Travelwise
Realising the Dream
To adapt a familiar proverb, ‘One man’s dream holiday is
another man’s holiday nightmare’! Each of us has our own
perception of what makes a perfect holiday - and no one can
impose their opinion upon someone else. Recognising how
important choice is in finding the holiday that’s ‘just right’,
we offer a huge range of hotels in an impressive portfolio of
destinations worldwide. Together they provide the widest
possible choice, whether your idea of the perfect holiday
venue is a prestigious luxury resort hotel with every stateof-
the-art amenity at your fingertips, or an exclusive escapist
hideaway, stylish maybe but simple and suffused with local
charm, tranquility and privacy.
The descriptions we give are designed to give you a helpful
overview of each destination and hotel. More detailed
information is shown on our website – and, of course, our
knowledgeable consultants are always on hand to assist and
guide you. Above all we want you to feel able to make a
genuinely informed choice in finding that personal ‘dream
holiday’.
Safety First
Up-to-date advice on various aspects of security in your
intended destination can be obtained from the Foreign &
Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk) or by
telephone on 0845 850 2829.
Weather or Not
A major factor in the success of most holidays is, quite
simply, the weather. In an age of ‘global warming’, however,
any data that appears on individual countries website
cannot always be a guarantee of specific climate conditions
at any time. Nowadays even ‘dry’ seasons in the tropics
can produce unexpected spells of wet weather – though,
thankfully, these are normally short-lived! We do strongly
recommend that you try to adopt as philosophical approach
as possible when the sky is not blue or the sea not calm.
Not always easy, of course, since even ‘Paradise’ can start to
look less beautiful when the weather is unfriendly and any
problems may begin to seem much more frustrating.
Extreme weather: Extreme weather conditions can occur
anywhere and at any time - although in some parts of the
world the risk may be greater at certain periods of the year.
For example, between July and October in the Caribbean
there is an increased chance of tropical storms and even
severe hurricanes. At such times local authorities, hotels,
authorities and our representatives/agents are well prepared
and have contingency plans in place. We, too, monitor the
development of severe weather and, wherever possible, we
will keep you informed. Normally, however, severely adverse
conditions are the exception rather than the rule – and the
hundreds of thousands of travellers who visit these regions
during the ‘low’ season can expect to enjoy good weather.
Passports and Visas
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that you
are in possession of valid passports, visas and any other
required documents for entry to the countries you will
be visiting. We recommend that all Passports are valid
for at least 6 months and are machine readable and have
at least a few blank pages. Below are two chargeable visa
service to assist, so please visit: www.visacentral.co.uk;
www.ctmstravel.com; or other such services of your choice.
Healthwise
At the time of going to press there is no mandatory
vaccination/inoculation requirement when travelling directly
from the UK to countries featured in this brochure. However,
certain vaccinations/inoculations are recommended for many
destinations. Please check with your doctor or local health
clinic for up-to-date information, or you can visit the
following sites for further advice and information: www.
nathnac.org; www.fco.gov.uk
Malaria is a serious hazard in many tropical destinations and
it is vital that if you are travelling to such regions you seek
professional medical advice on appropriate types of antimalaria
treatment.
If a member of your party is pregnant, they should check
with their doctor that it is safe to travel. If they are more
than 28 weeks pregnant by the return date, they must obtain
a medical certificate prior to departure confirming that they
are ‘fit to fly’.
While the hotels featured in our brochure undertake to
meet fully the required local standards governing health and
safety, it should be remembered that in many remote and/
or undeveloped locations general in-resort standards may
not always fully match those here at home. We do therefore
recommend that you always exercise due care to protect
your family and yourself throughout your holiday. It is always
a sensible precaution while sightseeing or exploring to avoid
food or drink where you do not feel reasonably confident
of the hygiene standards involved in its preparation! Another
wise safeguard is to drink only bottled water (sealed when
purchased).
Treat the tropical sun with respect - especially during the
middle of the day and at all times for a few days after your
arrival. This is a time when you should also take things slowly
as your systems begin to adapt to your new surroundings. Be
prepared, too, for unwelcome insects, especially during the
evenings in the tropics, when it is best to cover arms and legs
and to ensure that you use a good quality insect repellent.
From time to time in some destinations, you may encounter
the odd cockroach. These creatures are endemic to the
tropics and the instinctive suspicion that their presence
is somehow a reflection on hotel hygiene is - though
understandable - usually misguided. Hotels in affected areas
normally conduct regular checks and treatments. Birds, too,
can sometimes be uninvited visitors at meal-times in openair
dining areas - in spite of the preventative measures taken
by hotels, who try to discourage guests from feeding them.
