all inclusive-where's actually good??

Zoetoes

mummyyummy wrote: »

i see theres 2 hotels, SM Hotel and SM Beach Club...whats the diff?

I've stayed in the hotel both times, the beach club is lower down, not sure what it's like inside but don't think it's as good as the hotel. The entertainment definitely makes this a great holiday, Zorro is hilarious & I have never been one for joining in the end of night song & dance but I did here!

Also the beach is nice, you're right on the beach too.

If it's still the same, every time someone orders a 'slippery nipple' at the beach bar all the bar staff have one as well.

mummyyummy_2

Zoetoes wrote: »

I've stayed in the hotel both times, the beach club is lower down, not sure what it's like inside but don't think it's as good as the hotel. The entertainment definitely makes this a great holiday, Zorro is hilarious & I have never been one for joining in the end of night song & dance but I did here!

Also the beach is nice, you're right on the beach too.

If it's still the same, every time someone orders a 'slippery nipple' at the beach bar all the bar staff have one as well.

liking the sound of this place! as long as theres loads for kids and enough sunbeds for all then i would be happy

mummyyummy_2

Zoetoes wrote: »

If there's quite a few of you you might enjoy it, you will probably enjoy wherever you go if you're altogether.

Good points - the food in the Saturno restaurant (where we stayed) was pretty good. Themed nights - Chinese, Italian etc and one night was a kids party style, little butties, crisps etc, popcorn, candy floss, as well as normal food for the adults. The breakfasts weren't bad either. What you'd expect for 3 star. After complaints about the lunches and snack bar they opened another lunch bar in the Marte which was much better too.

Bad points - stayed in Saturno on 10th floor & there are 3 tiny lifts for everyone to use so a bit of a pain, but I can cope with that.

The 'balcony' has no table & chairs to sit out, but that's because they won't fit, you can literally stand out there, no more than 2 people.

The bed smelt and one of the legs was bent right under. The blankets were in the wardrobe if we wanted to use them, I was cold but wouldn't use them because they stank too! Everything smelt very musty.

The bathroom door didn't have a lock & had a big gap between the door & the fram so you could be seen in the shower. One morning someone walked in while I was on the loo & the kids were in bed, probably the maid.

The lunches were either in the Jupiter hotel or the burger bar outside - we could only eat the fries from the burger bar. The Jupiter lunch was practically inedible, and I'm not that fussy! I got boiled rice & I couldn't even eat that, it was appalling. The Jupiter is also where the late tea option is, same disgusting stuff & also they put towels over the drinks machines so you can't get a drink with your late tea.

The hotel staff are useless, anything I reported they never rectified, apart from one day the maid hadn't left loo roll or towels & they eventually brought some. Myself & my son burnt our hands on a dodgy toaster when the rack got stuck, we were trying to get it out before it went on fire - wish we'd have let it as we got no thanks, went to reception & they didn't give a toss & were reluctant to log it. We found a chemist & bought burn cream. The toaster was removed 2 days later.

I didn't get a drink of a night because the queues are so big, this was the beginning of June.

You look and think it'll be great for the kids, loads to do, but be warned if you go it will cost you a fortune! It was supposed to be a cheap break for me to take the kids away & it was cheaper the year before staying in Egypt in a decent place & loads for kids to do. This place charges for everything! And they lock the tennis court and play park at 7pm but have all the paying stuff open till all hours. It's a big rip off.

Also, I booked the Saturno because the waterpark was included, but when I went to start the little one in kid's club I was told I had to pay because we already got the waterpark free. We only used the waterpark one day because you have to pay for everything in there, including a sun lounger.

I had read the reviews before I went but was swayed by it being cheap (it was just over £1000 for the 3 of us) & thought it'd be ok for us & some people are just snobby, but never again! I have written to First Choice to complain.

Ive read them too, but I was the same thinking 'surely not that bad' but im defo gonna leave it now....thankyou p.s. Egypt good for kids?

needaholiday

We have always stayed at the San Miguel hotel but will consider the Beachclub if we go next year as we spend most of our time at the Beachclub pool and that's where evening entertainment is held and it's nearer the beach. Beachclub is only 2 stories high but pot luck whether you get a room in a good position. Hotel is 8 stories high and lifts are not the best but that doesn't bother me. Hotel restaurant is better but we often book the Beachclub for lunch so we don't have to trek back to the hotel (restaurant and reception are on 8th floor). You just have to book at reception the day before. There is also a Mexian Corner open for lunch at the third hotel on the complex (The Galleon) which does not need to be booked or snacks can be obtained from the Western saloon bar. Hotel has a Chinese restaurant which has to be prebooked for dinner and makes a nice change.
I have never had problems getting sunbeds but there is always the beach if you don't want to get up early. They were bringing in a new policy of not reserving sunbeds befoer 9:30 as we were leaving but I am not sure if it's being adhered to. During high season it does get a bit cramped around the pool but you just end up chatting to people next to you and everyone is very friendly.
Slippery nipples---I was lucky to avoid these this year. My husband was not so lucky and got into a few states. Jose the barman at the Western Saloon iis famous for saying 'Are you a man or a cheeken' (chicken) and if in a a chicken we use the other bar which we have named The Chicken Bar especially during the daytime!

