San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu
Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => Where to stay => Topic started by: Chrissie49 on May 03, 2012, 07:00:57 PM
-
Hello All
Just been looking for next year 2013 to return to SS to the Tsaros Apartments which in the past we have booked with, Thomsons but can not find it anywhere even tho when put in the apartments nothing is comming back is it a case of fully booked up already or is Tsaros is no longer with Thomsons,
Would love to know as we do want to return to SS.
Hoping some one can help.
Chrissie
-
No still with Thomson- we booked through them and go in a week. You do have to book VERY early to get in here as they are very popular, and I see many weeks are fully booked. We have found we need to book in one year for the next year in order to get the weeks we need.
http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/europe/greece/corfu/san-stefanos/apartments/tsaros-apartments.html (http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/europe/greece/corfu/san-stefanos/apartments/tsaros-apartments.html)
-
I had noticed that Chrissie on this year but not on next year perhaps just taking private bookings sure someone on here will know
-
We have had the same problem trying to book for Rose Gardens for 2013, after lots of calls to Thomson head office it seems that some properties have not been loaded on to the website yet. We were told they would be loaded on 26/05/2012...Tsaros is probably the same!
Hope this helps!
-
Hello All
A bit of a catch up Just found out from Thomsons that there will not be doing Tsaros Apartments next year so if wanting to book best so it direct shame really
-
Rose Garden is avaialble on Holiday Hypermaeket which is part of TUI
-
Rose Garden is avaialble on Holiday Hypermaeket which is part of TUI
Is that related to Compare the Meerkat.com x x x
-
Is that related to Compare the Meerkat.com x x x
Here I go again. Really must spell check before I post lol :-[
-
Don't believe what they tell you at Thomsons!! We were told thr Rose Gardens was dropped for next year too...eventually we found out that they are not launching the Greece Brochure until 26.05.2012 and the holidays won't be on the website until then. Tsaros is in the same brochure I think!
We have managed to get booked at Rose Gardens now for 2013 with Holiday Hypermarket so it may be worth trying them maybe.
-
I have a holiday booked at the Tsaros for the end of August with Thomsons, Have emailed the Tsaros with a room request twice now once last week and once about 3 months ago and never got a reply to either. Thomson still do not have the Tsaros available for next year on the website so i assume they have been dropped. Perhaps there is a problem between the Tsaros and Thomsons and that is why i have had no response to my emails.
-
Rose gardens isn't on the website either but it is definitely not dropped. Not sure about Tsaros though as they are not being sold by Holiday Hypermarket either :(
-
There is no problem with Tsaros and Thomson, but Thanassis cannot read English and relies on his wife Christina (I think), who has her hands full with the twins. He has been told he is coming out in a brochure in July, BUT there is something going on at Thomson that I am aware of following emails to me from Crawley, and when Thanassis and I get something definitive then I will post here. Also it might not be a bad idea to express your utter annoyance at the current inability to book for 2013 by sending emails to pretravelservices@thomson.co.uk , because the more that get sent the better ;)
-
It would be completely illogical for Thomsons to drop Tsaros. As mentioned it is massively popular, and imho the best accomodation in SanStef (sorry Christina xx).
I know its safe money, but Thannassis would cream it in in private hires if Thomsons were dumb enough to do that.
-
Crawley has once again told me that the Tsaros will not be offered in 2013, but STILL Thanassis does not know anything about it. Watch this space ::)
-
Bump.... Have just had an email from Crawley and they state definitely that Thomson will NOT be using the Tsaros in 2013. What is more they say that the 'hotelier' and resort team are aware of this, yet as late as this weekend Thanassis tells me that he would hear in around two weeks!! This is bad news for him as he now will have to soldier on by booking direct. Bye bye Thomson you have lost a lot of regular customers!
-
No reasons given? It's hard to tell if others are affected - no 2013 on Thompson web site yet...
-
No reason given to me Jimbo, but probably find out more when Thanassis gets back to me. I wonder if it is Thomson's trying to nudge people into the half board/all inclusive so they can make more money. Damn shame this, as Tsaros has been with them since 1997 and all the many times I have been there they are always fully booked. Ah well Tsaros gain and Thomson's loss as far as I am concerned as I will still keep going twice a year and Tui will not get my money anymore, and likely all the other regulars will do likewise >:( >:(
-
Are you sure it's not the hill? It's not possible to get a coach up there. It does look wonderful, I must say - but I wouldn't want to carry much up there in the heat!
