We have benn going regularly to the same hotel for a few years now and the amount of people that have said "You have been here before and you came back"? They then get very angry when we say that we enjoy it there and we don't agree with them, I just laugh and say each to their own.

This year is the first time that I have heard no complaints at all from the English guests, usually about the food (not English enough), other nationalities, there are only Turkish and Dutch besides the majority of English guests and everyone always smiles and at the very least say hello apart from the wingers lol. I have made friends from both Holland and Turkey that return to the hotel each year and we always have a laugh at the miserable one's that complain.

I have had several uncomfortable times when English guests that can hardly stand up make nasty remarks about others that they think do not speak English. Three lovely Dutch ladies that my wife and I spent quite a bit of time with around the hotel were obviously gay AND after their husbands . I'm not often stuck for words but that statement completely baffled me lol.

About leaving Reviews, I once left one for a hotel and said that a few things were missing and although it wasn't a big problem it could have been for others. I also said that it was probably down to the fact it was the last couple of days of the season. Someone replied and said that they were there at the same time and there were no problems. I later found out that they were there a couple of weeks before me, but what can you say As has been said you can read a lot between the lines when reading some of the reviews.

Jim.

I think it can be a bit difficult when you leave information in review though as sometimes you can come across as moaning when all you are trying to do is inform.
I stayed in a lovely place last year in Turkey, but a really minor point was to do with the shower gel (you had to take it off the shower wall and put it next to the sink for the maids to refill it and we didnt know this ).

I happened to mention this on a post in the Turkey forum and I got slated (by a bloke with the username victormeldrew ) for moaning and all I was doing was letting others know so that they didn't go out and try and find shower gel and shampoo after they had used their own up.

I do agree with your comments Sandra. If I was to go somewhere like Benidorm I would just throw myself into the holiday I wouldn't try and find a quiet nook and cranny to stay in. I would just go to a diffent style of resort and accommodation the next time. I like variety in my holidays as someone said you are a longtime dead. But I also can't see anything wrong in finding a place you love and returning if thats your thing.

Doe

I do like to try and read other peoples reviews of a hotel/apartment before I book as sometimes the brochure descriptions are rather limited. Often though I think the reviews are clouded by the fact that a person may have had a wonderful holiday, met loads of nice people and had the time of their life and thereby award the hotel top marks when in fact it may not actually warrant that - because to say the accommodation was maybe not quite perfect would somehow equate to saying the holiday was not quite perfect! So I think it can be difficult to be objective when writing a review, and you have to take that fact into account when reading the reviews too.

But my biggest grievance is when someone does their best to make you feel like you're a second class citizen for happening to like a resort that they may have just passed through or perhaps never even visited before but have a preconceived idea about the place. Please don't knock somewhere until you have actually tried it.

At the end of the day, we all have different ideas of what makes a good holiday and one mans idea of heaven could be anothers idea of hell - the only way to find out is to experience it for yourself!

kimi wrote:

At the end of the day, we all have different ideas of what makes a good holiday and one mans idea of heaven could be anothers idea of hell - the only way to find out is to experience it for yourself!

You are very right that we all have different ideas on what makes a good holiday but I wouldn't want to waste my time going somewhere I really didn't fancy just to try it I wouldn't try to put anyone else down for enjoying though.

kimi - you are so right!

When we took our children away we wanted something different from our
holidays than we do now - just the two of us.
The pool and entertainment was probably the main draw then but for us
it is the social life. We are on are own at home so to go away and meet
people and have a good time is right for us.
We also like walking along the beach, sightseeing and all the usual things but
once we are in the sun - ooh heaven!!!

Kedi I agree with you. There are places I just know I wouldn't like for one reason or other, no matter how good the reviews were. Just talking about this reminds me of that Holiday Showdown programme on ITV where 2 different families experience each others favourite holidays - some seem determined not to enjoy the other family's holiday, others give it a go. Have to admit if I was somewhere with no electricity and full of creepy crawlies I guess I might not be very happy! Makes great viewing though and just goes to show that we're all different.

Suzie - you are right, some of the best holidays I have had are down to the nice people we've met and the good fun we have had and not necessarily down to the hotel or resort. And yes, lying in the sunshine - you can't beat it!

One thing I hate is when someone tells me Benidorm is like Blackpool in the sun yet they've never been to Benidorm and NEVER even been to Blackpool! They just go off reputation or what others (who've probably never been) tell them!
It's easy, very easy infact in Benidorm to lay about by the beach in a world of your own and head out at night for a quiet few drinks. It's also very easy to go mad and have a right old knees up! Unfortunately most people who've never been think it's soley the latter!

Hmm........................well one thing REALLY makes me cross - and thankfully in four and a half years as a member I havent seen it often in here - but you do see it!!!

Last year a member asked where he could find a betting shop in Cala D'Or.

I couldnt believe the number of members who then came on and castigated him for wanting to find a betting shop!

Good god the man only asked for information not a diatribe about what he should do on his holiday!

As has been said - one man's meat and all that!

