Holiday for 1

[Clure]

Is anybody having problems booking a holiday in the resort for just 1 person? I have stayed at the rainbow for the last 2 years on my own in October and now i cannot find anything for one on the net or travel agents or are manos no longer doing any cheap deals, any info from anyone would be helpful, Thanks

[Eileen]

Hi Clure,

Have you considered booking your accommodation, flights and transfers independently?

This way you will escape under-occupancy charges, in fact you will probably find that the owners may give you a discount for being a sole occupant.

Take a look at the following links for flight prices. (apologies if I'm stating the obvious here)

http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/index.asp (Gatwick only)
http://www.flythomascook.com/
http://www.thomsonfly.com/en/index.html
http://www.xl.com/ (use the code MOD in the special offer box for a small discount)
http://www.palmair.co.uk/ (Bournemouth only, Wed' dep. Last flight 15th Oct)
http://charter.flymonarch.com/monarch-home?aff=flymonarch

Remember to check the one-way price for each of the above as it can work out cheaper to fly in and out with different airlines.

A pre-booked taxi transfer should cost between 45-50 euros.

Look at the Accommodation pages on this forum...don't forget to look at http://www.arillas.com/rooms/ where the special offer price for single occupancy in October is only 130euros per week!

Good luck,

Eileen.

[Eggy]

Hi Clure
Not sure what Tour Ops are doing but, If you're on your own maybe consider private accommodation and flight only.

Brouklis looks after single travellers as does Portofino, with their studios. I'm sure Arillas Bay appts, opposite the Rainbow would help. Others Forum members can probably name more.

And ... Flight only plus book direct could work out cheaper. Obviously depends on your dates and the airport that suits you. ( and if you break even? - Nothing spoilt )

There is also a post about Taxi sharing, from Corfu Airport, when you arrive.

We're all here to help. After all that's how most of us got here. - With help & advice.

Good Luck
Negg

[blondegirl]

Martin-W is going solo this year if I remember rightly.  He has booked a flight for May and is staying at the Bardis Sun Hotel.  Dorita quoted him £50 a week b & b which is very good.  Also a lady was also asking on this forum about staying on her own in Arillas as well as Lozicle so they might have some accommodation ideas.

Easyjet flights are cheap enough and then there are a number of studios mentioned on here which would probably accommodate a single person.  Single supplements might not even apply if you book independently, they might be just glad enough to have a room booked.  What about Thomas Bungalows or Alex Studios.

[Eggy]

Clure
I  reckon the hardest decision you'll be making soon is:-
Room/Studio with sea veiw or Appt inland with or without onsite pool, room above taverna or restaurant.
Possibilities look endless.
Negg.

[PaulnMaria]

Paul & I are travelling out in May. We are bringing my mum with us as she really wants to see Arillas after we have raved about it for so long. We had no luck booking accommodation with any of the tour operators as we wanted a seperate room for mum. We were happy to pay an under occupancy supplement for a hotel room/apartment but still no joy. Thomas Cook insisted that my mum would have to pay the full holiday cost for 2 people which I felt was extortionate. I do not see why she should have to pay for an extra seat on the plane as they were willing to sell her a flight for 1 but not a package holiday. Thomas Cook tried to lay the blame at the door of Arillas hotel & apartment owners but I did not accept this as they would not benefit from charging for the additional seat on the plane. For the last couple of years we have booked flights and accommodation independantly and have had a great time so that's what we've done again this year. We are staying at the Mathraki apartments. The owners will arrange to collect you from the airport and take you back there at the end of the holiday which is a great idea for lone travellers who may worry about arranging their own transfers. 
Maria       

[Baldy Barry]

PaulnMaria,
We had the same problem last year but the other way round.We wanted to stay at The Mirage apartment's which sleep 3 which was fine for me Susan and 14 year old Jack.But the couple that came with us couldn't get in there as they were told the apartment had to sleep 3 so they stayed at the Akti.When we got there though Nickos (owner of The Mirage) told us that couples staying there were no problem but it was the holiday company insisting on 3 staying.Most of the apartment's were occupied by just couples,very annoying !
Have you told your Mum Arillas is very like Seaton Carew (or canoe) !?
L.O.L !

