Mark Warner/Neilson

[chalkyc2]

Thinking of booking a 2 week trip to a Mark Warner/Neilson place this summer. We have 2 boys aged 9 and 7 who love kids clubs but we've never splashed out on one of these activity/all inclusive places before. Any tips or recommendations? The reviews seem variable and the costs are high!!

We went to the Beach Club Retreat in Sivota, Greece with Neilson a couple of years ago with DD 3 and really enjoyed it. I would love to do it again - if you & your family are active and like trying different sports, it seems like the ideal holiday to me. Even with the little kids like DD, they did loads of stuff - the club for the older kids looked like great fun.

We've done lots of Neilson holidays and they're great - we have considered Mark Warner but they seem to cost more and include less. Food is generally tasty and varied, accommodation is simple but you don't spend much time there. I would recommend 2 weeks as it's better value and there's loads to do. Do check that your chosen resort does the sports you want to do as they vary a bit.

Had lots of Mark Warner holidays over the years as they suit as down to the ground. Kids clubs with lots of activities for DD (only child so great way to make friends) and loads of sporting activities for DP who can't sit still for more than 10 mins at a time.
Food is fine but not very imaginative, but frankly if someone else is cooking and clearing up, I'm more than happy. Nightlife suits us - weekly quiz, discos, live entertainment - all finishes before 12 but bar stays open later
Choose somewhere near a town so you can visit and get a change of scene from the hotel campus.
I would say excellent if most of the family love / have to be active and you're not interested in different cultures / visiting archaeological sites / loud nightlife. If most of the family like sitting by the pool / on the beach it is a very expensive way to do it

LOVED our Mark Warner holiday to Kos, kids club was amazing, real break for all of us, definitely recommend.

We've done two Neilson holidays - Messini in 2016 and Alana in Croatia last year. Both of these have short transfer times from the airport - about 40 minutes.

I had checked out Neilson holidays for a couple of years before we went but always felt they were ridiculously expensive.

However, I wish I'd done them years ago. Absolutely fantastic for adults and kids alike. So much to do if you want to, or you can just do nothing and relax. Staff are amazing - the various instructors (sailing, tennis etc.) are enthusiastic and genuinely want guests to have the best possible holiday. Food was really good at Messini but disappointing last year in Croatia, as was the accommodation. They're doing a revamp at the moment in Croatia, including a new 50m pool. I loved the location of the resort with the national park as the backdrop and walking distance to the local town with several options for the non-inclusive nights.

Messini was also nice but a bit out on a limb in terms of the location.

You really don't spend a lot whilst you're there so, whilst it seems expensive when you're booking, it actually works out to be good value.

Trip Advisor is a great source of information on all the Neilson resorts.

Enjoy if you do decide to go.