Which Neilsen beachclub resort or Mark Warner

[Billster]

We are non sailors with a 7yr old dd. Ideally wld like a heated pool as it is early in the season. Anyone got any reccommendations?

I've heard mixed reports about Mark Warner that a lot the resorts are shabby and the food not great.

Any opinions/experiences for us to go on please?

I don't think any of the Neilson resorts have heated pools - how early in the season are we talking? And can you give any guidance on what you like to do on holidays? Are you mountain bikers? Tennis nuts? Laze by the pool people? And is DD an active up-for-anything kid, or more into indoor activities? Have done almost all the Neilson beachclubs (with a DD aged 7 when she first went) so could help if I knew a little more......

Thanks Jan

was hoping you were still about! We are a mixture!! DH will be up for mountain biking and SUPing. I'll be up for lazing with book, SUPing and maybe windsurfing and exploring shops and restaurants in local villages and dd (just 7) will be up for messing around in the pool (though not cometent swimmer yet), and her most important holiday request "meeting new friends". We were looking at booking something for this Sat deptarture as we're waiting on weather forecast given this time of year can be iffy however the bloomin volcano saga has started again so if that means flights cancelled then we'll be looking at 12 June or maybe then even waiting for a week early July.

None of us are really into sailing so that is not important and if the temp are on the cooler side the less wind the better!

So grateful for your experiences

I'm looking at these clubs for next year.....read some reviews on tripadvisor - some sound basic and tired while the activities look good. I looked at Neilson earlier and there is a new one in turkey that may be an option. Hubby isnt one for doing nothing and likes bikes so if he went off I could do other things and the children go to a couple of clubs. I like the idea of not being stuck in AI, as I like to explore. Nice accommodation with good food is very important.

Any opinions on Neilson/sunsail?

OMG, just did a price on the Helona hotel which is part of the Lakitira resort - £8800!!! I have read the reviews on the Lakitira and very mixed.

For this kind of money I would want top class food by MW. And really, could anyone justifiy this kinda money on a shorthaul?

Half board, excellent food and good facilities all in I would be looking at £5000 max. Is this posible in these club resorts?

Sorry I've taken so long to reply. I think Neilson is, on the whole, better value than Warner - we have done both. If the length of transfer from airport is important, Neilson Lemnos is the place for you. Very short transfer, newly refurbished hotel, nice little town with cute backstreets in walking distance, really good bike riding, and the biggest pool EVER. If food/luxury is important I think the Anastasia in Halkidiki may be your best bet. The bathrooms are marble, the restaurant is great, and kids club rooms very nice, but nearby town not up to much. Lesvos has a lovely big pool, nearby town is very attractive, rooms up the hill have a fab view, and the kids club and restaurant all very nice. But the transfer is long. Sivota is slightly older, so rooms more basic and kids club rooms a little bit tired, but the view is stunning, the nearby town is a delight, and the usual Neilson facilities are all in place and good. You can't go wrong with any of them in terms of DD finding new friends. The Neilson kids clubs are the best of any of the three big operators (Sunsail, Warner or Neilson), and you can sign them in and out whenever you want. Hope this helps. Let me know if there's something special you are looking for!

Thanks so much Jan. I am really drawn to Lemnos however you make Halkidiki sound great too and Levsos! The transfer doesn't really bother me - more the quality of food, activities (more land based than water based) & local town and the pool.

Is the pool at Lemnos likley to be chilly, especially being big? Do you know if there are SUP's at the Lemnos/Levsos sites? Also do you think there would be many other 6/7/8 year olds there week 13th June as we may not be going anywhere this weekend if the ash and weather keep playing up - we all need some sun!

Billster, there is also an indoor pool (in the spa I think) at both Anastasia (Halkidiki) and Lemnos, and in Lemnos the children's pool is heated. Though June would probably be hot enough anyway. Don't know about SUP availabilit, sorry. The transfer is usually only a problem for the kids - and on the downside, there were lots of them throwing up on the bus trip to the Lesvos accomm. Even the ones who had booked a private taxi transfer - stopped at the side of the road (eeeurgh). Neilson reps can always find out for you how many other Surfbusters there will be in any resort. To be honest you'll have a ball no matter which one you choose. Honestly, I should get a discount from Neilson, the number of holidays I have sold for them......!

i am at neilsons teos right now pool is full of kids its lovely and warm. prepfer it to lemnos beach is nicer and so is pool there is no shallow end in the lemnos pool. highly recommend neilsons and we are loving teos

Booked Lemnos in the end. Jane/give me a clue - As newbies just a few questions:-

does the pool have floats and woggles for kids to use given the depth?
What is the dress code for dinner - don't want to over pack with unneccesary dressy clothes if not needed.

