Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

De Kempervennen - Netherlands

33 replies

wickedfairy · 06/06/2019 15:35

Have posted this in Travel too, but was looking for some quick feedback!

We are looking to book either De Kempervennen or Het Heijdebos this summer.

Does anyone have experience of the villas please?

Can't decide whether to book a Comfort or Premium one! Is there much difference or are they the same lodges but you get extras (beds made, linen, etc) with the Premium? If they are the same physical lodges, I'm tempted to bring own bedding and use the savings on extra activities for the children!

Also, are they non-smoking these days?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Hortz · 06/06/2019 15:49

I've been to both but years ago. Compared with UK center parcs the villas were a bit run down. I'm sure they are different now.
What I would say is that if you plan to use the ski place then obviously Kempervennan is the one to choose. However if you have very small children Hejderbos might be a better choice.

Marvinmarvinson · 06/06/2019 15:58

We did het hejderbos not that long ago and loved it. We had a premium villa and it was really nice, just as nice as the UK ones. I don't think there's a massive difference, iirc, it's the decor and the fact you get a dishwasher.

We've been to 3 European center parcs now and het hejderbos was my favourite. Not been to kempervennen though to compare!

Original poster
wickedfairy · 06/06/2019 19:31

Thanks both, that's really helpful! Have a mixture of younger ones and almost-teens, so it looks like either would be ok for them!

Going to book tonight - eek!

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Happymum4ever · 06/06/2019 19:38

Have you looked at de Vossermeren,? Massive indoor pirate adventure play and watersports on the lake.

TheFirstOHN · 06/06/2019 19:44

Within the last two years we have taken teenagers to De Kempervennen (Eden VIP villa) and De Vossemeren (VIP villa).

We enjoyed both. I preferred De Kempervennen, but that might be because the villa was more luxurious and spacious and the weather was more pleasant (unfortunately we were in De Vossemeren in the middle of a heatwave).

TheFirstOHN · 06/06/2019 19:56

There were some mosquitos at both parks. We took plug-in mosquito repellent (two pin plugs) and some wristbands for the children to wear and we only got a couple of bites.

There's supposed to be an app (Planet CenterParcs) for booking activities but we were unable to download it from the app store because we were based in the UK. Perhaps they've fixed that by now. We just went to the info point in the marketplace on the first day and we were able to book our activities there.

The lockers in Aqua Mundo took €1 coins.

We drove there, so we stopped in a supermarket in Valkenswaard (I think it was called Plus?) to buy groceries, as we were fully self-catering while in the park. We ate at local restaurants on arrival day and leaving day (De Familie Sukyurbuk and Bij de Neut). Would recommend both.

Original poster
wickedfairy · 07/06/2019 18:42

Thanks again for all the advice - have booked a premium lodge. I hope it's ok!

Looking forward to it, now that it's booked :-)

OP posts:
gruffalomom · 03/08/2019 19:11

When have you booked for wickedfairy? We are in de kempervennen now :) was looking for other people's experiences as our premium lodge is rubbish - wondering if that's normal or we are just unlucky

Original poster
wickedfairy · 04/08/2019 13:33

Going mid- August and pretty sure we have a premier lodge :-(

What is rubbish about it? Is it clean? Run-down?

OP posts:
Original poster
wickedfairy · 04/08/2019 13:34

*premium lodge, not premier!

Have we made a big mistake? Your feedback is appreciated, even if it's just to warn us! Many thanks

OP posts:
ifeellikeanidiot · 04/08/2019 13:50

Marking place as we've just booked for next may.

SlinkyDogDash · 04/08/2019 15:04

I've been to kempervenen. The area is lovely for cycling, you will enjoy it. The park is more run down than the UK ones but still nice.

gruffalomom · 04/08/2019 19:57

the lodge is really old and quite cramped. it is grubby and smells bad. had them back to clean it again but even after that I had to clean it myself. worth to check it well before you unpack!

There is no oven and I had to make the beds myself, they just left the linen. no towels either though it says that on the booking.

The park itself is run down, but given the price difference it's really still ok and activities are cheaper

Original poster
wickedfairy · 04/08/2019 22:24

Thanks for the feedback. If it's not clean, I'll be upset, so will check it out thoroughly - thanks. Would be nice for the beds to be made, but will do them ourselves if we need to.

