Hi all!
Just thought I would mention in passing that when I was last in Arillas I stayed at the Bardis Sun Hotel. We had a great time so this time round I was hoping to find out what they are charging. I noticed a news flash at the top of this board 'Bardis Sun Hotel can finally be booked with Thomson Holidays!'.
As it happens the local Thomson booking shop is only round the corner from where I live. I went in there today and couldn't find the hotel in 2007 book(small and friendly) or next years 2008 book. I know the manager well and explained what I was after, and she had a search on the computer. It is listed, but only via the computer in some strange category. They are fully booked for this year.
All the best,
Martin.
Well thats good they are booked. When we were staying in the Bardis Sun Studios the Hotel was empty and had only about 5 rooms booked up until then. They were very expensive though compared to everywhere else.
I am confused by this and wonder if the travel agent or tour operator has got it wrong. We got back yesterday from the Studios next door and the Hotel is almost empty. The family that run it are really worried as they don't seem to know what will happen next year. According to them Thomas Cook is thinking of taking the Hotel on board but as of yet they don't have confirmation. hey are really keen to see rooms and obviously if they do, it's great for the resort in general. If anyone is interested I will ask the family at the Studios for a direct contact number or e-mail address or perhaps Dimitris can provide one. I am sure the family would be most grateful for any business.
Hi Wendy and Stu!
The last time I visited Arillas my wife and I stayed at the Bardis Sun Hotel and it was booked through Thomson 'small and friendly'. It disappeared from the brochures and I tried to find where it had gone. I seems that a Scandinavian firm were booking it until this year when Thomson started to use it again. If you go to the thomson website under Greece/Arillas/hotel name it does come up, showing that the hotel is open until 15th October with no vacancies for this year. I admit it's most odd as the Thomson Holiday Shop don't have it specifically listed on their computer, but they can find it when they do a 'complicated' search. The hotel was good, but we spent a lot of time with Poppy and her family at the Studios next door. As I recall the Hotel is run by the Bardis family, Spiros and his two brothers and the young lady running the breakfast/catering, Dorita was also a relative of the Bardis family. I think the family also ran one of the Tavernas (possibly the Grazziella) on the front.
As you say, Dimitri will probably be able to fill in the gaps.
All the best,
Martin.
Now I am confused!
Just visited the Thomson website and all I can get is 'sorry we cannot find anything for these dates' I've tried all dates and all airports... nothing!
The hotel isn't in the 2007 brochure and I've just checked and it does not appear in the 2008 one either!
If the hotel is short of bookings and are worried about next year perhaps we can give them a hand as the accommodation is very good, but a bit pricey through Thomson. Booking direct may be an answer, perhaps members 'in situ' could investigate!
Take care,
Martin.
Hiya Martin, you are right it's very confusing. The place is almost empty and they are keen for business. They have signs outside, etc. Definitely have vacancies. Although Poppy and Spiros and the boys next door have the same surname, they are not connected in any way. Totally separate. Dorita still runs the Hotel and the family also have Gratzela on the front. I am sure if anyone does want to book for this year then Dimitris can offer contact details. For next year maybe Joe can keep people posted on whether or not Thomas Cook take over. In the meantime the Bardis Sun Studios are with Corfu Escape and can be linked via the home page on this site. www.corfuescape.com
Its a shame its been like this for Dorita this year, i heard they havent been full at any time, there were only 3 couples staying there when i was there in May!
Thomson made the mistake of charging too high a price to holiday there and not very many people would pay it and rightly so, but its Dorita and her family that loses out because of Thomsons Greed, cos you can bet your life they were paying them hardly any of the many they were charging!
I dont think Thomsons are representing them next year, i hope they go with a company who will do right by them.
Hi again all!
From what you have said it strikes me that Thomson are not playing fair with the Bardis family. I am not impressed. Dorita and everyone at the hotel are hard working and bend over backwards to make your holiday enjoyable. They deserve better!
I agree that the prices that Thomson charge for the 'package' is excessive and that would put a lot of people off, but to list the hotel as 'no vacancies' when they are obviously empty and looking for custom seems stupid.
I wonder if they are held to a contract of 'sole agent' with Thomson in exchange for a 'retainer' to prevent the hotel filling up with guests from other sources. Either way this doesn't seem fair.
