 28th May.

Dear Ellie,

Well we are back home now and the wedding all over!

I just wanted to say a really big THANK YOU for making Nikki and Scott’s wedding day exactly how they planned it! Everything on the day went so well with so much attention to detail. I know how much time you spent making sure the colours matched, the timing was perfect and the guests all looked after. The guests were all really impressed with the resort and with their accommodation on the resort.

It was a wonderful day and it would not have been possible without all your hard work. Desert Springs is an amazing venue for a wedding with the fabulous setting and really good food. To top it all, the staff were all so helpful and friendly from Daniel to Miguel, Melissa, Marcus, Carmen, the girls at reception, yourself and all the others – thank you for wonderful service.

Thank you for also organising the barbecue the night before the wedding, which Mr. Peel said you did a great job and also for the surprise birthday party on Monday.

We will see you when we are out next time and once again, thanks so much Ellie.

Best Regards

Bruce and Denise Gray

Reporting on her stay at the Desert Springs Resort to celebrate the wedding of Nicola Gray to Scott West on Saturday 28th May.

Dear Ellie,

I just wanted to say a big thank you for looking after us all so well during Nikki and Scott’s wedding. You all did an amazing job and looked after us all so well….but I just wanted to thank you especially for:

Taking care of my dietary requirements and arranging the risotto for me and being so attentive in checking if it would be suitable!

For finding the headache tablet for my boyfriend….you were a real lifesaver producing that!! I can not thank you enough!

For taking the photo of us in the cave….and going to so much effort to move the chairs and make sure it was perfect!!

Thank you so much Ellie. I hope you manage to get a day off finally now that we have all left you.

Nicola and Richard (and Roo – the little kangaroo you kept seeing us mad people take photos of!!!)

Nicola Miller

Front of House Manager
Click here to visit the website

Reporting on his stay at the Desert Springs Resort to celebrate the wedding of Nicola Gray to Scott West on Saturday 28th May.

I thought I must write to say thank you for all the things you did for me and what a great job you did for Scott and Nicky’s Wedding on Saturday. Everything was faultless and the food was REALLY good! I am only sorry I did not get a chance to go to one of the local fish restaurants.

Your Meat and Fish Suppliers for my barbecue were truly Excellent and made all the difference.

I enclose a small token of my appreciation of everything you did and a copy of my London Five Star Hotel Journal which I hope will amuse you.

Keep up the good work!

Yours,

Robert Peel
Executive Chairman of Peel Hotels
Click here to visit the website

Reporting on his visit to Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club

Estimada Carmen:

Ya estamos en casa agotados pero contentísimos.

No quiero dejar pasar la ocasión de felicitaros por vuestro exquisito trato. Empezando por el guarda que nos recibió cuando llegamos, las chicas de recepción, los encargados del cuarto de palos y hasta los camareros y camareras del restaurante, que aunque un poco lento (es el único pero que puedo poner) no había necesidad de decir, después del primer día, las preferencias de cada uno. No me olvido de tu llamada a Lua, donde nos atendieron estupendamente. Se nota el cuidado que poneis en los detalles y se agradecen.

El campo, que ya conocía, está cada vez mejor y los apartamentos muy cómodos. Todo ordenado y limpísimo…

Hablaremos a nuestros amigos de Desert Spring para animarles a visitaros.

Un abrazo y muchísimas gracias,

Ana

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English Translation:

Dear Carmen,

We are now back at home, exhausted but very content.

I did not want to let the moment pass without congratulating you for your excellent organisation. Starting with the night manager who welcomed us when we arrived, the girls in reception, the caddy masters and even the waiters of the restaurant, who although a little slow (that’s the only criticism that could be made) did not need to be told after the first day what each of our preferences were. Nor do I forget your call to Lua [a local restaurant], where we were looked after marvellously well. The attention that you pay to the details is notable and we are grateful to you for that.

The golf course, which I already knew, is better every time and the apartments are very comfortable. All very well set up and as clean as could be.

We shall be telling our friends about Desert Springs and encouraging them tovisit you.

A hug and many thanks, Ana

Reporting on his visit to Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club

Just a quick email to say we all thoroughly enjoyed our 3 night break to Desert Springs and we would like to say a big thank you to all of the staff there for being so friendly and welcoming. In particular, Ellie & Dimitry in the El Torrente restaurant were fantastic. It was a real pleasure to experience such good service from everybody at the resort and I have been busily recommending the place to everyone that will listen. Many other resorts could learn from the service and facilities provided at Desert Springs. The apartment was lovely and very well equipped and really felt like a home form home. The food in the restaurant was superb, very good value and wonderfully presented. Thank you.

I’m looking forward to returning in June with my family when we stay in the villa.

Many Thanks

Tim

Reporting on visit of Mr. Alistair Davies and his Golf Squad to Desert Springs for their warm weather pre-season training between 20th March – 24th March 2011

On Thursday 24th March José Ignacio Olea had an informal meeting with Alistair Davies, PGA Professional based at The Belfry, in order to evaluate their stay and Winter Training at Desert Springs.

