Michael Smith
In October this year Zuhal and Yusuf Polat made arrangements for a repeat visit to the Ali Bey Hotel in Turkey for the tennis members of David Lloyd Farnham, last year’s trip having been a resounding success.
About 40 members attended of which I was one of only two non-playing husbands. The arrangements were proceeding very smoothly until Thomas Cook Airlines, on which many of us were booked, suddenly ceased trading with the result that much of the planning up to that point was thrown into confusion. Notwithstanding that, Zuhal remained extremely calm and assisted several of the members with the re-booking of their flights with the result that we all made it on time to the Ali Bey Hotel. I feel that without Zuhal’s input several of us might have abandoned the trip.
I should point out at this stage that I am not a tennis player but my wife is and I wanted to go to Turkey to support her – I also knew personally most of the other members of the party so there was plenty of camaraderie. While the others played tennis during the day I was able to enjoy the many facilities of the hotel, including its bars, restaurants and pools, and I found the staff very pleasant and helpful. During the holiday many of our party seemed to have constant queries which needed attending to and with Zuhal on hand it was like having our personal tour manager with us – nothing was too much trouble for her. In the evenings Yusuf reserved for us a table which seated up to thirty or more every evening at the Beach restaurant and the service there was also exemplary.
All in all, everyone had a great time and Zuhal and Yusuf made it all the better for being there with us.
