The resort has been completely refurbished, from the covering on the actual resort to every single piece of furniture. In the apartments, absolutely everything has been replaced, from the windows to the bedding, which is 100% cotton. Everything is new, fresh and inviting.

The swimming pool has been upgraded, with pool bar, decking all around and ambient lighting for the evenings. There is also an Ôadults onlyÕ sun terrace with a hot tub, very comfortable sun beds and a champagne and cocktail bar. The other new leisure facilities include a steam room, gym, games room, therapy suite, bar and restaurant, evening entertainment, wifi and internet access and a laundry room.

The pool bar is open during the day, while the bar and restaurant open at night, with a top chef as the franchisee, offering a weekly cooking demonstration of local culinary delights, including a delicious regional Paella.

In fact, to sum up, the place is now a shining white castle on top of a hill over looking the Mediterranean.  ItÕs lovely, but donÕt just take our word for it.  Call Reservations on 01994 426000 and make your booking at this gorgeous new-look Seasons resort and see for yourself what all the fuss is about!

Reservations Manager, Anne-Marie James assures us that bookings are coming in 'thick and fast', but there is still some space available in April and May, so don't delay and you too could be off to the sunshine in a short while!

ÔSMASHING WEEKENDÕ AT CLOWANCE
Bryan and Marilyn Robinson of Hereford sent along the following note of appreciation for their recent short break in Cornwall.

ÔSorry to have left this a little late but I would like to say thank you for the smashing weekend break at the above. The cabin was out of this world, probably the best place we have ever stayed in, with three bed rooms, Jacuzzi bath, sauna, kitchenette and peaceful surrounds. The staff were excellent, the food superb at the price and the entertainment Sunday night great. Once again thank you to all at Clowance.Õ

 

 

 

MASTER MINDED DOES IT AGAIN!
Reigning champion and hot favourite Master Minded cruised to victory for the second year running in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on March 11th.

After a hectic start, trainer Paul Nicholls's outstanding six-year-old was very relaxed throughout the race, finishing seven lengths clear of Well Chief. Ruby Walsh rode a perfect race and commented: "He's the best chaser around, but he wasn't as good as he can be. On different days he's been better but that shows he can still win when he's not at his best. He's a very special horse."

Clive Smith, Master Minded's owner, added: "It's just unbelievable. IÕm as pleased as punch, I can't say any more."

Barry Hurley,Chairman of Seasons Holidays plc, commented on Racing UK prior to the race 'it's difficult to see how Master Minded could get beatenÕ.

During the Cheltenham Festival the Tote Jackpot tied up an incredible Ôwin a lifetime of free holidaysÕ arrangement with Seasons Holidays to promote the sale of Totejackpot tickets on-course during the 2009 Cheltenham Festival! Tote customers who correctly selected 6 winners on any day of the Festival had a chance to win more than £100,000, but also win two weeks Seasons Holidays Membership, including all management fees for life, along with a prize draw to win 25 one week memberships!

The Festival is Gloucestershire's best known sporting event. Over £3m is offered in prize money over four dramatic days that bring together 230,000 Jump racing enthusiasts from all over the world to watch 26 extraordinary and competitive races. The second day features the quickest steeplechasers in the sport, running at full tilt over the two miles of the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase - 12 fences and two miles of breath taking speed and agility where one mistake is enough to lose the race. The race is the leading feature in a seven race card making for a top class day's racing.

ÔI am delighted that the Tote chose Seasons Holidays to promote sales of jackpot tickets. The Tote team are very excited about this yearÕs on-course offer and we were very pleased to be associated with the Tote during the Cheltenham Festival. Both organisations enjoyed increased sales and brand awarenesss as a result of this exciting offerÕ Leslie McCann Group Marketing Director Seasons Holidays plc. Ô I would also like to reassure Owners that the sponsorship of this race is entirely funded out of our marketing budget and the resulting increase in new business and it is not funded by management fees.Õ 

SEASONS LUCKY WINNERS
In last monthÕs edition of this newsletter, Seasons gave away 10 pairs of Club Enclosure entrance tickets for The Cheltenham Festival 2009, worth £130 a pair! The names of the first 10 correct answers drawn at random were as follows and they were contacted on 5th March and tickets mailed that day.  We hope everyone had a great day out!

Cynthia Fenn, Bromyard, Herefordshire; Ray Bowen, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire; Sally Holloway, Stoke Bishop, Bristol; David Kite, Kenilworth, Warwickshire; Malcolm Green, Morden, Dorset;
M Nicholson, Fareham; Geoff Chapman, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan; Simon Coombs, Tiverton, Devon; John Webster, Saltford, Bristol; Alan Brown, Newcastle Emlyn, Ceredigion.

A GREAT DAY AT THE RACES
We received the following Ôthank youÕ email from Debbie and Darryl Humphries, who had won a day out at Cheltenham to watch the Seasons Queen Mother Chase in free prize draw last year.
 
ÔWe just wanted to say a big thank you for the lovely day we had yesterday (11th March) at the Cheltenham Festival to watch the Queen Mother's Race. 
 
When we attended a meeting at Thornbury last year (June) we were given the tickets and although it seemed to take forever for the day to come, our day yesterday just flew by! We have been to race meetings locally before but never gone to Cheltenham.  We were at the ground for 11.00am with all good intentions of having a good look around before the racing started. As you may be aware, there is so much going on that we only saw a very small part of it all before we were off to have a very amusing afternoon by the track and placing our bets!  Even though we only bet very small amounts in comparison to others around us, when we won, you'd have thought we'd won a million pounds!  All too quickly we were back on the train on our way home again, wishing the day could have lasted longer. Thanks again.Õ

MEMORABLE ANNIVERSARY AT CLUB TAHITI
Later on in this issue, you will read about a fabulous birthday bash at Burn Park. But first, Kathy and John Harvey of St Albans have written to tell us about their wedding anniversary in Lanzarote.

ÔWe would like to thank Seasons and everyone at Club Tahiti in Lanzarote. We have just spent a week there for our 36th Wedding Anniversary. Chris the entertainer was so good that, even on the night he had a migraine, after a few painkillers, he carried on and was always so friendly.

Sussie and Julie in the Customer Relations team were very helpful and always on hand to join us in our quizzes and darts around the pool. The pool bar staff were eager to please and their food was delicious and well priced. The restaurant food was also excellent and well priced and they even put on special so our euros went further. With Chris and the entertainment, we were able to join in with everything, he even remembered everyoneÕs names and even had nicknames for some of us.  Thank you again. We made so many friends at Club Tahiti that we have already started planning our next week there!Õ
 
ERIN RUNS FOR CHARITY
Erin Cornish, Manager of Seasons County Hotel in Bath, recently took part in the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 15th March, to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Commenting on the run, she said:  ÒThis was a family affair, as I was running with my uncle Dave Hawkins and my cousin Beth Hawkins. The reason I have chosen this charity is because so many people I know have been affected by this illness and I lost my best friends, my grandparents, to cancer.

Well we couldn't have asked for better weather, the sun was shining and there was no chance of rain. We wondered very nervously to the runners village where it was announced that the race would be delayed for half an hour! The nerves now were beginning to take hold and panic was setting in. Finally we got into place and the gun fired. I was expecting a surge of people but we all stayed still. It took 15 minutes just to cross the start line.

Knowing that the County was the first place I had to run past was nerve racking itself but to my surprise the staff and guests had made a giant banner and lined the road shouting encouragement.

I was amazed by all the people who turned out to support all the runners. It really did spur you on. Well I completed the 13.1 miles in 3 hours and managed to raise, so far, £1546.00 for Cancer research UK.

For anybody who would still like to donate I am running the Bristol 10k in May and my web page is still live! Thank you to all who have helped me raise money for this great cause!" www.runningsponsorme.org/erinsgonemad

COUNTY HOTEL TO THE RESCUE 
Once again we have received another story ∆ this time from Jean and Jack Clemson of Wolverhampton ∆ giving us an example of Seasons staff rising to the occasion and going the extra mile (with a smile) for our members:

ÕWe have been members of Seasons Holidays for many years and were delighted when invited to sample what The County Hotel in Bath had to offer. Our visit coincided with the week of heavy snow but it didn't deter us from making the trip to the delightful city of Bath.
 
The location of the hotel was perfect, with a lovely room complete with four-poster bed, a wonderful view of the Abbey from the window and a short walk into the city itself. Despite the bad weather, with suitable footwear, there was plenty to see and do.
 
The County hotel staff were very friendly, obliging and helpful and certainly acted very swiftly when help was needed. At the end of our break my husband became ill and when I asked for help it was there in a matter of minutes, the staff doing their best to make things comfortable for both of us until the paramedics arrived and a visit to the hospital ensued.

Even in the really bad snow and at 4.30 in the morning, Neil was willing to fetch us back from the hospital and Erin was quick to arrange an enforced extension to our stay. Everyone was so kind, I cannot praise them enough and must give special thanks to Nathan, who happened to be on duty that evening. Every bit of help we needed was provided and the courtesy extended to us was unequalled. Many thanks to you all at the County Hotel, Bath, we shall be seeing you again in November.Õ

ÔLOVELY WEEKENDÕ AT COUNTY HOTEL
Well, the County Hotel in Bath is certainly proving popular with our members, not least Jackie and Alan Chadwick, of Kingswinford in the Midlands.

ÔWe are back from Bath after a lovely week end.  If you have looked at Enews for February, I can fully endorse everyoneÕs comments on the location and hotel.  Someone must have put a good word in for me, as our room was the first one at the top of the stairs, thank you.

If anyone asks what to do, tell them to use the city sighting bus at £11 each (discounts available for National Trust members). You can ride for two days on two different tours, getting on and off as you please.  The ticket also allows further discounts in some museums.
  
I'm glad we went off season, as it must be really crowded in the main season. Thank goodness the hotel has a car park. We parked our car on Friday and did not use it again until Monday.

After taking a look at the photos of Forest Hills in the last newsletter, I think I may book to go there next year.Õ

BOOK UP AT THE COUNTY ANY TIME
Now youÕve read all the glowing reports of the County Hotel in Bath, you will be pleased to learn that Seasons has decided to waive the rule (until the end of April) that Seasons members could only book The County within 59 days of travel.  Bookings must be made before 30th April 2009 to secure any date in 2009, subject to availability. Simply call Reservations on 01994 426000 and let them know when you would like to stay at Seasons hottest new venue!

WHITBARROW UPDATE
Firstly, those members who requested to have the old Saddleback Pub re-opened will be delighted to hear that the pub recently opened for business again. 

General Manager of the resort, Vaughan Kennedy, commented: ÒThe Saddleback will no longer cater for meals in the same way it used to, but members should still be able to get light snacks there.Ó

He explained that the facility had been opened by experienced local publican Ben Mandale, who also runs ÔThe Boot and ShoeÕ in Greystoke.  Ben also plans to open a resort shop inside the pub, selling essential supplies.

Meanwhile, at the superb new Eden Bar and Restaurant, award winning chef Steve Delin is cooking up a storm for the delight of visitors, so be sure and pay him a visit and try his delicious new menu.

Other good news is that the resurfacing of the Whitbarrow entrance driveway was recently completed and visitors may at last enjoy a bump-free ride!  In addition, the main car park is in the process of being completely resurfaced, together with all-new drainage, lighting and flower beds. When finished, it should comfortably accommodate 180 cars.

£25 WINNING LETTER
SURPRISE PARTY AT BURN PARK
As promised, hereÕs a thought for Seasons members looking for a venue for a very special celebration.  Janice Scott of Norwich tells us about her husbandÕs birthday in Devon ∆ which lasted for a whole week.

ÔWow! What an amazing week we had at Burn Park, when 16 members of the Scott family descended to help celebrate IanÕs 75th birthday. Ian and I own two red weeks, which youngest daughter Becki persuaded me to trade in for four yellow weeks to run concurrently, so that all members of the family could gather together for a surprise birthday party.

Laura, our Seasons guest relations advisor, set it up for us way back in October, swearing all the Seasons staff to secrecy. Everyone managed to keep the secret, so IanÕs face was a picture when we arrived at Burn Park for a ÔquietÕ week, only to be greeted by the entire family.

And what a week we had! Mizz Becky, Ricky and all the Burn Park staff were terrific and couldnÕt do enough for us. We had a superb meal in the restaurant on IanÕs birthday, topped by Ricky emerging in a very fetching bikini and carrying a birthday cake complete with candles, while Mizz Becky filled our glasses with champagne.

The entertainment throughout the week was just what we needed and even the weather was kind. From the youngest Scott ∆ Leilah, aged three ∆ to the oldest ∆ Ian, now aged 75 ∆ we had such a ball. Table tennis, swimming, snooker, pool, walks, the horses and days out, it all added up to a brilliant holiday and a wonderful time together. A real treat for us, because we almost never manage to meet all at the same time.

Huge thanks to the Burn Park staff and to the other guests for putting up with us in such a gentle and forbearing manner. You made it a week to remember.  Roll on IanÕs 80th ∆ weÕll definitely be back!Õ

Have YOU got a story about your Seasons holiday or short break that you would like to share? Simply email it to insight@seasonsholidays.com and you could win £25 if your entry is chosen as the winning letter in a future edition of Seasons eNews Update!  And remember that attaching a photograph will give you a much better chance of catching the Editor's eye!

DOMINA EXCHANGE
Shirley Bissett of Reservations has passed on this very appreciative and interesting email sent to her by David and Sheila Wood of Glastonbury, who recently visited Egypt via an exchange with one of Seasons international associates, Domina.
 
ÔDear Shirley, we asked you for a recommendation for a sunny holiday destination for our February holiday this year. You and Domina came up trumps and I thought you might like to have our observations on the Coral Bay resort and the Sharm El Sheikh area. Please feel free to use any of the material in any way you wish. As a professional tour guide working with mainly demanding Americans, my viewpoint may be different from most of your clients.

We had used our two bed sleep six, but needn't have done as the rooms are all one bed sleep four. We were first allocated two apartments not together with a view of the road in a block variously described as Aquamarine or Oasis. We thought it was probably the latter i.e. the cheapest accommodation available. Very helpfully, the reception staff found us a room on day two with a nice view of the sea and pool. We gave up one of the two apartments to compensate.

With accommodation solved we then had a choice of meal possibilities and we chose the five restaurant half board option. All the restaurants on this offer were self service and four of them were crowded with Russians and some Italians. Luckily the fifth restaurant was the Club Domina one for owners, where we were looked after royally by the maitre d' and the waiters. Meals were excellent and included freshly-made omelettes and crepes for breakfast and fresh pasta for dinner. The resort is really five resorts on one site and covers an area approximately one and a half miles long by half a mile wide. The beach runs the full one and a half miles and has some stunning coral just off shore. Because of its size, there is a free taxi service called a taf taf which passes all the sites and the main reception (which is a very pleasant area). We walked most of the time, which kept us fit and allowed plenty of interesting views. The desert mountains are fabulous at sunset. There are many bars but wine and beer are expensive. We tried a very pleasant Egyptian red wine called Obelisk. A bottle of beer by the pool was £4.

We only left the resort twice, once to go into Sharm el Sheikh town itself - about five miles away.The huge market was interesting but warn clients of the mosquitoes. Sheila had 40 bites. Having seen other resorts on our way in the town, we reckon that Domina may be one of the best! Our second outing took us to St Catherine's Monastery, about a three hour drive. We had our personal guide when we got there as many of the tour companies cater mainly for Russians and Italians. The drive through the desert was very beautiful and the monastery (where Moses met God on the top of nearby Mount Horeb and encountered the burning bush) well worth the journey. It is possible to climb the mountain on foot or by camel to see the sunset or sunrise but that was not for us. We also went by glass bottomed boat to take a close look at the Coral reef and the fish. It is truly lovely.

Taxis from and to the airport should be about £12, although we were overcharged once. The airport is a battleground with one gate coping with our flight to Bristol, a flight to Leipzig and one to Manchester all at once! I have to say however that we were very pleased with both the resort and the sunny weather and would go again. Coming back to freezing Bristol was a real shock to the system. So thank you again and we'll be in touch about Madeira for next May sometime in the spring.Õ
 
RED NOSE DAY AT BRUNSTON
On Friday 13th March, several members of the Brunston Castle resort staff very successfully dressed up for Comic Relief 2009 to raise money for the charity.
 
Resort Manager Norma Docherty reported: ÒSeveral Housekeeping staff dressed in their pyjamas, while Reception and other staff wore red t-shirts and red wigs, or dyed their hair red. One staff member shaved his head, another two wore tutus and funny masks.
 
At first, guests did look strangely at the staff on the park and wondered what they were up to, but we had signs in the vans and around the resort throughout the day explaining.  However, new guests checking in for the first time did seem to wonder initially if we all dressed like this normally!

But everybody thought it was great and we collected £114.78 at Reception on the day.  So I would like to say a big thank you to all the resort staff and guests who contributed to this amount. A great day was had by all!Ó
 
SPECIAL RATES AT GOLF CLUB
More good news from Ayrshire is that Resort Manager Norma Docherty has achieved her objective of obtaining special rates with the new management of the golf course for Seasons guests.

ÔFrom April 1st this year to the end of October 2009, I have now managed to negotiate a discounted golf rate again at Brunston Castle golf course, as follows: Midweek, 18 holes will be £27 per round per person, while at the weekend, 18 holes will be £30 per round per person. Discounted rates will also apply for the hire of buggies and trolleys.  Members should note that the golfing dress code applies at all times with appropriate clothing and guests must bring their own golf shoes. Guests are also advised to bring their Seasons membership card to show the golf course management if necessary. As usual, it would be advisable to book in advance, which Reception will be happy to do for our guests.Õ
 
OFT SEEKS EVIDENCE OF SCAMS
The Office of Fair Trading is appealing for complaints from timeshare owners who have received unsolicited approaches by scammers claiming to be resale agents and promising a Ôguaranteed buyerÕ and a high price for their unwanted timeshare.

Typically, consumers are first tricked into making an upfront payment of several hundred pounds to cover so called Ôadministrative costsÕ or Ôland registry chargesÕ, but then the definite buyer falls through.

Although of course genuine resale companies exist, the OFT is warning timeshare owners to be very cautious if they receive an unsolicited approach by a company claiming to be able to sell their timeshare who makes any or all of the following demands: requests an upfront fee; offers an unrealistic price (often higher than the original purchase price; says they have a confirmed buyer or a corporate buyer waiting; pressures you into making a decision on the spot; asks you to go abroad to complete a sale.

They are asking UK consumers who have lost money to timeshare resale scammers to make contact and provide them with written information and documentation, particularly if they have attended a holiday club presentation in Spain.

Whilst the OFT cannot intervene in an individual case or get consumersÕ money back for them, the evidence provided could strengthen any enforcement action to be taken by the Spanish authorities and ensure that those who mislead consumers are prevented from doing so in the future.  Any consumers with a complaint should write to the OFT at ScamBusters, Bogus Holiday Club Project, OFT, Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8JX.

BAR/RESTAURANT COMMENT SHEET DRAW WINNERS
Below are the names of the February Seasons monthly draw winners for those who fill in the Bar and Restaurant Comment Sheets.  There is one winner for each of the following six Seasons resorts ∆ so be sure to fill in a sheet on your next visit for the chance to win a £20 meal voucher for use in any of these Seasons Resorts!

Clowance - Mr & Mrs Stephen Smith -  Southampton
Club Tahiti  -  Mr & Mrs Dixon  -  Cumbria
Burn Park  -  Linda & Mike Riches  -  Melksham
Brunston  -  Mr & Mrs Grant  -  Middlesborough
Whitbarrow  -  D Dunyer  -  Ripon
Laugharne - Mr & Mrs Moyse - Chulmleigh

March's winners will be published in next monthÕs newsletter and the free draw will continue each month until further notice.  

 

UPDATE YOUR EMAIL DETAILS
You can now update your address details simply by clicking on the words 'click here to change your email address' on the left near the top of the newsletter, just below the 'No Pets' notice. Please do not contact the insight email address for this purpose. This will only update your enews subscription, please contact Membership Services directly to update your details, please call 01994 426000 or email memservices@seasonsholidays.com
Many thanks - The Editor.


SEASONS IMPORTANT EMAIL ADDRESSES
To make bookings at any of Seasons owned or affiliated resorts, or to book value for money Seasons midweek or weekend breaks, and for any general enquiries about your membership, simply email reservations@seasonsholidays.com.

For unrivalled service and advice on getting to and from your holiday destination, including low cost carriers, charters, scheduled flights, car hire, ferries, please email travelclub@seasonsholidays.com or call 01253 299044. All tickets are fully protected through our association with Vacation Travel Seasons Travel Club.

The Travel Club online enquiry/booking service is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. For more details click here.
If any members wish to contact Seasons Owners Consultative Committee email mail@socc.org.uk.

BACK ISSUES OF eNEWS
Members wishing to read previous issues of Seasons eNews Update should visit www.seasonsholidays.com, go to the Members page and click on ÔMembers NewsÕ.