Canaries / Greece etc - AI, July, Half decent? £1000pp

[Dan_1981]

This is driving me insane.

Trying to find somewhere 'nice' ie - not thousands of people screaming to get the last fried sausage for breakfast and a warm beer at 07:30.

So a decent AI resort anywhere in Europe really - Canaries, Greece, anywhere else.

Budget Sub £1000 per person for 7 nights in early (Pre school break up) July

We'll have an 18 month old with us - so a child's pool / splash area would be good.

Looking at these two at the moment....

Bahia principe costa adeje in tenerife

https://www.bahia-principe.com/en/hotels-in-spain/...

Or Aeolos Beach Resort in Corfu

http://www.aeolosbeach.gr/

Any suggestions / experience?

[languagetimothy]

The last few all incs I've been on with the Mrs as a couple... no kids and obviously outside of school hols as you suggest were:

Crete. .. Carolina Mare hotel clean modern right on its own private beachfood is fine. just a mile or so outside Malia (old town is better main strip is the usual horrors)

Crete. Louise Creta princess hotel. Again own beach. Clean, gardens, various pools. Food good enuf. A bit cut off, some food n beer places walkable... but all inc so...

Mainland Greece. Sani Beach hotel. Bit more upmarket own beach etc.

The first two probably paid just under 500 quid each including flights n transfers bags etc. Sani beach nearer 800.

None of these had the hoards fighting for sausages,.... busy yes but not horrific and plenty of choice across various food counters.

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

This is my shout.

https://www.makryammos-hotel.gr/

We had a two week honeymoon here in September.

Stunning location
Crystal clear sea
Less than an hour transfer, including the ferry
Brilliant varied food, you will get fat!
A very authentically Greek island.
Brilliant staff.

Just request one of the upgraded bungalows, they're worth the money.

Within budget too.

[Dan_1981]

Had Looked at Sani beach but currently above budget.

Fermit - that does look nice - suitable for a toddler? Were you all inclusive? Did you book direct or with an agent - can't find a way to upgrade to a bungalow!

[Nickbrapp]

Can you leave the sprog at home?

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

Dan_1981 said:

Had Looked at Sani beach but currently above budget.

Fermit - that does look nice - suitable for a toddler? Were you all inclusive? Did you book direct or with an agent - can't find a way to upgrade to a bungalow!

We were half board, so breakfast and evening meal. For lunch most days we grabbed something from either the beach bar or a second restaurant up on the cliff side. We went via Thomson (now TUI) and upgraded when there. I'm sure if you booked then emailed the hotel they'd sort it (we paid £600 for our 2 week upgrade) We emailed them prior to going about a few things, and they were helpful. On this note, the remaining 'old' bungalows maybe upgraded over this winter anyway.

Fine for a toddler, with a few things to note.

Wasps, there were quite a few there, although the hotel did state it was a particularly bad year for them - pack jelly shoes for little ones!

The bungalows are on a hilly walk, but there are buggies that can take you up. Various steps around the site.

Lots of feral cats, all friendly. Don't make the mistake we did, bringing two of them home!

Also lots of Peacocks, and an adjoining deer sanctuary, which are nice.

My Tripadviser review, plus plenty more photos. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g189...

Edit, one thing handy for little one, the sea stays very shallow for maybe 40 metres, with little tide to change this. Loads of fish to see in the clear waters too.

Edited by Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah on Tuesday 23 January 16:38

Edited by Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah on Tuesday 23 January 16:41

[thainy77]

If you are open to the Greek mainland try the Westin Resort at Costa Navarino, it's about a four hour drive from Athens but they also provide transfers.

We live in Athens and go there for a long weekend every year. Budget may be tight but they have deals on every now and then, highly recommended.

[Dan_1981]

Will take look.

Locationwise we are completly flexible - we're not too keen on Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey or Morocco - we've been to them all before, and don't really want to return at the moment.

So med, europe, canaries, etc etc are all fair game.

[Dan_1981]

Fermit - I do like the look of the bungalows - but we'd probably be stuck with one of the standard bungalows - which some don't get the greatest of reviews.

Current price is about £750pp half board.

You didn't get chance to see them did you?

Also what are prices like at the hotel for drinks / food.

And finally - how far is it to walk into a village / town whatever if we wanted to eat elsewhere?

Thanks!

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

Dan_1981 said:

Fermit - I do like the look of the bungalows - but we'd probably be stuck with one of the standard bungalows - which some don't get the greatest of reviews.

Current price is about £750pp half board.

You didn't get chance to see them did you?

Also what are prices like at the hotel for drinks / food.

And finally - how far is it to walk into a village / town whatever if we wanted to eat elsewhere?

Thanks!

We originally had booked a standard room. We had one night in it, then decided to upgrade. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with it, but it was basic. It was well decorated and clean. Some of the others may be what you'd call tired.

Two points, the mattress was hard, and the shower was pathetic. It was our honeymoon, so I asked to see the upgraded room, and straight away thought it was worth the extra £600 for two weeks, would it not only maybe therefore be another £300 ish for you staying a week? Of course your budget is your budget so I fully get if you can't stretch.

As I said on my Tripadviser review though, it really is you pay your money, you make your choice. The second trip adviser review, 'fantastic honeymoon' is mine, which includes a photo of the room we had (111) which was very plush indeed.

Thassos town is probably 30 minutes walk, but IIRC a taxi was about 6 Euros each way, they call them to Makryammos for you, and easy to get in the town. There is a fairly steep hill coming back too. I'd stick to the taxis. We used Speedy rent a car to hire a Panda, 22 euros a day.
Thassos town is nice, plenty of nice eateries, and shopping facilities.

Drinks and food are very reasonable, 3euros maybe for a pint I recall. The beach bar sells nice basic lunchtime food and very reasonable prices (cobs and the like) or they have a restaurant on the cliff side which does much nicer authentic food, which is more (but is very nice) but no more than you'd probably pay for a good bar meal over here.

More than once I ate so well at breakfast and tea that lunch wasn't required, you really do eat well at tea in particular! Lots of variety and the menu changes night to night. Always great quality.

There is also a (very) small shop which sells some basic foods, crisps etc.

We rated it so well that we're going back, maybe this summer, maybe next.

Email the hotel, ask them what they could do you as an upgrade rate. I suspect you maybe lucky, the upgrades may have now all be done. In fact, I would suggest that price suggests they are, as we paid £2300 for a fortnight H/B, then £600 upgrade.
Edit, this was early Sept mind. I'd email them asking about rooms and rates/ if they're all now upgraded.

You'll like it, I'm sure. It's a lovely venue. Oh, and if you go to Thassos town buy a big bag of cat food for the cats and the peacocks, they love you for it!

Edited by Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah on Friday 26th January 11:12

Edited by Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah on Friday 26th January 11:45

Edited by Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah on Saturday 27th January 10:18

[tjl]

Take a look at barut lara, Lara beach, turkey

[45Flipper]

Try the Amathus Hotel in Cyprus. Mrs Flipper and I stayed for a week last November. It was a lovely hotel with a children’s area. We’ll certainly be going back.

Flipper