Observe, too, hotel warnings about sea conditions - whether
these relate to currents, sea-urchins or even temporary
pollution, their message should always be heeded.
Very Important: It is your responsibility to ensure that all
members of your party are fit to travel and meet all health
requirements for the destination(s) you will be visiting.
Please also allow plenty of time to obtain vaccinations
etc. We cannot take any responsibility for costs, delays, or
cancellations resulting from your failure to meet these health
requirements. We recommend that you seek advice from
your doctor/or local health centre. Alternatively you can
contact the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad
(MASTA) on telephone number 0870 606 2782 or visit their
website www.mastatravelhealth.com
Holiday Insurance
We require that all of our customers hold adequate travel
insurance from the time of booking. When making a booking
you will be asked for details of your insurance scheme so
that this can be entered into our records. NB: You will
require additional cover should you intend to participate in
any hazardous activity such as scuba diving. You will require
to enquire with your insurers for a Special cover if your
holiday is costing more than £5,000 per person.
Flying Long-Haul
Scheduled airlines normally provide the most comfortable
and reliable means of air travel - though only the most
dedicated ‘aficionado’ of flying would see a long-haul flight
as an especially pleasurable feature of a holiday. The option
of upgrading to a Premium Economy, Business or First
Class cabin does, however, offer the means to make your
flights more enjoyable (see pages 6 - 7). Whichever cabin
you choose there are also personal steps you can take to
mitigate unwanted side-effects from prolonged periods of
flying. These can include exercises, the avoiding of alcohol
and drinking plenty of water thus preventing dehydration
and the possible risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). It is
further advised that you avoid scuba diving at least 24 hours
prior to flying. Many airline ‘in flight’ magazines, videos and
leaflets give further advice about this.
An increasing number of airlines operate ‘codeshare’ flights
with partner carriers (e.g., from Paris on Air Mauritius/Air
France services, and in the USA, British Airways/American
Airlines. If this factor might affect your choice of flight then
you should check with us at the time of booking.
Today’s airline security constraints mean that great care
should be taken in the way you pack your luggage. Hand
baggage should be kept to a minimum. In Economy Class
this is generally one small bag weighing no more than 5kgs -
your travel documents will give specific information for the
flights you have booked. There are currently restrictions on
the carriage of liquids and you are advised to check before
purchasing liquids at airports when transiting en route. Keep
your belongings with you at all times, and never agree to
carry items for other people. Passports, on the other hand,
should be kept with you and NOT packed in luggage being
checked-in for carriage in the aircraft hold.
Flight delays can and do occur from time to time and in
such circumstances the provision of meals and/or hotel
accommodation remains at the discretion of the airline.
Please also bear in mind that if long flight delays result in
lost holiday time it is not possible to claim for unused hotel
accommodation as the hotels do ‘protect’ rooms for delayed
arrivals and do not re-sell them. Equally, non EU airlines are
under no obligation to offer compensation relating to flight
delays. Where appropriate, such claims should always be
made to your travel insurance company.
Neither we nor our overseas agents have direct control over
seat allocation by the airlines, even when the latter have
confirmed pre-requested seating. It can happen that such
requests are not available at check-in. To reduce the risk of
disappointment we advise to check in on-line when possible
otherwise do check-in as early as possible.
Flight Itineraries
Some flights featured in this brochure are ‘direct’, i.e., with
no change of aircraft necessary en-route, although stops
en-route to refuel or to pick up passengers may sometimes
be made. We do not publish details here as flight schedules
are subject to change within the validity of this brochure. We
will gladly supply information current at the time of enquiry.
When traveling with some airlines – such as Air France,
Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, Oman Air – flights from the UK will
be via that carrier’s home base, where a change of aircraft
will usually be made. In such cases this will be shown as two
separate flight numbers on your Confirmation Invoice.
Air Tickets & Baggage
Scheduled airlines normally operate a strict policy requiring
that your flight ticket be issued in the same name as your
passport. It is very important that the name you give to
us at the time of booking is the same as that shown on
your passport (even if this is your maiden name and you
have since married), as this will be used for all official
documentation. Should we need to re-issue tickets because
names have been supplied incorrectly, this will incur an
amendment rebooking fee.
