Best Place to book Thomson Family Resort Package Holiday?

silvercar

The Louis Hotel group (Greece + islands) run their own kids clubs, so booking direct would not be a problem. I've stayed in 3 and there have never been any drinking gangs staying.

don9999

moneypoo - thanks for the advice. Yes I should check that - after all the AI only includes mid-day meals (don't eat much), snacks (again, probably not much) and drinks (which are typically mainly water and pop, although LOTS of it.) My wife loves the idea of the convenience of it - sending the kids to get their own drinks/ice creams without us having to go and pay etc.. But I DO need to check the price difference and whether it is worthwhile. Interested by the idea that may be able to upgrade (cheaply) on location.

poet123

We have stayed in Ferrara Blanca Aparthotel on AI which is a Mar hotel,we booked direct with the hotel and they did not differentiate between Thompson guests and others. It saved us £700. Take a look on their website.

don9999

Thanks poet, but that isn't one of Thomsons 'Family Resort' Hotels.

lou29

Have you tried booking them seperatly on the Thomson website, they always try this in store to see if its any cheaper. They call it a de-package, but it is still a package holiday as long as the transfers are included. Have a go as some times it can come out much cheaper and room upgrades usually cost less.

don9999

Yes. As I said before, I have done this for several years - booking the hotel through Thomsons, and then flights separately. This has saved me over £1,000 in the past!

However, this year appears to be different where there doesn't appear to be any savings. Indeed, some examples are quite the opposite.

eg. I've just checked Louis Family Resort in Corfu, 2 identical rooms 15/08-29/08 All Inclusive.

Through Thomsons, hotel AND flights from Gatwick = £6025
Through Thomsons, hotel ONLY = £6244 !

So they expect MORE if you want 'just' the rooms! Something wrong there!

Other examples I have checked, the room only option is only marginally cheaper that the complete package, so don't think I could get it cheaper by 'de-packaging' this year :-(

Cheers,
Don

silvercar

don9999 wrote: »

Yes. As I said before, I have done this for several years - booking the hotel through Thomsons, and then flights separately. This has saved me over £1,000 in the past!

However, this year appears to be different where there doesn't appear to be any savings. Indeed, some examples are quite the opposite.

eg. I've just checked Louis Family Resort in Corfu, 2 identical rooms 15/08-29/08 All Inclusive.

Through Thomsons, hotel AND flights from Gatwick = £6025
Through Thomsons, hotel ONLY = £6244 !

So they expect MORE if you want 'just' the rooms! Something wrong there!

Other examples I have checked, the room only option is only marginally cheaper that the complete package, so don't think I could get it cheaper by 'de-packaging' this year :-(

Cheers,
Don

We've been to Louis hotels twice, each time olympic holidays worked out cheaper than Thomson. As the kids (and adult) entertainment is provided by the Louis group, it won't make a difference.

don9999

Just resurrecting this post of mine from last year.

If anyone read it last year, FYI we went to Hotel Orquidea in Gran Canaria. Have to admit it was a fantastic holiday, although mainly for families who will see predominantly at the hotel. It's a taxi/bus ride to any local towns for night life etc (although the hotel provides entertainment which is often pretty good, and the kids certainly enjoy anyway.).

Am looking around again, but as expected I suppose, prices have gone up again since last year. Am seeing an average of around £5,500 for a Thomson Family Resort (my definite preference). Don't forget we are a family of 5, so at most hotels we have to book TWO rooms :-(

mcfisco

We've always managed to get a better deal with Thomson's by taking the website print out down to the shop in town
Last Christmas we had RIU Paradiso in Lanzarote - the website had it at £1180 pp
The shop were able to break it down and put it back together at £890 pp

don9999

Hey Mcfisco, that's very interesting...

I've tried breaking it down myself, and it comes up MUCH more expensive....
(In the past, I have managed to save LOADS by breaking it down and buying the hotel and flights separately).

I was aware that the shop would match their web price, but I can't see how they could break down the cost further than I could do myself. I'm guessing they are just doing the same as I would - getting a quote for the price of the hotel and then for the price of their flights. (I wonder whether I have more flexibility myself, since 'I' could try all airlines, whereas they would only choose their own carrier.)

Or am I missing something?