This morning I received an email offering me a great deal on the perfect holiday for me from a major High Street travel agent. I clicked on the link so that I could compare their prices with the holiday that I have already booked.
The first issue was that they don't fly from my chosen airport to my destination at the weekend, they only offer one flight per week on a Tuesday evening but as I only wanted to compare prices I let this slide.
The second issue was that they only offered one hotel in the whole resort, and this is a hotel that I will NEVER be staying at again, but again this was just a price comparison exercise.
The package price for two travellers was £493 per person for a week's half board in a 3 star hotel and included flights and transfers, this was for mid June. Breaking this down, the flight was £198.98 per person, the hotel £276.50 per person and the remaining amount covers the costs of transfers and the rep at resort.
The third issue was that when I searched for 1 person travelling, as you know I always travel alone, the hotel was sold out. Change the search back to 2 people travelling, and the hotel was available again.
Booking separately, the flights work out at around the same price once hold luggage is added, however, the hotel can be booked much more cheaply. Going to just one of the many comparison sites the same hotel can be booked for the same dates, the same board for £295 for two people, a saving of £258 on the original email offer. With transfers costing around £20 return this is a good saving.
You could possibly find even cheaper, this was just the first site I looked at, I usually look at a couple before I book anything.
I've talked before about shopping around, and this is another reason why.
I have just booked my annual summer holiday - and yes it is back to the Maritim in Calella for me.
I always shop around, although I do have a core list of online agents which tend to be my first port of call. I tend to shy away from booking directly with hotels as they always seem to be more expensive than through an agent.
This year, however, I received an email from GHT Hotels, the company who own the Maritim, offering a discount.
I had been quoted €377 for a week's accommodation in a single room with breakfast, Alpharooms were slightly cheaper than this, but as I now refuse to book with them I passed onto the next price.
Booking directly with GHT, I have a twin room for sole use, which automatically means a larger room than I would have had, and half board meals, all for the price of €399.
I have also taken advantage of some add-ons; I have prebooked the safe in the room (the safe is always there, what you are actually hiring is the key and lock), this is normally €3 per night, or €21 for the week, I have paid €18.
I have booked a mini fridge, this is normally €30 when you pay at the hotel, I have paid €24.50.
Finally I have prebooked my drinks for my evening meal, normally I spend about €6 per night, for the 7 nights of my holiday I have paid €17.50.
The savings from paying for these additions up front has more than covered the additional €22 for the larger room and the evening meals.
Now to try and do so well on the flight!
