Holiday Mate www.holidaymate.com

Just returned from another holiday booked through Holiday Mate. So sorry to learn you have ceased trading as a holiday company. Booked several holidays over the years and always been satisfied. Good luck.

Booked three weeks this year with Holidaymate/Falcon Tourism to stay at Blue Green. Arrived in the early hours of the morning to be faced with the WORST accommodation that we have every stayed in.

We were allocated to apartment B3, which is a three bedroomed apartment at the back of the property, we believe commonly used as the dumping ground. Every piece of furniture or equipment in the property was dirty, broken or missing and due to the leaking toilet had a pungent aroma.

Our list included but was not inclusive of: No hot water heater, just live wires hanging where it had been removed, fridge/freezer with broken seal, exposed gas bottle (yes with exposed live electrics), broken shower and toilet leaking all it contents, the other bathroom was not useable as the shower was missing and the toilet sealed up. Beds were either broken, soiled or both, all cutlery in the kitchen was either missing or extremely dirty, only one pan, 2 knives glasses with condensation, etc. There were either no curtains or what I would consider net curtains which provided very little privicy, missing bedside lights, top sheets, towels, dining table, DVD player.... Broken and rusty patio furniture, the grill and tools missing from the BBQ on the balcony.

That's not to add to the apartment having its own set of tools and bags of builders rubble, cement on floor tiles and walls, missing kitchen fittings such as doors, plinths, ducting to extractor fan. An air conditioning unit that was permanently on at such a ridiculously low temperature that could not be altered. I could go on and on.......

The rep from Holidaymate/Falcon was so useless, was only there to sell additions such as trips and car hire. Refused to sort anything out and even had the audacity to say that we were aggressive. You try travelling with 3 young children to be met with that! Hotel management refused to sort out our problems as Holidaymate/Falcon had not paid them.

Only stayed the two nights, one because we had no alternative, its impossible to find alternative accommodation in the early hours of the morning with 3 young children and the second night because we had to give the new apartment owner enough time to prepare his villa. As soon as we could we got out of there

Never got chance to use the facilities so cannot comment on those.

Holidaymate and Falcon have refused to refund any monies. Holidaymate act "illegally" as "Agents" for their sister company Falcon based in Turkey, they sell PACKAGES on their website but hide the agents terms in their conditions. On this basis if any thing goes wrong with your holiday, you can kiss goodbye to your money as Holidaymate are only AGENTS and Falcon operate under Turkish law. Funny when you look them up at companies house, Holidaymate and Falcon have the same directors listed. Using a loop hole in the English Law to rip off the holiday maker. Only wished I had done more research on them over the internet before I booked.

Sedge (hotel manager) was pretty honest, told us we shouldn't be in there but as we had not booked through him, there was nothing he could do and until he received payment from Falcon/Holidaymate he was prepared to do NOTHING (he did provide us with a draining rack!!).

Please check before you stay here that you will not be staying in B3, its unsafe, dangerous and your holiday will be ruined.

We usually book our excursions through our tour rep (Thomas Cook) but have increasingly found that the prices are way too much for a family of 4, so during our holiday to Hisaronu, Turkey we decided to try an outside agent to see what you get. I have to admit we had our reservations regarding service and safety as we didn't want to be placed in a group of non English speaking holidaymakers. Our minds were put at ease as much as possible by the Holiday Mate rep opposite the Heads or Tails Bar and the 2 trips we were interested in (jeep safari and 12 island boat tour) worked out at half the price of the Thomas Cook equivalents but despite this we still had our reservations about the service we would receive.

On the day of the boat trip we were picked up outside our hotel on time and joined a party of about 22 English holidaymakers, boarding our boat in Fethiye. The boat trip itself was great fun, more importantly there was plenty of room with each of us having a sun mattress if wanted and plenty of shaded areas if preferred. It was also calm, without the loud music experienced on other boats and the barbecue lunch was plentiful, fresh and delicious. We visited 4 swim points during the day and overall I was extremely impressed with the service.

Our jeep safari had to be the highlight of our holiday and only cost £16 each (plus extras if required). I won't spoil it as it was full of surprises but would definitely recommend the walk in the gorge (5 lira extra per person) and the white water rafting (£10 extra per person) which was great fun and very safe. Our guide for the day was Joseph who was hilarious and had us in stitches the whole time. We chose the larger jeeps as the seating was better and on the day a convey of 3 jeeps with English holidaymakers stuck together.

I read previous reviews about Holiday Mate and did have some concerns but based on our experience I would wholly recommend them as they offer top quality service, aftercare and made us feel safe at all times.

