Mark Warner Ocean Club Review

Date: 9th October 2012

Subject: Mark Warner Ocean Club, Portugal

Hi Maria,

Just to let you know my sister and I returned from our holiday at Mark Warner's Ocean Club in Portugal at the weekend and it was absolutely wonderful. The facilities and the whole set-up are marvellous. The young staff couldn't have been more helpful and courteous and made you feel like nothing was too much trouble. If I had known what a fantastic resort it is, we would have gone for 2 weeks as there is so much to do. Furthermore, if you are interested in ethical travel, the reason we chose this holiday is because my daughter is working in the childcare club there. Mark Warner gave her as much time off as possible during our visit and even arranged for her to do the transfer back to the airport so that we could be together when I left. Now that the peak season is over, they organize various events for the staff to keep them occupied and involved, such as a fun tennis tournament and various other events to promote creativity and team spirit. 

Anyway, just thought you might be interested to know what a great company you are working with and what a fantastic time we had.  

All best wishes and thanks a million,

G. Matthews

Neilson Aeolian Village, Lesvos - Review

Date: 2nd October 2012 Subject: Neilson Aeolian Village Review Neilson Aeolian Village, Lesvos Hi, I just want to thank you for arranging our last holiday at the Neilson Aeolian village in Lesvos. We had the most amazing time that lived well above our expectations. From booking the holiday with you to the service, food and activities that we found at the resort, it was truly the most laid back experience we have ever had in booking a holiday so thank you all very much. As a result of our experiences, I now want to enquire about a skiing holiday for a week in a catered chalet. Look forward to hearing from you soon.  E. Gilbert

Club Med Da Balaia & Travel Club Elite Review

Date: 23rd September 2012

Subject: Club Med Da Balaia &Travel Club Elite Review

Dear Staff at Travel Club Elite,

Thank you, for once again arranging my second holiday this year with Club Med.

This review is about Club Med Da Balaia, Portugal.

Travel Agents:

I have booked Club Med Holidays each year for over the last 5 years. I usually holiday with my 2 grown up children - my son and daughter both in their 30's.

Sadly I didn’t find Travel club Elite until around 3 years ago - and found them on a recommendation from a friend. I say sadly as they really are a fantastically, helpful, travel agency who have good contacts with Club Med and wide experience of Club Med Holidays (and I am sure all other holidays as well!).

  

Sue has also been extremely helpful in researching possible dates for my trips to Portugal - finding out the best (cheapest) days to travel /arrive. For example arriving on a weekday as opposed to a weekend can save over a £150 a person. She does this willingly and patiently even though sometimes the dates / prices mean that I don’t book on that occasion. I am a widower and had previously paid Club Med a single occupancy charge - whereas travel Club Elite told me about single room availability -  again saving me £100's.

And for every Club Med Holiday they offer a 5% discount off the Club Med brochure prices - quite a significant amount for our party of 3 adults!  

Club Med Da Balaia:

Club Med Da Balaia, Portugal

Club Med Holidays are usually very well organised, nice clean premises and lots of very well prepared food. The accommodation is usually as described and comfortable.

Club Med Da Balaia is an excellent resort - very well kept - with very friendly GO staff where most of them speak English. The food is exceptional and is truly 5-star dining where guests do dress up for the evening meals. It’s impossible to be hungry - with both an option for late breakfasts and late afternoon teas/ pancakes/ice creams -as well as the 3 main meals a day.

The evening shows and other daytime entertainment and sports tuition is given in several languages and English is prominent.  Lots of possible sports including kayaking in the summer, archery, poolside games, and of course Golf.

On arrival at the resort you are met by a GO/s with a welcome cocktail - and your luggage is taken to your room for you.

Da Balaia caters for all languages offering translations as part of any announcements / entertainments etc. The Resort is close to a really nice sandy beach with a Club Med private area, seating and private life guards. However getting to the beach is down a really long flight of stairs and some people could find this difficult. The outdoor swimming pool is very clean but is usually really cold in spite of being "heated'.

To summarise if you are thinking about a club med holiday discuss it with Travel club Elite; they know what they are talking about and you will save money if you go.