caxia

We also went to the San Miguel Hotel and beach club this time last year. In some ways it was quite basic but it was clean and the food was fine. It is in a really lovely little bay in northern Ibiza and right next to the beach which is lovely to swim from. Apart form the big hotel (well 3 hotels but they are all the same complex) which dominates the resort, it is pretty quiet.
I think it is telling that we noticed quite large groups of people who seem to go back year after year.

It might be a bit basic for some people but my bottom line is that 2 weeks there for a family of 4 in August 2010 cost £1500 as I booked the hotel only (not flights) via Thomson website. I dont think Thomsons are using this hotel this year however.

Hope you find somewhere nice and have a lovely time!

Zoetoes

mummyyummy wrote: »

Ive read them too, but I was the same thinking 'surely not that bad' but im defo gonna leave it now....thankyou p.s. Egypt good for kids?

Egypt was our best holiday, we had such a good time there and I am looking to go back next year (hoping for a voucher off First Choice after complaining about the Club Mac complex!). The beach is more shingle than sand but the sea is lovely, really shallow for so far out so good for kids and they can have a little snorkle at the end of the jetty (I wasn't brave enough to go too far!) and see all the lovely fish.

We spent a lot of time round the activity pool because my 10 year old did things like water walking, canoeing (in the pool) etc, he also did archery, zip wire (£3), he's not usually one for joining in the kid's club but he went to that as well. Apart from the zip wire everything was included. I hardly needed any spends.

Most of the Egyptian staff are friendly and good with the kids. And the service is really good, especially the room clean.

We went the last week in September and got a free upgrade to a swim up room, it was fantastic!

Once you're there there isn't really anything extra to pay for which makes it more relaxing, the Club Mac I ran out of money! I paid £1444 for Egypt and £1005 for Majorca, Majorca ended up costing more with the spends, plus the fact the Euro rate is poor.

If you go, do the quad biking in the desert, we all said that was our best day (me and 2 boys 10 and 17).

needaholiday

Thomson still doing San Miguel Hotel and Beachclub but pulled out of Superfamily programme this year due to hotel only having 3 stars not 4. They still run Thomson kids clubs though for varying age groups and animation team took on extra staff this year so plenty of activities for both adults and kids. I have always booked room and flights seperately with Thomson but I think they have a pricing error on their site for next year as room only works out more expensive than package! I am currently awaiting an e mail from hotel to check price with them and also keeping an eye out on booking.com as dates don't go as far as august yet. Have tried showing my daughter photographs of Lanzarote Gardens and also El Grecco hotel in Portinax Ibiza but she's having none of it!

Zoetoes

needaholiday wrote: »

Thomson still doing San Miguel Hotel and Beachclub but pulled out of Superfamily programme this year due to hotel only having 3 stars not 4. They still run Thomson kids clubs though for varying age groups and animation team took on extra staff this year so plenty of activities for both adults and kids. I have always booked room and flights seperately with Thomson but I think they have a pricing error on their site for next year as room only works out more expensive than package! I am currently awaiting an e mail from hotel to check price with them and also keeping an eye out on booking.com as dates don't go as far as august yet. Have tried showing my daughter photographs of Lanzarote Gardens and also El Grecco hotel in Portinax Ibiza but she's having none of it!

About 2 months ago I priced San Miguel at just over £800, now it's coming up at over a grand.

I also have been pricing Egypt and now it's coming up at over 2k!

needaholiday

We paid £1900 for our room this year (3 adults 1 child) and it's £2800 next year. Ridiculous!
Not sure where you live Zoetoes but Zorro and co are coming to the UK in November and doing a roadshow. Unfortunately there are only 2 venues-Haven Park in Ayr,Scotland and Haven Park in Weymouth.

Zoetoes

needaholiday wrote: »

We paid £1900 for our room this year (3 adults 1 child) and it's £2800 next year. Ridiculous!
Not sure where you live Zoetoes but Zorro and co are coming to the UK in November and doing a roadshow. Unfortunately there are only 2 venues-Haven Park in Ayr,Scotland and Haven Park in Weymouth.

Ah that would be good, I'm on the Wirral unfortunately, it'd probably be easier to see him in Ibiza!