I will NEVER use Holidaymate again since they messed up a group holiday in June 2014 to Turkey where 8 of us had booked accommodation, only when we arrived that night ONLY 4 OF US WERE BOOKED IN despite having confirmations from Holidaymate! The rep could not be contacted and 4 people were kindly given emergency accommodation by the Orange Boutique Hotel in Oludeniz, who were marvellous. We wasted the next morning as we had to wait for a rep who was almost 2 hrs late. The holiday was meant to be a celebration, something we had all looked forward to for almost a year and Holidaymate MESSED UP. Holidaymate passed the buck onto Falcon and none of us have even had an apology or refund (promised by Falcon if Holidaymate were contacted on our return home) for the 4 who had to be found accommodation AND PAY THE EXTRA WHEN IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT, UP FRONT or be threatened with being "out on the street" with no hotel at all. Totally unsatisfactory and we are spreading the word..... I would definitely not recommend Holidaymate to anyone. Until a week ago they had ignored all emails from us and now say they are not giving a refund and are not prepared to do anything about it at all.

first time to book with this company couldnt fault it one bit, service is 100% we were a little nervous as i usually book with Thomas Cook, once we got to Turkey the booths are outside look for holiday mate we were directed to the shuttle bus which was fab only 12 people on it so it only took us just over the hour to get to turkey the holiday was cheap couldnt believe what we paid made our holiday worth while, transfers back home outstanding bang on time they even called to hotel day b4 and left the manager a form with times of pick up and contact number i will certainly be using this company again x

booked 10 days in Ovacick, Turkey with Holidaymate. I'd not heard of this company before so was a bit apprehensive.Needn't have worried a very efficient handling of my booking, e-tickets as promised, transfers at airport arriving and departing first class, all in all a very pleasurable company to deal with,would definitely use them again.In resort rep helpful and no hard sell for excursions.In resort offices gives you extra peace of mind if you were to have any problems.Wish their website was more prominately positioned on google. It would have saved me a lot of time.

On a recent trip to Turkey staying in Ovacik, we really wanted to go up to Seki and the Gogu Beli Pass. Being Birdwatchers, there were plenty of birds to see up in that area for us.

Not wanting to drive ourselves, our options appeared to be limited but we had a chat with Mehmet at Travel Mate in Hisaronu. He arranged for us to have a car and driver, Mustapha, the following day. Mustapha arrived and though his English wasn't great we made ourselves understood and off we went.

Mustapha was great and he knew the area well so we saw everything and we wanted and more. He saw things we missed and I like to think he learnt something about his local birds too. We had a refreshing drink of Turkish tea in his village and met his friends.

We had a magic day and would like to thank Mehmet and especially Mustapha for their help. If you think you won't be able to do the trip you want see if they can help!!

Have just returned from Turkey after booking with Holidaymate. As their price was the cheapest I could find I was a bit dubious but reviews seemed ok so I risked it. Booking was easy. They didn't ask for huge deposits, E tickets came via email for flights etc approx 2 weeks before holiday as promised along with an ATOL certificate covering all your money and guarantee you would get a flight home or replacement holiday should Holidaymate cease trading which is great peace of mind. On arrival at Dalaman transfer bus was there to pick us up, no rep but it was 2am but you just have to ask someone and they tell you what desk to go to outside the airport. hotel was as described, usual rep meeting next day and had a letter under room door at end of holiday telling us what time we would be picked up etc. Not really a visible rep at the hotel during our stay but had his number and sure he would have come if any problems. One couple at the hotel had paid as much for 7 nights as we paid for 2 weeks!

Would definitely book with Holidaymate again

Holidaymate booked me to go to North Cyprus. I had never considered this destination before but the lady on the phone settled my nerves with her in-depth knowledge of the area and even must visit restaurants and sites to visit. Northern Cyprus, especially Kyrenia was as she described exceptionally beautiful. I flew into Larnaca and travelled across the border to Northern Cyprus this is because I was travelling from Birmingham however I think it would be a good tip for anyone thinking of travelling is to go from Manchester or Stansted to Ercan which is the official airport in Northern Cyprus this might be a little quicker. I will let you know next time round. The Hotel I stayed at was pretty much just at the edge of the harbour and from the locals rumored to be owned by the fallen Tycoon Yesil Nadir. There is a real do it tomorrow relaxed atmosphere in Kyrenia and a world away from the Neon Lights and load music of some of the infamous South Cyprus resorts. This place is really an affordable Gem. Long may it stay that way.

I am a friend of Laura the author of the review below.

On her recommendation I spoke to holiday mate. I think they had a number of free accommodations but they also had a couple of 2 for 1 deals on larger 5* all inclusive. Speaking to Holidaymate they really seem to know their stuff. I spoke to a man who knew about the hotel, resort and things to do and see. He even apologised saying please tell me to shut up when you have heard enough as I have a habit of rabbiting on. Usually you can get enough info out of a travel agent. This chap was like a walking talking google of information. I too got my free turkish bath and booked my holiday to a hotel that I know I would normally not be able to afford. I am not going to bang on but I got away with only paying deposit. Really pleased with my buy tonight and I am sure my holiday is going to be a dream come true.