What is Hoseasons like?

[mumof1littlebun]

Looking for a family holiday for myself, DH and our two DC aged 3 and 8. We don't have a huge budget but would like to be near the beach and things for the children to do.

Is Hoseasons any good? There seem to be mixed reviews online and I'll admit it's not the type of holiday that I thought would appeal but maybe the kids would love it?

Any other ideas appreciated also 😊

Hoseasons as in caravan type hols? I’ve used them, all ok, but there just the booking platform all the sites are run by different people.

Oh are they, I didn't realise that

I've used them, they're OK for a caravan type holiday. They often have the same sites as park Dean. Usually a step up from pontins.

They are as PP says a booking platform although I think they internally grade the sites so are better in that respect that a straight platform like Air B and B.

I'd always ask on here about specific sites and see if they are on Trip Advisor for reviews.

Why not list your holiday criteria on Mumsnet and see what sites or accommodation people recommend? My kids loved caravan holidays when they were young.

We go on quite a lot of Hoseasons mini breaks. Accomodation can vary from anything from a very basic caravan to a luxury lodge with hot tub etc. Some are better than others. we went to one last year in North wales which was very basic, cabins damp and dh woke up to rainwater dripping through the roof in the middle of the night onto his bed. Some sites will have a little swimming pool or spa, they are not like Haven sights where you get the entertainment as well.

@Feelingstrange2 thanks for the reply. We want somewhere near a beach and maybe a pool with pubs, cafes etc nearby and things for the children to do such as parks and places like castles to visit.

A caravan holiday is really not my first choice, but we don't have a huge budget this year so would prefer something like a holiday cottage really

@Babyroobs it is sounding less appealing now! 🤣

Can anyone recommend somewhere they have been with young children?

We love a hoseasons caravan! Cheap and cheerful and more sites than haven!

Love a caravan holiday, hoseasons are usually more expensive thank booking direct

Do you have to go in school holidays?
Are you open to anywhere in UK or are some places just too far to travel?

Hoseasons don’t just do caravan holidays, they do lodges and cottages too, they don’t actually own the places they advertise, they are more a middle man.

We use them a lot and have had some great holidays (one awful one). It is sometimes cheaper to book direct but hoseasons offer to pay instalments.

I can recommend sandymouth holiday park in Bude, it’s a newish caravan site, has a nice little park for young kids, on site restaurant, close to the beaches and places like Boscastle etc..

Don't know whereabouts you are but we once booked the bay in Filey through hoseasons, they do a small nhs discount. It was really good for young children. Small pool, right by the beach etc

What about a park in Northumberland? You've got Bamburgh and Alnwick castles, holy island, seahouses for fish and chips and amusements, loads of lovely beaches, and there's parks of various different sizes.

We've always booked haven rather than hoseasons and have the option of a 'stay' break which basically is just accommodation without any swimming, activities etc although you can still use the restaurants, or a 'stay and play' which means you can get the free activities like swimming and soft play and book paid ones as well.

I much prefer booking an owner-owned caravan than booking via Hoseasons. Did it once. They expect you to supply everything - no dishcloths, washing up liquid or tea towels, possibly no bath towels, no spare loo roll, no soap in the bathroom, memorably no black bin liners...

Owner-owned caravans are on the same sites so you can generally pay for a pass for the on-site activities, but have all the "basic" comforts above plus often board games, tea&coffee, soap in the loo, bucket&spade, more crockery, cutlery, pot&pans etc. For a week away I also prefer to have a washing machine.

Try caravansdirect or airbnb.

Depending on your location, Haggerston Castle might fit your requirements.

I like booking via Hoseasons, great customer care and we find the accommodation is of good standard. You need to check out holiday parks that you like and see what facilities they have. We’ve booked via Hoseasons for this summer, but they don’t have any control over the site we’re going to - that is owned separately. Hoseasons are renting some of the accommodation on the site. It’s a quiet site with restaurant and pool, that’s it. We’ve stayed at other places where we’ve booked through the holiday park and had more facilities, like entertainment, activities, shop etc. It depends what you want really. We aren’t keen on entertainment, we like somewhere close to the beach and like to cook in our accommodation, maybe venture out to a pub. Don’t need a shop as we get a delivery and that does us for the week.

We have only had one bad experience !! Most sites have been lovely. I would always read the reviews.
You can get some really good deals and low deposits. I have booked one for September 2025 in Cornwall, very reasonably priced, site right next to the beach and only £10 deposit for now.