San Agostino Greece

Me and my 2 DCs had a great week here. A holiday just for the three of us without my DP and two SDDs. We had fabulous weather and really enjoyed spending time together (and apart!!)

Most of the accommodation is relatively basic - cute little bungalows right by the beach which is just for people staying at the resort.

The DCs went to kids club every day and had a total ball - the team of staff are brilliant, and they fell in love with all of them! They did windsurfing, kayaking, snorkelling, tennis, football - the list was endless!! And I got to lie by the adult pool each morning for some much needed time to relax, then got two hours with the kids spent exclusively in the kids pool playing, then off they went to kids club again. The great thing about the kids club is they can choose whether they just want to go in the morning, in the afternoon, all day or not at all!! Then each evening, they can watch a film with all their friends.

The food was pretty good, with a huge choice in the main buffet area. We upgraded to the dine around option which gave us a choice of the 3 restaurants - I think we might have got a bit bored if we hadn't as wouldn't fancy eating in the same place for every meal. At night the Pizzeria became a Trattoria which is open air and really lovely. On our last evening, we ate at the Arabian Kitchen which was fabulous.

All in all a lovely holiday and good value for money. Don't think you can beat their kids club!!

Mumsnetters' comments: The combination of basic accommodation with great childcare and facilities went down well with reviewers: "it's perfect with three children under five". Others agreed: "both our children (eight and fifteen) said it was the best holiday they'd ever had, which gave us the freedom to have a great holiday too". The facilities and sport options are "excellent" and the food "good" with three restaurants and different themed buffets nightly. Scores fell for travel with most complaining about the "hideously early flight" but overall: "if you like the Mark Warner style of holiday this is a good resort to choose".

I read these reviews prior to going and looking back at them I largely agree with them.

We had a fantastic holiday, my wife sunbathed and read lots of books, my 2 yr old got highly overexcited and was made a real fuss over by the childcare team and I got to lark about on the water with the craft. We are now keen to book another Mark Warner holiday.

The outbound flight was at an ungodly hour meaning we had to be at Gatwick at 3 am to check in for a 6 am flight. We only had a half hour journey and our 2 year old, still in her pyjammas thought we were going shopping. Having moaned about that we discovered a couple who had come from Coventry and Norfolk who had an even earlier start. On the plus side we had an afternoon in the sun which was great.

We were a little disappointed by the resort initially as It had an early 80's feel about it, slightly Pontins and mostly tired, the bathroom was a shocker but that said the sea view from our bungalow was beautiful. ( Make sure you take plenty of Mozzie plug-ins like we did). Given the resorts remoteness you do have the beach to yourself.

The seperate kids pool and adults pool was a big hit as we were able to make kids of ourselves without losing face with the single set, and found it to be very social with other parents. In the kids pool there was an array of inflatables and other toys which had been left by other guests and were free for all to enjoy. The only gripe with was the lack of other play areas like a soft play or swing park which on many occasions would have been great.

The food generally was quick and delicious with a wide array of choice in the main buffet area. I was surpised by the extra efforts the chefs had gone to laying on purees for the babies. I noticed this because in Abu Soma the year before this was a special request and a fag. Also it seemed appropriate to fill up milk bottles there which was convenient not having to go to the 24hr kitchen at the Play Centre.

We were on the dine around option which gave us the choice of the 3 eateries. At night the Pizzeria became a Trettoria which served up the most memorable of foods and because of it's part open air and intimacy made for a more romantic evening, once we had dropped our little one at the creche. Again the childcare staff were brilliant. One night we thought we would have to abandon the idea as she was getting a bit fractious, one carer said "don't you worry, I'll get her off" and sure enough when we left she calmed down. I can't offer any personal comments about the Arabian Kitchen as we didn't dine there. We were going to go as it looked great in the pictures on the website but another couple we met were dissapointed by it, citing a boring menu and little in the way of atmosphere. Given the standard of food at the others we weren't left wanting, but were a little confused by what we were actually entitled to.