Your air ticket specifies your Free Baggage Allowance
(normally 20kgs in Economy Class, 30kgs in Business Class
and 40kgs in First Class). Special items such as golf clubs,
wheelchairs, surfboards and pushchairs can be carried - but
please check with your airline(s) prior to travel as each may
have a different policy and may apply excess baggage charges
for certain items. Furthermore, our resort representatives/
agents may have to make alternative vehicle arrangements
for carrying any large items and a supplementary charge may
apply for this. Please ensure, therefore, that you advise us
in advance of travel if you are intending to travel with any
especially bulky luggage items.
Accommodation Descriptions
The hotel descriptions in this brochure are approved by
each hotel prior to Publication. Please remember that any
photograph of a specific room type may not be exactly
representative of all rooms in that category. A ‘sea-facing’
or ‘sea-view’ room may not necessarily be directly beside
the sea but instead may offer a side view of the water in
the distance, or one partially obscured by foliage, which can
grow very quickly in tropical climates.
The listing of facilities shown in our hotel descriptions does
not necessarily mean that they are all included in the price of
your holiday. For example, bedroom facilities may include a
minibar but it is usual for a charge to be made for any items
consumed even if you are on ‘All Inclusive’ facilities. Similarly
some hotels charge for the use of a safe, or for the hire of
DVDs/Videos, or for the use of some TV channels. Charges
may also apply to some of the hotels’ general facilities such
as spa treatments, golf green fees, the hire of tennis rackets
or the use of certain watersports (especially if motorised).
You must settle charges for such items directly in resort.
Occasionally a specific facility may be withdrawn by a hotel
during the validity of the brochure. Once we are made aware
of this we will advise all affected clients in advance of travel.
It is also possible that on occasions of inclement weather or
unusual tides, hotel amenities may be temporarily curtailed
or suspended without notice. This is normally for the safety
and well-being of guests. At other times sheer demand can
create pressure upon certain facilities (especially where
these are free of charge to guests) and it may not always be
possible to enjoy these amenities immediately or without a
time restriction. The use of the terms ‘free’, ‘complimentary’
or ‘unlimited’ is not intended to imply instant or 24-hour
availability of the amenity concerned. In many cases, too,
there are age or experience restrictions on certain facilities
and the providers of these reserve the right to refuse access.
This is especially true of diving - where facilities may be
available only to those holding internationally recognised
qualifications/certificates. Many hotels sub-contract to an
independent local operator for sporting facilities offered at
or near the hotel. Guests may be asked to sign an indemnity
form before being allowed to use these facilities. It is your
personal duty of care to ensure that your personal travel
insurance has adequate cover for any activity.
Brochure Accuracy
We have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the
descriptions and opinions contained in this brochure are
as accurate as possible at the time of printing (December
2012). Facilities, services, schedules, owners, operators and
even laws can change during the validity of a brochure,
however, and we undertake to do our best to advise you
of any significant changes that may have occurred by the
time of your booking (or prior to departure if your booking
has already been made). Please note that we cannot be
held responsible for the accuracy of any descriptions
or information published in any third party brochure or
promotional literature.
Accommodation Costs
Unless otherwise stated, all prices that we publish are Per
Person based on sharing a twin or double room. Prices
for hotel single rooms are normally higher than those
based on twin/double rooms and this is usually reflected
as a supplement. Most often this is because hotels tend to
allocate single travellers a twin room for sole use. Even in
the few cases where hotels do have dedicated single rooms,
however, the associated costs in running and maintaining
these rooms is greater than it would be for half a twin room.
Conversely, where the standard twin/double room is large
enough to accommodate a third or fourth person, the price
for these additional persons is usually reduced. It should
be noted however, that in most cases (especially in North
America), this assumes that the third and/or fourth person
will use existing bedding, e.g., the two double, queensize
or kingsize beds already in the room. Where guests prefer
not to share beds, extra bed/s (rollaway/sofa beds) may
be available at an extra charge, though small and less than
occupying a separate room. Infant cots (cribs) can usually be
provided for a small additional cost.
Children
All children who are not already included on a valid British
passport will need to hold their own passport and cannot be
added to their parents’ passports. Minors travelling without
their parents (e.g., with other family members or friends)
may need to carry documentation giving the legal consent of
their absent parents. Please check the Foreign Office link to
your destination country’s website for more details.
For infants under 2 years at time of travel we charge a
nominal sum for air travel, the level of which will depend
upon the airline and class of travel. Please note that if an
infant occupies an airline seat then a higher child price will
apply. Some hotels may charge a nominal fee for a cot, which
will be payable locally.
