Review: Visiting the Harrogate Kuoni Store to plan a Half Term Family Holiday
In a busy digital world, it’s easy to forget that walking into a travel agents for face-to-face advice is still an option. Travelista’s Editor Jessica Ruth Gibson reviews the Kuoni store travel planning experience as she books an October half term family holiday.
My fellow millennials – I see you. You’re in the market to book a family holiday but you’re time-poor and a little burnt out. You know going on holiday is a huge privilege. But on top of juggling your job, a young family, and a home, the thought of spending hours at your laptop to research a holiday feels totally overwhelming. Even as someone who has worked in the travel industry for over 10 years, I feel the same way. But there is an easier way to plan a holiday that can save you a significant amount of time, and help you find exclusive offers. I have a feeling you might just enjoy the experience too.
This article has been written in partnership with Kuoni. All words and images are unique to the author.
Kuoni is an award-winning, Which? recommended travel agency that specialise in bespoke world-wide travel experiences. They offer an extensive family travel collection and in October 2024 have been named in the Conde Nast Traveller Reader’s Choice Awards in the ‘Best Tour Operator’ category.
Read on to find out what to expect when visiting a Kuoni store to plan a holiday.
Planning an October Half Term Family Holiday in-store with a Kuoni Travel Expert
The Kuoni In-Store Experience
I was quite impressed to learn that Kuoni currently have over 40 stores across the UK.
Whilst many other travel agencies and tour operators have had to ‘shut up shop’ on the high streets and go purely online, Kuoni has a strong presence in towns, cities and John Lewis department stores up and down the UK (find your nearest Kuoni store here). Their personalised and in-depth service means they have a loyal customer base who still value that face-to-face booking experience.
As I live in York, my closest Kuoni store is in Harrogate – James Street to be precise. This was my first experience of visiting a Kuoni store, but I have a feeling it won’t be my last. After visiting, I learned that the travel experts can spend anything from 30 minutes to 3 hours with a client, depending on the complexity of their travel itinerary. Walk-ins are always welcome or you can arrange a free appointment at the most convenient time for you.
First Impressions of the Harrogate Kuoni Store
It was a very windy and wet day in early October when I went to visit the Harrogate Kuoni store. Looking in from the street, the store’s floor to ceiling windows revealed the its striking interior design concept and I couldn’t wait to get inside.
As I stepped into the store, I received a warm welcome from the team and was immediately struck by a sense of style and calm. With curated travel artefacts and tropical design details, it almost felt like I was stepping into an exotic luxury resort – a far cry from rainy Yorkshire.
On arrival I was offered a refreshment of tea, coffee or champagne (quite unexpected but a very nice touch). It really did feel as if I was wrapped up in the Kuoni experience as soon as I walked through the door.
The champagne went down very well, and I also enjoyed a cafe-style cappuccino that even came with a sprinkling of chocolate in the Kuoni logo. These welcoming touches definitely enhanced the experience and mirrored the attention-to-detail in Kuoni’s premium service.
The Travel Planning Process
I had booked an appointment with Kuoni Harrogate’s resident family travel expert, Nicola Catchpole. As an experience travel agent and a Mum herself, Nicola knows exactly what families need when it comes to travel with kids.
It was nice to hear she had recently been assisting an influx of families with young children, all looking for options and inspiration for travel in October.
The objective from the visit was to narrow down some destinations and hotel options for a family holiday in October half term. I explained that I’ll be travelling with my Mum and son, so I need some great options that three generations can enjoy.
I wanted to find somewhere with warm October weather that also offered plenty to keep my energetic 5 year old entertained. As well as this, I explained I’d love to find somewhere that helps parents to find ‘small windows’ to relax e.g. with the help of a kids club and a way for grandparents to also find peace and quiet.
From the October weather in each destination to describing the facilities and unique aspects of each hotel, I couldn’t not believe just how knowledgable Nicola was about each place she recommended. Some of the hotels she or her colleagues had been to themselves and I really trusted everything she was telling me.
Visual, Multi-Media Inspiration
The appointment felt so tailored because Nicola used her wide-screen 4K desktop to show me each destination on Google Maps, zooming in to the best areas to stay in relation to seasonal conditions. She explained that showing clients every detail on the big screen is all part of the signature Kuoni planning experience.
Nicola brought up three key destinations which were all strong options for October half term which included long-haul, mid-haul and short-haul. They all offer a great chance of sunshine and warm temperatures whilst the UK plunges into its coldest months. She then drilled down to recommend specific hotels in each location, showing beautiful full screen galleries and videos of the hotels, the hotel room types and the facilities.
Here’s an overview of her personalised recommendations for my multi-generation October half term holiday.
1. Mauritius (Long Haul)
FIrstly Nicola pulled up three family friendly Mauritius hotels that have excellent facilities but vary in vibe and atmosphere. She described each one in incredible detail and pulled up photo galleries of each one.
- Heritage Awali
- Ravenala Attitude
- Zilwa Attitude
2. United Arab Emirates (Mid Haul)
Next Nicola suggested the UAE, explaining how prices vary according to which Arab Emirate you choose. For example, she explained how the Emirate of Ajman was a much more affordable option that still offered the same great weather, just 20 minutes from Dubai. She also explained how many amazing family friendly attractions there were in Abu Dhabi including Yas Waterworld and Ferarri World.
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Fairmont Ajman
3. Turkey – (Short Haul)
Finally Nicola suggested Turkey as a brilliant European option for chasing the last of the summer sun. She also described Turkey as an option that provides excellent value-for-money, with some excellent 4 and 5 star resorts that are aesthetically stylish as well as great for families.
- Cullinan Belek
- Ela Excellence Resort
I left the appointment feeling totally inspired and also very reassured to hear that Europe was still an option in October half term. Nicola described Turkey as a destination that offers real value for money as well as some exceptional 5 star luxury family friendly resorts. With only a week to play with in October half term, the option to fly to Turkey definitely felt like the best option for us.
Stay tuned to find out which of Kuoni’s family friendly hotels in Turkey we will be staying at.
How to Book a Holiday with Kuoni
Whatever your preferred travel planning style, there is a Kuoni option to suit you.
1. In person, at a Kuoni store
Make a free appointment with a dedicated travel expert at your nearest Kuoni store. Bare in mind this may be within a John Lewis department store, or as a standalone shop. Be sure to pick up one of the new Kuoni Family Magazines for some additional inspiration.
2. By phone or video call
If you don’t have a Kuoni store nearby, an equally knowledgeable team of travel experts are available to call and get advice from over the phone or via video link. Whether this takes one phone call or five, a dedicated agent will guide you through the entire planning process and book everything on your behalf.
3. Online via the Kuoni website
If you still love the research process and having full control, the Kuoni website is an brilliant place to start to gather ideas and compare hotels in a nutshell. Rest assured that booking online still gives allows you to experience the signature Kuoni difference.
I really enjoyed my visit to the Harrogate Kuoni store and can’t wait to continue the Kuoni customer experience with our October half term family holiday. Be sure to follow along over on @thetravelista Instagram from 23rd October.
Start your Kuoni journey at kuoni.co.uk
Pra
What a fantastic experience at the Kuoni store! The personalized service, multimedia planning, and expert advice from Nicola must have made holiday planning feel effortless and exciting. It’s such a great way to ensure every detail is tailored to your needs, and the added touches like refreshments truly enhanced the whole experience. It’s clear that Kuoni’s commitment to providing exceptional, stress-free travel planning shines through!