First package holiday in 30 years, Tui exclusive Hotel

applepad

Hi

My last package holiday was nearly 30 years ago- my Honeymoon, spent holidays visiting family abroad and then taking the kids away in the UK, 

So my question is which is the cheapest way to book? Looking at approx this time next year. Do they have sales around Bank Holidays? Thinking end of month?

Will do another search, but think only Tui or Tui group do this Hotel

bagand96

If it's a TUI only hotel then as you say your options are very limited. TUI do operate a few web brands:

tui.co.uk
firstchoice.co.uk
holidayhypermarket.co.uk

It's worth checking all of them as there can be some price differences, although nothing major. You could also check your local TUI store and/or independent travel agent to see. But ultimately there won't be much difference.

They also sell hotel only via their site. Might be worth a check to see if flights + hotel work out any cheaper, although these days the packages tend to be better value. 

TELLIT01

When comparing package with DIY to the same accommodation it's important to check what is included with each option.  Many hotels included aircon and room safe in the price when booking direct, but charge for both if on a package holiday.  However, package holidays will generally include transfers which you will have to pay for yourself if travelling DIY.

twopenny

I knew where I wanted to go as do you.

I went on the website and looked at prices. I did this repeatedly, different times of day just random'ly for a while and deleted the cookies each time. The prices vary according to when the hotels decide to fill rooms but then you need to be flexible on dates. I found 'unsociable hours' midnight etc was a good time but you need your head clear then before you spend money

I could see some good prices coming up on the website - then went into the shop and asked if I could book at this price. Happily I could I think plus not getting online discount and they also selected my plane seat, printed all the paperwork I was told I should have and gave me recommendations of good cafes etc which in all saved me costs and meant for a tenner it was all done for me.

I've also been into the shop enquiring about a specific hotel, been given a price and while thinking about it at home got phone calls telling me the price had dropped was I still interested.

I've found the staff good and helpful if you still have one near you. And if you book through the shop and there's a problem it's much easier to deal with.

So mix and match.

NoodleDoodleMan

DIY holidays are fine - until something goes wrong and you have to resolve it by yourself.

Whereas with package deals using the likes of TUI and Jet2 etc., they as travel provider have to sort it out.

If you see a specific hotel that takes your fancy - check online to see if these big league operators do it as a package.

TELLIT01

NoodleDoodleMan said:

DIY holidays are fine - until something goes wrong and you have to resolve it by yourself.

Whereas with package deals using the likes of TUI and Jet2 etc., they as travel provider have to sort it out.

If you see a specific hotel that takes your fancy - check online to see if these big league operators do it as a package.

I tend to agree with that, but DIY can give much greater flexility in where and when you travel.  I tend to prefer smaller complexes, many of which have dumped the tour operators because they get very little money from them in comparison to selling direct to their customers.  Many of these small complexes have developed a strong repeat trade over the years and no longer want/need the 'comfort blanket' of a tour operator.

NoodleDoodleMan

If there are no hitches DIY can work fine.

We did several back in the days of Globespan airline who were always reliable in our experience, their no fault demise was a scandal - but that's ancient history.

Simon Calder was answering listeners' questions on BBC radio about a month ago and was asked this very question - he was clear and unambiguously in favour of package hoildays, from the big operators, in respect of any problems arising that need actioned.

At the end of the day it's down to personal preference and choice.

TELLIT01

We have done predominantly DIY for many years now, with the exception of a winter break in Tenerife where we used package.  We were fortunate that we were still in the UK when Monarch went bust but had the hassle of arranging new flights and travelling much further to get to the airport.  We had paid for flights on credit card and that was refunded very quickly.

If we could get the accommodation we wanted on a package I would certainly be inclined to take that option now.  The bigger problem is the astronomical increase in the cost of travel since Covid.  I've checked prices for a few places we stayed in Tenerife and cost per person is now more than we paid for a couple pre Covid.

bagand96

NoodleDoodleMan said:

If there are no hitches DIY can work fine.

We did several back in the days of Globespan airline who were always reliable in our experience, their no fault demise was a scandal - but that's ancient history.

Simon Calder was answering listeners' questions on BBC radio about a month ago and was asked this very question - he was clear and unambiguously in favour of package hoildays, from the big operators, in respect of any problems arising that need actioned.

At the end of the day it's down to personal preference and choice.

I'd be amazed if many of Mr Calder's own travels are package holidays from the big operators!

The major tour operators do what they do very well. But DIY offers a lot of variation and flexibility outside of the tour operator offerings. Recent years with big travel company collapses (Monarch, Thomas Cook) and Covid have focused a lot of people's minds about the protections a package and the PTR's give. But it shouldn't scare people off DIYing, there are ways to protect yourself doing it that way too. 

CKhalvashi

NoodleDoodleMan said:

DIY holidays are fine - until something goes wrong and you have to resolve it by yourself.

Whereas with package deals using the likes of TUI and Jet2 etc., they as travel provider have to sort it out.

If you see a specific hotel that takes your fancy - check online to see if these big league operators do it as a package.

In fairness though, in my years of travel frequently, the worst that happened was a cancelled KUT-LTN flight at the start of Covid (£200-ish pp flight via Belavia sorted that) and a missed departure last October due to the Ukraine-Poland border taking 7 hours. Lesson learned on that to leave a clear 24h in Poland and sub-£100 later and that was sorted.

99% of the time there are no problems with non-package travel.  The former was covered by insurance, the latter wasn't.

Very little of what we do would be readily covered by a package and the travel that is wouldn't be (to me) reasonably priced or as flexible.

NoodleDoodleMan

"I'd be amazed if many of Mr Calder's own travels are package holidays from the big operators!"

Indeed - but he's a professional travel writer, not your typical holidaymaker looking for the sun, sea and sangria