What are Mark Warner Hols like?

[jasmineaha]

We are looking for holiday with childcare on offer are these okay holiday? I like the appeal of childcare but DH bit reserved as said it would be stifling to holiday en masse and be trapped in a resort but i would get a rest!! what has peoples experience been or are there other places i should look at? thanks for reading.

Mark Warner can be really fab, what ages are your children as that could be a deciding factor.

My MW experience was the worst hol I've ever had with some of the poorest, dirtiest accomodation I have ever experienced - from someone who travelled around India and parts of Africa on a teensy budget that is saying something!

My DD (aged 9 mths) was admitted to hosp on the way back from airport, as was another child we later found out when we bumped into the family 4 yrs later and it was the first time they had ventured abroad since their dreadful MW experience.

We did MW last year with 4.5 month old DD and it was fab, fantastic childcare, I had a break met some great people so yes for us it was good.

They are v expensive but do run great kids activioties - the childcare in our experience was brilliant.....we went to lakitira I which gets a good write up onthis website!) the first weeks accomodation was appalling - dirty old room near the gate to the resort -....long dark corridors etc - we changed and upgraded for the last week to a lovely 2 storey apartment with a balcony overlooking the pool. The food was so-so but the children loved it - breakfasts were great. As expected lots of professionals, gp's solicitors etc - so conversations were quite samey...very much a poshish butlins but with 2* accomodation - I think crystal active do something similar at a much lower cost and probably its not worth paying more for MW..

thanks for comments its useful to hear others views before you spemd so much money and cash, any others with views?

Would pick sunsail or neilson over MW every time. Sunsail have better equipment, kids clubs there are fantastic.In fact we are off on friday to sunsail pirelli, our 5th sunsail hols, cant help being biased but DS loves it. MW seems just a bit shortchanged in every area, not quite top notch for the price IMHO.
good luck

We have had 3 excellent MW holidays - once in Greece at a resort that is no longer there, then Summer 2007 to Paleros which was BRILLIANT and a New Year at Abo soma in Egypt. I would agree that the accommodation can be basic (has been a thread on this before if you search) but is always clean. Abu Soma was 5 star hotel and was gorgeous but not the same atmosphere. Children and teens LOVE it they make lots of friends; we never saw our DSs as they were in the Indies Club - this is a plus or a minus depending on your pov . Food not so great, bit repetitive the first time but that was over 10 years ago. Last two times food has been excellent. Would be going again this year (sons now 16 and 15 and love water skiing) but have got very good/cheaper deal at Lykia World in Turkey so giving that a go. Didn't fancy Sunsail as too many yachting types who take it all terrribly seriously!!

We have had fabulous MW holidays, first time my dh and I felt we were in paradise, had some time to ourselves and 3 children were very happy in the childrens clubs. I love my chidren dearly but also have to look after myself as have a busy job. We would recommend san agostino I think the food there cannot be faulted not michelin star quality but lots of choice plenty of fruit and vegetables rooms are basic but clean and with air conditioning. Wont pretend there havent been a few problems along the way but nothing too awful.
Not like esprit with whom we went skiing this year the very mention of their name makes me feel quite sick we will not be using them again.

been on two skiing holidays and one sun -corsica this may- and they were fantastic

kids clubs were great - my dd1 loved it and she can be quite shy

food was great and i think i am really fussy

accom is clean but probably quite basic - but perfectly comfortable, big beds etc

great location in corsica - right on beach, near mountains, very quiet resort - you are not on top of other people at all and can quite happily ignore everyone and eat quietly if your dh prefers, or meet others if you like that too

why not try to book an off-season one or late deal so you dont spend too much and can try it out - our may holiday was great value

I've been on a few Mark Warner holidays and loved then ubtil I went to Club Med. It all depends on the ages of the children and how much time you need to have on your own. MW for littlies and CM for older children where you can mix club time and family time. The resorts are much more sophisticated, there is tons more going on, and the food is totally amazing.

In summary I would say MW 2 and CM 4