Friendship Travel Singles Holidays Reviews 

I had a similar experience to Deborah Weadock's review at the Hotel Apollon in Zante almost a year later.
The hotel is marketed as House Party Hotel and I booked it as I thought it would be a good choice for my first holiday abroad as a single female traveller.
However I was verbally abused by large drunken male guest in an unprovoked act of aggression. I complained to the company who closed down my complaint. I was not advised of the company's processes in relation to such inappropriate behaviour. I spent the second week of my holiday feeling very vulnerable and alone miles from home and trying to avoid the guest and any further confrontation from him. Ironic when I had chosen this type of holiday as a single woman to feel safe and in company.

This was my first holiday at the Forever hotel in Turkey but it won’t be my last! From the moment I got into the transfer I felt taken care of, Baz greeted me at the hotel and carried my case up to my delightful room. Despite being midnight I headed to the bar for a g&t and to meet my fellow guests.

It quickly became apparent that they were taking the Covid situation seriously by carrying out temperature checks, hands had to be sanitised when entering an indoor area and the hotel was kept scrupulously clean.

At breakfast I met the friendship travel host Jean, she made me feel so welcome and came up with plenty of ideas for trips during my stay. I watched how she went above and beyond for her guests and loved that she made a point of making everyone feel at ease. There was never a point that I or anyone else felt alone, Jean was contactable by phone and came to the hotel twice a day.

I loved the food at the hotel, Breakfast was a plentiful spread of cheese, ham, bread, eggs, fresh fruit, juice, tea and coffee. Dinner was equally delicious always starting with varied meze, two choices of main and a dessert.

I made so many wonderful friends on this holiday, we all came from different walks of life. I felt that we created a strong bond as we were all single travellers and know how lonely that can be. There was always somebody to do something with, whether that was going to the market, the beach or sunbathing. We also had many a good evening out together. My favourite day was the boat trip where I went snorkelling for the first time.

I can absolutely recommend Friendship travel, I have never received such high levels of service and care. I loved my two week holiday so much that I asked if I could extend it and ended up staying for a month! I would not hesitate to travel with this company again.

This was my second time at the Forever hotel in Ovacık and again I was not disappointed with what was on offer! The service and friendliness of this family run hotel surpasses many of the larger hotels that I have stayed at.
The family could not do enough for me and the other guests. The very high standard of cleanliness of the hotel and grounds would take a lot to beat.
The food was extremely good and varied..and always plenty of it.
Jean the Friendships Travel rep is a legend..a font of knowledge and always ready to go the extra mile to help.
Would I go again..try stopping me!

Went to Apollon, Zante. Got to say, I had the worst experience ever, was told by office there was 3 women and 6 men when I travelled, they lied, there was 4 men I arrived! I had to do an insident report when I was there as four men I was on holiday with totally degraded me and made me feel so lost and downgraded, I reported this to the office by a rep and nothing was done, no one phoned me or supported me, I felt very upset And very alone in this holiday, the food was disgraceful, I paid 1,500 for two weeks holiday and received egg, cheap bacon, let’s face it, see through ham and beans, no healthy options or anything else on the menu, I went next door for food as it was like prison food and this was the same for the the evening meal, I was made to feel very uncomfortable and had the worst experience ever, I would never book a holiday with this company again and still after one week have received no support after the abuse i received or a apology for my
Awful stay here and the fact I paid 1500 for my stay here and the fact I paid more then last year and got absolutely no compensation for my horrendous time here , I’m going to go with solo holidays now, they are a very better company now, friendship travel let me down when I needed them most, I heard no help or support after my complaint. very bad service x

Recently returned from a short break in Morocco and can honestly say it was the worst trip I have ever been on. The accommodation was basic to say the least and the amenities and food were extremely poor.
At least the staff were nice and helpful and I enjoyed a couple of days of sunshine.
Will not use this company again as I feel that their description of the break was very misleading.

