Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

I've just come back from a week there and thought it was pretty good. I'm only a beginner on the sailing side of things though, so can't speak for your barebone experts. There was a lot of sailing going on though and I didn't hear anyone complaining about the equipment.

Unfortunately the rumour there is that it's shutting down this week and may not re-open. For this reason the staff were indeed a little demotivated, but to be honest they put in more effort than I might have done if I'd been working under that cloud.

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Jeff,

It seemed a little confused as to what was happening and I heard different rumours from different guests but nothing direct from the management. The strongest rumour seemed to be that SunSail were likely to sell to Sandals (who already have a large resort not far away on Antigua) though I'm not sure what they would do with it - it would certainly be a real shame to lose the sailing side of the place as it seems ideally set up for that.

For what it's worth we had a great time there. My partner classes herself as "very fussy" and she doesn't agreed with Magnus' negative posting as reprinted above.

One story worth mentioning to the credit of the staff (well, a particular Antiguan called 'Cliff')... my partner can't swim and is scared of water to the extent that she won't even comfortably put her head under the shower. After an hour on the introductory dinghy sailing course she trusted the instructor to the extent that she let him sail her out into the bay and capsize the boat to prove her trust in the life jacket! That really was very impressive given where she started from!

I would happily post a more detailed review of our stay when I get some more time, but not sure if it's worth it if the place is closing down :(

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

P.S. while we were there the American Sailing Association were there for one of their annual outings. I think it's the fourth year in a row that they've organised a big gathering at Colonna so I assume it's not that bad a place by sailing standards. Cheers, Bob.

Sailing & Yachting

[...] P.S. while we were there the American Sailing Association were there for one of their annual outings. I think it's the fourth year in a row that they've organised a big gathering at Colonna so I assume it's not that bad a place by ... [...]
# Sailing & Yachting

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Confirmation.

I received a letter yesterday from Sunsail telling me that my holiday in November won't be happening because "we have taken the decision not to operate Sunsail Club Colonna in Antigua this winter."

We're gutted since none of their other alternatives offer the performance dinghy sailing we had originally booked in Turkey before we had to move to Antigua.

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

I have just heard from friends that Colonna's sale to Sandals has not gone through but it will not re-open.

Sunsail will open in Fuetaventura and Kenya instead, but with more emphasis on windsurfing rather than dinghys or yachts. Personally, as a regular Sunsail guest, I am really sad that TUI are repositioning a well respected operator in this way. This is on top of the sudden closure of the Turkish clubs.

With regret, as Alan Sugar would say, I will look elsewhere for future holidays.

And I feel sorry for all the great staff, like Rosco, Henry, Ross, Mike & co who were always so helpful and great to be around.

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

I spoke to Sunsail this week and they confirm that they have not renewed the lease on the Colonna site. This site is closed which is a shame because it was a great sailing location especially in the winter when the trades are blowing. Sunsail say they are seeking new locations and in the interim are offering holidays at Robinsons which are German orientated resorts. In my opinion TUI messed up the Sunsail brand when the took over First Choice because it does not turn over the same profit as the mass market holiday package. I hope another specialist company will develop and fill the gap left.

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Having been a regular Sunsail customer (I must have done about 25 hols with them since it was YCA and I was the kid back in the 70s) the last 5 years we have had with clubs and flotillas have shown a steady decline in the ethos that we all used to cherish. They were small friendly clubs or flotillas staffed by intelligent, dynamic and fun staff who made you feel that the holiday was for the guests and you were a member of just that, a "club", not a cog to be processed as part of a huge profit making organisation. First Choice and TUI have effectively blown the client and staff loyalty and this year the wheels appear to finally be falling off with closures all over the place and the remaining clubs appear to be tending towards Mark Warner /Club med style resorts where the focus is on the beach and hotel with some watersports thrown in, rather than being on the watersports (with the beach and hotel thrown in).
Last year this was most apparent during our trip to the Javelin resort. Staff were the most unmotivated I've ever known them, the hotel was charging top prices for drinks and extras and the magic had gone. There were plenty of old regulars saying this was the last time they would use sunsail, their patience having been exhausted.

The problem is, as mentioned above, where do we go now? What is the alternative to a sunsail holiday? Neilson are recommended by some but has anyone else heard of any breakaway groups of old staff setting up on their own yet? I would definitely return is I could rediscover that old sunsail style magic.

Interestingly Google “alternative to sunsail" as one string and NOT ONE entry is returned. How much are sunsail paying google (Alta vista and yahoo do produce a couple of results). Odd.


Richard

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

i was at colonna in february for the 5th time. it is probably (almost certainly) the best value for money in the carribean- and thats before the sailing is thrown in.

it was obvious to everyone that the TUI influence was kicking in and the old sunsail atmosphere had eroded.

although perhaps not up to standards of pevious years i would still give it 9/10. i can understand that a profit hungry company like TUI would see this as not fitting their profile - but then why did they buy this part of the First Choice business.

was independant Sunsail profitable.

i would be very interested in other views as possibly there is an opportunity to look at a new project?

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

The family has had three holidays at Colonna and we were looking forward to a fourth in January. That's now blown out of the water.
I don't really need to add that the place was just ideal (otherwise we would never have made the return visits), something for everyone all the time.
This really is a great shame, as read above, there's no real alternative.

Andy

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

God... this is a VERY sad news I just bumped into today! I've been there 3 times and we planned a family trip for next january.
I'm just thinking all the good local guys I've met there in the past, what are they going to do now? :-(

oh btw. TUI-managers and all of those responsible for this decision can do me a favor!

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

We've been six times in seven years and loved it each and every time. Our children loved the kids programs from they were 6 months to 8 years. We loved the sailing during the day and the casual dining at night. Prices (paying in U.S. dollars) varied over the years with time of year and exchange rate. It was all worth it when we won a bottle of beer for placing third in our class at the regatta at the end of the week.
My wife is practically distraught at loosing our winter escape. She went back to work, solely to pay it. Please don't tell us we'll never stay in Apartment 15 ever again.... or at least suggest somewhere else that we can go in midwinter that can give us a similar experience.

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Gutted, after going to Colona for the last 4 years it is no more and SunSail have no real alternative for Winter Sun sailing.. Ok it wasn't 5*, but the atmosphere, location and sailing made up for that in bucketloads

On learning this checked what the winter option is now and it's Robinson Bay, it does have the stars, but not the whole reason for sunsail.. no dinghies or day yachts, no doubt a sympton of the change of priorities from the larger groups.. real shame, but has left a window for someone to step into the gap they are appear to be vacating!

Does anyone know other sailing companies that have a winter offer?
G

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Like everyone above I am sooooo sorry that Club Colonna has closed - we discovered it just this year but vowed to make an annual pilgrimage from here in like many friends we met. There are no catamaran details for Club Soma but the place looks souless compared with Colonna and I can't find guaranteed dedicated high wind cat sailing in the winter anywhere else at the moment. I also wonder about the local beach crew and those elegant lunch time one hull displays - and what of John and his wonderful garden? Life ain't so good after all...

Sue

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Sorry to butt in on your forum discussion guys but our search engines picked up on this as someone had mentioned Neilson further up the thread. I'm the Overseas Director here at Neilson Active Holidays and I can honestly say that we were as gutted as yoiu when Sunsail pulled the plug on their club programme. We have been competitors of theirs since the early YCA days - when we were called Falcon - we then became Sovereign - then Sunworld and eventually Neilson - and they have been great adversaries over the years and I now count many of their staff as personal friends. OK like Sunsail we are part of a bigger player - Thomas Cook - but again i can honestly say that it brings strength to our business and managed properly having a 'rich & powerful parent' can be a great advantage to all.
Some one was asking about alternatives to Colona and Kenya was mentioned - in fact it is us who are opening up a watersports club in Kilifi on the Mombassa coast of Kenya. The Indian Ocean isn't quite as wild as the seas off Antigua - but the regular trade winds in this area will make for excellent beach based sailing. Add in some mountain biking, golf and of course safari and we believe it has it all.

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

I have just been to Antigua and the rumours there are that it will reopen on 1 December by a different company but with Sunsail doing the sailing.

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

we went 4 times and loved it. It was an essential holiday for us with small kids, and great kids club. Just spoken to Sunsail in Portsmouth. They closed the club as the landlord wouldn't maintain the standard of accommodation - forcing them to close. Only options with them are fuertaventura, or Egypt. Neither provide childcare for babies (we now have another one!). Any ideas would be really appreciated - as we loved Colonna, and can't believe it is no more. Surely the new tenants must re open for this coming season? they will lose a fortune if they don't.

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Like the others we're so sad Colonna has closed. We're very keen to find an alternative 2 week watersports / kids club warm holiday in Feb 2010. Any ideas gratefully received.

Nick

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

What company is taking over the resort? I am so sad to hear they have closed down. We first went there as a family 5 years ago and have been every year since then for a family holiday. I am 23 and brother 22, and we were happy to go away with our parents as there was always so much to do. The staff were amazing and could not do enough. We spent christmas there one year and it was made so special by everyone there. I would happily go there every year as it could not ever become boring.

Has anyone tried out any other companies that provide sailing holidays? It would be good to find something to try to replace Antigua Club Colonna....if that is possible.

Thanks

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

The Club has been closed since May and Sunsail have stopped their charter and pulled out of Colonna. There are however moves afoot to re-open, nothing in concrete yet but everyone is talking.
I am unable to comment on the place and how it came to close down however I do know it was one of the best holiday products on the market and should have continued. I should know I ran the place successfully for 4 years.
It always saddens me when I see the place critisized for simple things eg. the kicker broke on my boat!!
Those boats take more wear and tear in a single year than the average boat takes in 15yrs.
They are also sailed by more poor sailors with little knowledge of how to use them correctly and guests who treat them as throw away toys. Despite this the boats were in my time maintained and were constantly in use.
The hotel itself was never meant to be a five star resort! it was for people who wanted to enjoy themselves without all the frills and dinner jacket aspects of a four or five star hotel.
In reality it cost moore to run than a five star hotel as the sailing and kids club is very expensive on that scale.
Most people did not know that they used to burn through 15 outboaards every year just to keep the rescue boats going. Those engines wore out their warrenty in one month they were in use so much. The standards demanded that the beach supply one rescue boat for every six boats in the water until the sailing area was full. Then there would be 5 boats on constant patrol with qualified and experienced drivers who had to reach an upturned boat within 30 seconds to give assistance. Compare this to any other hotel that supplies sailing facilities. I have seen single handed and double handed resort boats offshore in Antigua from other resorts and nobody even watching from the beach. The general safety levels of hotel watersports is appalling almost worldwide.
The kids club was the best managed and presented product in the world, I have seen kids clubs from Africa to the Caribbean and in between. The Sunsail product was outstandingly the the best.
The food plan was truely a spark of genius. It allowed people to have a good breakfast each day, an afternoon tea and one good cooked meal. It also allowed them time and opportunity to visist other restaurants on the island and sample local flavour and meet people ooutside the resort. Unlike so many all-inclusive operations which bring nothing to the local businesses and most of the money is held offshore by the hotel operators.
The people who put the sailing/resort product together were honest and committed and built something special and I take my hat off to them. The great shame is that most oof those who had the passion for the product were replaced and pushed out by the corporate gods who wanted the mass market number crunching hot shots who never knew the product and were never passionate about it.
A sad indicment of modern business, everything is supermarket management and we give them more and more power everytime we buy their product instead of the little extra it costs to buy from someone who has a passion about their business no matter how small it is.
If any of you oout there recognize me from my comments I would like to say thanks for the support you gave me when I was there, you were the best guests and the most fun people to look after I have ever encountered.
Philip
P/s I can still wop most oof you in a laser!!

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Philip

I think your post more than adequately summarises the reasons why my family for one and all the others that have taken the trouble to write, have enjoyed multiple visits to Colonna. I shall keep popping in to see what developments there are with respect to a re-opening and look forward to the opportunity of getting back out there.

Good luck!

