Alfaix’s Secret Army

Along with the likes of Encosta Cabo Girão in Madeira, La Reserva de Biniorella in Majorca and El Balcón de Santa Ana in La Gomera, El Pueblito de Alfaix is one of HPB’s larger, “resort”, sites. But have you ever wondered what it takes to keep the El Pueblito show on the road? Who better to ask than the man who runs the show – site manager Thierry Szymaniak?

“We have 22 staff working at Alfaix at the moment, though we reduce that to 17 during the low season – in our case winter. I employ the same people – first because we do not have to train them so we do not lose time; but also because loyalty breeds loyalty. All of them are living in the local village so they’ve known each other for a long time and get on well. Six of our chambermaids are here all year round, while the other five work here for seven months a year. On reception we have four including my partner Gemma and me, and if we are busy Claudio, who is part of the maintenance team, will give us a hand. In addition we have three gardeners and four maintenance people. All our staff are here to serve the Bondholders – their needs come first, obviously – but I try to get away from the ‘us-and-them’ mentality. All our employees receive weekly English lessons, and are encouraged to talk to our holidaymakers – it breaks down barriers and makes an already fabulous holiday experience that little bit more enjoyable, I think.”

In 2011, El Pueblito was presented with the award for ‘Best Overseas Team’ and also won the prize for ‘Best Onsite Activities’.