We asked three operators – Airtours, First Choice and Sunworld – to come up with a recommendation and sample price for three clients who have special requests for a winter sun holiday.
Request 1: Client A is a retired couple looking to escape the cold during winter. They are entirely flexible on dates and would welcome the chance to try a long-stay holiday if the price could be kept low. They like the idea of meeting other retired couples and joining in social activities.
Airtours
Area: Benalmadena, Costa del Sol, Spain.
Product: the Hotel Costa Azul, featured in the Airtours Golden Years programme, is a hosted club hotel set right by the beach. At hosted hotels guests are greeted by a host or hostess who introduces them to other guests, organises entertainment and activities including rambles, dances, live music, bingo, quizzes, board games and various shows. For the sporty there is archery, tennis, table tennis and a pool.
Price: two passengers sharing a room and taking half board pay £379 each for 28 nights at the Hotel Costa Azul departing on November 25.
Sunworld
Area: St Julian’s Bay, Malta.
Product: the St George’s Park property, featured in the Sunworld Golden Circle programme, offers a package of activities designed to appeal to the over 50s.
The hotel has a games room, gym, squash court, sauna and massage facilities and activities include mystery tour, dancing, guided walks, games and competitions, painting and cookery lessons, bowling, sailing and language lessons. Price includes a welcome party, daily tea and biscuits and evening entertainment programme.
Price: for two people sharing prices start at £262 for 42 nights if self-catering and from £399 for 42 nights half board – departing January.
First Choice
Area: Levante resort, Benidorm, Spain.
Product: the Hotel Barcelo Pueblo, featured in the First Choice Leisurely Days programme, is set 400 metres from a sandy beach. It offers a full programme of activities and entertainment including a mystery tour, English book and magazine library, guided walks, rambles, keep fit, swimming, puzzles, singalongs, games and bingo.
Price: two people sharing a room and taking full board pay £604 each for 35 nights departing from Birmingham or Bristol on January 1.
Request 2: Client B is a family of four looking to treat itself over the Christmas/New Year period. They want a two week holiday in a hotel which offers facilities for children and which will take all the stress out of the festive catering.
Airtours
Area: Costa Teguise, Lanzarote.
Product: the Puerto Tahiche Aparthotel is a seafront property within a complex of local shops and restaurants. The Airtours Dolphins, Sharks and Children’s Clubs operate in the hotel staffed by experienced child-care staff and equipped with a wide range of famous name toys, books and games.
Price: for a family of four (children under 12) departing Gatwick on December 23 for 14 nights’ half board the total cost will be £3,502.
Sunworld
Area: Costa Teguise, Lanzarote.
Product: the Aparthotel Los Zocos offers good facilities for families including two swimming pools, choice of restaurants, tennis courts and evening entertainment. The Sunworld Kidsworld club operates in the hotel for children aged between six months and 12. For Christmas and New Year, gala dinners are planned and included in the price.
Price: for a family of four staying in a one-bedroom apartment and taking half board, the total cost will be £3,968 for 14 nights.
First Choice
Area: Caleta De Fuste, Fuerteventura.
Product: the Club Caleta Las Villas is set in a quiet area less than 300 metres from the resort centre. Accommodation is spacious and well suited to families. The First Choice Kids Club operates at the property for children aged 15 months to 11 years old.
Price: the cost for a family of four departing from Gatwick on December 22 for 14 nights’ half board is £3,642.
Request 3: Client C is a group of young people looking for a warm winter break somewhere lively and fun. They want plenty of nightlife and day activities but are travelling for two weeks on a fairly tight budget.
Airtours
Area: Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife.
Product: the Club Oro Blanco Apartments is set on the infamous Veronicas stretch of bars and clubs with a good range of shops, restaurants, bars and a water park. Plenty to see and do by day and night.
Price: based on two passengers sharing a twin room, clients pay £289 each for 14 nights’ self-catering, departing Gatwick on November 30.
Sunworld
Area: Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife.
Product: the Compostella Beach Apartments is ideal for a group of friends as it allows easy access to the lively nightlife of both Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos. The property has a large pool, mini market, restaurant and bars on site and offers a regular entertainments programme.
Price: based on three people sharing a one-bedroom apartment prices start from £229 per person.
First Choice
Area: Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife.
Product: the Playa Honda Apartments offer simple but comfortable self-catering in a central location close to the Veronicas’ bars, restaurants and discos. The apartments have a pool, tennis court, games area, pool table and darts and the main beach is just 800 metres away.
Price: based on three people sharing, clients pay £245 per person for 14 nights’ self-catering, departing Gatwick on December 10.