Celia and James Dutton
What we love about our timeshare
“Who on earth would want to buy a timeshare in the middle of Wales?” I remember the words I uttered to my husband as we drove to a (then) unpronounceable place on a dreary, drizzly February day. Still, it was a day out, and I was prepared to sit through a presentation with the thought of a good Sunday lunch in a local hostelry o the way. We had no intention of buying – why would we? Never had much time for holidays anyway – and they hardly ever lived up to expectations.
That was over twenty years ago. We still have it. Having almost missed the turning, described by the soft lilting voice on the telephone as being alongside a white – or was it pink? – cottage, ‘on the way from Newbridge to Beulah on the Rayader road,’ we crossed a cattle grid and found ourselves on a single track road with a steep hill on the right and a fast-flowing stream at the bottom of the valley on our left. Having seen nothing but sheep for about a mile, we were convinced we were on the wrong road. As there was no space to turn around and go back, we continued through the drizzle, convinced we were going to find ourselves in someone’s farmyard.
Our perseverance was rewarded. At the bottom of the valley we espied a small lake, a cluster of slate roofed, stone and timber cottages and a tennis court! This had to be it.
We listened with some scepticism to the talk about the benefits of timeshare and then came the inspection tour. Old farm buildings turned into a cluster of warm, welcoming and well-furnished cottages and studios. An indoor heated swimming pool and sauna. Pitch and putt. Tennis court. Lake, complete with clinker-built dinghy, for the fishermen among us. A sturdy, timber climbing frame next to a bright blue ancient tractor for the children to play on. We had already seen the games room and snug little bar/restaurant. All this in grounds that were manicured to a ‘T’. Very special. What really clinched it for us though, was standing on the balcony outside one of the units, looking at the velvet green valley and tumbling waters of the Chwefru stream and listening to the silence broken only by the bleating of the new lambs in the fields around us. Despite the February cold and rain that day, it was magical. So magical that we bought an April week, which often falls at Easter – complete with daffodils. We look forward each time to renewing acquaintance with the wonderfully helpful, but non-intrusive, staff we have come to know quite well.
Several years later, we also bought holiday points from Club La Costa, having seen the high standard of accommodation and met friendly and helpful staff. If we fancy going somewhere else for our holidays we can cede our week at Cwm Chwefru, (pronounced Kum Kwefry in my non-Welsh accent) and add it to our holiday points to go somewhere else, or for longer, the choice is ours.
So, the answer to the question we asked ourselves – “Who on earth would buy a timeshare in the middle of Wales?” Well, we did! Although we still receive speculative telephone calls asking if we want to sell it, the answer is always the same. “No thank you, we are very happy with it.”
Cwm Chwefru Country Cottages
Christine & Alan Heath
8/9/08
Our experience with Club La Costa
I think most of us have at some time experienced some form of cold calling, whether it is for free mobile phones, double glazing or, as I had been experiencing a lot in 2003, free holidays!
Over a short period of time, I had received quite a few calls congratulating me on winning a holiday for 4! Having listened intently to one of them, I soon realised that this was not quite what it seemed and, in fact, was a sales and marketing initiative to encourage me to purchase timeshare property, and I had politely declined all offers so far.
However, on this particular day, when I picked up the phone a very pleasant person introduced themselves and advised that they had a very special opportunity to offer me and if I would be happy to listen to all the details for just 2 hours, then I would be entitled to a no strings free holiday for 4 people.
There was something about the pleasant way the sales person opened the call, rather than the usual “Congratulations Mrs Heat or Hayes, (or any other combination of my name that they usually come up with) you have won a holiday,” or, “your postcode has been selected.” This time they came straight to the point, they had something they believed I may be interested in and for just listening they were prepared to offer me a free holiday. Of course, the CLC Sales and Marketing team were covering all bases; if I said ‘no’ to the offer on the day I may still change my mind once on the holiday, and once I had experienced the wonderful accommodation and sampled the ervice provided.
The other real pull for me on this occasion was that I did not have to travel miles for an appointment. It took only about 15 minutes to get to the venue by car. But I have to be honest and say that we were really just in it for the free holiday and made a pact as we walked towards the CLC office that neither of us would try and persuade the other to buy anything!
We entered the office building and were greeted by CLC staff and also introduced to other ‘opportunists’. Refreshment was provided, together with friendly chat and then we were assigned a young man to explain the CLC opportunity.
We sat opposite him at one of 5 or 6 office desks around the room. He smiled and asked us if we knew why we were there and what this was all about, to which we replied we pretty much guessed it was some sort of timeshare opportunity.