Different airlines and hotels apply different policies on child
reductions. To ensure that you receive the best possible
value, we will be glad to quote reductions individually for
any children in your party. Exact reductions depend upon the
airline(s)/hotel(s) and the number of children. For children
aged between 2 and 11 years (and sometimes older) at
time of travel and sharing a room with their parents we
can normally offer significantly reduced inclusive prices. If
accommodation is booked for two adults and one/two
children (or an additional adult) sharing one room then an
extra bed is provided - but this may not always be a fullsize
single bed, but rather a rollaway folding bed (or even
a camp-bed in style). Hotels will normally allow only one
rollaway/extra bed in a room and will expect any second
child booked to share existing bedding. Sometimes children
may share a double sofa bed instead of a rollaway but not
in addition to the extra bed. If these arrangements do not
seem suitable we advise that you book a second room
(normally adjacent or inter-connecting, subject to availability
and shown on your Confirmation Invoice).
NB: Cots, car seats or highchairs provided by hotels or
our in-resort suppliers may not conform to British Safety
Standards and should be checked before use.
Technical Hitches and Maintenance
Though the advance of technology has brought new and
normally dependable standards of supply to hotels in remote
locations, occasional interruptions to the supply of water and
electricity can happen. In some exceptional and normally
‘one off’ cases they may be restricted at certain periods of
the day in order to conserve necessary resources (details will
normally be given to guests by the hotel). Properties located
on mid-ocean islands can sometimes be vulnerable in this
respect. Energy management in the interests of the comfort
of all guests is the hotel’s priority. Please also remember that
hotels do not necessarily have heating in swimming pools at
cooler times of the year. If such a consideration is important
for you do please enquire when booking.
To maintain the highest possible standards, hotels must carry
out maintenance and repairs from time to time. Whenever
we are advised in advance by a hotel of pre-planned work
of this nature that may affect normal conditions (or when
in some cases we are told of essential force majeure
repairs being undertaken with little advance warning)
we will always advise you of this on your Confirmation
Invoice, or separately in writing if this has already been
issued. Sometimes building work may occur on private
land neighbouring a hotel (and over which the hotel
has no direct control). Our local representatives/agents
will normally monitor such developments and inform us
accordingly so that we can keep prospective guests of the
hotel fully informed. Travellers should also keep in mind that
sometimes even when hotel rooms with air-conditioning
have individual controls, the units may be switched off at
times during the day at the discretion of hotel management,
for reasons of energy conservation, especially when rooms
are unoccupied.
Resolving Problems
Once you have arrived in your holiday destination, if you
feel unhappy with any aspect of the arrangements that we
have made on your behalf please immediately inform the
hotel, relevant supplier, or our local representative/ agent
so that they have the opportunity to resolve the problem
on the spot. Failure to do this will not only increase the risk
of the matter spoiling your holiday but may prejudice any
attempted retrospective claim made after your return.
Special Requests
Provided that they are advised to us at the time of booking,
we will always endeavour to obtain special requests (such as
diets on flights, room locations, adjoining rooms, twin/double
beds, etc.), although we cannot guarantee provision of these.
These requests will be noted on your Confirmation Invoice
and subsequently on correspondence or vouchers to the
appropriate hotel or airline.
Whilst we can often pre-book airline seats, airlines will not
usually guarantee the provision of such requests and you are
therefore strongly advised to check-in early for your flight
to claim these. Requests for special leg-room or emergency
exit seats can only be confirmed at check-in by the airline.
If any member of your party has a disability or special need
of which the airline or hotel should be made aware please
notify us at the time of booking.
Early Arrivals/Late Departures
Most hotels have an afternoon check-in time and a 12 noon
(or earlier) check-out policy. If your flight arrives at your
destination in the early morning, we recommend that you
consider pre-booking and paying for your room from the
previous night if you wish to enjoy the assurance of room
availability as soon as you arrive. Similarly, if your return
flight departs in the evening and you wish to retain your
room beyond the normal check-out time please consider
pre-booking an extra night or a day-room (excludes meals)
at the end of your stay. Some hotels do offer a ‘departures’
room for guests to shower and change before a flight.
Meal Plans
Many hotels offer a choice of meal plans and these are
indicated in the individual hotel descriptions shown in this
brochure.
Room Only = Meals not included.
Breakfast = Continental/American breakfast included.
Full Board = Continental/American breakfast, table d’hote
lunch and table d’hote dinner included.
All Inclusive = see below.
Unless otherwise indicated, where we refer to breakfast this
is generally continental style. In reality though many hotels
now include a self-service buffet breakfast in place of the
more basic continental style, thus giving you more choice.
