Under occupancy supplements - advice?

sarymclary

Hi,
I was hoping to give my brood a week away this summer, but have been appalled at the prices a week in the sun seems to come out at. I've tried to be very flexible with dates (even term time), but I'm being hit by under-occupancy supplements, which seem to bring the cost to a staggering £2200-2500 for a week away in the sun (various resorts - Menorca, Canaries, and various facilities ie: S/C, AI, H/B, etc, standard accom.).

I'd been looking at AI, and looking at the thread on the forum about that, but I'm put off by the fact that I don't drink alcohol, I don't allow the children to have fizzy drinks, and I don't want them pigging out on ices all day just because they're there, however, I would like a varied menu to cater for all their tastes where possible. I do like the idea of activities/clubs for the boys, and perhaps the chance for me to make the odd friend or two too, as I'm daunted at the prospect of spending my time sat alone on a lounger, bored to tears!

The reason I'm being hit so hard is that I'm a mum of 4 boys aged 14, 12, 8 and 5. I'm having to pay for at least 3, if not 4 adult prices to compensate for the fact that I'm not a standard 2 adult, 2 children unit. As some hotel rooms cannot accommodate all 5 of us, we're having to book 2 rooms, and I note that in some of the holiday brochures like First Choice and JMC, they consider anyone over 12 to be classed as an adult anyway.

It seems like such a rip-off. I looked at Euro Disney as an alternative, but accommodation there for a week looks at being £1800, without taking into account what I'll have to spend on food/drinks/treats, so this isn't a cheap alternative.

I've also considered Centre Parcs, where I went about 5 years ago with my late husband, and a week's accommodation there is between £620-£800 (depending upon time of visit - May-Aug). My only worry here is that I will be on my own with the children this time, and it can be a bit isolated if you're just moving around different activities or at the pool. No doubt the boys will want me to watch them when they do an activity too, which will restrict the different ages, plus, by the time I allow £100 per day for food/treats, and an allowance of £100 each for the children to choose to spend on activities of their choice, it's not looking to be quite as cheap as the accommodation price might seem.

Any ideas anyone? I've promised them nothing so far, other than that if we can't find a break away for a reasonable price, we'll have several day trips out to places like London Aquarium/London Eye, Alton Towers, Wobun Safari, and several to the seaside.

I simply had no idea how much holidays cost these days, as I've only ever booked last minute deals away before (£200-300 each for 2 weeks!)

Personally, if I had my choice, I'd go to a beautiful city somewhere, and spend the whole time sightseeing, going to the museums and art galleries, and perhaps taking in a show, but I don't think my 5 year old could cope with that!

Any bargains out there anywhere, anyone???? Thanks!! :A

lisaann72red

have you considered making your own arrangements rather than a package. I have 4 kids also works out really ridiculous I KNOW. try http://www.holiday-rentals.com
and find some cheap flights through easyjet. or do what I am doing and drive to france you just pay the unit price not each person our holiday is £1500 peak season 15nts vendee region in a caravan its a bit of a drive but fuel is cheap! hope this helps

Becles

Look at the DIY option as mentioned above. www.somewhere2stay.co.uk are good for accomodation, and see what budget airlines fly out of your local airport for destinations.

Try playing with packages by paying adult price for some or all of the children and that might bring the price down as you'll not have under occupancy supplements. We once went away and it was cheaper paying adult fare for both children, rather than having a free and a reduced child place, then paying the under occupancy supplement!

madcow2006

We have 3 kids & generally avoid self catering hotel/apartments due to the rip off under occupancy supplements. If we go into a hotel half board we usually have to go for 2 rooms in a "standard" hotel set up & you end up paying adult prices for the kids. So what we found out if there are such things as free kid places available was that if you take another adult along (mum in-law in our case) a kid in each room then becomes "free" & the adult pays the price previously paid by the child. Also if you book on line you usually get a per person booking discount of £20 to £50. So when we went to Tenerife half board at witsun last year it was £20 cheaper to take my mum in-law along rather than leave her at home! (including personal baby sitter bonus!)
This year in August we are going in a mobile home in the south of France with Keycamp (see https://www.keycamp.co.uk) where you don't pay per child. It is the fifth time we've been with them. This year we've got Easyjet flights down to Nice & a car hired at the airport. We are really looking forward to it.

Hope this helps

Madcow

budgetflyer

Somewhere like Castill Montgri would be ideal. The mobile homes are set in groups and as a lot of "living" is outdoors you tend to chat to your neighbours etc.This is a family park with day and night activities for children, teens and adults.
www.accom-only.com
www.keycamp.co.uk
www.siblu.com (haven)
www.suncoastleisure.co.uk
www.cantabrica.co.uk/
www.thomsonalfresco.co.uk
www.leisuredirection.co.uk
www.lifestyle-holidays.co.uk/

All have accom at Castil Mongri.
Book flights to Girona and arange transfers with shuttledirect

saveapenny

At the minute Jamesvillas and Thomsons have some villas for around 100-200 per week for May
1 villa is in Lanzarote called Carlos in
Playa Blanca for £199 and its 3 bedroom
flights (not knowing where your from so only rough guide) are
about
Gatwick £947
Manchester £782.50
depending on where you are
DIY is the only way to go on holiday
you could easy get away for 1000 for all of you

saveapenny

Menorca...James Villas Sans Bosch in
Cala Blanes is £199 5th-12th May
flights with https://www.flymonarch.co.uk from Luton is £548 5th-12th May
total £747 for all of you
I understand these are not ideal holidays but I just wanted to show what was out there

both villas are 3 bedroom with private pool

TRAVELMAN_2

Sary-what dates & airports can you go from? 1 or 2 weeks?

sarymclary

Thanks to all of you who have given me some great suggestions.

TRAVELMAN, in response to your question, 22nd May onwards we can do. I live in South Lincolnshire, but can travel from Luton, Stanstead, E.Mids, which are all an hour to hour and half away, and possibly even Manchester (I have a friend in Liverpool who could accommodate a stopover). I think 1 week is going to be the ideal, especially if I'm taking the children out of school holiday times.

Finally, if the price is right, I'll even consider a break in this country - preferably near the coast. Nothing too commercial, so Skegness is a definite no. I holiday'd in Cornwall as a kid, and loved the countryside there, plus the beaches were good, but I've noticed holiday cottages can be quite expensive there, however the Eden Project and other activities are there, plus I could take the boys to see Stonehenge, etc. I've also considered Bognor, for the fossil beaches, but don't know what else the area offers.

Suggest away!