The hotel would be better off going 'independent' as many of the others have done, I'm sure they would get customers by the recommendation of others and by this website.
I wonder if the situation has anything to do with the recent takeover of Thomson by the German group Tui! A lot of things changed within the Thomson company when the British company sold out.
Yammas!
Hi all!
Just found out via the Thomson website (by deduction) that package deals are available to the Bardis Sun Hotel at 'special offer' rates. They are charging £750 to £850 for two but will not allow 'single' bookings.
Hope the owners know what extortionate rates Thomson are charging and that they transfer their management to Corfu Escape or go independent!
All the best,
Martin.
Its disgusting what they are charging!!
Hi Smiffy!
What we need is someone in Arillas to visit Dorita and tell her what Thomson are charging, then she will realize why she has so many vacancies! As I said, these prices are 'specials' for the end of the season, goodness knows what it would cost at the normal 'going rate'.
If they go independent or switch to another management company with cheaper rates, I would certainly use them again.
Here's hoping,
Martin.
Yes that would be a plan, if someone going out this month would then she could then understand why shes had so many vacancies.
'Specials' thats ridiculous, if they were to go with another company and the price was affordable and not comical then im sure Dorita would be flooded with guests!
Hi all!
Now the winter is setting in I find that most nights (and days) I find myself logged on to this website reading up on the latest news and viewing the webcam pictures to cheer myself up!
Once Christmas is over and 'done and dusted' I hope the air fares will have sorted themselves out to a 'reasonable cost' level so that I can make plans to return to Arillas.
Has anybody any further news on The Bardis Sun Hotel? Have they gone independent or changed their operator/agents?
Neil, if you are in the area, perhaps you could pay Dorita a visit and inquire.
Hope all goes well for them next year!
All the best,
Martin.
Martin
I'll take a potter down there very soon and ask the question.
Negg
Cheers Neil!
Hope it's good news, as I said before, they deserve a break as they all work so hard to please.
Yammas!
Martin.
We told Dorita in Aug what Thomson are charging. We have always stayed with her but this year the prices next door were just too good to turn down. We felt bad about deserting her but it was almost twice the price.
Hi Lisa and Steve!
Thanks for your info. I'm glad Dorita knows what a rip off Thomson prices are. I will wait and see what info Neil can find about the booking arrangements for next year.
Our stay at The Bardis Sun Hotel was a fantastic holiday and sadly the last visit to Arillas before I lost my wife. A lot of good memories! Hope to revisit next year Mayish.
All the best,
Martin.
we have just returned and the bardis had only 1 couple staying there. dorita said they hadnt been busy all summer. normally the bardis never comes up to a later addition.
alex
Hi!
Just checked the Thomson website. No mention of this hotel on next year's booking list. Seems like they have dropped it. The plot thickens! Hope Dorita can give us a clue as to the new agents/tour operators!
All the best,
Martin.
Its such a shame that they are being treated like this by Thomsons. We stayed with Dorita twice in 2005 and would not hesitate to go back again if Thomsons had not been so greedy with the prices. From the reports posted by several people the hotel has been empty most of the season which is normally unheard of when you are tring to book a holiday - they are normally bursting at the seams (or is that just Spain).
I hope that they are all ok and business picks up for them next year.
Martin
Went into the Bardis Sun again this afternoon but everything closed up.
Not a soul in sight.
I will keep trying.
Negg
I think Dorita will be round at the Gratsiella now that they have closed the Hotel. Im sure they would be pleased to know that their old customers are concerned about the
family business. Good Luck
Thanks Bet
Negg
Thank you Neil for your attempts to contact Dorita and family. There seems to be quite a lot of support for this hotel. Hope they have managed to cope with the poor season this year and that next year the 'past customers' like myself, will rally round and make it a full season again. They deserve it! Thomson has gone down hill a lot in my opinion and I hope that the new arrangements will improve the Bardis family rewards for 2008!
All the best,
Martin.
I spoke with Dorita today and she tells me it's "Independant next year"
Contact numbers:-
0030 26630 52050
0030 26630 51039
or mobile 00306938960283.
She has good Englsh, so don't worry about giving her a call if need be.