  

A Club Med holiday at the right resort is brilliant.

Kind regards

B.Winterflood

Club Med Portomyrina Palace Review

Date: 8th September 2012
Subject: Club Med Portomyrina Palace Review

We (8 of us) travelled to Lemnos on 8th September for our second Neilson beach club holiday as veterans of umpteen Mark Warner Summer Sun and Sunsail Clubs. The flight times were good although early Gatwick for Brummies is a pain but with the benefit of twilight check-in and a really cheap hotel / parking deal at the Europa hotel we travelled down the night before dumped our luggage, checked in and started the holiday early.

We arrived at the resort at about 1.30 after the bonus of a short transfer (25 minutes) and were welcomed with a drink and after a quick check in went straight in to lunch. With a welcome meeting at 5 which involves sorting your weeks commitments the first day passed reasonably quickly.

The return coach left the resort at 11.00 - a nice time almost straightafter breakfast. 

Club Med Portomyrina Palace, Lemnos, Greece

The activities programme at the resort was brilliant although Equipment quality was mixed - Tennis courts were OK  mountain bikes good, dinghies good, windsurfers ageing, water skiing / wake boarding good. Spa excellent.

The beach was badly organised and not really "managed" (like the last Neilson resort - Neilson Club Teos, Turkey that we went to) and with a couple of exceptions beach staff neither helped nor interacted with clients. Staff generally (and there were some great ones) in the resort didn't seem to enjoy their jobs and it reflected in the way they did them. Chefs were fantastic in responding to non dairy vegans in our party. Fitness instructor was very enthusiastic.

The hotel itself was very clean, comfortable and modern and very spacious. It is spread over a wide area and depending on your point of view could either be a bit soulless in some areas or very peaceful. Prices were reasonable for a hotel. Food was good if a little repetitive and very plentiful. The indoor dining areas lacked atmosphere and were very noisy. The location was great being only 20 minutes walk or 5 euros taxi to Myrina which is a pretty little port with nice shops and restaurants.

The beach and pool had plenty of beds and the pool is so large that it never seemed crowded. The beach itself is of gritty sand and great for sailing - launch straight off the beach - but beware the concrete blocks securing the Neilson buoys - I sustained an incapacitating toe stub on one which was not sunk below the surface in the launching area.

Overall we had a great holiday and would happily recommend both Neilson Beachclubs and the Porto Myrina Palace to anyone.

Mr Darby

The Ottoman Residence Review

Date: 2nd September 2012

Subject: The Ottoman Residence Turkey Review

We spent two weeks relaxing at this beautiful hotel.  We were first time guests and it was our maiden trip to Turkey.  If you are looking for total relaxation in a peaceful setting then this is the place for you!  The hotel has quite an intimate atmosphere, there are only 39 rooms.  It is furnished in the Ottoman style and maintained to a very high standard.  The food was delicious and so fresh.  The staff were very friendly and hard-working, nothing was too much trouble for them, even offering us insect repellent when dining outside! The pool area was kept spotlessly clean with a never ending supply of clean towels and plenty of sunloungers.  I had the misfortune to fall ill and needed medical assistance whilst there.  The hotel staff and local rep were of great help and were most caring.  We are already looking forward to returning to this delightful hotel again next year! 

Mrs Lyons

Club Med Sandpiper Bay & Kids Club Review

Date: 14th September 2012

Subject: Club Med Sandpiper Bay Review

We are a family of 4 - children age 15 and 10 ,returning from Club Med Sandpiper Bay. We thoroughly enjoyed our weeks stay.  Kids club for the 10 yr old was perfect as she could sign in and out as she pleased.  Latitude 27 was superb (run by GO Ethan who was amazing)  We saw glimpses only of our children during the week as they ate every meal (stacked burgers, paninis, pasta and pizza only I believe!!) with new found friends.  My husband and I sat in the adults only section of the restaurant and enjoyed some fantastic food - a good selection for everyone.  The wine however is shocking!