-
Jimbo
Could the same not be said for the Romanza if thats the case. I am sure the hill is steeper there.
it does say in the brochure that there is a steep incline so people are aware of what to expect
-
From talking to people around the village, Tsaros is definitely dropped as said above. There may be a couple of others, I'll try and get more info. Not great news if they have to sell independently.
-
Julied
Can't get coaches up there. But then, who knows what Thomsons' strategic plan is????
-
To be fair the Romanza has a good car park/entrance so plenty of room to reverse out etc
-
There is no problem with getting to the Tsaros as Nikos picks/drops everyone at the Barros for the coach.
-
thank goodness for that swedebasher as when we go we are taking our daughter and grandaughter with us
I dont think John would have made it up that hill with 4 cases he is 61. It would have been funny to wach.
-
Jimbo
Could the same not be said for the Romanza if thats the case. I am sure the hill is steeper there.
it does say in the brochure that there is a steep incline so people are aware of what to expect
Hi Julied
The Romanza is on the main road so there is not a problem.As Jimbo says the road to the Tsaros is not wide enough for the bus.I can't see this as the reason for Thomsons decision.As Swedebasher says Transport has always been provided from the Thomson drop off point at the Barass to the Tsaros.As is said in earlier postings the Tsaros is fully booked on a regular basis so there reason for dropping it is very unclear. I would like to wish it all the best for next season on whatever road it takes.I have never stayed there but have made many a stop at its wonderful pool bar for the odd Mythos after a walk around to Arilas and beyond.
Yammas
Yiannis
-
I have received a similar email from Thomsons:
I regret to advise that we no longer offer holidays at the Tsaros Apartments and I am sorry for any disappointment that this may cause. We continue to offer a wide range of accommodation in the San Stefanos area, and would suggest that you check our website for alternatives.
Philip
-
Seems like Thomson cutting there own throats if people enjoy staying will book without them not look for alternatives
-
This all smacks of Arillas again. When I went there in 1990 you could choose from several places, now there is just Kaloudis and Mathraki that are with Thomson/First Choice.
-
Personally delighted as we can now book us five into his apts. Also we can book holiday durations that suit us, and we can be happy that Thannissis gets the money in his pocket to support his family.
We will do our very best to drum direct trade up for him, and I think they can really make a good go of it independently.
The customers they get from Thomsons can be hard work with little return anyway, i.e not as much bar trade these days etc. If he goes B&B for direct bookings, throws in a 10pm Happy Hour of sorts, they will thrive.
Modern life throws these kind of challenges at all of us, and they can definitely come out of this the right way.
-
abbo
As you said personally and that it what it is. My Personal feeling is that most people dont want
Bed and Breakfast, that is why they book an apartment and not a hotel, as for happy hour why
is that not done now why wait until they go independant.
I am certainly not slating the Tsaros Apartments as I am going myself in August
-
abbo
As you said personally and that it what it is. My Personal feeling is that most people dont want
Bed and Breakfast, that is why they book an apartment and not a hotel, as for happy hour why
is that not done now why wait until they go independant.
I am certainly not slating the Tsaros Apartments as I am going myself in August
For me an issue Tsaros could have is people staying there but not using the Pool Bar as it is 50yds away. The reason previous people DO keep using the Pool Bar is the extremely friendly welcome, excellent food and good atmosphere of an evening.
The onus is to get people in-the-door and breakfast is a low cost way of forming that bond, whilst 10pm is prime-time walking back to the chalets time to capture customers.
To answer your question as to why not do these already, well it's a fair point but I suppose theyve just delivered whats been asked of them as Thomson customers and not been too proactive in attracting custom.
-
I think that due to the ridiculous margins he would get from Thomsons they probably need to sell alcohol at a decent price to gain some profit back. If he went direct then he could probably afford to have a happy hour etc as he wouldnt be needing to 'sweat' the take from his customers and could use food/drinks offers to attract other customers/passing trade etc!!
-
Now official, the Tsaros will not be with Thomson from 2013. Damn sad I say.