Should you decide to order items ‘a la carte’, these will
usually be charged as locally payable extras and credit or
partial credit may not given where the continental or buffet
style breakfast is not taken. Similarly, where lunch or dinner
is included, this usually means table d’hote meals (from a set
menu) and very often these meals can be taken only in a
designated restaurant. Where you choose to dine ‘a la carte’
or in one of the hotel’s other restaurants, it is often possible
to receive a partial credit against any ‘table d’hote’ meals not
taken but this and any additional costs must be arranged and
paid for locally.
Where we refer to ‘All- Inclusive’ this normally means that
all meals, snacks, alcoholic and soft drinks are included and
very often other additional facilities – such as non-motorised
watersports, land sports and tips. As with Half Board and Full
Board dining plans, meals will usually be ‘table d’hote’ and
restricted to specified restaurant or restaurants. Drinks will
usually be limited to local beers, spirits and soft drinks plus
house wines. Some hotels do include brand name drinks,
however, and in some cases even Champagne. It should not
be assumed that because a hotel is ‘All-Inclusive’ food or
beverages mentioned are available 24 hours a day. We will
be pleased to give you full details of exactly what is include
for your chosen hotel or you can visit our website for full
information.
Special festive Gala Meals such as Christmas and New Year’s
Eve dinners may be organised by hotels from time to time.
Any charge not prepaid as a supplement and shown as
included on your Confirmation Invoice will be advised to you
on arrival and be payable locally.
Special diets of any kind (including vegetarian) cannot
normally be catered for fully within the scope of a table
d’hote menu and should, not be expected to compare in
variety and scope with normal meals served. In such cases it
may be a wise precaution to book your accommodation on
a Room Only basis where this is available, allowing you to
purchase locally the most appropriate dishes from the hotel’s
‘a la carte’ menu.
Hotel Classification
Throughout the world different countries, hotel associations
and licensing/grading authorities establish their own star
ratings for hotels and accommodation. Unfortunately these
grading are not always based on the same criteria and
so could be misleading if you are not aware of the basis
on which they have been evaluated. Where the hotel
descriptions in this brochure include the terms ‘5-Star’ or
‘Boutique’ these are based entirely on our own opinion
and are intended to represent an impartial guide for you in
choosing you hotel.
By ‘5-Star’ we mean Luxury hotels with guest rooms
appointed to the highest standard, top-quality service, dining
and general facilities.
By ‘Boutique’ we mean hotels that are generally of excellent
standard and in very high demand due to their individuality.
Often these are relatively small and possibly family-run
hotels. It could be that the standard of accommodation is
5-Star but the general facilities are limited compared with a
traditional 5-Star hotel and sometimes guest rooms may be
of different size, have different views or even be of different
standard.
In all cases you can be confident that the properties we
have selected enjoy excellent reputations and offer what we
consider to be a high quality of comfort, service, amenities
and general operation.
What Your Holiday Price Includes
• Round-trip scheduled flights as shown on your
Confirmation Invoice (with free baggage allowance as shown
on your air ticket).
• Accommodation/meals as shown on your Confirmation
Invoice.
• Transfers between your arrival/ departure airports and
hotel(s) as shown on your Confirmation Invoice.
• The services of our appointed representatives/agents in
your holiday destination where available.
• UK International Airport Passenger Duty (Departure Tax)
and relevant Passenger Service Charges.
Not Included
• The cost of getting to or from your UK departure/arrival
airport.
• Costs associated with obtaining visas, vaccinations or
health protection for the countries to be visited.
• Holiday Insurance.
• Meals other than those shown on your Confirmation
Invoice.
• Cots and food for infants (normally payable direct to
hotel).
• Local hotel charges for sports facilities unless otherwise
indicated in this brochure.
• Hotel car parking fees where applicable.
• Tips, porterage, telephone calls, laundry and other items
of a personal nature.
• Locally payable overseas airport departure taxes where
applicable. Typically these are payable in local currency or
US dollars and tend to range between the equivalent of £5
and £15 per person.
Data Protection Policy
In order to provide the travel arrangements you have
asked us for, we need to use the information you provide,
such as your name, address and any special needs/dietary
requirements, etc. We will take responsibility for ensuring
that proper security measures are in place to protect
your information. We must pass the information on to
the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements (such
as airlines, hotels, transport companies, etc.). On occasion
we may also be required to provide information to security
or credit checking companies, public authorities such as
customs/immigration if requested by them, or as required by
law. We may have to send your details to countries whose
controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal
requirements in this country although we will not pass any
information to any person who is not responsible for part
of your travel arrangements. We may also use your details
to give you information about travel-related offers, products
and services that become available from us and our travel
partners. Should you not wish to receive such information,
please notify us accordingly.
