Medhotels.com

[Bumpy]

We have now booked hotel accommodation twice through Medhotels.com, the Aguamarina in Tenerife and then the Iberostar Costa Dorada in the Dominican Republic. Both times we haven't been disappointed, the Iberostar was particularly good and was surprisingly affordable for a 5 star! All you have to do is find the cheapest flights you can, for the dates and place you want and then choose a hotel from their website. You have to find your own transfers/taxis, but that was no problem.
Booking an un-packaged holiday is well worth consideration.

[Pingu]

I went to Gran Canaria in July on a DIY package and found that on a 14 night stay I had saved 250 quid over people staying at the same hotel with First Choice. Also I had day flights! Definitely recommend it!

[Pingu]

Medhotels are particularly good as they have reps in resort - a bit of extra 'security' is always nice. Their prices for the Sands Beach Villas are amazing. Don't suppose anyone has been and can tell me anything about the complex?

Sophie

[MarkEdwardes]

This year will be our third DIY holiday.
Had no complaints with any aspect at all. Maybe luck, maybe good judgement.
We now do "2 centre" holidays. First week Larnaca, second week Pissouri (Cyprus)
Flight from our local airport at a time to suit us, usually around 8 or 9 am to arrive mid afternoon when it's cooling down a little.
Car hire from airport means we arrive at our accomodation in time to shower and relax with a beer/wine, then on to Appetito's (Larnaca, family tradition) for a giant pizza (almost the best pizza in the world, second only to my mate Stan at American Pizzas, Loughborough.)

Go on, give DIY a go. No more of a gamble than booking a package.

Mark ::wink:

[Sazz]

I agree, also when renting a (diy) villa the owner would usually go out of their way to make sure you have a good holiday - everyone wants repeat bookings. Transfers can usually be arranged by villa owners, even hotels (especially in Turkey) will arrange a transfer for you or have their own people carrier to pick you up from the airport. Maybe people are put off DIY because they dont know this, and therefore its easier to do a package but once you have done it yourself once, I wouldnt do it any other way now. I also dont ever use a travel agent, always book direct with owners/hotels via the internet or sometimes through an internet agency if it works out cheaper.