The GO staff were by far the best we've experienced at Club Meds - probably the USA service side of life and no tips would be accepted,even by porters with luggage. Check in and departure were a breeze and we even had a stretch Hummer to take us to the airport!  The chef du village , Lionel , was superb.  The evening shows run by Fernando were again the best we have experienced !  The fitness classes run by Audrey were phenomenal - wow!  She has trained celebs and athletes and Club Med are so lucky to have her - she beats any personal trainer I have ever been to!  Washing machines and tumble dryers at $1 a cycle are fantastic!  This is a predominately English speaking CM compared to others I have been to (although Americans there thought it very French!)

Club Med Sandpiper Bay

 

On a more negative side be careful of room selection - apparently there are various Family Rooms - some have segmented areas ( one area with King bed segmented by a wall housing two singles or bunks separated by bathrooms)  Others ( which we were given) are one large room with all beds in one space.  This is the poorest set up with Club Meds we have stayed in.  I asked agent before I left but she was unaware - be aware and ask to see room before hand!  In busy times this may not be possible, but we were their when it was quiet ( Florida schools had gone back) .  The airconditioning sounds like a 747 at take off speed - you get used to it after a 7 nights!!

They also only have 4 catamarans - come on CM - buy some more!!  Also, water skiing used to take place of another Jetty which now looks like its not used - water skiing was stopped due to expense but the bay is perfect for water skiing and not so much for boats!  Paddle boards are readily available - look out for dolphins!

The Discovery centre is exhorbitant- day trips are more than quadruple the cost of a family of four hiring a car.   A local round trip to shops is $35pp Its only 6 miles !! Does anyone use them???   Hire a car independently if you decide and they will deliver and collect from CM ( Avis )  Booking Car rental before you go is much cheaper than when you get there.

All in all, Club Med delivers for a family holiday - it caters for everyone!  We booked through Travel Club Elite who were extremely efficient ,on the ball and got us a good price from CM -- Will definitely be back to use them again!  

Parkinson Family

Mark Warner San Lucianu Review

Date: 5th September 2012
Subject: Mark Warner San Lucianu Review

Just back from two weeks in Mark Warner San Lucianu resort in Corsica. The accommodation is a bit “tired” and entertainment limited compared for example to Mark Warner Sea Garden in Turkey but the Mark Warner formula works well for families. My 17 year old son had a great time so much so that in the queue to check in at the end of the holiday a fellow traveller commented “ oh, you do have a son then” because he had hardly been seen with us. A good transition for him before going on holiday completely independently. He is disappointed that he will be too old for Indies next year. For me, as a coeliac, a huge bonus was that all menus specified which dishes were gluten free and (unlike my previous experience) most dishes were, and if not could be modified.

Juliet Black

Mark Warner Lakitira Review

Date: June 13 2012
Subject: Mark Warner Lakitira Review

Dear Travel Club Elite,

I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we all had at Mark Warner Lakitira. As a hard working mom I loved it that all I had to think about was putting sun block on the kids and what I was going to wear for dinner that evening! Every time we came back from breakfast the beds were made, the rooms were tidied, fresh towels were out and the tea, coffee and milk stocked up again! And the staffs were equally as helpful.

We tried lots of new activities. My daughter completed the Mark Warner Bubble Maker Scuba Diving course (extra) after first doing a free 'Try Dive', my son mastered snorkelling, my husband learnt to sail two mornings (included) and I did water aerobics and played water polo. We also all kayaked a couple of times (again included in the cost).   I have sent you some pictures for the Travel Club Elite web site!



Holly doing the Bubble Maker course!



It was just as well we did do all that exercise because the food was delicious and plentiful having upgraded to full board! A huge mixture of English and Greek food at all meals. My children especially loved the freshly cooked pancakes of which several rounds were eaten each morning! My favourite was a succulent beef stroganoff one evening enjoyed with a bottle of red. Whilst my husband enjoyed the Greek salads and kebabs.  The Terrace Restaurant setting was also lovely. 

Terrace Restaurant - lovely of an evening!

We will certainly be booking again for next year and thank you again Travel Club Elite for recommending and booking us our best holiday yet!

