Virgin Holidays - Positive this time!

Just a quick note to share a recent good experience with Virgin Hols... y)

We've been looking to get some sun for a week or so early in July. Didn't want to spend too much and hoped to get a last minute deal.

Have subsequently learnt that last minute deals don't really exist - not in the volumes we thought anyway, (nor at the price!!)

Caribbean was going to be too much but Europe wasn't far behind. I saw part of an episode of Benidorm and was immediately put off most of Europe!!

More recently we were watching Dubai - Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa.

V hols Website - which is hateful - indicated around £550 - £600 each for a 10 night stay including flights and Breakfast!

Called Virgin Holidays on Saturday, spoke to a really helpful chap who had actually been there. In the end we managed to get 10 nights Bed and Breakfast, transfers included, Econ outbound (VS) and it was only £135 each to upgrade the return flight to PE. He gave me 10% for my Frequent Virgin status - although that doesn't apply to the flight supplement elements.

Total, including the CC charge ! was £1500 for the both of us!!

The chap at V Hols booked our seats - he knew the ones we wanted - managed to get 22A&C on the way back - guilt free reclining!!

I left feedback on their Facebook page but if anyone is looking for some really hot sun in the next couple of weeks, this may be an idea!!

I'll leave a VA TR when we get back and give some views on the hotel.

Cheers,
Craig.

[buns]

A Nice positive about VH y) y)

I have to agree, I find thier Website far from being friendly, so to know that they still have good call staff, is a point worth rembering

Enjoy Dubai

buns

[mitchja]

Whilst their new booking UK call centre is good, it's their post-booking outsourced call centre that winds me up. Just making a payment is a job and a half now (when their automated payment line falls down, which it often does)

Also, will they *ever* release their so-called 'new & improved' online booking management system? They have been promising this now for almost 2 years now and still nothing! I believe all VH bookings are now on their newer system (which does not have the online booking management interface like the old system had)

Booked our Australian trip over the phone with VH very helpful

Very good to hear about your positive VH experience! I have to say most of my dealings with them have been good especially the FVC. Have an amazing time in Dubai!

I also found them very helpfully and knowledgable when I recently booked my hols to Mexico : )

When I booked in January for my holiday to Barbados which is next month I found them extremely helpful and friendly. The lady who did the booking for me was an absolute star. She managed to give me the price I had seen quoted on their website the day before even though on the day I rang up it was quoting £600 more. She offered me V lounge tickets for £20 each and when I declined she threw them in for free. She gave me her e-mail address incase I had any questions or problems and I've e-mailed her a few times now and she has come back to me straight away. Great service!

Hi Craig,

Stayed in this Resort at the end of May and it is very nice. There is a Virgin Holidays rep called Jimmy who is in resort on the lobby floor. He wasn't too helpful but there are two Macs in there for printing of boarding passes etc as the hotel computers seem to be utilised most of the time.

The pools are very nice as are the resturant choices. Rooms are decent with a balcony. Try and request a seaview if you can (Virgin Hols perk).

The drive up from the airport can be a bit frantic but I think most of the driving is like that in Dubai.. It's around 1:15 from Central Dubai but you can hire a private driver for 10 hours for 650drhms which is pretty good value and better than a taxi.

That's it from me, let me know if you want anymore tips about the resort

Have a great time.

Rob

Rob - Thanks for the tips - very reassuring!!

Nice to know it's not too far from the action for the odd day trip.

What's the gym like?? Freeweights??

James - I know what you mean about the after sales service - hasn't been great in the past and that part of the call centre isn't open outside basic office hours as I recall. They do respond to emails though. The chap I spoke to said they had a new internal system - which is why the booking references have changed style - except for Florida. But this hasn't linked to the Internet Site. Shame really. I remember booking the last lot of hotels in the US; couldn't find one for LAX online but when I asked via the call centre was told they use the Crowne Plaza. How much custom do they lose to Hotels.com, Expedia, et al because it isn't obvious?

Glad there are others out there with positive experiences!!!

[mitchja]

Florida bookings are now on the new system as my New Year Florida booking has a 7 digit booking ref.