FT - Holiday Inn South, London Road, Markyates, Bedfordshire. 23rd Dec 2019
I stayed with FT over xmas 2019. there were 37 other people, The Rep was 1st class.
But the hotel was rubbish. I contrasted Diarrhoea / Gastroenteritis that lasted 7 weeks, I did not eat for 3 weeks and lost 14lbs. and it kept returning just when I thought It had gone. I have never been so Ill. Its the Hotel at fault - must have been the food. I only had one spoon full of Xmas dinner, and most of the time in my room. .
I had to attend my local hospital on the 6th of Jan 2020 for a blood and Urine sample Test. On 12th Jan and the consultant asked what had occurred over XMas as my results showed a great increased in my immune system - and the testes would have to be repeated.

I have never been so bad is this ever, for so long.

Review headline
I contrasted Diarrhoea / Gastroenteritis over XMas with FT at Holiday Inn

I spent Christmas with FT at Radisson Blu Resort, St Julian's, Malta and Ta'Cenc Hotel and Spa, Sannat, Gozo. It was the third Christmas that I have done this trip as I find there is a lot to see in Malta and I have fallen for the lovely Ta'Cenc Hotel situated right on the cliffs. And I was not disappointed. Once again I wished that the holiday could have been longer, with more time to spend in Valletta, Malta, and Victoria, Gozo as there were places visited on previous years that I'd have liked to return to and I'm sure that Ev, our enthusiastic and always-available and always-on-the-go host, would have come up with new places to go! I would recommend it as the holiday for anybody who does not want to just sit around a pool and eat and drink (although we did plenty of eating and drinking!) Radisson Blu was a lovely hotel, although there was not a lot open in the surrounding area at this time of year, and not far from Valletta. On top of the included trips we managed to pack in M'Dina, Mosta and an evening Christmas market. Ta'Cenc is the epitome of a friendly, small hotel whose staff are welcoming and eager to please and a short distance from Victoria, the capital, although being Christmas there was not adequate time to visit take in the sights and shop. Although we did manage a tour of the south of the island and the Bethlehem Village. The beautiful cliff walk was certainly invigorating this year! And the food at the Christmas Eve Gala dinner and Christmas Day lunch was excellent although I needed to go to the gym on return!! An excellent week's break but too short!!

The entrance to Dunchurch "hotel" comprises wrought iron gates and two lodges, followed by "sleeping policemen" of the sort designed to rip your exhaust system off, but first impressions were good. Second impression was "oh, good grief" as I realised that I was to be staying not in the 1833 manor house but the 1950s barrack block in the land that time forgot, complete with brown nylon coated handrails and a lot of faux teak. Yes, I nearly swung the car out again and headed south, but I'm so glad I didn't.

I hadn't come on a "singles" holiday expecting to meet the love-of-my-life, I came for good company which I found in spadefuls. Sure, there were a few les miserables, but mostly I found people like me who just couldn't stand the thought of spending Christmas alone.

The food wasn't haute cuisine, but it was hot & plentiful and served by cheerful students on their Christmas vac. and if enjoyment is about the "Shared Experience" then thank you Carrie for accompanying me to the Christmas Day Service at Coventry Cathedral, Shirley, Sue & Peter for a memorable day at Warwick Castle and Richard for listening.

The massively over competitive "pub quiz" was genius, the boy/girl/boy place settings fun and for £500 I had a great time.

No, it wasn't a cosy Christmas in front of a log fire, but that wasn't what I was expecting. I was expecting a good laugh in good company and in that respect, for me, it delivered.

I have just had a Xmas break at Dunchurch Park (which is actually just a conference centre with student type accommodation in modern type blocks attached to it! Not a Hotel). The website shows a country mansion style hotel with 72 acres of grounds and sells it as such. We were all expecting the cozy country house, sitting around the log fire with our Xmas drinks. Well, we had to fight to get a sofa put in a room in the old house, they were all left as conference/meeting rooms and one with a billiard table stuck in the Centre. Very unwelcoming. We then had to request to have the log fire going. The host (Colum) was adamant that all guests were too hot in the Hotel so didn't want it on. They're obviously unaware that we all talk to each other!! We eventually got logs for getting the fire going.

