Re: Club Amigo Holguin

[flopnfly]

I would like to know a little bit about this resort.
 To me it is very confusing, 3 or 4 sections all in one resort.  Or was it 3 resorts and now it is one.
 
 What are the names of the different sections, and how are they sold?  Do I look for Club Amigo when I'm browsing?  
 
 We passed it in May while in Cuba, but even then we were confused.  The sign outside said Club Amigo, but there was also another name as well which I can't remember.
 
 I thought I would start my research early for November.
 
 Anybody been?

[bellagio]

Thanks for starting a new thread on this Heather because it has always puzzled me too.  Here is what I wrote on another thread which I'm posting here just in case our resident Club Amigo experts Fred and Tracie miss it:
 
 I would really like you to explain to me the four resorts involved here.   Do they all come under the name of Club Amigo?  Also what is Guardalavaca village, is that one of the 4 resorts?
 
 As far as I can see you have the hotel which is the Atlantico Hotel, then Club Amigo, so how is Club Amigo divided up (into three resorts is it not?).
 
 I assume that you all eat in the same restaurants and share all the facilities, so it's just the actual naming of the resorts and where they actually are I've never been too sure of, so I hope that you can explain it to me as simply as possible.

[flopnfly]

I'm assuming that it will be like one big resort spread out.  
 
 I'm assuming that their will be one reception area for all the sections?  I could be wrong here.
 
 Mr B, you could do one week here with all of us one weeker Canuks, and then move over to the Playa Pesquero for your second week.  Now if you could get Avid and Wossa to join you.....WOW !!

[bellagio]

Heather:
 
 That would be a good idea but as neither of the two big players over here book Club Amigo it might prove difficult to do to combine it with the PP.
 
 I have been given a contact at The Holiday Place (a UK travel agent) by someone on avid's board who stays at Club Amigo so I'll be contacting him and he may be able to sort something out for me.   They use Cubana, but generally bolt on 2 or 3 days in Havana which I would like to do anyway.
 
 I haven't contacted Avid or Wossa for a while so I've no idea of their plans, but it would be great if they could join us I agree.

[flopnfly]

What other resorts are in the area that are offered to you?

[bellagio]

Can you believe this.   I went on The Holiday Place website about 30 minutes ago and filled in a holiday request form and no sooner than I had sent it off my phone rings and believe it or believe it not it was the guy whose name I had been given as a contact ringing me back - actually within a minute of me hitting 'send'.
 
 I must say I was most impressed - highly efficient.
 
 Standby Heather and F&T - I'll be posting details in a few minutes.   Haven't booked anything yet, but see what you think.

[bellagio]

Here goes:  Flights are with Cubana from London Gatwick and do not incude the price of the tourist card so £15 needs to be added on.   Luggage allowance 30 kilos although only 20 on the internal flight.
 
 Sat Nov 13th - 13 nights Club Amigo + 3 nights Tryp Habana Libre £959
 
 Wed Nov 9th - 10 nights Club Amigo (probably enough)+ Comodoro Bungalows £799
 
 The Comodoro bungalows are about 15 mins out of central Havana but a free shuttle runs 5 times a day.   The Libre is available on this last deal for a £61 supplement and is apparently more in the centre of old Havana.
 
 The guy is there until 8pm tonight (3pm your time) - any views anyone?
 A

[flopnfly]

Sounds good Mr B
 
 will you be at Club Amigo first and then on to Havana?  I wouldn't want to book for the 12th only to find that you're in Havana and we miss you.
 
 I guess we'll have to wait for F & T to decide.  We can get Club Amigo right now for $853 for one week.
 
 What other options do you have in case they change their mind about resorts?
 
 Heather

[bellagio]

flopnfly;
 
 Yes Club Amigo first (Cubana flight direct to Holguin) followed by internal Cubana flight at 1830 to Havana, then fly direct back home from Havana.
 
 However I have just noticed that from July Virgin Atlantic are flying direct to Havana twice a week.  That man Richard Branson sure knows what he is doing.
 
 I have checked on their website and for 50,000 Virgin miles I could fly there for FREE.  At the moment I have 44,270 points (or miles) and I use the Virgin Credit Card all the time to get me miles, so it may pay me to sit back and wait for a free ride to Havana and then I could be staying at a Casa.   I'm sure that someone who posts on here could recommend one or two      :rof:          :rof:    
 
 Pity that since 911 Virgin pulled out of Toronto as I could have flown there for nothing as I can to all North American destinations on selected dates.

