Lou, you will have a great time, the kids definatly will, go to the welcome meeting and the kids get to go to the wavelenght, kids clubs ect for a look round. Yes there are trampolines, dont know how much sorry. Mine enjoyed the cinema and computer room, the daytime activities are good for the kids, ie, sea scooters in the pool, inflatable canoes etc. karen

Hi all,

Got back to day after 2 weeks at HV.

We had a good time, but I do have issues with aspects of the product you get on this holiday. To save space on the forum I will post a review in the "hotel Reviews" section for all to see.

Hope you all have a lovely time when you go.

Andy

Thanks Karen - You have helped to put my mind a bit more at rest. I showed the kids (10 and 7) your reply and they are also feeling a bit happier about going. Just need to convince my husband now! Lou

Listen, for those who have been and perhaps telling it too much how it is in their opinion, remember some off us are still to go and having spent alot more in the July and August time. Believe me if our bathroom had not been cleaned for 10 days, I wouldn't have left it that long to complain about it!!!!!!! Perhaps this hotel will drop to a 3 * next year, but as I am paying and expecting 4 * they are warned that is exactly what I am expecting. We have travelled the world before we had our boys and know the difference between poor accommodation and superior so let us be the judge. I know that you think that you are trying to be helpful but for some of us it's too late to change and I don't want to be dreading my holiday, I want us to be looking forward to it.

Karen
PS I have read reports of the Flamingo Oasis in Benidorm that are not too good, therefore did not want to try it. Perhaps you were just lucky when you went there. I went to the Bahia Principe 2003 and 2004, thought it was excellent in 2003 but wouldnt dream of going back again as 2004 was awful and that a 4 star plus. Each to their own. What you might think is bad other people wont, however I will not put up with dirty toilets and bathrooms etc and will get it sorted out ASAP and not spend my time complaining about it when there or when I come back.............

In answer to your comments, our bathroom not being cleaned was no particular big deal to me, i am quite capable of doing this myself, but i complained at the hotel so it did'nt happen to others there after me. The lady in the next appartment had the same problem. People choose to look on this forum to find answers to questions they have, and get an idea about the hotel, if you look in the Turkey forum they have been warned it could be locked due to people being rude!!!!! Your reply to Benidorm was addresses to me, i have never been to Benidorm. karen

sorry but am I missing the point here, this site is called HOLIDAY TRUTHS, if you don't want the truth as experienced by holiday makers who have already been both this year and last year don't access their reviews!! there are mixed reviews which account for personal and individual tastes, I think honesty is the best policy!!!

Okay, point taken, but I'm just trying to say though I respect the truth and your right, perhpas I should no longer look at the discussion forum. Perhaps I should only look at the reviews and no longer join in the discussions.
Karen, no the Benidorm thing wasn't aimed at you.

Karen

I hope you have a great holiday, we booked this years holiday to Zante on the basis of reviews on holiday truths, please put your own review on when you get back, it just might help someone with their decision next year, Tucky

I hope you have a great holiday, we booked this years holiday to Zante on the basis of reviews on holiday truths, please put your own review on when you get back, it just might help someone with their decision next year, Tucky

hiya all! 49 days (i think) and counting. We fly on 14th august from Birmingham. We've just started buying our holiday clothes and can't wait. 4 of us going, me, hubby and 2 kids, Girl 11 and lad 6. They are so excited.

I've been reading all of the recent posts on the forum. My opinion is that a holiday is what you want to make it. If you go with the impression that you'll have a bad time, you probably will. If you go with the impression that you'll have a fantastic time, you probably will.

We haven't been abroad together as a family before so imagine the excitement. We chose this particular holiday because of the activities available for the kids. Basically if they are happy, then we're happy. We all work very hard all year round for just 2 weeks away and we're determined we are going to enjoy it!

Is anyone going the same time as us?

Hi hughesema

I agree with you. We are going to have a great time no matter what too and if there are problems, just sort them out as quickly as possible and continue to enjoy ourselves.

We go on the 13th August (7 weeks today) and really looking forward to it especially my 5 year old son. The activities sound good for children and we also booked for that reason. We will probably venture out and have a couple of meals elsewhere just for a wee change.

Perhaps see you there!!!

OK, I don't know if it was my review that has sparked any of this bad feeling, but I do hope not. Perhaps my experience of the HV was coloured by the fact that my two kids did not want to get involved in the Kids Clubs that much, and without that, given the remote location of the HV, there is not much else to do. I stand by my opinions of the food, service at the bars and adult entertainment at night though (although I never said the bathrooms were dirty, either public or in the rooms).

Of course a holiday is what you make it, and if your kids get involved in what's going on you may have a very different experience. I didn't go expecting a bad holiday, in fact it may be the last one I go on for a while due to health problems so I was really looking forward to it, but it didn't meet expectations and I felt people should know why.

As far as Flamingo Oasis goes, it was fantastic in 2003 in comparison, but obviously I can't comment on it now.

Hi Johnny Bravo

I don't think your review has sparked off the bad feeling about the HV. The mixed reports have been going on since the place opened last year and I think most of us who are going this year thought they were teething troubles which would be sorted out. In some cases it appears that the problems have only got worse! Thanks for the candid report . It means that we have information on things to look out for.

As far as the holiday itself goes, yes it is what you make it, but I agree that a 4* hotel should be 4*. After all, that is why it costs more than a 3*!

Thanks to the positive feedback from Karen my family are now a lot more upbeat about going in 5 weeks. Bring it on

Lou

Have now placed my review, could have written pages. It probably looks completely negative, I tried not to be. Hope you all have a lovely time when you go and the issues that HV and FC have do not spoil your holiday.

Andy

I am here at the moment with my husband and two kids, first impressions nice hotel - but downhill very quickly - went self catering but the prices in the shop were so incredible - 3.00 gbp for a packet of biscuits and 2.00 for a bag of crisps - so upgraded to all inclusive you are totally treated like cattle - same food every day - the desserts are really bland and chips with everything - my son has lived of yoghurts and bread for the last week - the queues are incredible for drinks - 3.00 for a slush puppy! I kid you not! they are not included in the all inclusive be careful!

The rooms are nice enough but not cleaned very well - I'm not an overly fussy person but I have had to clean every other day - the maids do work incredibly hard and the first choice staff are really overworked - so they can be a bit grumpy.

The worst thing was that our wallet was stolen from our room - containing our credit cards and all our currency - the staff were absolutely no help - fortunately we had a credit card hidden so we are okay (note to my friend watching this topic don't worry we are okay).

I think I know where I wont be going next year.

There are a lot of good things about the holiday village - there are plenty to do and if you just want to chill then this is the ideal holiday for you! But be warned - it is not a four star resort - not by my standards anyway! The weather is fantastic and you can go out and about. My husband and daughter (aged 7) went on a jeep safari and had a fantastic time - well worth the money and there are a few free trips which are well worth going on! If you are a smoker you can be rest assured there are plenty of places you can smoke (but we are not and you don't have the option of not breathing in the smoke), the evening entertainment is fun and the Saturday show is something else.

I am sure that you can make this holiday what you want it too - I don't want to sound too negative but we had very high expectations!

Please note that at the moment the hotel does not take American Express Travellers Cheque Card as payment (they do take American Express Travellers Cheque's)

Just wondered if anyone has complained to First choice about this hotel when they have returned home???

Yes we put a report in whilst there and followed it up with a letter once home, 3 wallets were stolen whilst we were there (so we heard ) Livy, if you read this make sure the reps fill in a proper complaint form, and you sign it. karen