Alternatives to Mark Warner please?

[beautifulgirls]

Hi - We have booked with Mark Warner for this June but have just received a letter from them telling us they no longer provide a full day of childcare, just half a day - but you can pay for the extra half day if you want to. In addition they are no longer full board, only half board. All well and good, except they are trying to fleece us of more money as the amount they have reduced off our total holiday cost is nowhere near the extra it will cost us to return those factors into our holiday, both of which were a part of the holiday option to us. We are waiting for a sensible response from them about this issue, but seriously considering cancelling now if they do not honour the original contract (legal issues aside which we may yet look into)

DH and I both enjoy the opportunity to sail dinghys with the ability to have the kids in and out of the kids clubs in between especially for swimming and beach play. We would like somewhere that is warm in June and not too long a journey with kids (this was for Greece). Can anyone suggest any other holiday providers that might be suitable instead please?

Sunsail, Club Med, there is also a German co that do a similar thing - the name escapes me but a friend went on one and it is aboslutely brilliant. I will try and find out.

I think MW have had their day.

Thanks - will check out those.

Minorca sailing is good ...it is all day well two sessions am and pm and you can check out exactly wjhat they offer the different age grpuops

it's more of a sport holiday for keen people but the equipment and facilities and instructors are all good

lovely place

Neilson.co.uk also do dinghy sailing holidays with tennis and kids clubs etc.

wonder if it is a backlash aftr the Portugal incident. Have you looked at the MN Review section ? There was another one similar to Sunsail too , part of Neilson

Haven't seen the review section but shall check that out thanks - and all the other suggestions. Never realised there were so many! Nice to have some choice though.

It seems that the prebookable half day sessions only apply to the under sixes - the other childcare facilities remain available free all day.

Why not ask to be transferred to San Lucianu in Corsica. I have been there 3 times. It is lovely and they still provide full board there the sailing is good and there are 3 tennis courts.

Where in Greece were you going?

Recommend Neilson - have been to Greece and Egypt - both good.

We were going to San Agostino - been twice before and have really been happy there. I shall have a look at the Corsica resort in the brochure. I wonder why that one stayed the same re childcare etc?

Hi we are in same position, got our letter just before xmas, complained with not much joy, definately do not 'feel free'. We have a 5yr old so booked the extra child care as we should be there at May half term. Looked at Sunsail as an alternative but it was more expensive as we currently have a free child place. Think I will get back in touch and remind them about honoring original terms and conditions

We've been with Sunsail quite a few times and it's always been great (with kids ranging from 1 year up to 5yrs). Dh went in the 'time before children' and he loved it purely from a sailing point of view too. We've booked again with them this year - we did look at Mark Warner and I thought the prices were similar (this was Sunsail in Turkey, versus Mark Warner at all resorts). Some of the Sunsail resorts are a lot more expensive than the others so worth checking out a few. I didn't like the break in the middle of the day for MW childcare - not that I expect to leave the children in kids club all week, but don't like unsettling them to give them lunch etc. SS is sort of half board (it has changed a bit over the years and I'm not sure what the current situation is with lunches/dinners) but the places we've stayed have always had the option of reasonably priced snack/bar lunches when they aren't doing an inclusive one.

Can also recommend Neilson - their Beach clubs plus hotels are v good and I couldn't fault the childcare. Have done Warner and Sunsail and liked Neilson best. Very short transfer to their Lemnos hotel - we haven't been to that one, though have been to Lemnos and loved it.

German co is Aldiana I think

we have been with sunsail for the last 3 years in turkey all times and have had a brill time. i would advise you to watch the sunsail website and book on a late deal about 6 weeeks before you want to go.We have done this the last 2 years and saved about half of the cost. If you are not restricted to school holiday dates then this is good. If you want any advice over Phokaia, or Perili ask. I think Marverde is now closed where we went last year. My husband is a keen sailor and the whole day childcare is brill

Hi All
We've been on a couple of MW holidays and really enjoyed them. We were just about to book again but then got the letter about the revised childcare, half board, no baby listening etc. The main concern I have booking with them now is the half day childcare and no baby listening. I've looked on Neilson and they don't do baby listening either. DS is only 2 and half and loves his sleep and would not settle in a creche in the evening and as much as I love him I want to have a nice meal in the evening with DH without him.
Do Sunsail do Baby listening? The babysitting is expensive and always booked up. Any suggestions?

yes last year they were doing the baby listening, however our 4 yr old wanted to go to the video club instead which was free- a huge bonus. I think the babysitting is limited to which staff will do it and so there;s no guarantee that you will be able to get it. When we went last year after Maddy went missing there was a feeling that taking children to the evening meals was ok- I don't know if this is a good idea for you or not. The sunsail website might give you some more info.

Have a look at Club Med Palmiye in Turkey, it's so much better than Mark Warner.