[bellagio]

Originally posted by flopnfly:
 
 What other options do you have in case they change their mind about resorts?
 

Heather:  This is part of a response I posted  on another thread in answer to a question from Huskypup:
 
 Thomas Cook are showing NO availability at all for the Guardalavaca area for any time in November either for one or two persons.
 
 First Choice (through Eclipse) offer the PCV (next door to you) at £826 for a single (£700 each if there are two of you - very good price indeed)on 2nd November and on 16th Nov it is priced at £853 single.
 
 Now my preferred option would be to pay the extra and stay at the PCV, because I could slip next door (hopefully, by use of my saved wristband which has turned white!!) and visit my friends there.
 
 The guy from the Holiday Place had promised me an upgraded room at Amigo to a Tropical room or something like that, but it won't be one of the villa rooms.
 
 Those are my options, anyway.   I don't mind staying at Club Amigo if all you guys are golng to be there at the same time, but I don't think I want to be there if you're not.
 
 Apparently we do have the use of some of the facilities at Brisas next door, obviously not able to eat there, but at least I would be able to relive a very pleasant memories back there.

[FredTracie]

Bellagio
  The Tropical section is in the Atlantico hotel closest to the beach. Maybe it would be better if we chose the date Nov. 12/13 arrival in Holguin and everyone chose what ever hotel is to their liking and we set up an afternoon at the beach, maybe rent a van and driver and go to Holguin and then dinner or lunch another day, etc. Would hate for something to happen and some not be able to go?? Right now we are planning to be in Guardalavaca Nov. 11/12/13 arriving for 1 week, and will be booking last minute! Bellagio the PCV sounds like a good deal as you are staying for 2 weeks. Just some thoughts!! Not sure Amigo would be OK for 2 weeks????Gotta get back to work!!!
 
            Cheers.......F&T
 
       What about the Luna Mares or Brisas?

[flopnfly]

I just booked my vacation time at work, and it has been approved.
 
 Nov 14 -18      
 
 
 I also booked September 16th off, so I will be able to pick you up at the airport Mr B.
 
 
 Heather

[bellagio]

F&T and Heather:
 
 Suddenly Thomas Cook's website shows availability for the Guardalavaca area and the Playa Pesquero beach (PCV, PP, Blau and the Turquesa).
 
 Here is the latest picture:
 
 The only other hotel that First Choice offer on Nov. 16th is the Sol priced at £919 and £923
 
 Thomas Cook offer the following (inc single supplement) Nov 10th departure for two weeks;
 
 Brisas £1045
 Sol £1033
 PCV 936
 Turquesa £1000
 PP - no quote (as usual) for singles but works out at £869 per person if two are travelling.
 
 To start with I would prefer to fly First Choice as their flights are direct and also they have upgraded their aircraft.
 
 The prices Thomas Cook are quoting for Brisas and the Sol are a joke as these two hotels are not as good as the ones on Pesquero beach, IMHO.
 
 Therefore the price of £853 for the PCV on 16th November with Thomas Cook is the best bet, apart from the Club Amigo/Havana 13 night trip at £799.
 
 I'll be phoning my TA after 6pm to see what she can come up with.
 
 Heather it's over to you.
 
 
  Wed 16 Nov 2005  
 
  Gatwick to Cuba  
 
  2 Weeks  
   
   
  Gatwick Holguin  (10hrs 15mins)    
  Wed 16 Nov 2005 Wed 30 Nov 2005  
  Departs: 09:15 Departs: 16:10  
  Arrives:  14:30  Arrives:  06:25 on Thu  
  Airline: First Choice Airline: First Choice    
  In-Flight Meals included  
  20kg Baggage Allowance    
  Playa Costa Verde in Guardalavaca, Cuba View Details  
 
  1 x Double Room For Sole Use
 Balcony Or Terrace, Garden View, Private Bath, Shower, Toilet - All Inclusive      
  Return transfers included from the airport to your accommodation  
 
   £853.00

[bellagio]

Heather I see you've booked your dates off.   I might have to consider this option also then:
 
 PCV £826 with First Choice on Nov 2nd.
 
 Neither this nor the other holiday a fortnight later is ideal though to coincide with your dates.   Don't know why there aren't any Nov 9th dates showing with First Choice.
 
 The TC flights link up much better with your dates but I will have to see what my TA comes up with when I ring her shortly.

[bellagio]

Originally posted by flopnfly:
 
 I also booked September 16th off, so I will be able to pick you up at the airport Mr B.
 Heather

That's very kind of you Heather, considering I haven't booked the flight yet  :rof:    :rof:    :rof: