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Original poster

Butlins Bognor tots break - worth it? Best accomodation?

23 replies

Hdocheub820 · 15/09/2022 21:45

I am tempted to boil a tots break for my 3 year old this autumn. Mainly worried about noise in rooms etc. Which is the best/quietest accomodation - the apartments or hotels? There seems so many to choose between. Any tips please!

OP posts:
minidancer · 15/09/2022 21:46

It's horrendous.......don't go!

Original poster
Hdocheub820 · 15/09/2022 21:46

*book!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hdocheub820 · 15/09/2022 21:47

Oh no why ...! Have you been? If not Butlins, any other holiday parks?

OP posts:

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whosaidtha · 15/09/2022 22:00

It's brilliant for kids. Don't listen to the snobs.
Only ever been to Skegness and only ever stayed in apartments. The ones closest to the pavilion were noisy but the further away ones were quieter. But tbh I doubt they'll be much late nights on a tots break. It should tell you the distance on the booking info.

minidancer · 15/09/2022 22:03

We stayed in the hotel which was nice but everything else was just so chaotic. We much preferred bluestone which is great for younger kids too. They have mini discos and toddler sessions it's just all a lot calmer. I'm not a snob but it just wasn't relaxing and the kids were over stimulated and didn't enjoy it. There are much nicer things to do in my opinion.

snoodles · 15/09/2022 22:06

Yes absolutely worth it. We went to Bognor and stayed at the Wave hotel right next to everything. No issues at all with noise. We were on a higher floor. It was great! Lots of stuff to do for our child. Book it!

TulipTuesday · 15/09/2022 22:17

If Bognor have privately owned caravans stay in them! They’re usually set away from the main accommodation and so are quieter. They’re bigger and you’ll get parking right next to the van.

You book separately from Butlins but you get all access to the site and shows etc.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 15/09/2022 22:19

Love Bognor butlins- your 3yr old will love it. Great renovated pool, super clean- fun shows. Stayed in the wave hotel- liked the room layout and I like a hotel room as I feel safer than the outside apartments.

Original poster
Hdocheub820 · 15/09/2022 22:25

Ok great thank you! Will look into the hotel. Is the premium dining plan worth it?

OP posts:
Tiani4 · 15/09/2022 22:25

So ignore the snobs get an apartment if you have a child

Hotels are good if you want to eat out all the time you have more room in apartment

We have done Butlins all through my children childhood and mine, and I'm now 50-+!

Once you have bigger and more children book self catering chalets

Ignore people saying to book caravans! As you'll pay similar hut nearer the facilities of you book self catering chalet - for 6 of us it costs high season £1200 for a week as we go each year and my parents get discounts as they do a couple weeks m/ Friday through the year. And book next time whilst there each time- their holidays cost £70-100 for 5 days M-F for two as go so often and get discounts as premier members cos they do those cheap holidays!

Tiani4 · 15/09/2022 22:26

(They book out of season)

Tiani4 · 15/09/2022 22:27

But we go each year in early august minehead is lush with super holiday experience as a Sandy beach

whosaidtha · 16/09/2022 00:15

Hdocheub820 · 15/09/2022 22:25

Ok great thank you! Will look into the hotel. Is the premium dining plan worth it?

Again only talking about Skegness but I don't think premium dining is worth it. Had it once but standard was fine for us. Haven't tried dine around though which does sound good but is a lot more expensive.

InstantUserNameJustAddWater · 16/09/2022 00:29

Am there right now! Yes, definitely book it, there's a lot of undeserved snobbery about Butlins vs CentreParcs but it's fantastic for little ones. Book an apartment for more space /self catering option too - the Atlantic Bay ones are lovely and quiet, and you can pay a small supplement for a downstairs enclosed patio one which makes life easier. DM me if you want to ask any questions, although we don't do dining plans so can't help with that.

Mine's 2.5, and there's loads for her to do - there are lots of climbing frames, play areas, a little fairground, football pitch, and it's great for the beach/town too - check out the fountains next to the Regis Centre. Swimming pool is amazing, and the shows are fun. The Skyline pavilion is a bit frantic with the arcades in, but just walk your toddler quickly through those bits. We did it last year too and she liked it so much we booked up again on the spot!

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 16/09/2022 07:18

I agree premium plan isn’t overly worth it. But tbh I went just after covid and certain restaurants and booking etc was a bit of a faff

Singleandproud · 16/09/2022 07:25

Butlins is just perfect for little ones, we stayed in the apartment the first time which were fine but there was a little noise. The following year we stayed in the Hotel which was amazing. The hotel staff delivered a birthday card for Dd to our door and if you stay in the hotel that's most suitable for young children (can't remember it's name) Billy Bear has his own bedroom within the hotel. Just before bedtime (and mid day for a nap) you meet in the lobby and go and put Billy bear to bed. They read a story and sing a song (and get some sweets in the afternoon). DD is 13 now and she thinks fondly back to her Butlin stays.

The food in the hotel is buffett style and was always nice and she loved picking her own meals.

GigantosaurusRex · 16/09/2022 07:25

We did MInehead Just for Tots at least 3 times, maybe 4 and loved it. For the price you cannot go wrong. We have booked a weekend for next year as DS is older now and he loves it. He loves being able to scoot freely as no cars onside, he loves the lazy river in the pool and just the general atmosphere, play areas etc. You can save up your Tesco clubcard vouchers and triple them up to pay for it. We've always had an apartment so that we can self cater.

abovedecknotbelow · 16/09/2022 08:38

I haven't done the tire break but we have been several times, the kids love it just stay in a hotel not a chalet.

Original poster
Hdocheub820 · 16/09/2022 13:52

Thanks all so much, I definitely am tempted!

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 16/09/2022 16:22

@Hdocheub820 I think if you go knowing it's a holiday for the children then you'll have a brilliant time. I think people who go as a holiday for adults as well are the ones that get disappointed. Yes, you can use the creche and go to the spa etc but Butlins isn't really about that, or at least I don't think so. Sometimes the music can be a bit loud so it's useful to stock up on ear defenders and also glow sticks to take with you instead of paying £££ when you get there.

Also depending of if you were intending to drive its actually an easy holiday to do by train which we chose to do as it was slightly quicker from Norfolk, a cab from the station was under a tenner back when we went.

CakeCrumbs44 · 16/09/2022 16:26

We debated it but then read the reviews on Tripadvisor and decided against it. We have booked at lodge at Sandy Balls instead.

Nowgimmeagin · 16/09/2022 17:24

We did just for tots maybe 6 or 8 times when mine were smaller, absolutely loved. Because everything is catered for that age its perfect and as a pp said my children have great memory's and still adore butlins

Nowgimmeagin · 16/09/2022 17:24

Oh and we did apartments and the wave hotel, both super clean and nice facilities

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