Supporting Our Community: The People Behind Devon Holidays

At Devon Holidays, we often talk about beautiful lodges, relaxing hot tubs, woodland walks and memorable family breaks at Finlake Resort & Spa. But behind every five-star stay is something far more important — people, and Supporting Our Community.

Devon Holidays is a trading name of Reliance Retreats Limited, and one of our core values — not just a marketing phrase, but a genuine business commitment — is COMMUNITY.

We believe in serving and supporting our local community and those less fortunate than ourselves. One of the most meaningful ways we do this is by employing enthusiastic, skilled local staff and suppliers who live, work and take pride in the very area our guests come to enjoy.

When you stay with Devon Holidays, you are not booking with a faceless national chain. You are supporting local families, local trades and local businesses in and around Chudleigh, Devon.

Let us introduce you to the team who help make your stay exceptional.Finlake Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Devon Holiday Retreat


Amy – Customer Relationship Manager

Chudleigh born and bred

If you have enquired, booked, messaged or WhatsApp’ed Devon Holidays, chances are you have spoken to Amy.

Amy has worked with Devon Holidays for over a year and is our Customer Relationship Manager, responsible for day-to-day communications with guests, property owners and suppliers. From booking confirmations to pre-arrival information, from answering questions about hot tubs to helping arrange special touches, Amy is at the heart of the guest journey.

What makes Amy’s role even more special is her deep local knowledge. She was born and raised in Chudleigh, and even visited Finlake as a child. She has watched the resort evolve over the years and understands the area inside out — from the best local walks and hidden gems to the practical details guests may need during their stay.

Amy embodies several of Reliance Retreats’ core values:

  • Integrity – Honest, transparent communication with guests and owners.

  • Professionalism – Knowledgeable, organised and respectful in every interaction.

  • Enthusiasm – Genuinely passionate about helping guests have the best possible time.

Customer excellence isn’t just a slogan for Amy — it is personal. She understands that a holiday is precious time, and she works hard to ensure every guest feels supported and valued from enquiry to departure.


Lucy & Tom – L&R Cleaning Solutions

Local pride in every detail

Cleanliness can make or break a holiday experience. That is why we work with L&R Cleaning Solutions, a Chudleigh-based company owned by Lucy and Tom.

As a small local business, Lucy and Tom take enormous pride in the presentation of every lodge. Their team undertakes:

  • Full property cleaning

  • Linen preparation

  • Hot tub cleaning

  • Regular hot tub checks and maintenance

They understand that when guests walk through the door, first impressions matter. Sparkling kitchens, fresh bedding, spotless bathrooms and perfectly prepared hot tubs are all part of delivering an exceptional stay.

Lucy and Tom love it when we share five-star guest feedback — because it reflects not only on Devon Holidays but on their business too. Positive reviews help them grow, just as they help us.

Their work reflects our core value of:

Exceptionalism – Providing exceptional service and striving to exceed expectations of homeowners and guests.

Because they are local, they care deeply about their reputation within the community. That local accountability drives standards higher.


Steph – Housekeeping Manager

Quality control with a local touch

Also from Chudleigh (you may be spotting a theme here!), Steph is the Housekeeping Manager.

Steph not only cleans but also cross-checks her staffs properties before guest arrival. Her role is about consistency and quality control — ensuring every lodge meets the high standards our guests expect.

Importantly, the housekeeping team leave their contact number within each lodge. Should there be any concerns or requests relating to the property or hot tub, they are readily available to assist.

There is no distant call centre. No long waiting times. No travelling hours from another county.

Just a local team, close by, ready to help.

That responsiveness reflects:

  • Professionalism – Respectful, reliable service.

  • Enthusiasm – A genuine desire to put things right quickly.

  • Integrity – Taking responsibility and resolving issues transparently.


Mark – Head of Maintenance, KLA Roofing

Experience you can rely on

Maintenance issues during a holiday are rare — but when they do occur, swift action is essential.

Mark, from KLA Roofing, heads up maintenance across our properties. With extensive experience in the building trade, including property construction and long-term maintenance, Mark brings practical expertise and calm reassurance.

Like the rest of the team, Mark is also from Chudleigh.

His details are left within the lodges so that, on the rare occasion something needs attention during your stay, support is accessible and prompt.

Because he is local:

  • There is no lengthy travel delay.

  • He understands the properties and the resort.

  • He takes pride in maintaining standards within his own community.

His work aligns strongly with our value of:

Innovation – Seeking improved operational efficiency and better guest experience.

Having trusted local maintenance ensures quicker solutions and smoother stays.


Why Local Matters

Employing local staff and suppliers is not accidental — it is intentional.

When your team lives in the same town as your guests’ holiday destination:

  • They care about community reputation.

  • They want guests to return.

  • They understand the local area intimately.

  • They are invested in maintaining standards.

There is also a practical advantage. Being based locally means:

  • No long commuting delays to the resort.

  • Faster response times.

  • Greater flexibility.

  • Stronger communication between team members.

Most importantly, positive guest experiences lead to positive reviews — and those reviews support not just Devon Holidays, but the livelihoods of the entire local team.

We are not interested to reply on big brands, but support the local community for which our properties reside.


Linking Back to Our Core Values

Everything we do at Devon Holidays flows from the core values of Reliance Retreats Limited:

INTEGRITY

We operate honestly and transparently, building trust with guests, homeowners and suppliers alike.

PROFESSIONALISM

We maintain knowledge, respect and high standards in every aspect of our service.

ENTHUSIASM

Our team genuinely cares. We are passionate about helping others and delivering memorable holidays.

EXCEPTIONALISM

We strive to exceed expectations — not just meet them.

INNOVATION

We continuously look for ways to improve operations, owner benefits and the guest experience.

COMMUNITY

We serve and love supporting our local community — employing local people, working with local businesses and contributing to the local economy.

These are not abstract statements framed on a wall. They are lived daily by Amy, Lucy, Tom, Steph, Mark and the wider Devon Holidays network.


More Than a Holiday Company – We are Supporting Our Community

When you book with Devon Holidays, you are doing more than securing a lodge with a hot tub at Finlake Resort & Spa.

You are:

  • Supporting Chudleigh families.

  • Backing small local businesses.

  • Investing in a community-focused company.

  • Choosing a team who genuinely care about your stay.

And because we are local, accountable and passionate, we want every guest to leave with wonderful memories — and hopefully a five-star review.

From our community to yours, we look forward to welcoming you to Devon soon.