We were very surprised when he said, “No, actually we are the largest naturist travel company in the UK!” He was waiting for our shocked reaction, but we shocked him even more when we both replied, “No you’re not!” He looked surprised. We then explained that we were, in fact, naturists and were fully aware of all the naturist travel companies in the UK, as there are not that many.
Apparently, he had been using this as his opening line for a number of years, in order to break the ice with his clients, make them laugh and so make them feel more at ease. He was so taken aback, he had to run off and tell a colleague what had happened!
There was a lot of laughter that day and many other surprising moments. Like the one when he left us to talk and guess what sort of value we would put on the opportunity offered to us. I remember that we both came up with the same figure, which turned out to be almost 4 times the actual cost. Then another surprise – we broke our pact and we bought into the wonderful world of Club La Costa!
We have never looked back and have had many a laugh with other CLC staff when we have asked them where the nearest naturist beach was, and in fact one rep offered to drive us to the beach because it was a little too far to walk! Since that day, we have progressed to Platinum membership and have enjoyed many wonderful holidays in various countries. Our daughter spent her honeymoon in the San Diego Suites at CLC in Spain and the staff helped us to make things very special for her and her new husband.
We share our points with our family and friends and have never regretted buying into this ‘opportunity’. They say it pays to listen and it certainly did on this occasion.
Alan Taffe
23 January 2009 08:58
Just a quick note to say a big thank you for rescuing what could have been a horrific experience in Tenerife this month. As I explained to central reservations, we tried a villa booking for the first time in El Medano which looked great on the internet but when we arrived the place was an absolute disgrace. The owner turned up and admitted he had taken his eye off the ball as he and his wife had recently had a new baby. They put us up in a hotel while they attempted to sort the mess as they agreed the place was not fit to live in. (Apparently it took 2 days to sort out, with new furniture having to be bought as well as extensive decoration and cleaning). Next morning the electricity was still not connected so I phoned CLC and you managed to set us up at Sunningdale. Within an hour of phoning, we were settling into our comfortable apartment with great relief.
Once again thank you to central reservations and all of the staff at Sunningdale who were extremely helpful and sympathetic to our plight.
Allan Taaffe
0498798
The Stockleys from Lancashire
9th September 2007
Dear Club La Costa,
My family and I have had two great holidays this year as members of CLC Vacation Club.
We spent Easter on the Algarve, enjoying lovely beaches on our doorstep, the town of Albuferia only a short distance away and excellent food and facilities at the nearby Hapimag resort. It was even warm enough for my two sons (aged 11 and 14) to go swimming! It was such a relaxing break after a long and wet British winter.
After such an enjoyable week we were soon counting down to our 2-week holiday in Tenerife, at Sunningdale Village. We were not disappointed! The weather was glorious, the complex even better than last year, the staff friendly and helpful, the food good value, the other guests cheerful and pleasant.
As a member of CLC it is a relief to know that whatever resort we choose the standards are always very high. It means you can relax from the moment you arrive until the last day, spending time with your family alongside other like-minded people.
We are already looking forward to a break in Malta next Easter and by Christmas we hope to have chosen our next summer holiday from the many tempting resorts on offer.
Thanks to all at CLC.
The Stockleys from Lancashire
UK
The Seabrights
November 2007
We recently spent five days at Duchally Country Estate in Scotland – what a treat! Admittedly we had four out of the five days with blue sky and sunshine, but still enjoyed a walk along the riverside on the rainy day. The staff were all very friendly and helpful and the cottage extremely comfortable and well equipped.
We were pleasantly surprised by the size of the nearby village of Auchterarder where we were able to buy some wicked goodies for lunch (chocolate bread and butter pudding to name but one!).
But the best thing of all was the amazing countryside. Perthshire really is Big Tree Country and they looked magnificent with their autumn foliage. My 'wish list' was to see red squirrels, salmon jumping and golden eagles. I was granted the first two, but I'll have to go back for the eagles!
The Seabrights
N. Somerset
The Deacon Family (Alan Jo and girls)
December 2007
What a great investment we have made with our Vacation Club membership.
We have two great holidays and a short break a year with CLC and have never been let down with the quality of service and superior accommodation on offer.
We are always treated very well indeed. What a wonderful feeling it is to be treated as people and not herded like cattle.
We feel part of a community with CLC not simply "tourists".
Keep up the great work and well done, we would recommend Club La Costa to anyone!
Our very best wishes,
The Deacon Family (Alan Jo and girls)
UK