Its your holiday and youve worked hard for it all year and if you have fun having a bet who on earth is anyone else to say what you should and shouldnt do - thankfully a lot of members on here also felt like this and gave the gentleman the information he needed, while politiely reminding those casting judgement that he had asked for information, not opinions!

Hi Tootsie

I feel the same when folk ask where the nearest McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Burger King etc is. They then get 20 people jump on them for not knowing how to holiday properly as aparently all part of the holiday is eating the local genuine food.

Well obvioulsy for this person it isn't, it's just fuel so that they can move on to the next thing, or perhaps they only want to eat it once in 14 days.

As you say the poor soul only asked for information, not some kind of political lecture on the evils of American fast food and how we owe the locals a living. Loads of whom you often see in these places anyway. One mans meat..........

Doe

How I agree - When we first started going abroad, we thought it best to
eat the way the locals did - forgetting they use a lot more oil when cooking!
Then we wondered why we felt a bit 'uncomfortable' as the week went on!
(there is nothing worse that being out for the day or on the beach and
having to find a toilet - VERY quickly - know what I mean?)!!!)
We could not understand why 'seasoned travellers' used to locate the
Macs, B. Kings, etc - it took us years to realise that sometimes
you need just a teeny bit of the 'usual'.
Saying that, nowadays we can buy or make at home all the food we used
to eat on holiday so we don't crave for sardines, prawns etc anymore!
We now eat what we fancy and what we feel is good for us - don't like food snobs.

How many times have you been to a fabulous place and the day before leaving,
people say - "I can't wait to go home for a good cup of tea or a bacon buttie etc?"
As we have said before, one man's meat is another man's poison - so who are
we to judge. (I remember saying that though when in Greece after 6 days of
sprouts for breakfast! - (I would even have walked on hot coals to get a greasy burger!)

We were in a fab hotel with so much wonderful food last week - but
every other day, I bought a packet of crisps (between us!) just to get a bit of
salt - works wonders! Why does the food that is bad for you taste so nice?

By the way - does anyone know where the local bingo hall is in Marbella (only joking!)

I like sprouts. But I am not sure if I would want them every day for breakfast.

jump on them for not knowing how to holiday properly as aparently all part of the holiday is eating the local genuine food.

Absolutely!

and what is a "proper" holiday anyway?

Anyone who judges someone else for what they enjoy (so long as its legal! ) is being narrow minded in my opinion............

Sometimes I like a bit of culture, local food and not to see another British person. Other times I feel like a full fried brekki and to watch a bit of Corrie before I go out!

The point is that I work damned hard all year and my holiday is very precious to me

Also what about:-

"Pah who cares about your room your only sleeping there"

Well they may not care but I do as not only am I sleeping there but am also waking up there, bathing there, using the loo there, etc. We don't go out every night as sometimes I can't be bothered to get ready or we are up early the next day to go out in the car, so we'll spend a night or 2 in. We get a pizza or something, few cans etc and either watch TV or sit on the balcony chilling. I wouldn't feel comfortable if the room was dingy or dirty.

Thats another good one Glynis I feel the same. Quite like a nice balcony as well if possible, but cant always get one.

It makes me laugh as well, also I don't like grotty bath rooms, You know green or black mould instead of grouting, yes I know I only bath in it but well you do need to have some standards.

Yes I know what you all mean, and one that I have experienced just lately, is oooh I wouldn't go there (Jamaica - being treated by my son for next year's 50 birthday), you either have to stay in the complex, so they have heard or on the streets there is so much violence and trouble. Yet not one of them have been to Jamaica. One lad (sorry not being ageist here), had the cheek to say to me 'it's a bit down market isn't it'.

Hi Miss Pink - I am sure you realise that some people can't be nice about anything.
Just put it down to - if they can't do it why should you. Jealously maybe?
Please don't feel you have to explain yourself to anyone - when you are there in the sunshine, sipping on your cocktails,
and having a great time, just give the doubters a little thought and smile smuggly/contently!!!!
It is a bit like when people say "I wouldn't want personalised car number plates"
Just say to them - "I used to say that before I could afford it"!!!!!!!!!!! Soon shuts them up!!!!!
It always helps to have a good answer ready!

One thing I hate is when someone tells me Benidorm is like Blackpool in the sun yet they've never been to Benidorm and NEVER even been to Blackpool! They just go off reputation or what others (who've probably never been) tell them!

People often say that about Albufeira too, and it really winds me up!

(In fact, I've upset a few people who have said it when I've asked them have they ever been to Blackpool.
Like you say, the majority of them haven't.)

Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!

One lady recently was advised by a woman at her school gate not to go to Turkey with her blond haired child as Turkish people "steal children to order" I was so shocked that someone could say such a thing, the woman who said it has probably doesn't even know where Turkey is, let alone visited there. It's bad enough when people compare one resort to another wrongly but to actually tell someone complete nonsense and stuff that would scare is outrageous

Its often people who have never ever flown that come out with the ridiculous remarks. Many years ago someone I know was aghast when she heard we were booked for Tunisia. She said oh my god the beaches are absolutely filthy, covered in camels dirt and as for Tunisianthey will steal the shirt of your back etc.etc. We had a fabulous holiday and took great pleasure in saying that on our return!!