The picture shows Barbara (right) at Crusoe's Bar, the Bentall’s ‘favourite place to relax’, on the nearest beach to Forest Hills (5 minutes drive)

‘ We have just returned from another very enjoyable week at Forest Hills and would like to make a few special thanks to the Seasons staff and members who made our week as good, if not better, than those we have spent at this extraordinary resort in previous years. I have heard it said that Forest Hills is one of those resorts you either love or hate. I wouldn't say it that strongly, but it is true of many of the Seasons resorts and that in itself is, I believe, one of the great attributes of the Seasons portfolio. Each resort has everything to offer in varying degrees and in our case Forest Hills is the perfect place to relax and do very little other than enjoy the magical surroundings and soak in the sun and the whole ambience of the amazing building and its surrounding. The other aspect obviously enjoyed by many of the members we met is to take full advantage of the hire car you will almost certainly need to get there and visit many interesting places in the area. One cannot fail to be impressed by the first magical sight of Forest Hills as you approach along the coastal motorway, as the brilliant white citadel with its many pointed towers poised on the top of a distant hill is almost impossible to describe.

Firstly I would like to thank Clayton and Laura of Guest Relations for providing just the right level of interaction. Always around to provide advice when it was asked for but never 'in your face'. The information we were provided with on the existing and new resorts was very interesting and encouraging. The advice and guidance on how we can make the best use of our existing membership is greatly appreciated. Entertainment at Los Altos is somewhat limited compared to the other resorts but for the majority, that didn't seem to be a problem. Guests either did 'their own thing' or joined in with the amusements that were initiated by our Guest Relations staff during the week. The hoi bingo this year was particularly amusing. Clayton encouraged everyone to join in, in a way that had us all in fits of laughter. A really great evening was had by all. Finally, the biggest thank you must go to Resort Manager Elaine. It is obvious that she thoroughly enjoys her job, the place, the people she works with and her guests. She is always around from first thing in the morning to last thing at night and never stops. How she manages to keep going at such a pace I'll never know. A special thanks for ensuring that we had another fantastic week at Forest Hills.

And the result? Let Norma tell it in her own words: “Sara Zanetti came to work with us and she helped in various departments at Brunston. Her family has a small hotel in Italy, so she understood the housekeeping side straight away. We found her particularly useful on reception, especially when we had our exchange guests from Italy, who cannot speak English. I know the staff found her very beneficial and I was most impressed by the excellent standard of her skills. If anybody has the chance of such an exchange, I would thoroughly recommend it, as it helps both the student and the business.”

Pictured are Brunston’s reception staff (left to right): Catriona, Emma, Sara, Norma (resort manager) and Fiona

As his many existing fans would expect, a fantastic evening was had by all, especially Norma, who had a special song sung to her by Ricky. Needless to say, guests have asked when he is due back! Our picture shows Ricky with the Johns family, who had a great time during their two week holiday at Brunston.

The Macdonald Bros are two very talented young men who have been entertaining Seasons guests for several years and members will be delighted to hear that they recently made it through to the finals of the ‘X Factor’!

Craig (20) and Brian (19) have been playing various musical instruments since they were at school, then in bands and orchestras. They went to London to compete in the ‘X Factor’ after passing auditions in which they competed against another 3,000 people from Glasgow alone. They also went to Louis Walsh House in Dublin, where again they got through to the final 12. Excitement is mounting as the final of the ‘X Factor’ takes place on 16th December – Craig’s 21st birthday! So watch this space and keep voting for the lads.

The following enthusiastic letter was received by the manager, Norma Docherty from Gerald and Georgina Threadgold, who live near Didcot in Oxfordshire:
‘ My wife and I recently spent a fortnight at Brunston Castle. We have stayed at all the Seasons UK resorts and have almost invariably been impressed by the high standards we have encountered. However, none has been higher than at Brunston. We were very impressed with the high standards of accommodation, fixtures and fittings and by the level of presentation – our lodges were spotless throughout and little touches such as having the dining table set with places for eight people were much appreciated, serving further to enhance our enjoyment. Finally, we would like to thank you, Norma and all the staff with whom we came into contact for all the kindness, courtesy and helpfulness shown to us at all times. This was our first visit to Brunston Castle and we look forward to returning ere long.’

It’s great to know that Donald and Mary Gordon of Dumfries have enjoyed their five years of being Seasons members and they have certainly got around! Here’s a bit of advice on how they have made the most of their membership:

‘ Dear Folks, we have been Seasons members since 2001 and by the end of October, will have visited all of Seasons own resorts, apart from the new Clowance one - hopefully that will come next year. I was reading your 'guest relations to the rescue' item in the latest newsletter and I would urge members to attend the slot that is always offered when you visit any of the resorts, as I am always learning something new that enhances my membership. I am now an Elite member and had the great satisfaction of buying a present of a half price week at Alpinus for very dear friends. They enjoyed their stay so much that they actually bought a week for themselves. The only down side of that being that I did not receive any of the members’ recommendation money, as I had not given them one of my leaflets! I would not have known about the possibility of buying a half price week for another person, had I not attended one of these meetings. The resorts are all high quality. I took my niece and great nieces and nephews to Alpinus last year; they loved the swimming pool and the entertainment, especially Ricky. At home there's not much to beat Laugharne Park, where we'll have our free mid-week break in the Autumn. I enjoy the Season's News with all the snippets of news and anecdotes. Just keep them coming.’

Checking in day at Whitbarrow Village is brightened up considerably for Seasons members by the presence of Laura J, Entertainments Manager at the resort, who regularly spends Saturday afternoons on stilts, ushering people in and out of reception either as a very tall air hostess (left) – or a giant fairy!

The children of holidaymakers attending the Kids Club at Whitbarrow Village had terrific fun taking part in a Halloween Pumpkin Making session, to celebrate Halloween on October 31st.

According to Laura J, who suggested the project: “The adults seemed to be enjoying it more than the kids, as they all stuck around to help out. There was lots of mess and seeds everywhere, and the reception team will be living off pumpkin soup for the next month!”

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMENT SHEETS
Following a recent meeting of the Seasons resort managers, all members are reminded of the importance of filling in the resort comment sheets and handing them into Reception before you leave.

Managing Director Michael Foundly said: “We want all our members to be aware that we value their feedback through the survey sheets. They are all collated and the scores are logged and tracked. The results are then reviewed by management and have a bearing on both the day-to-day and long term running of each resort, as well as the company as a whole.”

ADVICE FOR VISITORS TO SHARM EL SHEIKH
We would like to say thanks to Maria Wilson of Cumbria, who has sent in some handy hints for anyone planning to visit this popular Egyptian resort:

‘I wanted to tell everyone about my recent holiday in Sharm el Sheikh, which was the experience of a lifetime. For all of you who decide to go, you will have a wonderful time and a holiday you will never forget, but there are several points that people should know before going there.

1) A set price of 200 Euros is made for food at the resort, the menu is set and you have a choice of about five restaurants.

2) When shopping prices vary from place to place, it's best to look around and buy at the end of the holiday, or you can get charged up to 10 times more!

3) When Egyptians tell you they want to give you a present, don't accept as nothing is ‘free’ there.

4) I can recommended Med Tours, which are the cheapest trips to the Pyramids and Luxor and can be booked at Oasis reception

5) Take care in the heat. Take salt tablets and dextose sweets, Dioralyte and Immodium, and drink plenty of water, as it’s very hot and you can easily get dehydrated.’