UPDATE 18/07/2013......just had contact from Thanassis to say that the Tsaros IS out in the latest brochure so will be staying with them. What are Thomson's up to???
-
They did the same with Tereza's - a game of bluff with the owners.
They tried to drop the price they pay until owners would have made no profit at all.
They tried blackmail in that they would drop the accommodation - the owners just couldn't afford it so refused.
Thomsons then gave in - it's just a game to that lot - - money - - money!!
-
Agree with you Tony - we have booked the Tereza for 24 August this year for two weeks. It will be our third time in SS but first at Terezas as we have booked independently before. We monitored the price online with Thomsons for about two months then saw it at a bargain price but my husband was out so waited till he got home before booking just to check date was okay. This was on on the Friday evening but when we went back on line that eveening Thomson were saying they had no availability so we were really disappointed as we thought we had lost it. It then came back on the system on the Monday so we booked it.
It seems they take hotels on and off as they please which is so unfair the the Hotel owners as they could also be missing out on bookings as we could of booked another hotel thinking that the Terezas had not availability. Dont know why they do it - wonder if the Hotel Owners are aware they do this - suppose there is nothing they could do about it though!!
-
I read with interset all these posts re Thomson. It seems to me that if owners of hotels/appartments do not wish to use the advantages of dealing with this company, they have no reason to trade with them. If Thomson do not provide what the seller considers to be a reasonable rate, the seller should not enter into a contract with Thomson, and either use an alternative company, or advertise and handle bookings/transport themselves.
I would add that if anyone has a problem with Thomson, it seems to me that the best solution is not to use them, not moan because they do not feature the Hotel/appartment they wish to book.
-
Rover I agree with your sentiments as I am sure most would, however - in reality, Thomsons have a bit of a stranglehold over a great part of the village these days.
I am not so sure all owners could market & sell out all their rooms privately, and Thomsons know this and use their power effectively.
-
An alternative view would be that Thomson bring a lot of people tp SS, and bars restaurants etc benefit. Certainly SS (and I have been going there since 1995) would not be the same without them.
-
Rover I have read your comments and agree with most of them but if you are refering to me in your comment 'not moan because they do not feature the Hotel/appartment they wish to book' I would just like to say that I wasn't moaning because they didnt feature the hotel I wanted it was a case of I was going to book it because it was showing as available but when I went back on it an hour later it had gone so I rang up Thomsons and they told me they didnt have that hotel available anymore - they had all sold out. It was when I went back on again on the Monday to book something else it was showing the room I wanted at the same hotel I wanted to book on the Friday was available again but not only was it available they had three twin rooms b&b available and have had availability right up until two weeks ago. What I couldnt understand is where did they get these rooms from if I was told when I rang up they had all sold out!!! If I had listened to the guy at Thomsons on the Friday evening and booked a different hotel then I would have been disappointed to see the hotel I wanted to book originally available again on the Monday. It just doesnt make sense to me. Also it was for the same dates and from the same airport.
I might also add that I have travelled in the past with Thomsons and Thomas Cook and have found no problem with them at all and this time we have got an excellent price with them although I do like to book independently also for the sake of the local hoteliers.
-
Regarding hotels going independent, the Olga has done it this year, and as much as we would have loved to have gone to the Olga again the flights from Edinburgh cost £354.00 each, and a package holiday to the Teresas B&B only cost £420.00 from Edinburgh on the same flight!! So it made sense for us to book the package holiday. I don't know how much flights cost elsewhere, hopefully cheaper than Edinburgh! and the Tsaros apartments don't loose out because of this.
-
Hi Sunshinegirl. I was not referring to you in my comment, and certainly meant no offence. As far as I am concerned, Thomson have always provided me with good service, otherwise I would not use them. I personally have had several excellent holidays at Voulas appartments, but this is no longer available via Thomson. There are always reasons for these changes, and Thomson will always try and reduce costs. So do our supermarkets, but this does not seem to attract the same adverse comment!
-
Hi Sunshinegirl. I was not referring to you in my comment, and certainly meant no offence. As far as I am concerned, Thomson have always provided me with good service, otherwise I would not use them. I personally have had several excellent holidays at Voulas appartments, but this is no longer available via Thomson. There are always reasons for these changes, and Thomson will always try and reduce costs. So do our supermarkets, but this does not seem to attract the same adverse comment!