The heating didn't work in my room so I had to ask for a convector heater at Reception. The towel rail in my bathroom didn't work and an excuse was made by a maintenance guy about him turning it on at the central point so he could disappear never to be seen again!

Rude Bar staff apart from Jose who was very nice:

The wine was disgusting and I don't drink much but on Xmas Day fancied a Sherry in the evening with our buffet. The guy at the bar looked at me as if I was an alien when I asked for one …"We don't have any" was the reply. I got the same reply when I asked for a glass of Port or Ginger Wine. No Xmassy type drinks available AT XMAS !!! I did complain to Colum about this on the night and he checked with the Operations Guy who just turned and said "it's a very busy period Madam, we've sold out" Again, they don't realise us guests talk to each other? This was a complete lie as someone had asked for Sherry at lunchtime and was told they didn't stock it!!
Colum just walked off! As I was upset I brought a bottle of wine down to the bar which was a present from my Boss who always gives us a case brought over from Italy. The barman gave me a corkscrew when I asked for it and then all hell broke loose! I am aware about corkage charges, however, they had nothing that I drink and, under the circumstances, chasing after me shouting Missy Missy and demanding £20 for corkage was totally rude and unreasonable. They complained to Colum who came over to me to check the bottle and he said "that's a bottle of red wine!" . I'm not sure if he was going for Brain of Britain contest or what ??!! He then told me it was illegal to bring a bottle of wine to a licensed bar?? Oh but it wasn't illegal if I paid them £20?? Complete con! I was then told if I argued they would ask me to leave which would be difficult?!!! I was banished to my room for Xmas Day evening. Other guests were whatsapp(ing) me to come down to a room they had found but it had all upset me too much. For him to just stick up for the venue and bar staff smacks of wanting repeat deals with them in the future!

The only thing that made it for me were other friendly guests I had met and I have to say all the female staff, Reception and cleaners were lovely.

I would never return to that venue or use Friendship Travel again. It was my first time with this Company and considering Colum is the MD - very poor! Everything mentioned to him was taken personally and either "Oh well everyone else is OK" like it's just you that has a problem, very defensive and not on your side or wanting to make you happy.

I have travelled with Solos Holidays over many years and never had a single problem with them. I should have stuck with them.

Alison

Great company. Took me 2 yrs to book. Best thing I ever did. 4 yrs later met great friends., so now we book on our own. Still do Lindos in 4 star hotel but for £600 less. Next year their prices are ridiculous. Lindos Memories is the most amazing place. On the beach good rooms. Breakfast is good but evening meal is disgusting. Service has gone to pot and management is none existent. Management would prefer to put up their relatives than give you a room. Therefore you don't get a room, or have to share with randon person.

Firstly was very grateful that FT managed to get me there on a Tui flight as I was booked on a Thomas Cook flight. Everyone who was at the Raga with me agreed that we could not find any faults at all. Everything was just excellent. the food, wines. staff - nothing too much trouble, and even the entertainment was mainly pretty good as well with some excellent bands. Some people were on their 2nd visit there this year... and one back for a third time! I will definitely be back next year.

This little hotel is a Gem! It's immaculately clean, staffed by the friendliest of people and serves good home-cooked food. Nice pool area with plenty of sun loungers, and a great ambience. Friendship Travel have found the perfect spot for singles wanting to mingle! Can't fault it at all - been 3 times now and will probably go back. Rooms are functional with extremely comfortable beds - I had one of the top floor bedrooms with a private terrace facing the mountains - loved the walk-in shower! It really does deserve 5 stars - for a 3 star hotel it ticks all the boxes for me.

What makes a great holiday is the company you keep. When I book these type of holidays I always ask age profile and gender mix as I would prefer company of people similar to myself.

