More so, with the changes of some hotels on the Relax and Discover format, it seems that JY are forcing travellers to go on trips (optional or otherwise), so that they can have the opportunity to do even basic shopping.  I'll use a few examples if I may.  

Cilento Coast.  Whilst understanding the reason (change of management) for the hotel change, the hotel is now in quite an isolated area, meaning that you have to get either the local bus service, or a taxi if you don't want to go on all the trips.  San Marco was a perfect location, with the village to go into if you wanted a change from eating at the hotel etc.

Sardinia.  I know that JY have used the hotel for a couple of years now.  However, it appears to be very isolated, and the number of transfers into the nearest town have been reduced from 3 to 1 during the evening.  

Sicily.  The change of hotel from the one in Mondello seems to have been to one in a more isolated area.  

I could go on, but won't.  I have been told that at least one of the hotels to be used in Costa de la Luz next year, has quite a walk to a beach, is on a hill, and not near a town.

I will express again my concerns that JY are not now indicating if a hotel may not be suitable for anyone with mobility problems (the one in Calabria for instance), but I would welcome any thoughts from fellow forum users.  

Anyone reading this will probably think that I want to sit on a beach all day  🙂   I don't, but I do like to know that there is a village or town within walking distance for basic amenities, or to look round if I don't want to go on all the trips.  

Thank you.

Hello Bosuncat,   Couple of valid points you make.    I've found JY routes and excursions are the brands strong points, it weakest are its accommodation quality and  locations.   Most certainly the mobility situation needs to be addressed asap and should never have been allowed to arise in the first place.   Hotel locations do contribute to the value we get from any holiday, you can get a good few hours extra per day if hotel is central and it feels much safer than walking back when it starts to get dark.    First thing I do now with all trips is check out the hotel location b4 booking, I want to be in the heart of the destination and given the prices we are now expected to  pay, we should expect no less and go with the operator who "comes up with the goods".     T

Thank you.  I can honestly say that I have been in some very good hotels with JY (Ancient and Modern Crete is an excellent example), but I am finding that I am increasingly having to do a lot of research before I can contemplate a trip with them, to an area that I do not know.  Mainly because of the mobility situation unfortunately.

I fully agree with you, and find that hotels are isolated.  However, the hotel for the recent Flavours of Tuscany tour, Hotel Tamerici, wasn’t too bad, but in a 30ºC heat and with no shade it seemed like a long walk back up a slight incline.

I am guessing that part of the reason for choosing out of the way hotels is that city centre ones don’t want singles in double rooms, and it is mainly the others that are not so likely to get “walk-ins”.

Hotel location is one major factor when I look at a tour, the other being dinners included every evening. Don’t get me going not that one!

Sylvia

All the best,

Bob

Please listen to us JY, you are in danger of losing a lot of customers to your competitors.

Kind regards

Ange Bingham

I totally agree too about included dinners.  Another beef too is about excursions that WERE included, and are now not.

holidays I don't think expecting a centrally located 4star hotel is too much to ask.

After an evening meal in the hotel I like to walk and explore the surrounding areas of the hotel maybe a

drink in a local bar people watching and taking in the atmosphere, I would not like to be restricted

the hotel bar every night.

Dave.