Brief: A family of four would like to spend a week during the summer on a self-catering holiday in Cyprus. They’ve heard Coral Bay is nice, and would like accommodation with activities for the kids.
Budget: £2,500.
Verdict: Scunthorpe agents know Cyprus well, with the winner showing exemplary customer service.
Althams Travel
Althams Travel94 High Street
Score: 71%
I found the layout of this shop slightly uncomfortable as all customers sit side-by-side along a desk, which affords little privacy.
The agent seemed very knowledgeable about Cyprus and asked in detail about my needs, though initially didn’t consider my budget. I didn’t feel very involved in the consultation as I couldn’t see the screen and she didn’t tell me what she was looking at.
She offered Paphos Gardens for a week from £2,170 flying from Leeds Bradford with Jet2holidays.com, but I wasn’t given a brochure, just a very poor printout that was hard to read and didn’t give much information on what was included. She was friendly, but not very enthusiastic.
Thomson
Thomson71 High Street
Score: 87%
This agent gave the impression nothing was too much trouble. She asked about my needs, but was unsure about holiday destinations in Cyprus so enlisted help from a colleague.
One went through the First Choice brochure while the other searched on the computer system. They suggested I went all-inclusive as there was a good deal on the upgrade, and came up with a good hotel – the Aliathon Holiday Village – but rather over budget at £3,170 and slightly outside my holiday dates, leaving on July 20.
I was offered insurance and car hire and the agent tried to close the sale by offering to call me, and giving me a £100 discount voucher.
The Co-operative Travel
The Co-operative TravelWestgate Department Store, 17-25 High Street
Score: 87%
The agent here was very friendly and chatty. She first searched for options in Coral Bay, but they were outside my budget, so she looked within Paphos.
After several attempts with different dates and airports she found us a week at the Avanti Village resort with Thomas Cook, departing from East Midlands on July 23 for £2,657.
She then mentioned that Cyprus can be expensive on the ground and persuaded me to consider all-inclusive, offering a week at the Sentido Pafian Sun Village for the same dates on the same flight for £2,700.
I was shown brochures and the screen as she searched so felt involved, but she didn’t try to close the sale, or take my details to follow up.
Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook232 Ashby High Street
Score: 92%
The shop and its staff were pristine and tidy, and I was offered help as soon as I entered. The agent took details of what I wanted and was able to find a suitable hotel quickly, using brochures and Gazetteers.com.
She then went to a lot of trouble to find me the best deal, varying the search parameters including airport and departure date until she could offer me the Avanti Village resort on a self-catering basis for £2,134 with Thomas Cook, departing on August 6.
She was cheerful and enthusiastic throughout, offered me airport parking and car hire, gave me a brochure, business card and a printed quote, and suggested I pop back once I’d consulted the family. She took my details, but didn’t make a firm commitment to follow up with me herself.
Winning agent: Becci Greenfield – travel consultant
“I’ve been in travel for nearly eight years, but I’ve never been to Cyprus. My sister has visited a few times though, so I know it quite well.”
Top tips
- Coral Bay is a pretty coastal resort eight miles north of Paphos. It is renowned for its 600-metre white-sand beach, and the shallow waters that make swimming safe.
- Accommodation varies from two-star apartments to five-star hotels such as the deluxe Thalassa Hotel. First Choice, Thomas Cook
and Olympic Holidays all feature properties in Coral Bay. - The resort is seen as pricier than nearby Paphos, but there are budget options. Olympic offers seven nights’ self-catering in the Hilltop Garden Apartments for a family of four for £1,879, departing in August.
- Paphos is a larger and more bustling resort with an old harbour and a wide choice of hotels and restaurants. It is also the location of the international airport with a range of direct flights from the UK.
- For more on Cyprus, see page 39 or subscribe to Gazetteers.com