Mystery Shopper: Redcar travel agents tested on winter sun

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A group of four friends want a week of cheap winter sun sometime in December or January. They're flexible on destination and want to stay in a good all-inclusive hotel with decent food and activities, and fly from Newcastle.

Budget: £2,000.

Verdict: The winners gave an almost flawless performance warranting a very high score.

Dawson & Sanderson

59 High Street Score: 58%

The agent here seemed genuinely knowledgeable, but when I stated my budget she said it was going to be difficult in a negative tone, which put me off a little. However, then she said Jet2holidays.com had some good deals.

She offered me a week in mid-December at Los Alisios Apartments in Tenerife for £1,644, at Club Siroco in Lanzarote for £1,564 flying with Jet2.com and at Oriental Resort in Sharm el-Sheikh flying with Thomas Cook for £1,892.

The deals were great, but I wasn't given any real information on the hotels, or what I could do in resort. While she was patient, she wasn't overly enthusiastic and didn't try to entice me to book.

Going Places

80-82 High Street Score: 81%

I was helped by two patient, friendly and enthusiastic agents who seemed to have plenty of knowledge on the destination options open to me and on what travel dates would be best with budget in mind.

Through Airtours I was offered Oriental Resort and Hotel Sol in Sharm both for £1,998, and Prima Bungalows in Kololi Beach, Gambia, for £2,144, all in early December.

I was given two brochures, three printouts and a business card to take home, and we discussed extra luggage, in-flight meals and reserved seating. I would have liked more detail on the activities and excursions available at each hotel.

First Choice

22 Regent Walk Score: 82%

When I first entered this shop an agent asked what I wanted and handed me a couple of brochures and her business card, saying to call if I found anything I liked. But after this negative start, once I'd explained I'd like to get quotes, she was excellent – friendly and enthusiastic.

She spent a significant amount of time looking at what was available in Egypt and the Canaries, but restricted her searches to January. She offered the IFA Continental in Gran Canaria for £2,008 and Tropicana Rosetta & Jasmine Club in Sharm for £2,044 through Thomson.

Though slightly over budget, these quotes included insurance, and she gave me good information on the facilities and looked into excursions we might enjoy.

Thomson

100 High Street Score: 99%

Two agents helped me here, both showing significant enthusiasm and product knowledge. They explored lots of options, including cruises, and lots of dates, finding the best deals in December.

Through Thomson I was offered the Jaz Mirabel Park in Sharm for £1,996 (£2,180 with insurance) and the Fiesta Hotel Paraiso Floral in Tenerife for £1,654 (£1,939 including insurance, airport parking, airport hotel and attraction tickets).

I was given brochures, printed quotes, printouts of attractions in both destinations and a business card, plus the offer of a call back, or the opportunity to use the office phone to call my friends if we wanted to book there and then.

They made me feel really comfortable and went above and beyond in terms of customer service. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them.

Winning agents: Alison Hyde and Lisa Williams

Lisa says: "We're quite a small shop and are always working as a team.” Alison has worked at Thomson for two years but spent 23 at Thomsonfly as cabin crew. "I've done the flight to Egypt but never visited. Top of my list for winter would be a fjords cruise.”

Winter sun tips

1. The Canary Islands offer some of the best value and the best winter weather in Spain, so often prove a top pick for short- haul bargains. 
2. For example, Thomas Cook offers seven nights' all-inclusive at the four-star Stella Canaris in Jandia, Fuerteventura, departing January 11 from Newcastle, for £455.
3. Egypt's Red Sea coast was relatively unscathed by this year's political troubles, but has seen tourist numbers drop – resulting in some keen prices for a destination already noted for value.
4. For example, Olympic Holidays offers seven nights' all-inclusive at the three-star Diwan Hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh, departing December 1 from Manchester, for £495.
5. For more winter-sun deals see page  47 of Destinations, and for hotel reviews see gazetteers.com