Yes!!!! Same songs and everything.......

Hi All,
We are going to the HV on July 27 for 2 weeks, Self Catering.
2 adults and 2 children.
Can anyone tell me how much it is to upgrade to all-inclusive please?

Thanks

Following a posting on another holiday website, I contacted FC about the paying of a deposit on arrival at the HV.

When we were there in 2004, we had to pay 15 euros each for the use of the free towels; this was then refunded at the end of the holiday.

Now you either have to give over your credit card details to the FC reps or 100 euros as a deposit against breakages or losses (presumably towels, remote controls, glasses etc.).

Think we should be told of this by FC as to have to stump up 100 euros in cash on arrival could cause a problem for alot of people especially if you are AI - you don't tend to take as much cash with you as if when you are SC.

hiya i allso read this posting on another website about the 100euro deposit,as fc have'nt informed me about this,what happens if you turn up without cash and don't take your cards as its AI some people may not bother to take cash/cards ect,can't see that fc can do a lot about this & i'm not going to hand over my card details to anyone
izzy

Izzy - I have sent a second email to FC stating that I think they are very negligent in not informing holidaymakers about this deposit as when you are AI you do take limited cash with you; not everyone has a credit card; if you then have to withdraw cash from an ATM you get charged by your bank for it and what use is 100 euros to you at the end of your holiday? As England doesn't use the euro as it main currency, and not every exchange bureau gives comission free service, you could end up with a lot of euros that you don't need.

Have also asked whether you get a cc slip from the reps saying you have paid the deposit and also another one when leaving saying they haven't charged it. But like you, am loath to hand over any details to a rep and surely it should be the hotel that wants these details, not the reps.

Will let you know what FC say if I hear back from them. When are you going?

hi mitchy and izzy, we got back last sat from two weeks at the hol village and yes when we checked in i was asked for my debit card details just as "security"! it is the hotel reception staff that ask for this and deffo not the first choice reps, they write details down on a form and then they destroyed this in front of me when i checked out, 100 euros was never mentioned but this is prob because i gave the card details!! towels, remotes etc are then all deposit free! because this was my third visit to this hotel (first time in 2004) and because most of the reception staff have been the same each time (as indeed are alot of the waiters and bar staff) i felt ok about giving them my details as they are "genuine" staff - but i understand what you are saying and really giving out card details like that could get into anyones hands - can't be to careful! but it is deffo the hotel reception staff who ask for these details and not the first choice reps. enjoy your hols

Hi lukebeck

If you haven't done so already, perhaps you would like to post an up to date review in our Hotel Reviews section?

luci

Hiya mitchy/lukebeck1 thanks for info concerning deposit at HV at least we'll be prepared,but i do think FC should mention this when booking your holl, i've read a few postings on another site about sickness bug going on at the HV and it seems to be an ongoing thing,any update on that would be appreciated allso can you tell me if you can buy cigarettes at the HV itself either machines or in the shop or is it a treck into nearest town very grateful for any info on this
thanx
izzy

ps. were going 23rd august and can't wait

Lukebeck = many thanks for your posting. Glad to know that its the reception staff and not reps that want the details. We too were there in 2004 so again, nice to know that some of the staff are the same. Will be interesting to see how it has changed.

Izzy we are going on 25th July so only 2 weeks left for us!!! Have also read about the "norovirus" outbreak but to be honest with you, if you trill through various sites you will find there are outbreaks of this at virtually every hotel all over Europe. Think alot of it is just one of those things that happen with a change of food, water, environment etc. We just go armed with Dryalite, Immodium and hope that we are OK. There is no point in getting too stressed over this becuase you are just a likely to get this sort of bug in the UK. I would also like to know how the poster on the other website knew it was norovirus; according to the NHS direct website its just a posh name for gastroenteritus.

I seem to remember there is a cigarette machine in the main reception area; if you come out of the main gates and turn right, there is a petrol station about 10 mins away and also a small parade of shops so am sure you will be able to get some there.

izzy, re the sickness bug thing - we were there from 14th to 28th june and we had no problems me, hubby and kids 11, 8 and 6 and got talking to lots of people and did not hear of any sickness bugs, did see one poor little boy being sick at the beach club but that could have been anything bless him!! but im not arguing with anyone who did have sickness etc as things affect people in different ways but we didn't have any problems and wasn't aware of any "outbreak" - there is deffo a ciggy machine by the bar and snack bar at the outside entertainment area (near kids park) but can't tell you how much as i dont smoke, we had a great holiday its the 3rd time ive been and yes i would go back , anyone due to go this year have a great holiday - im sure you will!

thanks lukebeck1 for clearing afew things up at least we now know about the 100 euro deposit now and just read last post on hotel reviews about sicknes bug felt like running for cover hopefully things will be ok when we go once again thanks

Izzy: this is the reply I have had from FC in response to my 2nd email:

"Further to your enquiry, the rep should give you a receipt to confirm they have taken your card details. I would advise you to ask them for confirmation of this before they take your card details so you have something in writing to confirm your details have been taken.

I can understand your frustration regarding this as you were never told by ourselves about this charge. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. I will contact our Product Department who put the brochures together to get something loaded onto the website to advise of this deposit and try to get them to also put a note in the brochure about it."

So it seems as if FC are realising that they have bombed out on this by not telling holidaymakers about it. It is interesting that they are still saying its the reps but Lukebeck said it was defo the hotel. We are just going to wait and see what happens but think its going to be the hotel.

2 weeks to go for us and cannot wait!!

Its not in fuengirola its more benalmandena and its not near anything, the beach is quite far, and there is nothing in the immediate vacinity. you have to get a bus everywhere. its like butlins, and I have heard bad things about food there, everyone I know had stomach bugs, food poisoning..

Not sure what your post is supposed to mean Kazza - there has been postings about stomach bugs but not read anywhere about food poisioning.

Most people are aware that the entertainment is "Butlins" orientated - its after all a family based holiday concept (i.e. parents have a holiday as do the children because there are activities/entertainment). Have stayed at 2 HVs and they all have the same facilities, food, entertainment etc. etc.

Have you stayed at this HV?

have to agree with mitchy
that does seem like a very strange posting by kazza36, just putting the complex down for no real reason at all.
we have had two fab holidays at the hvcds and would definately go back.
john

Hiya all does anyone know the nearest hotels to HV apart from holiday palace as looking to book up somewhere for my eldest daughter whilst were at HV,be grateful for any information

thanx
izzy

hi izzy
if you google holidayworld.es you should get to their own website. at the moment it is only showing the palace and village as being open. by the way if you go to their website it will be in spanish so click on the union jack icon on the left to read it in english. if your family will be visiting you at the village i would check with the staff there because they do have security on the gate and you often have to show your room key to gain access. happy hols
john

reagarding a random post on food poisoning. we were there last year and had a good holiday there are good and bad points to every holiday and you have to weigh it all up. we were never ill once the food was good quality but yes you get fed up towards the end we ate out twice on nice restaurants on belemadena prom it is out of the way but when you have kids you only venture out in the night. i had to weigh up pros and cons and we have just booked hv turkey for next month not sure as i know it will be hot but they have lots of things to keep the kids entertained. i know when my kids are grown up i would never consider a hv or all inclusive as we like to eat out but for the convience drinks on tap and price of euro at the moment cant fault it. the only holidays that fulfilled every need we have are way out of our price range and booked up. its about taking whats important to you and for me like most others thats keeping my kids happy and making sure thay have a great holiday and if that means butlins type resorts for a couple of years out of my life then so be it holiday villages here we come. i can have my holidays when they get to go on their own. so some hate it and some like them go with the flow anythings better than two weeks in work . (i hope) any questions just ask oh and a visit to the marine park is great with the kids we went in the evening and the kids hadtheir photos taken with dolphins which made their holiday.

Hi everyone,

We have booked for the 9th August but am really worried about the reports of sickness bug sweeping the hotel. I have read posting on holiday truths/watchdog websites which say that during June most families had at least one member ill with norovirus and the situation is still no better.

Is there anyone who has recently returned who could update me on how bad the situation is. I know there is always a slight risk when you go on holiday but I really don't want to go somewhere that there is an outbreak of this scale.

Thanks
Helen