Alfa Travel Reviews

We had a wonderful Christmas at the Shanklin Hotel on the Isle of Wight We have holidays with Alfa two or three times every year and always found the level of service first class

Wonderful value for money

This company has always been well run. The staff/employees take care of the people who travel with them. Our holiday at Regina Hotel in Torquay was 2nd to none. The staff at this hotel are exceptional. You can't pick one, as everyone of them is so pleasant, polite, helpful, patient and above all, they never lose their sense of fun and genuine smiles.

Every thing about the holiday and hotel were fine, apart from the Xmas day buffet, this was badly planned as three coaches were at the hotel with different dining times but it appeared that most of the guests did not stick to their allotted times, so our time being 6pm meant we had to queue for over 30 minutes before we got our food .

The staff at the hotel were superb & made Christmas, entertainment was good and our driver Phil was really good he had teas & coffees on the coach. My only complaints are the hotel should have 2 lifts & we were severely delayed on the way home not the drivers fault as there was fog on the motorway but we got to the interchange at reading really late & everyone on the coach got taxis apart from me I had to go back in the coach to croydon with the driver on my own I was told there were no more taxis available that was very bad I think I deserve a discount on the next holiday for this

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.

Great hotel, good food and very friendly staff who could not do enough for us

Most things about this holiday were excellent, the hotel itself looked good, our room was one our best with Alfa. The managers and staff were very helpful and polite and seemed to really enjoy their work which goes a long way, happy staff means excellent service to everyone. Some of the entertainment was not good but you can’t have everything for the price you are paying. I believe all in all it’s good value for money.

Great safe driver and lovely people on board on our trip to Ilfracombe

The holiday was overall excellent, great coach driver Dave, nothing too much trouble for him. Good food, fantastic waiter. My only criticism was our bedroom, we had paid extra for a sea view room which turned out to be very tired and quite small. The bathroom door had a break which looked like something had hit it, not a good look!

Nice spacious hotel with friendly and efficient staff. Food mostly good. Our bedroom, 208, was OK but the en suite was rediculously small. To sit on the toilet your knees were pressed up against the shower cubicle and the toilet seat did not fit properly making it very uncomfortable. Also the shower was either very cold or too hot.

The new beach hotel Great Yarmouth is very good. You can't fault the staff.food very good and good entertainment. Would definitely recommend this Hotel.

Great holiday. Coach was a little bit tight, but great service from the driver. Hotel fantastic, everything was done brilliantly. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Would highly recommend

We have just returned from a break over Christmas we stayed at the Imperial Hotel in Ilfracombe we had a great time our room was clean comfortable and warm the food was cooked and presented very well entertainment was good every evening the staff and management worked very hard to make sure you enjoyed yourselves the atmosphere was lovely thank you to all staff and managers for a great Christmas i would 💯 per cent reccommend

Our driver, Calum was excellent. The New Beach Hotel in Great Yarmouth was comfortable and clean, and the food was very good, including the vegetarian options. Thursford Christmas Spectacular is an amazing show, and it's worth paying the extra £10 to visit the Enchanted Journey of Light. All in all a brilliant holiday.

Just returned from a wonderful 'Turkey and Tinsel' break at the Regina Hotel in Torquay. The Hotel is ideally located by the Harbour and town centre, with bus stops a short walk away. Excellent staff, hard working, and courteous, nothing was too much trouble, food was good, nicely prepared and presented. The hotel was clean throughout and evening entertainment was very good. We had a lovely driver Tony, who was a true gent !! A big 'Thank You' to Bartek the manager who helped us to book two holidays for 2025, with great patience, you're a star ! Will definitely be returning to the Hotel Regina in the near future.

Very good company and hotels great and efficient

We stayed at Cromer and went to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular which was what it says. The Hotel De Paris is a really good Hotel and all the staff are very helpful.It is one of our favorite one of Alfa and we booked for next year whilst we were there, that's how much we like it

I cannot praise you enuff.. from Hannah in the booking office to the cleaner at new beach great yarmouth. Was Thee perfect holiday.. I'm would like to here about Solo hols for 2025 please.... Thursford. Was amazing.. the management there were so amazing I had an incident they helped me so much..... xx invite me again please x

Pick up point local to us.The fact all luggage is portered from pick up to return.Drivers excellent.Hotel good,Food good.Hotel staff very polite and helpful