Much as we love independent holidays and exploring off the beaten track, there are times we want someone else to do it all for us. Package holidays have been around for decades and while some might view them as a cheerful alternative to ‘real travel’, there really is no one size fits all. We’ve been on a jungle trek to Angel Falls, canoed down the Churún River and walked behind the waterfall in Last of the Mohicans in the past. Hardly a trip you’d categorise as a package holiday. But having flights, transfers, accommodation and meals organised is convenient, especially for time-poor parents. Mark Warner is well known for its activity holidays which are great for families especially as you can do as much (or as little) as you like. For our family, it’s all about grabbing the bull by the horns and doing things we might not normally do, creating very special moments along the way.
We’ve been on five Mark Warner holidays over recent years so we know what to expect. Of course, each resort is different but what’s on offer is reassuringly familiar which means we can relax into our holiday a lot quicker. We’ve visited the San Lucianu Beach Resort before on a group press trip back in 2015 but this time around it was a family holiday for the three of us. San Lucianu is a smaller resort than the likes of Levante or Lakitira (both of which we’ve stayed at) but this does have its advantages.
Mark Warner holidays are designed to be easy and that includes getting to resort. We took a chartered British Airways flight from Heathrow Terminal 5 although you can also fly from Gatwick or Manchester. Our flight departed at a respectable 7.40am and we arrived at Bastia Poretta airport in Corsica just 2 hours 20-minutes later. A few Mark Warner staff met those of us heading to San Lucianu at the airport terminal and we were on our allocated coach as soon as we’d retrieved our luggage. The transfer time from Bastia to the resort was just 30 minutes with a quick introduction to Mark Warner en route. On arrival at San Lucianu, our luggage was taken to our room for us while we went for a wander and tucked into a eat as much as you like buffet lunch.
The San Lucianu Beach Resort is set in landscaped gardens with eucalyptus groves and spectacular mountain scenery the backdrop. It’s a friendly, sociable resort with an infectious community spirit. POD made friends with a couple of other girls on our arrival day and the three of them were inseparable almost all week. It was truly heartwarming to see and made what would have been a brilliant holiday anyway into an unforgettable holiday. While you don’t necessarily go on holiday to meet other families, it happened naturally.
There are 95 rooms at the San Lucianu Beach Resort, 50 of which have been refurbished to a superior standard. We stayed in a sea facing Superior Twin room which had floor to ceiling windows and a private balcony with views across the resort. Facilities included air conditioning, WiFi, a satellite TV and a mini-fridge with a family sized modern bathroom complete with toiletries and the best power shower. If you have long thick hair as I do, you’ll understand how important having a good shower is! Our room was cleaned and the beds made every day with linen and towels changed midway through the week.
Dining at the San Lucianu Beach Resort is on a full board basis and includes a bottle of wine at dinner. It wasn’t necessary to book a table for breakfast (7:30am to 9:30am) or lunch (12:30pm to 2pm). Dinner reservations could be made from 8am at reception for that evening and served between 7:30pm and 9:30pm. If you want to socialise while at San Lucianu, there’s social dining option available which involves joining a larger table for an evening meal and meeting other guests. We didn’t do this but really wish we had as everyone seemed to have such a good laugh.
The San Lucianu restaurant serves hearty Corsican cuisine using fresh, locally sourced produce. Typically breakfast and lunch are buffet style with most evening meals from an A La Carte menu (we had a BBQ one evening). We were spoiled for choice much of the time with starter choices including chilled melon soup, baked goats cheese with beetroot 3 ways and Corsican Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic. Main dishes were the likes of Cajun Beef with rosemary fries, blistered tomatoes and rocket, pan-fried chicken breast with herb Parmentier potatoes, roasted mushrooms and garlic cream sauce and Beef Bourguignon with roasted vegetables and desserts. Whereas puddings included baked vanilla and caramel cheesecake with ice banana parfait, peach and raspberry crumble and ice creams or sorbets. There were options for vegans and vegetarians.
There’s also a high tea available for children (5:30pm to 6:15pm) at San Lucianu. This worked well if POD wanted to watch a film at the childcare centre with her friends while we ate dinner. There are two bars at San Lucianu too, the lounge bar which is situated by the restaurant and the beach bar which had uninterrupted views of the sea. The beach bar was open from 9am every day so it was always the place to go for morning coffee, an afternoon ice-cream or a cheeky mojito before dinner. It was also where POD learnt to make a San Lu Sunset mocktail. George at the beach bar honestly had the patience of a saint and it was nice he let POD make her San Lu Sunset by the bar when it wasn’t busy.
