AIBU to think Center Parcs is a bit of a rip off?

[pearlym]

Just been for first time, had to make own beds up FGS!Nohting inc in price save for the pool - no grill or oven in the so called self catering accomm, v expensive on site restaurants- pleasant staff just not enough of them so loads of long queues- such poor supervision in the pools and water slides that accidnet waiting to happen - on site supermarket v expensive - just seemd to have been no updating of chalets for years, weedkiller used to beat down foliage near chalets - just a bit shitty really, all for £1,200 for a week. Not a fortune, but would expect a bit better than that. What do people think?

[ChristWhatNow]

make up own beds, no oven, no recent refurb for £1200 per week?

Have to say, having been many times, I don't recognise the CP of which you speak.

[pearlym]

this was on the continent, no UK. Did I just go at hte wrong time? It was the Comfort type, i understand that is the lowest rating one, so maybe no representative

[Knackeredmother]

We once found our beds weren't made up. They should always be made but sometimes housekeeping try it on I think.
We complained and got a free meal. Housekeeping got into trouble.
Sounds like you should complain.

[2BoysTooLoud]

I think they are a total rip off. Over priced and pleased with themselves.

[ChristWhatNow]

I have only been to the UK ones so can't compare.

But to answer your question no, YANBU to think CP is a rip off, given your experience.

[bibbitybobbityhat]

Please please please will someone explain to me what is actually good about centerparcs?

[2BoysTooLoud]

I'm talking about UK ones. Some thing like a fiver to bounce on a trampoline for a few minutes. Chalets 'so, so' considering the price.l
Rip off....

[ExpensivePants]

More fool you for paying that money. We've been going for 10 years and never ever pay anything like that. You have to be a bit clever about when and where you book.

[smoggii]

Rip off but the Spa in the Longleat one is AMAZING

[Portofino]

Try www.landal.com. Much better than CPs and cheaper - Holland, Belgium and Germany plus other countries.....I haven't done UK CP but been in Belgium. Landal are LOADS better.

[2BoysTooLoud]

Expensivepants - well you would say that with a name like that. .
Crap places.

[ExpensivePants]

You don't get housekeeping in the comfort villas btw. You need executive for that.

[alana39]

Since kids started school only go for term time weekends in UK and don't think it's too bad. Plastic countryside to be sure nut easy and comfortable and have oven! Don't eat out and take decent food with you and it's good fun.

[glitterkitten]

I thought I'd hate CP. Loved loved loved it. The moment I arrived and found wild rabbits, ducks and squirrels and nothing else but a forest at my patio door, I knew I'd love it.

[pearlym]

I quite liked it, liked the cycling etc, but just thought it was over crowded and expensive for what you get. Puzzled by how many people rave about it.......

[Sidge]

I think they're a huge rip off.

They're Aspirational Butlins really.

[bibbitybobbityhat]

I agree its extremely nice to find squirrels, ducks and rabbits at your patio door.

But is it worth £1200 a week?

There's the rub afaic, and I live in the middle of London and have squirrels, robins, jays, blackbirds, woodpeckers, foxes and all sorts in my garden. And herons, ducks, dragonflies, parakeets etc in the park less than 10 mins away.

[glitterkitten]

We didn't pay that and we had an executive lodge, a new baby, a great need for a break and no desire to go abroad. It was just the ointment I needed, peaceful, fab spa, exercise, relaxation and generally no complaints.

[SeniorWrangler]

Chalets are incredibly shabby, bed mattresses so thin you can feel the springs, our villa was damp and smelly in the corners and cupboards, we paid for executive villa but housekeeping refused to make the beds because we had left our pyjamas on them - cleaner was working alongside her son who was about 12-14 years of age, sure that was not right and not what we were paying for. Activities were expensive for what they were - jazz dance not well run, childcare staff very bored, service in restaurants slow and forgetful and food pretty bland. All in all a bit Butlins and we haven't been back. A shame as it has the potential to be really lovely, if only they would get the details right.

[pearlym]

was that in the UK or Europe? people seem to be saying to me that UK is better

[ExpensivePants]

Shame more people don't think like you then, we'd have an easier time getting a booking. In 10 years (occasionally we've gone twice a year) we have never ever had the sort of experience you describe. If we did, we wouldn't have been going for so long. We've never used the childcare though, kind of defeats the object for us.

[estobi1]

i love centre parcs and have been a couple of times but no longer feel that we can justify the price. it is just sooo much money in the school holidays.

I just looked on the landal website and it looks really nice - which one did you go to?

I was also told be a friend the le pin parasol in france was very nice and reasonably priced even in the summer

[Portofino]

We did CP in Belgium. Lovely little breeze block bungalow in the lake with decking. Not over looked. I was naked in the living room with the patio doors open when a family bearing pedalo went past! I am not sure who had the greater shock

[ErnesttheBavarian]

We just got back from a french CP. I did think it was exp, and i did think the activites were too exp. But, our chalet was amazing, v. stylish, comfortable and well equiped. The pool was amazing. Kids had a fantastic time. I didn't tink id like it, but we really enjoyed it and have booked to go again next year. We went probably busiest week in year and didn't feel crowded. Thought restaurants expensive but shop reasonable.

This was trois forets near strasbourg btw.

[Portofino]

We've been to Sonnenberg in Germany and Hoog Vaals in Holland. We're going back to Hoog Vaals for half term - long weekend. The standards are very high and the villas we've had have been lovely.