Not a win and not a freebie either!

I've just got back from one of these 'free holidays' and thought I would share my experience.

I got a phonecall last October from Great Escapes telling me I had 'won' a week's free accomodation for up to 4 people in Tenerife. I don't remember entering any competition for it but I could have done as I do enter a lot of comps. They explained that I would have to pay a processing fee of £99 and attend a half-day meeting at the resort. After buying myself some time and researching the information I decided to go ahead, as I had just won 3 return flights with Jet2. I paid the £99, booked a week in March, gave them my flight details, got a confirmation email and waited to see what would come of it. After hearing nothing for monthss, approx. 1 week before departure they called to confirm the flight details and airport transfer arrangements.

So, last Saturday myself and 2 friends got on a plane, were met at the airport as promised and transferred to the resort. The room was a very nice, spacious and clean 1 bed apartment (with sofa-bed in lounge). The resort itself was also very nice. On the second day I was contacted to arrange my appointment for the Tuesday morning, although later that day they changed it to Wednesday morning. Wed morning came and 30 mins after my appointment time I got a phonecall to say the rep was sick and could they make it Thursday instead, which I wasn't best pleased about as we'd already made plans for the week leaving Wednesday free. Anyhow there was no getting out of it so eventually Thursday came and a rep arrived to take me to my appointment.

I knew the set-up and was prepared to sit through a couple of hours of sales spiel for the benefit of a very cheap holiday, but I underestimated it slightly! The whole thing lasted almost 5 hours and that was only because I got very abrupt at the end due to being totally fed up! I also had the excuse that I am considering (well am actually, but didn't tell them that) emigrating which stumped them slightly. In their own words after a few questions to test my excuse, 'a lot of people come up with a lot of excuses for which I usually have an answer but that one's got me'. In all fairness if I wasn't emigrating I would probably consider it because its actually not a bad package, although I still wouldn't have signed on the day which is what they're aiming for.

To sum up, the holiday is real (i.e. you won't be left stranded at the airport), the resort and the resort staff are great, the weather is fabulous, and long as you are prepared to endure a long gruelling session of very hard sell, it's great value for money if you can pick up some cheap flights. We've paid £85 each (including airport taxes etc. which didn't come with the Jet2 prize) for a great week away in the sun!!