[PaulnMaria]

Barry, I'm still in shock at the thought of taking my mother-in-law on holiday !!!! Is Arillas ready for her, will I be allowed back ?? I can't sleep at night !!!!!!!!

[Baldy Barry]

Been there and got the t shirt Maria !
Took mother in law with us to Greece with us a couple of year's ago.
She was alway's desperate for a PROPER cup of tea about 20 times a day !
Nearly alway's had plain roast chicken to eat while we were having our Greek food.
She had a whale of a time though,even got in the swimming pool and she can't swim !
Your Mother in law will love it !

[Clure]

Cheers for all your advice going to spend my day off looking at all the flights and accomodation you all recomendedthanks very much, Clure xx

[JC]

Dear Clure

I think I am the 'lady' that blondegirl talks about in her reply.  I have booked into Arillas Bay Apartments (sometimes known as Seabreeze) at the far end of the bay as I have been there five or six times before and love it, in spite of the mozzies and the lack of air-con.

I booked with Manos and they were difficult about it but I just stuck to my guns.  I am paying a single person supplement and it's really expensive (£700 approx for two weeks in August) but what the hell ... at least I am not paying for two flights.

Hope you have success.

Best wishes, JC

[martin-w]

Hi Clure!
I must thank Blondegirl for pointing out my particular predicament. I tried to book with Thomson originally on line and all I kept getting was 'no vacancies available for the dates given'. I tried to book online with the various airlines but got the same response when I selected 'single return'. from any airport. In desperation I went to my local Thomson travel office and immediately got the seat I wanted on the flight I wanted from my local airport Cardiff CWL! I contacted Dorita at The Bardis Sun Hotel and booked directly for two weeks from the 2nd. May for £50/week which includes the single supplement! Taxi transfer is €50 each way pre booked and arranged by Dorita.
THEY ARE ALL 'AT IT'! I think I am getting a bit paranoid, but it appears that if you are a single traveler you are treated like a leper. Refused seats on flights and overcharged for accommodation in the form of 'supplements'  My attitude is b****r the lot of them, go independent! Book your own place on your terms. The hoteliers of Arillas gain by your custom, and you can't loose. There is always that unique friendly welcome waiting for you. My bill for two weeks is: flight £248 return, Accommodation £100, taxi €100 plus spending money. Not bad I think!
Dorita can be contacted direct on Tel no. 0030 226630 52050(hotel) or 0030 26630 51039(home). The Bardis Sun Hotel was one of Thomson's 'Small and Friendly' hotels until this year, when due to the way the Bardis family had been treated by Thomson, they withdrew form the company and went independent. Great hotel, good amenities, pool and friendly welcome from all the family.
Hope this helps,
Yammas,
Martin.

[blondegirl]

Very well put Martin.   I think you taking the plunge was great and you have certainly set a precedent for the solo traveller to Arillas!  It shows it is possible to book and I look forward to hearing how you get on from a review when you get back regarding the whole experience especially how you get on with Dorita at the Hotel, I am still hoping she remembers the booking! (I am sure she will but as there is no paperwork I have visions of us sleeping in the bar as she will be fully booked now!) lol. 

You will be one of the first visitors to Arillas this year, how exciting, everything will be new and fresh - especially the seats at the Horizon!  It will be great too to look out for other "Addicts" that you have been talking to on here through the winter as well.

I really hope you have a safe and trouble free journey and that you have a brilliant time!

[Erja]

I am travelling to Arillas independently at the end of August and I booked the flights directly with Monarch and the room with Ditmitris in Brouklis. The taxi I will book a week before using the booking form on this site (Noula from San Stef Travel is very helpful!)  as I did last year. Price is 50 euros each way.

I looked to book with Thompson and other companies from UK but lone travellers seem to be a strict no no for them, but it is their loss

[justphil]

Hear hear Erja. It is their loss. Not a very sound business plan these days.

Please order me a Mythos and Jen an Amstels when you get there. We will still be reading the forum when you are there. Jealous as hell...

lol
phil