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Neilson review
Find out how Neilson fares as a smaller/independent operator, ski holiday company, and adventure/activity holiday provider based on our surveys of more than 22,000 holidays
Championing consumers since 1957, our team of over 150 expert researchers and editors test, investigate, and campaign to protect your rights and help you shop smarter
Who is Neilson?
As a smaller/independent holiday provider and ski company, Neilson is a Which? Recommended Provider (WRP).
It also scored extremely well in the adventure/activity holidays category, though a few companies scored even higher meaning it didn’t secure WRP status.
Which? verdict
Neilson is a Which? Recommended Provider for its unique active holidays, with an excellent 80% customer score. It’s also a Which? Recommended Provider for its ski holidays, scoring 83% in this survey.
Neilson customer ratings
| Holiday type | Which? Recommended Provider? | Customer score |
|---|---|---|
| Ski holiday | Yes | 83% |
| Adventure/activity holiday | No | 82% |
| Smaller/independent providers | Yes | 80% |
Customer score Based on a combination of overall satisfaction and how likely people are to recommend the company. For smaller/independent providers, in August - September 2024, we asked 12,119 Which? Connect panel members and members of the public about 19,958 holidays from the past two years, in an online survey. For ski holidays, in August - September 2025 we asked 1,040 members of the public who have been on 1,885 skiing holidays in the past three years via a survey. For adventure/activity holidays we asked 1,722 members of the public about 1,499 experiences from the past three years, in October 2025.
We tracked the price of more than 20,000 holidays to find out exactly when to book to get the cheapest price – read our 28 ways to save on your next holiday
What's a Neilson holiday like?
Neilson holidays are all about getting active. At its beach clubs in Greece, Croatia and Sardinia, you can try out more than 20 activities, including sailing, kitesurfing, waterskiing, mountain biking, padel and yoga. ‘It’s good for the whole family’, a customer told us. 'We can each choose the activities that suit us.'
Up to 55 hours of free tuition per week are included in the price, as is breakfast and lunch at the resort, which helps explain its four-star value for money rating. (This is not the case for ski holidays where you pay extra for tuition.)
You were particularly impressed by the ‘first class kit and tuition’ from the ‘lovely staff’. And everything was exactly as described – hence the five-star rating. I wouldn’t go on a beach holiday with anyone else’, one customer told us.
In our separate survey of adventure/activity holidays, Neilson received excellent five star ratings for description matching reality and the overall organisation of the holiday. One holidaymaker told us, ‘Everything was as described and the staff went over and above to make sure our stay was enjoyable’.
In our separate ski provider survey, holidaymakers also highly approved of the service they received from Neilson. One described it as ‘efficient and the staff showed attention to detail’. Find out more in our best ski providers guide.
Neilson refund, cancellation and surcharge policy
Neilson is a Which? Recommended Provider, which means that as well as being one of the most highly rated holiday firms in our survey, it has also guaranteed to offer a full refund or free changes if the Foreign Office (FCDO) changes its advice about your destination.
It has also promised that in 2026 it won’t apply any additional surcharges to holidays that have already been booked.
Should I book a holiday with Neilson?
Yes. If you want an active holiday with the chance to try new sports with qualified instructors, Neilson is an excellent option.
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