(J) How would you rate the overall experience at Desert Springs?
(A) Very welcoming / Friendly

(J) Were the practice facilities convenient / in good condition?
(A) Great

(J) How would you rate the staff service at Desert Springs?
(A) Excellent

(J) Would you recommend Desert Springs to others?
(A) Desert Springs is ideal for a training camp. The entire experience has been very pleasant and I´m looking forward to coming back next year and using Desert Springs for my group´s Winter Training.

When asked why Alistair chose Desert Springs to be host to the warm weather training for his golfing students he responded:

There were other resorts under consideration such as La Manga, however Nigel Edwards ( Director of Player Development & Coaching of the Golf Union of Wales), and Kevin Hale ( Senior Academy Instructor of any other. St. Andrews University), both previous visitors to Desert Springs with training squads of their own highly recommended your resort and facilities over.

Regards
Alistair Davies, PGA Golf Professional & Instructor at The Belfry

Find out more about:

Hi Daniel, I hope you received my note of thanks for the use of the court on the 26th November. I think it is excellent, particularly for coaching as it has a medium height and very consistent bounce. The cushion layer also is kind on the knees!

Regards
Mike Bear
LTA Development Coach and RPT National Professional

Reporting after their stay at the Desert Springs Resort between March 3rd – 6th, 2011.
Tim Jollands and Neil Tappin chose Desert Springs as the perfect scenario for the Photo Shoot used to create the future golf publication: ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GOLF.

Dear José,

Many thanks for your kind comments about the photoshoot, which I will pass on to Neil, Paul and Rob. Given the variable weather, the three of them combined exceptionally well to create some stunning images and I´m delighted with what we managed to achieve. Over the next couple of months we will be creating the layouts and when I have something more finished to show I will email pdfs.

May I take this opportunity to thank all of you at Desert Springs for making the shoot such an enjoyable experience. Your team responded cheerfully and with calm efficiency to all manner of requests and we felt really well looked after throughout our stay.

Best wishes

Tim Jollands

Reporting on visit of Golf Union of Wales to Desert Springs

(J) How would you rate the overall experience at desert Springs?
Very Good.

(J) Were the practice facilities convenient / in good condition?
Excellent.

(J) Was the golf course in good condition?
Yes. Only 1 comment: Too much sand in bunkers.

(J) How would you rate the staff service at Desert Springs?
Very Good

(J) How could we improve your experience?
Excellent all round experience, everyone enjoyed.

(J) Would you recommend Desert Springs to others?
Yes, excellent facility.
Find out more about Golf Union of Wales

Reporting on visit of St.Andrews University Golf Squad for their warm weather pre-season training between 31st January – 5th February 2011

St.Andrews University Golf Squad warm weather pre-season training at Desert Springs

On Saturday 5th February I met with PGA Professional and Head Coach of St.Andrews University, Steve North, for an informal meeting on how he thought the squads first visit to Desert Springs had gone.

(J)  How would you rate the overall experience at Desert Springs?

(S) Excellent. The Standard of facility was exactly what we needed and the staff bent over backwards to help us.

(J) Were the practice facilities convenient / in good condition?

(S) Practice facilities were excellent and the condition was perfect. I found the putting & chipping greens a little too much slope and would prefer some flat areas.

(J) Was the golf course in good condition?

(S) Perfect

(J) How would you rate the staff service at Desert Springs?

(S) Service from all staff was 10/10.

(J) Would you recommend Desert Springs to others?

(S) Yes we would. We have already discussed a joint warm weather training & competition with our international partners for next year.

Find out more about St.Andrews University Golf Team

Dear Carlie

Fantastic trip!
The best staff ever!
The course was perfect.

Well done Anthony, Simon, Carmen and all the staff.
Ealing will be coming back in October & again in February 2012.
I will be in touch.

Kind Regards
Ricky

Hi Ellie,
 
I just wanted to say thank you for looking after us so well at the weekend, as always you made our trip an absolute joy.
 
We also had the best food we have had there, not to mention the wine, which was simply wonderful.
 
Hope it heats up for you soon, I know how you struggle with 13 degrees!
You should see what it is like here.
 
Hopefully we will be back before long.
 
Kind regards,
 
Eddie

Dear Sandra

Further to my golfing trip to Almeria last week, I thought I would just email you to say a big thank you to you personally and the Desert Springs Resort generally.

My guest and I had a fantastic weekend and thoroughly enjoyed playing golf at your golf course and all of the staff were incredibly accommodating and helpful.

Once again many thanks and see you soon.

Regards

Damon Golder

On completion of their winter practice break at the resort

Hi Nacho,

Just wanted to say thank you to you and your staff for making us both so welcome during our recent practice at the resort.

The caddy master staff were brilliant and we always felt we were made very welcome, especially by yourself.

We will be back in March for a couple of months and are already looking forward to it.

Once again many thanks.

Regards,
Becky & Trish