John Toohey - Oh no I know people will help but i was just saying how nice it was. I think people on this site are helpful and fair when expressing there views. Thankyou for your advice

Tracy - Thats sounds really good how long is the flight to the DR? I'm assuming they have inflight entertainment. So may would be the cheapest time to go, I'll have a look at that too but if you don't mind having and look that would be great as you may be able to come out with a better deal than I can. Thankyou

Hi again sneaky
What about the Red Sea area. I've been researching it for a one week hol in April but I have to look out for school hols. There seem to be loads of AI hotels, and for your Dad it would only be a five hour flight. From what I have seen you would probably get 4* or 5* for your budget if travelling off peak.

Have to say Egypt looks a good bet. Haven't been there myself but I'm sure others can help! Any other questions - just ask away!

Thomson do a flight from Stansted to Egypt, but only winter season & i think its on a 757 which will have limited legroom.

Nigel

Hi

I went to the Red Sea in the Summer, stayed at the Conrad Sharm El Sheikh Resort. We all had a fab holiday and would love to return to this hotel.

Check out the reviews http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/egypt/sinai-penninsula-and-red-sea/sharm-el-sheikh/coral-sea-sensatori-hotel/

Pippy

Sneaky,

Flights to the Dom Rep are approx 9 hrs (about an hour less on the return). First choice planes do have an excellent entertainment system and personal seat back TV's with movies, tv progs and interactive games.

Had a quick look and the cheapest time in May seems to the the first week. I have got total prices for 2 adults departing on the 6 may from Gatwick of £1588 to the Riu merengue (which I have been to twice and is wonderful) of £1638 to the Gran Ventana.

On the East coast, I have a departure on the 3/5 to the Sirenis hotel for £1589 total.

Tracy

I found one for 2 weeks in June (it can't be may now!!!) The Lti-costa Caribe Beach Hotel in Playa Caribe, Margarita £1300. Its such hard work looking for the best you can get for th emoney you have!

Check our our reviews

We have lots of reviews for the Costa Caribe hotel http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/caribbean/dominican-republic/juan-dolio/coral-costa-caribe-resort,-spa-and-casino-hotel/

Also reviews for the Riu Merengue Hotel (latest one October 2005) http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/caribbean/dominican-republic/puerto-plata/clubhotel-riu-merengue-resort-hotel/

Glynis HT Admin

do you run these places?

No Sneaky - we are a holiday review and discussion site.

We have 2 sites the Reviews site which covers accommodation reviews from people who have stayed at the hotel/apartments. This is available via the link at the top of each page 'Hotel Reviews' or via this link http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/
Then we have here, the forums where you are now for members to ask or assist with any holiday related queries.

just read your post again, don't i look stupid yeah I get ya.

Well the hotels great and that's a fantastic price. September can be a touch tropical with more rain and it is the month that more hurricanes crop up than during any other month. The north coast of the dom rep though hasn't been hit by a big hurricane in many, many years - they usually strike the east or south of the island which are 6-10 hours away by road.

Flight looks as if it is with Thomson Aka Britannia which are the standard charter cramped flights - so done't expect much legroom. Only FCA offer the extra seat pitch in economy.

Okay just spoken to my dad and now eveyrthing has changed, we have to go to the caribbean or africa and we have to sit at the front of the plane (premium class) aghhhh but don't look dismayed he wants to keep it to £1500 but at a push a MAX of £2000.

I went to thomas cook and they game me a price of £990 with premium seats to the Occidental Allegro Jack Tar, Puerto Plata. They say it's a good price what are your views can I get cheaper???

Thankyou x

The jack tar is one of the oldest resorts in playa dorada - i have heard that it needs a bit of an update. Also sounds a bit expensive given the age of the resort.

If your dad insists on the premium cabin it does reduce your budget a lot - premium cabin is £200 per person extra.

I had a look on eclispe and the riu merengue departure on the 7 July can be upgraded to premium with a total cost of £1926 - just under budget. I seriously doubt you would get a two week holiday. at a decent 4 star plus hotel for 2 with premium upgrade for £1500 total unless you got a last minute bargain. I imagine if you shopped around you might get something a little cheaper (maybe £100) - but I doubt the hotel would be as good as the Merengue. In the Dom Rep, it really is a case of you get what you pay for.

As i said above, if you fly with first choice you really don't need the upgrade - I flew to Cuba with them in may for 10 hours with no problems and will be using them for a holiday to the maldives which is 11 hours next May. All the other charters (mytravel, britannia, monarch) i wouldn't travel on without the updrade but personally, I don't feel it's worth it with first choice.

I really didn't think it would be possible to et it at £1500, but it it really worth waiting to book last minute? This Riu Merengue scores quite highly then? and is it all inclusive 24hrs?

I just relaised I have been saying July when I have ment JUNE!!! Sorry guys, will that bring the price down??

The Merengue is an excellent hotel - been twice myself including at Christmas in 2002. The Merengue is not 24 hr - the bars close at midnight and the disco bar stays open till midnight. i have heard that the main bar at the bachata which you can use stays open all night. There is in your room though a fully stocked mini bar including soft drinks, beer and 4, 1 litre optic bottles of rum, vodka, whisky and gin which are all included in the AI option.

June is actually cheaper than July - its not during the kids holidays. Departure on 11 June is £1418 in economy or £1826 in premium with First choice through Eclipsedirect. A week before or after that date sees the price go up by £100 in total.

Sneaky

If you go back to the travel agent ask them to price up some deals with Kuoni from there Tropical sun brochre and Hayes and Jarvis. They used to have some good prices and use a lot of schedule flights giving you some extra leg room. Both of these companys do a limited edition/special offer brochre which they bring out a few times a year usually for travel in the next 4 months or so. YOu can view offers on line.

Longwoods are supposed to be good on prices for Egypt. Somak and Libra also do some good prices.

First choice and Eclipse do Egypt within your price range from Gatwick and they also offer more leg room have a look at there website or have a look at their flights in the flight only section of Holiday Truths.

Good Luck

Christine W

Cynic- The merengue, is that the one where you can us ehte other rui hotels included and the others can't us the merengue???