If you’ve not been on a Mark Warner holiday before, don’t miss the welcome meeting with the resort team. This takes place on arrival day and it’s where you discover what’s happening when, where and at what time. From watersports and activities to childcare and restaurant opening times, it’s always a useful introduction to the resort. We’ve always booked the classic tennis course before arriving on the resort (and childcare is booked automatically) but there is so much on offer. At the waterfront, there’s sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and stand up paddleboarding available. Land-based activities include volleyball, badminton and table tennis with tennis, cycling (hybrid or road bikes) and various fitness classes on offer. All these activities were included in the price of our holiday with week-long tennis or RHA sailing courses extra. The San Lucianu Beach Resort has a spa too which was a really lovely way to relax and take advantage of some me time. Also on the resort are two swimming pools, one family sized and a children’s pool with two sections – one of which for younger children.
Our first couple of Mark Warner holidays were before POD arrived. Some might find that strange given Mark Warner Holidays are so family orientated but we played tennis 2-3 times a week in those days so it worked. We heard about Mark Warner childcare at the time but agreed we’d never utilise it when we became parents. We were understandably sceptical when we took POD on her first Mark Warner holiday as we’re firm believers in family holidays being exactly that. But we changed our minds when we discovered we could play tennis while she got to try a host of fun activities!
Mark Warner childcare caters for babies and toddlers (2 months to 4 years) and kids (from 2-17 years) with clubs split by age group and run by fully qualified British nannies. POD had the option to go into Junior Club at San Lucianu from 9am to midday and 2.30pm to 5:30pm. Included in the price of our holiday, we thought she’d probably just want to dip in and out. How wrong we were! She had such a brilliant time in the first session, she wanted to go back again in the afternoon! And the same happened the following day! Of course, it helped she was with the girls she met on our first day but she just wanted to do everything!
We were down at the waterfront every morning for sailing, windsurfing or kayaking and a wealth of activities followed like beach volleyball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, football, giant Jenga, sand sculptures and junk modelling (POD made a lizard house!). Pool games included the highly entertaining wettest link and toothpaste plus they got to go on an ice-cream trip and make mocktails. Not at the same time obviously!
Normally JD and I would both play tennis but this time around he signed up for the classic tennis course and I didn’t. I’d remembered the sea at San Lucianu being beautifully calm so it seemed a good time to try out some watersports. Except the wind had other ideas and while it was still warm, the conditions weren’t suited to novice skills (or lack of!). The upside meant I split my mornings watching POD on the water or JD on court with the afternoons spent together as a family at the beach or by the pool. I even managed to squeeze in a facial and massage at one point. I’ve never been on a Mark Warner holiday and not thrashed it out on the court but it had its upsides. Seeing POD build confidence on the water was something very special, particularly in the windy conditions. From taking a sailing boat out on her own with 3 other kids, to kayaking to pulling up a windsurf sail all by herself.
We’d planned to hire a car one day during the week and head down to Bonifacio which is the most southern point of the island. Typically the day we’d earmarked for this, there were thunderstorms forecast so we stayed at San Lucianu. And enjoyed a gorgeously sunny day on the resort! There’s actually so much to there you don’t need to leave but essentials like water, snacks, caps and even clothing can be found in the nearby town. There’s plenty to see in the region too either by going on a bike tour or taking a cab to one of the nearby villages. We’ve been up to Cervione in the mountains before and it’s beautiful especially on a clear day, the views are amazing. The waterfall walk, which is organised by San Lucianu, is a must.
We had the best time at the San Lucianu Beach Resort and couldn’t have asked for a better week. It ended with presentations from the staff and POD got an award from Beth in the childcare centre (who she adored) for “being so nice and liked by everyone”. She loved her certificate and the little badge that went with it. POD also got to do her own dance, which was hilarious and attempted to do the actions from YMCA which was even funnier. We were sad to leave San Lucianu the following morning but the blow was softened by British Airways who let POD go in the cockpit. Her expression, when she was allowed to flick a switch that illuminated all the lights on the ceiling, was just priceless. Amazingly there were no tears at Heathrow when the girls all said goodbye to each other, a miracle given they’d spent every day and evening together. It was a positive end to what was a truly great holiday.
Disclaimer: We received a discount from Mark Warner Holidays in exchange for an honest review of our trip. As always opinions are our own.
