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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

mark warner ocean club portugal

46 replies

marilynmonroe · 08/08/2012 19:59

we are thinking of booking this for sept . Has anyone been and what's it like? it sounds lovely and seem very reasonable for MW - is there a reason for this?

thanks all!

OP posts:
IslaValargeone · 08/08/2012 20:03

Maybe they are suffering from the publicity re Madeleine McCann?

givemeaclue · 09/08/2012 14:04

I would imagine its because its still linked with madeleine mccann in manypeoples minds - not because the resort was in any way at fault with what happened but perhaps its not as attractive as other resorts because of the link

Fisharefriendsnotfood · 09/08/2012 14:09

I couldn't go there because of this. I wouldn't be able to stop thinking of MM, not a great way to relax

YouOldSlag · 09/08/2012 14:12

Not only is that place tainted with sad thoughts about poor Madeline, but I wouldn't got to Portugal with children because of how shit the police are,

Original poster
marilynmonroe · 09/08/2012 14:46

It would be a bit weird but it does look like a lovely resort. Would love to hear from someone who has been!

OP posts:
YouOldSlag · 09/08/2012 15:07

I just don't see how anyone could enjoy themselves there now.

dreamingofsun · 09/08/2012 17:41

police are shit in lots of places and you get bad people everywhere doing nasty things to children. is it at playa de luz? in which case we visited it for the day. its an ok resort - beach not as nice as mia prea in lagos (or however you pronounce it).

went to portugal this summer and had a fab time and going back next year. good value, great weather, nice people, great beaches

givemeaclue · 09/08/2012 19:49

i too like portugal but if I was staying at the ocean club it would be bound to cross my mind/be a topic of discussion with other guests - I think it may overshadow the holiday a bit. would prefer somewhere else

Sandgroper · 11/08/2012 22:16

Hi Marilynmonroe

We stayed in Praia de Luz just before the "MC incident" with DS1 who was 9 months, didn't stay at MW but in a villa. Also went back last summer and stayed in a penthouse apartment (with DS1 and DS2) up the hill a bit from MW complex... Wouldn't hesitate to go again with our kids.

Luz is a fantastic place and it has been given a bad rap because of what happened. Rarely do we return to the same place twice but Luz is so gorgeous and fab with kids. The beach is lovely in a bay, has fab rockpool at one end (my kids spent hours in there), loads of great places to eat, you could easily stay there and not need a car. We did hire one for a couple of days to go exploring!

I didn't stay at MW so can't comment on that but can recommend the place we stayed at! PM me if you want any more info.

Original poster
marilynmonroe · 13/08/2012 14:54

feeling a little underwhelmed by doing here now and want to feel excited about going on holiday! can anyone recommend anywhere else? was looking at some thomson holidays but not sure if would absolutely hate them but the resorts do look like if a bit pricey. i wonder if i could get a last minute deal...anyone tried to do that and been successful?

OP posts:
Fisharefriendsnotfood · 13/08/2012 15:52

What kind of thing are you looking for? Numbers etc?

Original poster
marilynmonroe · 13/08/2012 16:02

we are looking for a all inclusive holiday with a kids club for 2 &3 yr olds - somewhere nice for adults too!

OP posts:
thebestisyettocome · 13/08/2012 16:06

We went with Mark Warner once. I thought it would be great but the reality was the place was awful and the customer service was diabolical.

SunnyOutlook · 13/08/2012 16:18

Op, I love Portugal - have a look on Travel Republic as they always have good value holidays

Original poster
marilynmonroe · 13/08/2012 17:06

anyone done a thomson holiday? some of their holidays look good but not sure if believe everything on the website!

is paying £4k for a 2 week holiday in europe for a family of 4 reasonable?

OP posts:
YouOldSlag · 13/08/2012 17:13

Even in the summer holidays you should be able to get an all inclusive holiday for 4 for 2 weeks for 2.5k

Original poster
marilynmonroe · 13/08/2012 17:15

youoldslag - where? tell me now! i can't believe the price of these holidays - who really pays £10k for a thomson holiday?!!!

OP posts:
YouOldSlag · 13/08/2012 17:29

Well I do mystery shopping and my brief was to go into First Choice with a fictional budget of 2.5k and ask for dates in summer hols. I'll have a mini surf for you. hang on.

YouOldSlag · 13/08/2012 17:33

Check out First choice, I found some in the Balearics for around 2.7 to 3k for 2 weeks all inc for a family of 4.

Original poster
marilynmonroe · 13/08/2012 17:40

thank you, will have a look now...would love to do a job like that, youoldslag, how did you get into that?

OP posts:
Fisharefriendsnotfood · 13/08/2012 20:44

Have a look at the suite Atlantis hotel Fuetuventura

YouOldSlag · 13/08/2012 22:45

I'll PM you.

mellen · 13/08/2012 22:48

The Luz resort is pretty cheap because of the Mccann thing. Without knowing what happened I suppose it is hard to judge, but there doesn't seem to be any evidence that anything was due to a failure of the resort owners or staff?

YouOldSlag · 13/08/2012 22:58

It's not that mellen, it's just hard to enjoy yourself where something sad happened.

mellen · 13/08/2012 23:14

I understand that, but different people will feel differently bothered, especialy as exactly what happened isn't known - that must have some influence on how people feel about it? I do find it a bit odd though to see the pictures of that very familiar resort appear on holiday websites. It did come up for me when I was looking for this years holiday, but beyond noticing how cheap it was I didn't consider it further as an option.