Is the children's pool far from the main pool and how deep is it?

Packing right now. :Leaving tonight for Gatwick - flying 0700
sooooooooooo excited!

Billster - haven't ever seen Neilson floats in the pools, though have seen lots of locally purchased inflatable whales and dolphins (!!). Kids pool right next to adult pool. Evening - people scrub up a bit - lots of maxi dresses with flat sandals last summer - the men were just in slightly nicer shorts. But not dressed up as in cruise type dressing up. You are going to have a ball. Enjoy!

Jan you are wonderful - thanks so much - I'm sure we'll have a great time once the last minute adrenalin wears off!

Hi - can someone explain how the rooms are set up in these resorts? We have 2 DSs aged 9 & 11 and they would share a room, but I don't like the idea of them being miles away in a hotel. Are there large family rooms, or interconnecting rooms? All the searches I do on the Neilsen site just seem to return rooms for 3 ?

Hi - we have always had interconnecting rooms at neilsons. You may need to give them a call rather than use website as on website you would put in two rooms and it may come up more expensive than it actually is.

Just to say we had an absolutely amazing holiday last week - are very sad to leave. I would highly reccommend both Neilson and their Lemnos resort - already planning for next year! Thanks in particular to Jan for your expertise.

Billster I am so pleased it worked out! Did DD enjoy the kids club stuff? Always a bit nervous that what works so well for us may not work for others! But as Neilsons have so many returning customers, year after year, I am happy to recommend. Nice to have another convert.

She loved it - I had major mothers guilt the first 2 days as felt she should be spending more time with us but she kept shooing us away! We relaxed into it by day 3 and as she tired towards the end of the week she did grace us with her presence! Knowing how it all runs we will definitely settle into it quicker next time knowing she is in good hands!

Sara

Hi everyone,
Just thinking about booking our 2nd Neilson beach club holiday, going in early May next year. Has anyone been to the Portomyrina Lemnos resort, or the Adakoy in Turkey? Ive been quoted quite a good deal for both, but thats for travel in early May, which I'm worried might be a bit chilly, especially in Lemnos.
Would really appreciate any advice on which resort is better, nearby towns etc, weather. And are other guests (baring in mind we are travelling outside of school holidays) ok with small children/babies? Reading trip advisor, quite a few reviews seem to be from baby-unfriendly types
Northing worse than sitting by the pool shushing the kids and worrying about spoiling other peoples holidays!

Hi, have been to Lemnos, totally baby friendly it is a family resort, no child shushing, very very family orientated. Lovely town within walking distance, nice harbour, cobbled streets, old castle, restaurants etc. can't comment on adakoybut dh friend went and had a great time, think you need to get water taxi to marmaris. Did Lemnos in October was end of season lovely and warm. Have you had a look on line for average temps? How old is baby?

Thanks Heels. It will be us and 2 boys (4 years and 1 year). Great to know its kid friendly, you would think so given the standard of the kids clubs (Halkidiki creche was absolutely amazing).

Our experience, based on our first trip, was that people that go on Neilson holidays are 50% parents with kids, 50% serious waterspouts enthusiasts who dont want to share space with small noisy messy people! A bit of a mix, which sometimes led to grumbles from the latter.

Av weather in early May seems to be 18degs, but with wind factor Im a bit worried it will be too cold. Especially the sea temp. Just not sure whether to gamble or not.... Adakoy would be warmer but Lemnos seems just that bit better for families.

Can you go later in the season? We have been to Turkish neilsons resorts the end may and it has been lovely and warm

Its £1k+ extra to go later in the season, which i dont think we could afford

Personally I wouldn't book a waterspouts and beach holiday when it is likely to be 18 degrees, no matter how much I like neilsons. The pools aren't heated I don't think and there are not a lot of indoor activities, bar is outside etc

Is it 18 degrees in turkey too?