Forget free wine and water, Mark Warner have screwed this bit up and even George the hotel manager glossed over the complexities of the Half board, Full board, and all inclusive (which doesn't mean that at all) as he seemed embarrassed trying to explain it.

As one reviewer put it, 'Service can be a little poor'. For me it was only at the bars. The staff easily became stretched during the day and evening however they were friendly despite bar prices which were wildly expensive. 1 large beer (Lowenbrau) ?5, Vodka shot ?4 and Redbull ?4 and with the exchange rate 1:1 made it an expensive round. Greek wine is pretty hit and miss and ?20 for a poor rose was over the top. Top tip, head to the taverna at the end of the beach by the Arabian kitchen and stock up. Also the local beer, Mythos at the main bar was cheaper than the beach bar serving Lowenbrau. Oh and by the way take your own quick dry towel as unlike Abu Soma you have to hire them.

The water sports team were friendly and imparted their knowledge freely, the kit seemed ok and there was always staff on hand ready for you hand your boat over to when you were bored or like I did left my Lazer inverted out at sea after 10 failed attempts to right her, knackered and in need of a beer hopped into the safety boat giggling at the idea of abandonment. The staff were unfazed by it.

We had some unexpected poor weather for a day and a half which meant there was little to do. The Mark Warner team rallied and did their upmost to lay on entertainment. Some during the storm played Volley Ball and encouraged guests to put on a brave face, others dragged a lazer to the main bar and demonstrated manoveurs to excite those new to sailing whilst the water skiing and kite surfing team erected a complex suspended ski wire on the outdoor yoga area to demonstrate. All in a torrential storm. Good work M.W. Sadly as our girl was only in the kids club in the mornings meant there was no facility to entertain her during the rain i.e colouring areas, soft play etc. In the lobby there was a telly though and other kids to play with.

Our holiday cost around £1500 for two adults and one 2 year old as we went the week before most kids go back to school in September. This we felt was money well spent but I would be livid having spent the exorbitant costs of high season at this resort. Remote from any walkable town, harbour etc with only the little beach taverna next door Mark Warner has you exclusively on their tab and the meter is running.

Great in September 2007. Looked for a late deals to save around a third of price for 3 of us. Just what we needed great value for money as all inclusive but would not pay full price.
Food pretty good for mass production kitchen and wine not too bad. Met very nice families. Accommodation is basic and clean but we were never in the room during the day so not an issue for us.
Huge private beautiful massive clean yellow sandy beach

Childcare was the best we have had on any holiday which for us was the most important thing that we could relax as we have no help with the kids at home. Better than first Choice or Nielsen.

If you work out what you get for your money it is quite a cheap option if you need childcare compared to other high street chains offering holidays with childcare at similar cost of inferior quality.

I went to San Agostino in July this year with my three boys aged 8,8 and 5. I was travelling alone with them. The boys had a ball especially the older two, doing windsurfing, sailing, bodyboarding,swimming, football, rounders, dodge ball and numerous other games. The nanny looking after their group was a lovely Irish girl who always managed to locate items that the boys had mislaid here, there and everywhere! My little one had fun too swimming, sailing and playing with me in the lovely family pool in the afternoons.
The Club caters for 'single travellers' arranging meet-up drinks on the second evening and we all ate together at dinner so I met some nice people and did not feel like a social leper as a single mum.
I had a relaxing time in the mornings chilling and reading my book by the adult pool and managed to do some water aerobics sessions as well.
I had a family suite with two interconnecting rooms in the main hotel which was handy for all my drop offs and pick ups and conveniently located near the laundry!
The journey there was quite civilsed at both ends with a flight late morning so I did not have to struggle getting the children up at the crack of dawn.
A good holiday, especially if you have sporty, energetic children.

They seem to be losing their way.No longer all inclusive lots of extra costs from childcare to wine and tennis.
Bathrooms need upgrading.
They care little about returning customers.
Peak prices are eye watering.
Poor waterfront team , boat availability and maintenance

the mark warner holiday still delivers happy children and happy parents. Great for trying various new water activities,especially enjoyed the sailing