Friendship refuse to reveal age profiles of other travellers on the trip.

Had an awful holiday last year with OAP's who through no fault of their own have a different agenda.

Get real guys as I cannot be alone with this bad experience. You have lost my custom including 3 holidays this year from me.

To reply to Calum, I am not asking for exact ages or names - indicative profiling of those already booked only, which is not breaking any laws.

So we start with a 3 hrs delayed flight - and some general rudeness from thomas cook staff (or agents thereof).

We arrive really late at the hotel and are made to sign an upgrade form - for a partial sea view - which I've already paid for.....

Interesting.....

Then we have an all inclusive hotel - with little or nothing on the menu for vegetarians (despite my making it clear on the booking form that I don't eat meat)

And a refusal to make anything non meat on request. Some of this could be due to language barriers - but I think most of it was due to a focus on creating piles of meat and not much else

The in resort rep did her best but this boliday isn't worth the money unless you like eating lots of meat and drinking alcohol like a fish. There's better food available in local taverns. And better service

Not quite all the fault of friendship travel perhaps - but I wont be using them again while I'm still alive

Why take a booking from a vegetarian for a non vegetarian hotel ??

The hotel maintain they were unaware of my dietary needs - but who knows really

Friendship travel either don't really know the hotel or simply don't care - leaving any problems to the in resort rep to mop up

I've now run out of money through eating out every night - so I'm glad to be leaving early (all arrangements made by me and at me own cost - thanks for your help with that guys)

And it turns out friendship travel have helpfully taken the liberty of cancelling my room at the hotel- a room fully paid for by me - without consultation or consent.

Nice people...

I look forward to that refund being passed through to me..... but wont hold my breath

The hotel are kindly letting me keep the room until my flight home - but i suspect this is an act of kindness to me rather than as a result of anything else.

Avoid this lot - there's better - or certainly cheaper - singles holidays out there

Memories Hotel, Lindos.
Having just returned from 3 weeks holiday there, I think it speaks for itself that I cannot get enough of this hotel as this was the 8th time I have stayed there. Friendship Travel are a very professional firm who go the extra mile to ensure your holiday runs smoothly. The hotel itself is brilliant - from its rooms, location right on the beach, food and entertainment, but mostly because of its competent/enthusiastic staff who make the holiday memorable. Cannot wait to return later in the year. Muriel Gallagher.

I have just returned from a wonderful holiday at Memories Hotel Lindos, a fabulous hotel for adults only on a beach. It was great from start to finish , Emer the FT host made sure everything went smoothly . This hotel is the best I have ever stayed in the staff cannot do enough for their customers.

I've just got back from a week's stay at the forever hotel. The owners couldn't do enough for you. The pool, gardens, and rooms where lovely and clean. Great views and an easy walk into town. The rep Jean was great and was always on hand. Can't wait to go back.

Just returned from my second stay at the Forever Hotel. As on my previous stay the owners and their family members could not do enough for you and the rooms, pool, gardens and food/drink are more than you would expect for a 3* hotel. Jean, the host, is invaluable with regard to her experience, support and professionalism.
Looking forward to my return next year.

Just back from the Forever Hotel in Turkey again a great holiday thanks to the staff And Jean the rep I will be back

Awful! Do not use this company. I booked Turkey and Cuba with them. Both holidays were awful- hotels were below standard and star rating, food awful, but the main thing is the customer service. The owner of FT does not believe in great customer service or ensuring you have a good holiday. Cuba was very expensive, advertised as a 5 star hotel, it wasn’t, some of us had to upgrade to an executive suite to get a sub standard room, food and service - which you should not have to do at a 5 star resort. At the Turkish holiday were treated with complete disregard by the staff and made to feel very unwelcome. The excuse FT gave us? It was the last week of the season and the staff were tired! FT refused to return any monies for my Cuba holiday, the emails were extremely unprofessional, uncaring, littered with typos and contained grammatical errors.