Alfa Travel
View company profile →
Experience mixed
Experience mixed. Shanklin Hotel surprised me, after a lot of negative reviews, WOW - a lovely surprise, yes a few negatives and these will be detailed in a Trip Advisor Review and the many Positives as well. One major NO for our trip was the horrendous 3 hour journey up North to the Imterchange and of course, another three hours going back towards our destination, Portsmouth. Similarly on our return - worse still. We had to stand in the cold for some time. Our return coach was there and the driver putting in luggage but he did not allow us on to the coach which would have been nice, to get warm again. Of course, having to get home by calling at Liverpool, Birkenhead, Moreton - well areas on the Wirral and then to Ellesmere Port, Chester and finally Mold before our drop off in Wrexham. On the outward journey total travel time 12 hours from Wrexham to Hotel. On the return, good timing to Interchange but other coaches were not so quick and we had an extra hour before boarding return coach so THIRTEEN hours from leaving Shanklin until we arrived in Wrexham UGH UGH. Now BOTH Gary and the return driver who did not give his name, were EXCELLENT, very competent. However Gary was a disappointment in that after we set off he gave a spiel about the programme and in particular about the excursions. In a very persuasive tone he said because it was Xmas he thought it best to alter the trips because "NOWHERE open on Boxing Day". He suggested it would be far better for us to relax at the hotel and so he would on the full day trip take us to both Newport and Cowes and we could have another free day at Hotel on Boxing Day and shouted out, everyone agrees? I was the only one who piped up and said No, my first visit to Island and I was happy to stay in hotel on Xmas Day but wanted very much for the half day on Boxing Day. His response - no problem I will take you out on Boxing Day. Subsequently he elaborated on this, nowhere will be open on Boxing Day so I will let you have ONE HOUR in Cowes but I will go a scenic route to let you see more of the Island and he said because lunch was being provided he would alter departure time to 2.30 not 2.0pm. On the day we got to coach at 2.20 and no sign of Gary. Apparently he had altered trip to go in the morning and when I got him on the phone he was adamant he had told everyone - well not us but he said, well there were 23 on the Coach and they were aware of the change of timing. Apparently there was a notice posted giving details of this change but we were not informed of any notice board on arrival at Hotel and our ignorance was to blame. As it happens for the full day trip, Gary had decided to alter it from a full day In Newport to half a day in Cowes and half in Newport. I complained, I particularly like full days, more time to explore. Gary said no problem and he dropped us off at the Bus Station in Shanklin and agreed to pick us up at 4.0pm when the rest of the guests were being picked up after half a day there. We had a super duper day, and in particular we came across the Castle Inn Pub. Wow, beamed ceilings, packed out but we managed a seat and had a Cider and shared a fabulous Garlic/Cheese Baguette - five pieces, delicious and only £4.50 We did not particularly suffer for our ignorance about not knowing of any notice board - we went down on to beach by hotel, very pleasant. However what really upset me was Gary saying he never said about going to Cowes. Clearly an outright lie and I reminded him of his strongly worded remark about him allowing us one hour in Cowes and taking a scenic route. I don't blame him for his initial request saying we would be better relaxing at Hotel on Boxing Day becase "everywhere would be closed in Cowes"- I am sure he would have preferred to have the day off - but but but.- not nice to lie - disgusting in fact. Finally, previously we have always gone with GBTours and the Interchange from WREXHAM is at Ellesmere, Salop about 12 or so miles from Wrexham going South towards Haytor - not a three hour trip up North - horrible. So please remove my email from your system because as a few others have said, too ridicuolous to travel that far and then to double back. I wish a friend Rose Hughes had told me of their horrible journey to the Interchange, if I had known would never have booked. Sorry because your coaches are comfy and yes, Gary and the other driver so competent and we enjoyed our break, Shanklin Hotel was a delightful surprise and our seaview room, so comfy, fluffy white towels - superb shower and gifts on Xmas Day, super duper but not for us travelling 3 hours up North initially.