You mean reduce their own costs ie increase their profit? Because they certainly are not trying to reduce costs for us, their customers. The scare tactics that thomsons use with the "hurry only 1 room remaining" is borderline bribery to their loyal customers who return to the same accommodation year on year.
-
The "hurry only 1 room remaining" thing is (as far as I know) actually true rather than a scare tactic - I've watched the room disappear as I've booked over the phone and also seen it go down to 1 from 2 rooms when booking before. This year I booked when it said hurry only 1 room left and I got the last 2 person studio, once I had booked the price went up a lot higher as there were only 3 person studios left.
But as I said, that's only as far as I know, I could be totally wrong or completely naive and mislead for all I know!! :)
-
We managed to book 4 (yes four!) apartments at the Tsaros last year when the website was showing only 1 apartment remaining. :o Also had a similar thing happen when booking the Romanza for others this year.
-
I'm sure Thomson have lots of little loop holes to get round putting 1 room left when there's more than 1 that would be suitable for the people booking! Sneaky and clever no doubt! But hey I'm not complaining, I got a great 2 week deal that I can't wait to enjoy in August!
-
I ignore the"one room left" message. If I want the deal, I book it. If I am not sure, I leave it. If Thomson ever really annoy me, I will simply stop using them. No point supporting a company you do not trust or like. Many hotels etc in SS have rooms which they let privately, hence no need to use a tour operator. Many people argue that this the best way to visit SS. At the end of the day, it's your money, and you can spend how you wish.
-
Since when has a company making a profit been a bad thing?
These companies employ hundreds of people, both in the UK and all of the
other countries in which they operate.
I have always used either Thomas Cook or Thomsons for our holidays, and have never had cause to complain. As has been said, if you're flying from Scottish airports then this is the best value option.
-
Well IrisG, this looks like it could be fun! I totally agree with you, and once again add, if you don't like them, don't use them!
-
Have always used Thomsons as we couldn't get accomodation and flights for what we pay for a package. Never had any complaints apart from when the accommodation you want shows as not available but then miraculously it re appears at another date. This happened when I was booking for next year. Teresa suddenly was not showing in the Thomsons brochure so I booked it through Holiday Hypermarket who are part of TUI. Since then Teresa is now showing as being back in Thomsons brochure. Apparently it was down toThomsons and the owners not being able to agree on next years contract. Alls well that ends well :)
-
We booked Barras for a week in late June 48 hours before travelling (ex-Birmingham) when showing "one room left". Re-checked after booking and sure enough it had gone from the website from all airports never to reappear. Frankly it was a bargain especially as the booking showed a studio and we actually got the famous room 102 - far and away the best room we've had in San Stef but we would have been happy in a tent in the field at the back at the price. Intended to review Barras on here when we returned but we're still confused, we're not comfortable with giving it rave reviews yet we had our best holiday yet in San Stef there and we haven't worked out why ourselves.
Heck, there's some thread drift here but do know the Tsaros/Thomson story from the San Stef end, it's only one side of the story but Thomsons was a four letter word during our stay in the village but those of us who have to book very late have no other option. We paid less including the room than we could book flight only on the same day, it was less even the same flight on ThomsonFly! Just haven't a clue what Thomson's business model is, if they even have one.
Terry and Joy
-
I do suspect that Thomson have a buisness plan. I also suspect that this plan will provide lots of people with holidays that are good value for money.
-
The "hurry only 1 room remaining" thing is (as far as I know) actually true rather than a scare tactic - I've watched the room disappear as I've booked over the phone and also seen it go down to 1 from 2 rooms when booking before. This year I booked when it said hurry only 1 room left and I got the last 2 person studio, once I had booked the price went up a lot higher as there were only 3 person studios left.
But as I said, that's only as far as I know, I could be totally wrong or completely naive and mislead for all I know!! :)[/color]
Well I don't think I can fly the flag for Thomsons, or be a PR man for them, they could easily enhance the customer experience in many ways for little or no extra cost.
My Booking:
When I booked the 2011 holiday for ourselves and son/wife plus 2 x grandchildren at the Athina Hotel, Thomsons back in November 2010, quoted hurry only 2 rooms left.