I think as long as it's clean and we can have a nice family break, I'll be happy. I do worry the accommodation will be crap though....

Any recommendations for what to do whilst there? We are taking the bikes and will use the pool daily. Probably no skiing as three kids and us will probably make it too expensive!

Thanks and hope you enjoy your holiday!

OP posts:
gruffalomom · 05/08/2019 18:25

There is loads to do here :) my little ones are 5 and 3. We have been swimming every day, lots of play grounds, we hired a peddalo, fed the ducks outside the villa and walked in the forest :)

We still have plans to do a kids safari, some kids disco's a snowboarding lesson and whatever else we can fit in :). The kids are having a blast so can't complain to much!

Cutandpaste · 05/08/2019 19:16

We have just got back from there. We had a Comfort villa. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t clean. First of all, it absolutely stank of cigarette smoke. It took three days of constant airing to reduce the smell. The bedrooms smelt smelt damp and clothes left on the floor overnight were wet in the morning, the floor felt damp to walk on. The floor in the kitchen/living area needed a good wash with clean water. There was also a patch of mould in one of the bedrooms but I only saw that after I’d managed to get rid of the fag smell.

Obviously the downside to the constant airing is that you let all the mosquitos in...

The food on the site is awful and expensive.

Those are the cons - the pros are the kids had a fantastic time, they loved the pool, climbing, riding bikes everywhere. The highlight of the holiday was the day we spent on the ‘beach’ by the lake. The staff are friendly. There is a Lidl just outside the site and a great restaurant called something like pizza, pasta and pancakes nearby that has an amazing soft play area. We found that on our last night but would have visited a lot more had we known it was there.

I think if you book a more expensive cottage you’ll be fine. Ours was pretty basic and I didn’t want to touch anything!

Original poster
wickedfairy · 06/08/2019 19:25

Thanks for the feedback everyone! We have a premium lodge which I believe us essentially just a standard one - I really hope it doesn't smell of smoke and is clean. Fingers crossed!

Great to hear the children have enjoyed it and thanks for the recommendations re food, etc.

Will update once we have been, thanks again!

OP posts:
ShatFic · 06/08/2019 21:33

We are off to De Kempervennen soon and nearly all the tripadvisor reviews say how unclean the accommodation is. We'll be taking cleaning wipes, air freshener, slippers (apparently the floors are filthy), fly spray and mosquito repellent. It's worth reading the reviews if you haven't already so you know what to expect. Personally it (hopefully) won't bother me as long as I'm prepared.

GingerbreadTeen · 06/08/2019 21:50

We are at De Kempervennen right now and staying in a Premium Eden Lodge having stayed in a VIP last year and no smoky smells and pretty clean.

We advise to bring insect repellent as there are quite a few midges plus quite a few flies and wasps daytime which is possibly due to their recent high temperatures. Also take a wooden spoon for cooking as none provided!

Food is very pricey in the shop. Recommend you visit local town Bergeijk for the Jumbo supermarket, a15 min drive, for provisions. The patisserie and cheese selection is something to behold. Enjoy!

gruffalomom · 07/08/2019 10:37

Gingerbread what zone are the Eden's in? We considered Eden but went premium for proximity to the centre (little legs with us!) Though now we have seen that the park is not that big we wouldn't worry again.

The nicest we have seen have been up near the ski centre - they look lovely and fresh.

We are zone 2 and I think nothing has been done here in 20 years plus

gruffalomom · 09/08/2019 09:49

we had a rat in the roof space last night. I'm so over this holiday 😭

Original poster
wickedfairy · 10/08/2019 08:22

Oh god.... I'm very worried now :-(

OP posts:
gotmychocolateimgood · 10/08/2019 08:29

We had an Eden premium lodge with whirlpool bath. Very clean and nicely decorated, beds made up, no damp. It looked quite new and was on the edge of the forest.

gotmychocolateimgood · 10/08/2019 08:31

Zone 7 was where we were. We hired bikes and seats for the kids so cycled everywhere. The lodges by the dome looked pretty old from the outside.

Original poster
wickedfairy · 15/08/2019 09:27

What is the general clothing choices please? Casual? I presume so is the daytime but what about later on?

I read there is entertainment in the evenings - is everyone still casually dressed for that or do people get dressed up? Thanks

OP posts: