I’ve been meaning to do this since April when we came back from our first trip of 2009 to Lanzarote. You know what it’s like you get back from holiday and you get straight back into the humdrum of everyday normality!!! Anyway, we’ve had a few more holidays with Seasons since then and I now feel I’ve had time to reflect and share our wonderful year…

Visits to Club Tahiti are always like returning home – such a warm welcome. Over the years we have regularly taken two very close friends, Mark & Jeanette, with us, and this year was to be no exception. We also had on board in our party two friends (Seasons members in their own right, Karl & Lisa). We also joined up with some very dear friends we have met over the years at Club Tahiti (Colin, Sian and their lovely daughter Emily, from Cockermouth). We have got into the habit of checking up when we’re all going and hopefully arranging the same week. Apart from a few of the party succumbing to an incredibly awful bug that was going round at the time, we had, as usual, a wonderful time.

At the beginning of July, Steve and I decided to do something we’d never done before – have two weeks away together (by ourselves!!). I must admit panic did set in for both us – would we be able to cope for two weeks by ourselves in Forest Hills without a car!! Well I can tell you we did, we had a wonderful time.

We had asked Seasons to arrange the transfer from the airport. Soon after we were phoned to say that there was another couple who would be on our flight, needed transport and were we happy to share – we were obviously pleased because it cut down on the cost – since the way the transport is charged, the more you get in the vehicle, the cheaper it becomes!! Excellent idea and we were so lucky – we met up with Tony and Marilyn – we had never met them before but soon realised we were going to get on well and it now seems we’ve known them for ever. They had been doing exactly what we’d been doing at Birmingham Airport - trying to work out who we were going to share a taxi and possibly a holiday with!! – We got on so well that we have all four booked for same two weeks next year.

For those of you who have not seen the super re-furbished Forest Hills – it is a must. The whole resort has been done with a lot of taste and a whole lot of love!! All the staff have worked so hard. They are obviously so proud of their achievements and it shows. We had a wonderful welcome from Deb and her team, Customer Relations - Craig, Bev and the wonderful Andrew, who drove us (and other guests) to the supermarket to get those provisions one always needs, to the Beach Party and even on one occasion, to Gibraltar.

It has to be said that you can survive without hiring a car – taxis are not that expensive - if you don’t want to drive all over the place but just occasionally go down to the beach or to the supermarket.

Sam who runs the pool bar, did a terrific job and good simple food – it does need a little shade for people to stay around for long. It can get very hot (but I think that was being sorted whilst we were there – measurements for canopy were being taken!!).

It has to be said that the restaurant for evening meals was fantastic – I do hope it continues. Having been there for two weeks and not having the same meal twice (unless we wanted it) – I consider to be exceptional.

After having said some very fond farewells – we were on our way home and thinking about our next holiday...

Mar de Luz – what can one say – the accommodation is stunning -absolutely beautiful – and again very tasteful.

After Steve’s initial disappointment that there wasn’t a pool bar (gather that is not the case now) we were taken by Sue (affectionately known as “Blakie”) down into town to the local supermarkets. She charges a very nominal fee and it is a very welcome offer when you arrive and have no provisions!! She spends the whole week driving backwards and forwards transporting guests, whether it be to the welcome party at a restaurant down the road, a golf course, a beach, whatever – picks you up when and where you wish to be collected. Marvellous service and so friendly. Wonderful to meet up with Clayton again. He and his team are doing a grand job. Does need a pool bar and focal point but as I said I gather this is in hand.

November took us back to Club Tahiti – we took my brother this time. Very much a chill-out. As usual we had a great time. Great to see Ken and his team again. We have always said that the Pool Bar is the hub of the resort and it certainly doesn’t change. This is the place where you meet people, talk and make friends. The service that Mel, Andy, Len and Janice provide is second to none. You try and get breakfast ready in 20+ minutes – don’t think we can do you?

We have finished 2009 with New Year in Whitbarrow. So wonderful. Snow as well. Fabulous to catch up with Rod and Jodie. And this is where Seasons is so wonderful – we managed to meet up with Colin, Sian and Emily – we were going to spend a night with them whilst up there – but because of their awful experience in Cockermouth with the recent floods, we went to see the devastation caused in their home and town and then they came to spend the night with us instead - and what a lovely time we had with them too! What a great way the end the year … and start the next!!

On reflection – the snow is now on the ground here back home and we’re feeling very cold and miserable!! I am very pleased we made that trip to Bristol all those years ago and recall with affection and at the time slight trepidation, the day we became Seasons’ members (thinking to ourselves - what have we got ourselves into??). We knew after a very first trip we had made the right decision and consider ourselves to be very lucky to be involved in an organisation who are there to ensure we all have a great holiday.

We would like to say a big thank you to all the staff who make these holidays possible. They make the holiday and are always there if and when you need them.

Seasons is where you meet new friends, old friends, have a great time and look forward to seeing each other again very soon. All Seasons resorts are different – all very special – but with a common denominator – the Seasons staff who run them. Seasons has an excellent product. – long may it continue!!

Stephen & Barbara Bentall
January 2010