I already knew for a fact that this is a marketing ploy, well used over the years, and something you cannot rely on.
I booked because the price suited in November'10 for the August'11 holiday.
Of course we booked the two last rooms, then by a complete miracle two more appeared etc, etc,,,, the cycle repeating - - - - -
until one day - they were really the last two rooms and all were fully booked, but this was not until a few weeks before August, as I was in touch with San Stefanos.
Yes, as a by-product Thomsons bring money to the village, yes some holidays are cheap - but also some are sold over-priced - all part of their game plan.
They know that Customers that go to San Stefanos are returnees - - Sidari holidays can be much cheaper - so why is that?
The problem is that Thomsons want virtually all the profit and would love to let the local owners have none,
and I have often heard the tale of attempted bullying by Thomsons, saying they will leave them out of the catalogue if then don't take a lower amount etc...
I have been told this by many owner friends of mine.
Back in the day, before Thomsons were involved, there were still plenty of package holidays for San Stefanos, and still plenty of independents today as well.
No one would deny that for us in Uk, Thomsons have been a good thing, they employ, they provide reasonably good service, I have used them many times as well.
All companies need to make a profit - this is a no-brainer, but there are times when Thomsons customer service is lacking compared to what you pay!
- I've heard of many examples.
However, I can tell you from experience, that if things go wrong, you will almost never get compensation unless a TV program steps in.
They are experts at stone-walling!
Also, it's the local owners who make your holiday great, not Thomsons, they are just the agents and "bus" service by plane.
Think of the unfortunates who posted here in recent times, who took two hours - almost three - on the transfer coach.
All trimmed back to earn a few more euros - customer service - no! sorry No!
This is the reason I only book now with the best deal - book early and Easyjet and similar can make it well worthwhile to go private! We did this this year.
Otherwise I look at Thomsons, but I hold no customer loyalty to them, and we wait for the odd weekend deals.
Yammas
-
If you think Thomson stonewall, try making a complaint to Easyjet. Only advice is, if you don't like them, don't use them.
-
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the age old chestnut of Thomsons versus private.I am with Tony all the way.I have booked private with taxi tranfer for the last 3 year and have always managed to beat Thomsons price by a distance. That does not matter as I would go private even is the prices were the same.My way the hotel owner has at least a 50% increase in income.
I know your options may be limited by access to cheap flights.My advice is to book them early with Easyjet or similar.Or the alternative book late with Thomsons who keep their flight prices high until the last minute to make booking direct more expensive.
Check the latest Thomson flight prices you will find them to be approx half price compared with what they have been charging.Example 189 pounds out of Newcastle on the 23rd July (school holidays) plus many more.
Yammas
Yiannis
-
Well I don't think I can fly the flag for Thomsons, or be a PR man for them, they could easily enhance the customer experience in many ways for little or no extra cost.
Tonyco, I wasn't flying any flag or acting as PR, merely saying what my experience of them was. I'm sure everyone has had different experiences.
-
Georgie, I certainly wasn't having a dig at you, in person, or Rover either, please don't think so, because everyone's viewpoint is valid and adds sides to the debate.
You actually make some lovely posts and I am sure that they are appreciated by all who read them - I do!
No, I was referring to how "I" felt on this subject and the general synopsis of how Big companies can screw down the local people.
I have been "Stiffed" a few times by Thomsons in the past, (only once in San Stef), in various different ways, and it was entirely Thomsons (or their rep's) fault.
The problem is, they have such a hold on the industry here, that there are times when I have no choice but to use them,
this may be because they are the holders of the accommodation I specifically need or want, or because of price on that occasion etc..etc..
I certainly wouldn't refuse to use them because I don't like them, as I am not in the business of cutting off my nose to spite my face.
For that reason I would disagree with Rover, on that particular point only, but I certainly do agree with Rover that trying to get any satisfaction from:
Thomsons, Easyjet, Ryanair and the like, when unhappy, is almost impossible.
Look - - - we all know that most of the time you get what you pay for and we are all usually happy with a reasonable level of service that they provide.
However, I was referring to the odd bad days when through no fault of your own you as the customer suffers in some way.
Sometimes a bad employee or circumstances cause you an inconvenience, or money on a minor or major issue.
The other thing I dislike is silly cost-cutting causing great inconvenience, like doing a round the Island tour on a transfer, (it happens occasionally).
I sent many letters to Thomson over a bit of sharp practice that cost me money and spoilt my final day in Side, Turkey on a holiday in 2006.
I wanted to be compensated, but even I gave up in the end, after months tracking down the Directors names and addresses and sending them personal letters of complaint.
They simply referred them back to the department I started with and I got more standard letters.
These companies simply don't care if they fail the customer unless it receives a lot of bad publicity, and not always then.
Sorry if this is getting boring and I will rest my case here, but it has always been a bug-bear of mine to see the local people lose out to the big companies.
All they ask for is a fair deal, not to suffer from the tactics of business or to be bullied into submission and struggle.
I will always therefore, as my first option, go privately - and only if the sums don't add up,
I have to then look to Thomsons as I, (and most people do), have a budget as well.
Anyway - whenever we have a serious debate here, there will always be two sides and differing views - in the end we all move on.
Life is too short
Yammas!
-
Thanks Tony :)
-
Lets say amen to that then!
-
Phew - this has provoked some debate. In a perfect world it would be wonderful for everyone to be fair but business can be definitely not so - I try to book private and pass my money directly to the hotel owners now but would I do so if this cost me a lot more? An ethical dilemma..............
-
Sitting as I am on our balcony at Nafsika, the sea glassy-calm and heat-haze over Albania, the best comment I can make to this is "get here somehow - but just get here!"
Briefly (hate typing on netbooks):
* TUI (Thomson) world-wide are cutting down on low-margin package holidays. In six or seven years you may not be able to get here with them at all. The era of the small companies may come back.
* "One room only" is 99% of the time a lie.
* For many of us, who don't live near a hub airport, Thomson is the only serious option without a lot of additional costs, wearying travel times or over-nights in hotels.
* In an ideal world I would be able to pedalo from Hull to Ag Stef and give loads of money to the local economy - but this ain't an ideal world.
* If you're staying at Barras or Thomas Bay, bring ear-plugs. The frogs are in full song, apparently.
-
For many of us, who don't live near a hub airport, Thomson is the only serious option without a lot of additional costs, wearying travel times or over-nights in hotels.
Yes Jimbo this is precisely my problem. I have an airport 30 minutes from my door, so can be dropped off and collected, and only Thomson flies from there to Corfu, and travelling as a minimum of 200 miles round trip to another with all the added cost of petrol/parking etc is something not really acceptable only in extremis.
I can get flights only from local to Corfu with Thomson and that would cost us £730 return in 2013, then add on the taxi cost transfer at 110€ return plus the cost of SS it costs us more to go 'private', it also shows just how little the hotels get. I usually pay Thomson around £1000 for the two of us for two weeks in May and September , so if you weigh up flights,and transfers out of the thousand then that does not leave much for the hotelier does it?
I was fully prepared to travel to Stansted next year to go to the Tsaros, but now thankfully it seems that the status quo has returned( even if nothing showing on the website yet until the books come out)
-
I work as a salesman and as Jumbo says the 1 room left ploy.....most of the time....is crap!!
Its called a fear close and is a well known tactic.
I may use it by saying I can only offer this deal to one customer or if you don't sign up today it might be different tomorrow.
Load of rubbish as i'd be happy to offer them the deal whenever....Im just looking for comittment!
-
Hye Jimbo - am 'getting there' this time tomorrow it will be me sitting on the balcony watching the sun mist - I truly cannot wait - how has your stay been at the nafsika - I really love that little hotel, location, food, ambience etc.
-
It's been great. Full report tomorrow when I have a full-sized keyboard to type on! We're in room 3 - maybe you'll inherit it!
-
Swedebasher - you wouldn't be talking about Norwich airport would you?? If so i know exactly what you mean 30 minutes to be dropped off and collected.
-
Same here, but less than 30 mins!
-
Yes to Sarah and Linnetman!! ;D
-
Bump......The Tsaros is now available to book for 2013 on Thomson's website as from today. ;D
-
Now in the Greece and Cyprus Thomson book May 2013 to April 2014 December edition, page 69. At last!!!