Andy

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

As a family with two children (9and 13) we are devistated at the closure of Club Colonna. We had been 3 times to Colonna including two weeks last Christmas. It was the best holiday ever and the kids reminise constantly. The children spent two weeks in the Youth Sailing Club, are now competent sailors and are still in contact with good friends made there. Never before have they been happy to go to a kids club - this time we couldn't get them back! Thanks Frenchie and Minx. Brilliant - we sailed every boat available and had a fantastic experience. I've spent weeks trawling the internet for a comparable holiday for Feb 2010 half term but there's nothing out there: either the kit offered is limited, the accommodation is oversized hotels or the locations/sailing conditions are poor. It's a shame that there weren't enough ex-sunsail staff able to secure backing to continue! Will continue watch this in hope of good news.

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Hey Folks,
Some good news, the deal has been signed off so Colonna can re-open. The current target date is 17th March.
Although the hotel will not be Sunsail the product will still be within the hotel property. We will be operating under Ell'e Colonna and have contracted Sunsail to supply and run the beach.
If you liked the old product then come back and see us again we would llove to see you.
Philip

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Good News
Sunsail have announced that Colonna will reopen on 19 March 2010. Apparently the beach will be operated by Sunsail while the Hotel will operate under new and separate management. It will be interesting to hear how this pans out as I would like to return next winter.

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Hi Guys n Gals,
We are moving towards the opening date and having kittens in our nightmares! There is a stack of work and a bundle of money to simply kick it off again, we will be up on time even if we works whilst iin operation.
It will be a different place moving more upmarket as we are looking at attracting people not just from the UK but also from other European countries and North America.
This means changing our meal plans, changing our flight arrival and departure (we have no charter now so everything will come on the scheduled flights.
We will have a very nice fine dining restaurant as well as the Beach front restaurant and there will be a heavy focus on the spa so all those ladies who did not sail but paid for iit will be able to get spa treatments within their package. (come on girls the boys have all the fun on your dollar so get some back).
We will also have NEW BEDS!!!! Weeee about time! It is all well and good putting in all the fancy bits but if you cannot get a good nights sleep what is the point in a half a million dollar kids club and a hundred thousand dollar garbage room!
New pillows too (That was my bug bear all the time I was here)
You will be able to book the package through a number of travel agents and tour operators not just Sunsail!
Sunsail have the beach which is great (you all know how I felt about their operation). We will also have a couple of day yachts to day charter , nothing fancy and a large catamaran which does sea tours and can be included in the accommodation rate.
I will keep posting on this as we get closer to opening so "Watch this Space"
Philip

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

Hi Folks,
The days are rolling by and March 19th gets quickly closer, the restaurant roof is off! the floors and railing all round the site are being stripped and prepared for recovering. The freezers are being serviced (two had the fans in backwards and burnt out the comppressors??) Almost every electrical panel in the place needs attention where people in the past have simply strung power supplies wherever they felt.
Floors have to be relaid, taps, shower heads, toilet cisterns changed. The builder tore up the roof (and the internet wires to the east side of the hotel) then after it was repaired they tore up the internet lines the the west just to keep us all smiling. John the gardner is back on board, Sven is back as Deputy Manager, Annette is back as Senior Asistant. We have been talking to several quality chefs as the project will now have a separate Fine Dining experience and a grill room.
Sunsail have pretty much got their beach kit sorted and are ready to roll and we are swinging into staff training mode (as soon as we get the staff).
We are marketing in Milan, Berlin and London as I write so the project will develope on a much wider scale.
We are taking all the telephones out oof the rooms and supplying all our guests with a local cell phone for the duration of their stay. They will be charged a deposit and can then buy time at the front desk but will be able to use their cell phone from any part of the hotel to any part of the hotel for free.
TV's will be late arriving as will fridges and additional air conditioners. Beds, mattresses and pillows are scheduled but running late so will be instituted on arrival.
Aside from all that and the odd disaster day all is calm !!
Philip

Re: Is Sunsail Club Colonna THAT Bad?

A bright change to the day of endless meetings and confrontations!! a humpback whale and it's baby appeared offshore and several people bundled into the rescue boat and followed the two for several miles.
Then again it is March Migration time when they frequently appear.