PS: The flight times were great too finishing our perfect Mark Warner holiday!

Kindest Regards, Rachel



Hubby on 2 day Mark Warner Intro. to Sailing course!

Club Med Recommendation

Date: 4th August 2012
Subject: Club Med Recommendation

Dear, Travel Club Elite

Your company was recommended by a friend who has been on two Club Med holidays with her family. The last one was to Cub Med Italy in May and you managed to find her a great deal with her not travelling direct. We are interested in a Club Med holiday too, but for September. We don't have a massive budget so any savings would be great. We look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Kind regards,

Eliza foster

Mark Warner Sea Garden, Bodrum, Turkey Review

Date: 1st August 2012
Subject: MarkWarner Sea Garden, Bodrum, Turkey Review
 

To The Travel Club Elite Team

Mark Warner Sea Garden, Bodrum, Turkey 21-28 July. 
First time on an all inclusive holiday and first visit to Turkey. We had a brilliant holiday. BA flights fab, transfers stress free, hotel excellent and facilities all as described. Mark Warner staff are very helpful and a good team. Our 9 year old daughter loved it and was busy all day. Restaurants were good and varied. Lots of different nationalities staying at the hotel which is secluded and private. Thanks to Travel Club Elite who managed the booking, and who gave us all the info we needed.

Many Thanks

Charles Lake

Club Med Cherating Beach Review

Date: Friday 29th July 2012
Subject: Club Med Cherating Beach Review


Hello,


We have just been on holiday to Club Med Cherating Beach and both kids and adults had an enjoyable time. We are now looking to see where we might go next July! 

 Thank you, Paul Walsh

Why you should book your family holiday with Travel Club Elite . . .

Date: Thurs 21st June 2012
Subject: Travel Club Elite Family Holiday Review


Dear Colin


Thank you for your email.


I think the fact that you recognise the importance to many of your customers, of this process, is probably one of the reasons you and the rest of  Travel Club Elite are so good at what they do. I have not been the easiest customer, for example, but I think the reason for this is that it is so important to me that we get as appropriate a holiday for my family, which includes 2 young children. This is the first time that the 4 of us have gone on a 2 week holiday (as opposed to 1 week) and it is the most we have spent on a holiday since we had a family. That is why being able to go back and check more things without being made to feel like a pain - as I was able to do with Louise- means a lot.


Many thanks again.


Kind Regards 


James Brentwood

Bahia del Duque, Tenerife - Review

Date: Sat 23rd June 2012
Subject: Bahia del Duque, Tenerife Review


Dear all at Travel Club Elite,


Finally, thought you would like to know that we had an excellent holiday at the Bahia del Duque in Tenerife. Whilst expensive it would come highly recommended.


Regards,


William Thompkins

Travel Club Elite Review

Date: Weds 6th June 2012
Subject: Travel Club Elite Customer Service Review


Dear Sue


Thanks for all the info - it's fantastic. You are a real find, I am so pleased I persevered on my search and I am delighted with the service from you. I will definitely bear you in mind for the future for Mark Warner or any of the others!

Thank you so much again. The whole family is really looking forward to it!


All the best, 
Melissa

Pampano Beach Club Review

Date: Fri 1st June 2012
Subject: Pompano Beach Club Review

Dear Travel Club Elite

Just to say thank you for recommending the Pompano Beach Club Hotel in Bermuda. It really was the best hospitality ever.

The food is fantastic and the staff are very helpful. Hope to book again one day.

Thank you

Diana Parkinson

Club Med Palmiye Review

Date: Fri 1st June 2012
Subject: Club Med Palmiye Review


Dear Travel Club Elite,


As regards to my stay at Club Med Palmiye - I was very impressed with it and had a wonderful Club Med holiday. I particularly enjoyed the gardens and the general running of Club Med Palmiye was impeccable and I intend to take my grandchildren there next year - the Mini Club was the best I have seen and I have stayed at many Club Meds over the years.

I look forward to your comments,


Sincerely,


Wendy Hutchinson

Travel Club Elite Review

Sent: Weds 30th May 2012
Subject:  Travel Club Elite Customer Service 


" Hooray holiday all booked. And thank you, Sue, for your patience and help. I'm impressed with your approach and hope to use you again."

