Questions

Yes you can book your seat numbers on the arrival and return journeys and we do not run a feeder system on 99% of our tours. When you book your holiday we tell you over the phone which seats are available and you tell us where you want to sit. However, at Christmas and New Year we DO operate a feeder system on SOME less popular routes so we do not give out seat numbers for these two holidays. In exceptional circumstances we may combine two coaches at the last minute but this is extremely rare.

Yes and yes. All our coaches have a toilet either in the middle of the coach or at the back. However these should not be used for solids. The drivers do try to empty the toilets before every journey but sometimes they cannot find somewhere suitable. In this case they will often lock the door to prevent the smell coming into the coach but will make extra toilet stops en route. Legally the longest a driver can go without a break is four and a half hours but in practice they will make a stop every 2-3 hours for the toilets or for lunch. If you anticipate any problems please speak to the driver before the journey or at the next stop. Please bear in mind it is dangerous to distract the driver while he is driving.

Depending on how far your journey isI we aim to arrive at the hotel between 3pm and 5.30pm. On the departure day we have an early breakfast at Sam (7.45am in Shanklin) and depart at 9am (8.30am in Shanklin). Again, depending on the length of journey, we aim to drop you off between 2pm and 6pm. For a more accurate time please speak to the driver.

As soon as you notice the item missing, call us on 0870 902 1412 or call the hotel (see Contact Us). If we find it we can post it onto you for a small fee to cover postage and packaging (minimum fee £5). Please note all luggage items must be labelled correctly or they may be refused transit on our coaches.

These are usually to local places of interest and will vary according to the time of year. Each hotel arranges its own excursions depending on the availability of coaches and drivers. Normally on a typical 5 day tour we will offer 2 excursions plus a free day. Details of all excursions will be advertised in the hotel reception on arrival.
Hotel

Because of the sheer number of requests we receive, we do not allocate specific room numbers at the time of booking. We will gladly write down any special requests for ground floor rooms, or walk-in shower, or garden view, or a particular room number, but we cannot 100% guarantee requests. We allocate rooms two days before arrival and take into account how early you booked and if you are disabled. Of course all rooms have the same facilities, but the larger rooms and the best views tend to be allocated to whoever booked the earliest.

Apart from the Barrowfield Hotel in Newquay which is a 3 star, no. Because of the many different rating systems in use, we have traditionally not participated in official schemes. Instead we let our guests rate us and let us know what is a good standard. But as a general rule of thumb, we consider our hotels to be of a good 2 star to low 3 star standard. We are very proud of our hotels (and our coaches), and spend hundreds of thousands of pounds each year maintaining our rooms and facilities. Over the years our regular guests have seen steady improvements and the fact that 2 out of 3 guests will have been with us before, is testament to our high standards and excellent value for money holidays.

Make sure you inform us at the time of booking of any serious disabilities or special diets. We will then explain what options are available. Generally we can cope with most disabilities, although we should point out our coaches do not have a wheelchair lift and our rooms are not equipped specifically for the severely disabled. We can cater for most special diets, but if you are vegan or coeliac, you may have to choose carefully from the menu and perhaps bring your own soya milk or bread.

All our hotels are within walking distance of the main town centre and beaches. The Devonshire Hotel in Torquay is at the top of a hill, but we have a minibus service which picks up at our door and drops you at the harbour (£1.50 pp return), plus there is a public bus service from in front of the hotel and a taxi to the harbour costs around £3-£4. The Sands Hotel in Bournemouth is also on a bus route and is a 10-15 minute stroll to the town centre. Daish's Hotel in Shanklin is in the middle of the Old Village and just 400 yards from the Esplanade and beach.

Children aged 3-14 inclusive pay 50%. Infants 0-2 go FREE all year. **2008 ONLY** 1st child FREE when sharing with 2 adults, extra children pay 50%.

If you are at all unsatisfied with any part of your holiday please tell a member of staff immediately so that we can attempt to remedy the situation. Complaints afterward can only be accepted if we fail to put things right while you are still travelling with us. If you have a medical emergency and want to return home, make sure you consult with your insurance company first to make sure you can claim a refund afterwards. If you have a minor accident, make sure you inform the Hotel Reception and fill out an accident report.

Cancellation Charges are calculated from the date that your written instructions are received. Any amendment to the booking (that does not result in a cancellation) will carry a minimum £10 charge. Amendments to holiday dates will be treated as a cancellation and the normal cancellation charges will apply. Where written notice of cancellation is received the amount payable is as follows:

42 days or more before departure - Deposit only (£50pp)
41 to 28 days before departure - 30% of total (minimum £50pp)
27 to 14 days before departure - 50% of total (minimum £50pp)
13 to 7 days before departure - 65% of total (minimum £50pp)
6 to l days before departure - 80% of total (minimum £50pp)
Day of departure or later - 100% of total (see below)


If you have not arrived at the departure point for a travel included tour by the notified departure time or at the hotel by 10.00pm the day your Holiday was due to commence or contacted your Travel Agent or Hotel concerned to confirm when you will arrive we will assume that the Holiday is cancelled. Please note that the total holiday cost and insurance will be retained.

See our Conditions of Booking.

We guarantee that there will definitely be no surcharge except as a result of Government action. The price of your Holiday will be as agreed and shown on your Booking Confirmation for your party size and for the accommodation you choose, plus any supplements and insurance chosen. From time to time you may find that prices are reduced for 'last minute' offers. We reserve the right to reduce prices without offering a refund for earlier bookings. In some exceptional circumstances we may offer a discount voucher or excursion voucher as compensation. This will be at the Manager's discretion.

If you are at all unsatisfied with any part of your holiday, please tell a member of staff immediately so that we can attempt to remedy the situation. Complaints afterward can only be accepted if we fail to put things right while you are still travelling with us. If we are not able to rectify your complaint during the holiday, please submit a written version of events to us at Head Office and will we immediately look into the matter. Please write in the first instance to:

Customer Services
Daish's Travel
Devonshire Hotel
Parkhill Road
Torquay
Devon TQl 2DY