Regards
Negg
Hi there
Talking about Thompsons and their prices, we have just priced up to go to the Kaloudis appts where we go every year. For 2008 they want £1,770 for two adults and one child (bear in mind free child place) to go self catering. Needless to say we didn't bother booking, hope to maybe get a cancellation at last minute, otherwise need to replan 2008 holiday.
Mango
Hi Neil!
Well done, thanks for the information. Glad Dorita has 'gone independant' and escaped the clutches of Thomson. I will ring her to see what her prices will be for next year, maybe she will post an advert on this site, I am sure she would do better than relying on Thomson.
Yammas!
Martin.
PS. Mango,
maybe it's worth you enquiring with Dorita and booking with her next year, get a cheap flight and go 'independant'. The hotel is very comfortable and nothing is too much trouble for the Bardis family, they realy look after their guests well!
Hi Martin-W
Yes, we will probably look round for alternative accommodation, I know where the Bardis Sun is and it does look really nice. I also quite fancy trying the Horizon.
Mango
Hi all!
Contacted Dorita today and had quite a long chat with her. She confirmed the hotel will be going 'independent ' next year after a very disappointing year with Thomson and that she will be dealing with all bookings via the 'phone for next year. There is no website at the moment, but once you have confirmed the date and time of arrival she will book the room/rooms to suit. The rates are very good (nothing like those charged by Thomson).
I hope to be a regular guest at the hotel in the future, starting with May next year, subject to a suitable flight from Cardiff CWL/Bristol.
Get booking now!
Martin.
Hi Martin,
Glad you got in contact with Dorita, im happy shes now going independant, hopefully now she will get alot more business now that Thomsons wont be trying to rip off the customers!
Do you know what the rates are for the rooms, if so could you possibly post them on here please??
Thank you.
Hi Smiffy
Martin sent me a message saying that the rates for Bardis Sun will be £50 per person.
Hi Martin
Thanks for the information, I will bear it in mind.
Mango
Mango
Can you clarify that for me please?
Is that £50 per person per night per room or £50 per room per night?
Or £50 per person per week?
Thanks
Negg
OMG Negg, I'd not even thought about that, do you always complicate things?
I really don't know I assumed it was £50 per person per night, which for us would work out expensive accounting for flights etc.
Come on Martin, englighten us please.
Mango
Hi all!
The conversation I had with Dorita was that she was still setting up the 'independent' side of the business. There is no website. She will deal with clients by 'phone. I was quoted £50/person/week for May, ie. £100 /twin room/week, low season, not sure if that was a 'special' for me, as I have stayed with her previously, before I lost my wife. The rates would rise as the season progressed. She speaks good English, and all she needs are your the dates for her diary.
I am sure that if you would like to ring her she will confirm the rates individually.
There is a cheap international service called 'First Number'. Dial 0844 972 9700 wait for a reply. When prompted dial Dorita's number 0030 26630 52050 or 0030 26630 51039. Calls cost only 2 pence a minute!
She may consider putting an advert on this website, If thats all she is charging it just goes to show how much she was getting from Thomson and what an excess profit they were making out of her and her family!
Leave some room for me, I want to travel in May and going solo for the first time. Just looking for a flight at a reasonable price. Not much going at the moment from Cardiff CWL, still at the £250 stage!
All the best,
Martin.
Thanks Martin
The service "First Number" is of interest as well. I'll tell family at home that.
Cheers
Negg
Hi Eggy!
The website for First Number is < www.firstnumber.co.uk> I found it was very useful when my younger son was working and living in Bavaria.
There is a table of destinations all over the world, even parts you never hear about! All the rates are very low, most of Europe being 2 pence a minute.
Another good site is <www.saynoto0870.com> this service finds an alternative 'standard' number for companies and banks that insist you use the 'national' dialing system so that if you are on a tariff of 'unlimited' calls beginning 01 or 02 you get them free as well!
Have a good day!
Martin.
Thanks for these links Martin. They are well worth checking out.
Eileenx
Yep martin very kindly emailed me the details also Mango, if that is the price per week then thats blooming good isnt it, and just goes to show how greedy Thomsons were being!
Even if it is mates rates it's still very good. Viv