Sincerely,


Jennifer Brown

Travel Club Elite Review

Date: Sat 21st April 2012
Subject: Thank you to Travel Club Elite


Hi Sue


Hope you had a nice break in Russia, We had a look at the details you sent below regarding Florence and as always very happy with all your recommendations and would love to go ahead and book.


Sue, thank you so much for booking all our holidays over the years. Looking forward to the Villa Hols you have booked for us. :)


Cheers


Ell

Travel Club Elite Review

Date: Mon 16th April 2012

Subject: Customer Service 

"Please thank all at Travel Club Elite for all their professionalism and cheerful, friendly, customer service"

Regards,

Jane Black 

Choose Travel Club Elite for a luxury holiday and service you will remember for a lifetime . . .

Review of the Wendy Wu Vietnam Panorama Tour

Date: Thurs 29th March 2012
Subject: Wendy Wu Vietnam Panorama Review


Good morning, Maria


After having had time to 'recover' from our super holiday in Vietnam, we would like to thank you and your colleagues for the very professional manner in which you dealt with our Wendy Wu holiday booking.
Everything went extremely well, the Cathay Pacific flight out was full but the return flight was two-thirds empty, so we had at least 3 seats each, in which to get comfortable.
The trip itself was extraordinary from beginning to end.

The organisation was excellent, as was our Tour Manager (Huan) and our Coach Driver (Bin). The catering was far beyond anything we had expected, as were the hotels. 


We were a part of 18, as a group of 12 Australians and 8 British - we all mixed extremely well and were sorry when the end of the tour arrived.


Once again our sincere thanks to you for the friendly manner in which you helped us along with our booking.


We will have no hesitation in recommending both Travel Club Elite and  Wendy Wu to others who are thinking of visiting an extremely fascinating and friendly country.


Regards,


Amber and Keith McDonald

Subject: Nostalgic Nile Review (Bales Worldwide)
Date: 20/03/12

Dear All at Bales Worldwide and Travel Club Elite,

I just wanted to tell you that thanks to Bales and its wonderful people on the ground in Egypt we had just the best holiday possible.

I cannot rate it highly enough. The service was outstanding and the guides and all the people who met us at airports, hotels etc

Nesma, our wonderful Dahabiyya was much more than we expected. The food for a start was exceptional. 

Mahmoud our guide on the boat was terrific with a wicked sense of humour too.

The balloon flight in Luxor was great and very professionally done.

Thanks and congratulations to all concerned,

Regards, Kevin

Travel Club Elite Expands!

Recent Press Release - Birmingham Chamber Of Commerce

Travel Club Elite Praises Services Of Local Job Centre

Sales Manager Mary Baxter said, “There is a wonderful resource of ability, skills and experience available via the Job Centre. We recently advertised, interviewed and engaged a top quality candidate in only two days. As a Travel Agency which offers luxury holidays plus family and activity holidays worldwide, our turnover and staffing levels have doubled over the last three years. Our Customer Services resource was becoming stretched, with the best January’s bookings in our history. An on-line Job Centre advert did the job. We were lucky enough to secure the services of one of the most experienced Travel Agents in the Midlands, who was available immediately.”

To book your holiday with HUGE Extra Savings on Top of Tour Operator quoted prices call 0121 213 0012.

Travel Club Elite Review - March 2012

Sent: Mon 12th March 2012
Subject: Travel Club Elite Review

Hello Sue,

I have found Travel Club Elite a great company to deal with.

Having found me the best price for my ski holiday in the resort I requested and at the time I wanted it, I ended up having a superb room with balcony in my chosen hotel the Mark Warner Christallo.

Everything went smoothly with my booking, flights, tickets and all information came in good time. The pre flight hotel and parking at Gatwick as recommended by Travel Club Elite was also excellent.

Many thanks and I will be in touch again for my next holiday.

Philip

To book Mark Warner Ski Holidays with HUGE Savings on Top of Mark Warner prices call 0121 213 0012.