Reasons to book a Mark Warner Beach Resort

Beautiful beachfront locations in the Med, activities and watersports on tap, high-quality childcare for kids from four months old, and alfresco restaurants serving seasonal food, Mark Warner’s beach resorts offer all the key ingredients for a fun family holiday in the sun.

And where better to learn how to sail, hone your tennis skills or head out on two wheels than in sun-splashed locations in Greece and Turkey, away from the crowds but perfectly placed for outdoor adventures.

If you haven’t yet booked a family escape, we’ve highlighted five reasons why choosing a Mark Warner beach resort holiday is a great option for active families, not least because we’ve been able to negotiate an exclusive discount for Mumsnet users 😎

1. You can save big with an exclusive deal for Mumsnetters!

Exclusive to Mumset users, Mark Warner is offering 5% off the price of a Mark Warner beach holiday when you use the code MWMUMS at checkout. The deal is valid for stays between May and October, 2024 at ALL FIVE beach resorts in Greece and Turkey, and ends on 18 September.

We love the fact that the discount applies to the whole package price for 7-, 10-, 11- and 14-night trips , including flights, accommodation and transfers, saving you £££ on the cost of a family holiday.

It’s non combinable with other discounts however it CAN BE USED in conjunction with Mark Warner’s ‘£100 off per person deal’ for early and late summer breaks. If you can escape in May, June, September or October (note that the discount is valid across half-term travel dates!), it’s well worth taking advantage of this bumper deal (this particular combo must be booked over the phone by 15 April, 2024).

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I loved the Mark Warner holidays when my DC were primary school age.

- Mumsnet user, HappiDaze

2. High quality childcare provision starts from four months old

Mark Warner beach breaks put families front and centre and the kids’ clubs are some of the best in the business. While most holiday resorts offer childcare provision from around three years old, Mark Warner caters to kids from four months old to the age of 17.

Staffed by experienced childcare professionals, the clubs offer age-appropriate activities throughout the day, from the Baby Club with its strict ratio of one nanny per two babies, right through to the Indy Club which offers watersports sessions, team games and themed dinners for teens aged 14-17.

And if you want to take advantage of a relaxing dinner while the kids carry on the fun, there’s a supervised evening programme for children from four months to nine years between 7.30pm and 10.30pm. In-room babysitting is also available for an additional fee.

There’s no obligation to sign up to any of the clubs - your kids can join in as and when they choose but with so many activities, sports and events on offer, you may find it hard to drag them away.

The happier the kids, the happier the holiday. And there’s no disputing the joy that comes from a peaceful hour or two to yourself, either by the pool or in the sea, trying your hand at a brand-new watersport.

Note that half-day childcare is included in the price for two- to five-year-olds (full-day upgrades are available for an extra £200 per child, per week). Full-day childcare is included for six- to 17-year-olds. Charges apply for babies aged four months to 1 year, 11 months. Phokaia Beach Resort offers childcare from age one.

3. There are activities on offer for ALL abilities

One of the best things about a Mark Warner beach break is that you can try out a bunch of different activities over the course of your holiday, building fitness and confidence while you’re at it. And they’re all (bar some accredited courses) included in the price of your trip. Sailing is a big deal at Mark Warner resorts and there are introductory sessions available, as well as improver courses for those that already know the ropes (and how to tie them), and RYA courses (charged separately) for those wanting to return home as a certified sailor.

If you’re not completely confident in the water, stand-up paddle boarding is easy to get to grips with and there are fun group sessions on offer at all resorts. On dry land, the resident tennis coaches will help to improve your game or you can join a social game or tournament to compete against fellow guests. Padel tennis and pickleball are new additions to the activity roster (at selected resorts).

As with the kids’ clubs, there’s no pressure to spend your days flitting from one activity to the next, but there’s plenty to try your hand at, even if you have mobility issues or low fitness levels - the sunrise stretch sessions are a particularly good way to start the day.

4. Each resort is in a stunning beachfront location

If there’s anything that’s going to inspire you to get active and explore the great outdoors, it’s a beautiful backdrop, and Mark Warner resorts are located in some incredibly stunning spots. A spot of yoga by the sea, sailing in the Med and cycling along coastal trails are all part and parcel of a Mark Warner beach holiday as all resorts are set right by the beach.

Aeolian Village Beach Resort overlooks Eressos beach on the island of Lesvos, one of the lesser-known Greek islands, despite being the third largest. Known as the Emerald Island, it's home to forests, olive groves and rugged mountains.

At Kamari Beach Resort in Rhodes you'll find the Blue Flag-awarded Lardos beach in one direction and verdant hills in the other. Rhodes is blessed with 300 days of sunshine per year.

Lemnos Beach Resort is in an unspoilt spot on the island of Lemnos in the Aegean Sea. Set on Plati beach in a picturesque bay, it's a quintessential Greek island getaway and you can expect awesome sunsets thanks to its west-facing position.

Paleros Beach Resort offers mountains of olive groves on one side and the dazzling Ionian Sea on the other. Its Ionian coast location on the Greek mainland puts you within easy reach of islands and islets, spectacular mountains and idyllic bays.

Turkey's Phokaia Beach Resort is a jewel on the Izmir coast and sits on a gorgeous private beach. You'll find ideal conditions for watersports here and rolling green hills to explore. The charming fishing village of Foca is a 30-minute stroll away.

5. The package price covers the holiday essentials

The price of a Mark Warner holiday includes flights, transfers, accommodation, food, activities and childcare provision so when you pay for a family activity holiday upfront you’ve covered most of the basics before you even touch down.

Knowing that the package price includes the majority of activities and that breakfast and dinner is covered while you’re away (you’ll also get lunch on most days at Phokaia Beach Resort) takes some of the hassle out of budgeting for a family trip.

Popular watersports including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and SUP boarding are included in the price, and you can even try your hand at Scuba diving with a free introductory session at Paleros, Kamari, Aeolian Village and Phokaia.

About Mark Warner

Over the last 50 years Mark Warner has perfected the family holiday.

In our family-friendly beach resorts across Greece and Turkey our kids’ clubs are all about activity. Every child from 4 months old to 17 joins a club where they come first, led by qualified and energetic childcare professionals. Babies and toddlers enjoy home-from-home care, while children aged 3-17 learn to kayak, paddleboard, play tennis and so much more.

Holidays that give you a lifetime of memories - guaranteed.

About the author

Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel. She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London, and loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far.