Who to use for multicentre?

[ukwill]

We're planning a city/beach multicentre in late Jan. Possibly Hong Kong + Either Thailand or Oman/Muscat.


Does anyone have any recommendations of a decent company to use?

ta

[edc]

If it's the former, I did exactly that via Kuoni.

[Grey Ghost]

We're lucky enough to do these multi centre jobbies to the far east 2 years out of 3 and can vouch for Trailfinders

[Nobby Diesel]

+1 for Trailfinders if you know what you want and don't mind doing some work yourself.
We tend to book flights with T'finders and hotels direct.
Although, T'finders do have some good promotions on hotels from time to time.

[ukwill]

thanks Guys I'll check them both out.

Interesting Nobby - I always thought it was cheaper to book through operators as they tended to get better rates due to block bookings?

if anyone else knows of any specialists feel free to shout!

[Nobby Diesel]

Not always the case.
It's worth checking both routes. Also, particularly in Asia, returning customers loyalty is often rewarded by the hotel when booking direct; the operators wouldn't give two hoots.
Take a look at http://www.agoda.com/ for Asia. For Thailand look at http://www.sawasdee.com/ thse 2 can come up with pretty spectacular deals at times. Just be sure about your arrangements as penalty charges often apply (on Agoda).

As an example of the direct vs operator price, I have booked rooms at a hotel in Koh Samui for next April. As a returning customer, I am paying just over £100 a night. The best Trailfinders can offer is £196 for the same. They can't believe the rate I get direct.

[Grey Ghost]

Nobby Diesel said:

Not always the case. Also, particularly in Asia, returning customers loyalty is often rewarded by the hotel when booking direct.

This is true. When in Penang we were told by the front desk staff to book the basic room if we ever returned and they would look after us on arrival at the hotel. True to their word the next time around the basic room (quite nice to be honest) was upgraded to a suite with splash pool on the terrace for a smidge over £30 per night. This also included breakfast

[ukwill]

cheers chaps - much appreciated