Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

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

Original poster

Neilson in Greece- recommendations please?

28 replies

GnarlyOldGoatDude · 18/09/2017 12:50

We are considering our first Neilson holiday next year- any hints or tips about Greek resorts would be great please! I'm a complete couch potato but DH and kids (7,6,4) would love it, and I could be persuaded into a few activities I think. Any recommendations? Apart from the price, is 2 weeks too long? Thanks all

OP posts:
2014newme · 19/09/2017 09:07

Been to lemnos.
Good points are it's brilliant for kids and you do get a genuine holiday yourself. Kids are out sailing, playing tennis, they take them out in speedboats, catamarans etc food was good, fun lively atmosphere, attractive hotel, large pool. Walking distance to lovely harbourside village with restaurants etc.
Yes could easily do 2 weeks
Minus points gritty beach with a power station at one end, basic accommodation. We had to fly from Gatwick.

Would I go back? Yes. My kids would love it. It's very expensive!

Original poster
GnarlyOldGoatDude · 20/09/2017 08:27

Thank you, that's really helpful! Alas yes we've priced it up and the prices in school holidays are shocking. None of the resorts look to have particularly brilliant beaches which is a shame too. We are going to stew on it for a bit! It would be so lovely to feel like we'd had a holiday too though! Smile

OP posts:
AutoFillUsername · 20/09/2017 08:30

We have been to Neilson and Mark Warner in Lemnos. I would recommend MW over Neilson. Is a nicer beach and bay, same activities, a bit cheaper.

bananafanana1 · 20/09/2017 08:41

I've been to two Neilsons but in Turkey- both were fab.

Book in any activities at the meeting you have (usually day following arrival). They get booked up quickly.

I've done tennis, dhingy sailing, waterskiing, sailed in a catamaran, aqua aerobics, yoga. Boxercise and stand up paddle boarding. And I'm so not into exercise or sports!

2014newme · 20/09/2017 10:07

I just tried to book for may half term and sivota and lemnos were already fully booked

Bombaypotatoes · 20/09/2017 11:21

I'm in Lemnos right now. One of the best holidays we've ever been on. So much to do, we've tried everything from sailing to Zumba. There's no pressure to join in anything so you can lounge about all day and not do anything (as half our group have), or do all the activites (Which seems to make the holiday better value for money).
Kids club is also the best I've ever seen, nannies running it are really hands of and seem to genuinely love their jobs (also a lot of male nannies which is uncommon but really good to see). Lots for them to do, they will be exhausted by the end of the day. Our accommodation is nice, modern airy room, only downside is that it's near reception so a bit of trek from this beach.
Cons are the actual island outside the resort isn't great, the walk to the castle is nice (although we struggled in heat) and if you don't take part in the actives the holiday doesn't seem as worth it price wise as you can get a beach/sun holiday much cheaper elsewhere.
We've already decided we're doing neilson again next year, but might try one of the other resorts.

firstdatesfear · 20/09/2017 11:23

Marking for later

Bombaypotatoes · 20/09/2017 11:23

Sorry that was long. But on the length of the holiday-2 weeks is perfect. We wouldn't have had chance to do everything we wanted (timetable clashes) in one week. And If we had there would have been no downtime to sit back and sunbath.

Original poster
GnarlyOldGoatDude · 20/09/2017 12:43

You're not helping, you lot!!! You've made me want to go Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
GnarlyOldGoatDude · 20/09/2017 12:45

Has anyone been to Sivota or Messini? I've been trawling Trip Advisor and such mixed reviews. Generally huge praise for the kids' clubs though; just worry if ours are too young (7,6,4) and would seem an awful waste if they didn't enjoy the activities, especially as they'd all be in different groups.

OP posts:
TiramisuQueenoftheFaeries · 20/09/2017 12:48

I love Neilson in Greece - we've done 4 different resorts. Messini was also great. My favourite and the largest and best equipped resort was Lesvos and it's still open as far as I know but it's a long transfer (3 hours) and of course there's a significant refugee issue on the island, although I don't honestly know if that's affecting the resort once you're inside it.

Their Sardinia resort is also nice but you don't get the same standard of food, drink and accommodation at Italian prices as you do Greek.

TiramisuQueenoftheFaeries · 20/09/2017 12:50

Oh and DS has been going to kids club since 7 months old! Not sure why a 4yo would be too young, in general the kids love it.

2014newme · 20/09/2017 13:20

My kids have been in Neilsons kids clubs since age 2.
Why would your kids be too young?
They are flexible with the age group would probably let 6 and 7 year olds be together if room

Original poster
GnarlyOldGoatDude · 20/09/2017 13:38

Thank you- I meant too young in terms of doing watersports etc! They're all well used to nursery and school etc. I'm just trying to find reasons why it wouldn't be amazing, aren't I?

Youngest gets travel sick so I think the long transfer one is out. Sivota is cheaper. Vounaki seems popular but has mezzanine rooms rather than interconnecting.

This is all really helpful, thanks everyone.

OP posts:
2014newme · 20/09/2017 13:52

Er, even the babies are eout on boats, being held by the nannies. Nobody is too young for waterports at neiksons!

2014newme · 20/09/2017 13:53

Op ot will come down to where is available, a lot of people book a year in advance. I can't get the respects and dates I want!

TiramisuQueenoftheFaeries · 20/09/2017 13:57

^What 2014 says. No-one's too young for watersports Grin

I liked the mezzanine rooms at Vounaki but it was just us and a toddler - would be a bit noisier with three kids in there. They have lovely huge windows and it's a good resort.

Original poster
GnarlyOldGoatDude · 20/09/2017 14:01

Dammit I'm going to end up booking at this rate Grin

At the moment there's availability. It's just sooooo expensive.

OP posts:
2014newme · 20/09/2017 14:08

How much is it coming in at?

Original poster
GnarlyOldGoatDude · 20/09/2017 14:15

£8-10k for 2 weeks, depending on resort Shock

OP posts:
GotToGetMyFingerOut · 20/09/2017 14:21

That's crazy I'd much rather do Florida for those costs.

Original poster
GnarlyOldGoatDude · 20/09/2017 14:28

It is crazy! Nowhere is cheap with 5, but even so...

OP posts:
2014newme · 20/09/2017 14:38

It is crap you that's why we stopped going g we e been going to 5 star resorts with better beaches and luxury accommodation in Mauritius and Mexico instead for £5.5k. Plenty if water sports included
Florida cost us 9k

For basic accommodation and poor beaches it's very expensive at Neilsons. Plus it's not all inclusive! drinks and meals in non club board nights do add up.

2014newme · 20/09/2017 14:39

Sorry should have said it's expensive not it's crap! It's definitely not crap it's just massively expensive in school hols.

SquareWord · 20/09/2017 14:41

The best holiday we've ever had since having children was with Neilson in Turkey. The children still talk about it five years later. Wish we could afford to go again.