Every autumn, we bid farewell to the season to start enjoying a well-earned rest full of joy and satisfaction for a well-done job and the fantastic moments lived with our guests and team over the last seven months. But this year our farewell is bitter-sweet because our colleague Diego, who is loved by us and by so many guests, has retired as longest-standing employee at Hotel Anfora. This is his story and our send-off.
Over four decades at Hotel Anfora
Born in Iznájar, a quaint village in the province of Cordoba (Spain), Diego came to Ibiza in 1976 when he was only 16 years old and he joined our team four years later. Out of Hotel Anfora’s 56 years of history, he has worked summer after summer for 45 of those years, which makes him our most veteran employee. And during that time, his job was devoted to the dining room, where he became an expert in knowing what our guests needed when they sat down for breakfast or dinner. As he says and has always shown, “to be a good waiter, you need to start from the bottom and be humble enough to learn from the more experienced”.
Anecdotes, memories and plans for the future
Forty-five years full of stories. We wanted to share with you a small sample of the memories Diego has saved in his album of his life at Hotel Anfora and what he told us during his retirement party at the end of this season. And also give you a glimpse into his future plans that are bound to include more time enjoying his favourite places in Ibiza, like Cala Saladeta, Cala Benirrás and Cala Boix; or the Can Pujol, Sa Trenka, Cala Martina and Bahía restaurants.
What do you remember of when you first started at the hotel?
I remember well Paco Ferrer, who was the founder and owner of the hotel until he passed away. I also remember guests who returned year after year and would come to greet me the moment they entered the restaurant. And of course, colleagues I’ve worked with over the years, those who are still here and others who’ve left.
What was it like working for 45 years in the same business and hotel?
It’s been deeply satisfactory to feel a part of the Anfora and Ferrer family.
What did you most like of working at Hotel Anfora all this time?
Meeting so many nice people and watching how my colleagues became part of my family.
What’s your most cherished memory of your time at the hotel?
I cherish the time I spent working with Paco Ferrer, his wife María and Antonio, the hotel director for nearly four decades. And I loved the way Carmen stepped up to take over the hotel when her father passed away to ensure Hotel Anfora’s continuity.
Any funny anecdotes you’re taking away with you?
I could write a whole book! I remember this time, about 30 years ago, when we had a power cut and an Irish woman came to the dining room with her three-month-old baby. One of my colleagues asked if he could help her and then came to tell me that the woman needed hot water. As I’d already seen her cradling her baby, I assumed that she was asking for hot water to bathe her son, so I asked the cooks to heat up water in a 25 litre pot. When the water was ready, I went back to the dining room, showed her the pot and, with a look of surprise, she said, “But I only wanted warm water for the baby’s bottle!” That was so embarrassing... I still laugh when I remember the misunderstanding. I’d rather keep the rest of the anecdotes to myself, hahaha...
What do you think you’ll miss?
I’ll miss the good times I’ve spent and shared with my colleagues, especially Lola and Ana, with whom I’ve worked so many summers together.
What are your plans for the future, apart from sitting on your terrace at midday eating almonds, counting cars and drinking beer?
Hahaha, I see you've been talking to the office girls from your comment, hahaha. My plans are pretty simple: enjoying this new chapter with my family as a retired man.
Any farewell words before you close the Hotel Anfora album?
I loved the retirement party the team threw for me. It was such a special day that I’ll always remember given all the love and affection I received from my colleagues.
From Hotel Anfora we would like to wish you: A very happy new chapter! We’ll miss you and our guests will too!
