Centre Parcs - self catering or room only?

[RosePosse]

First time going to Centre Parcs. Will be just me and DD (4) for 4 nights. We'll be getting there on public transport so packing light.

Is it worth paying an extra £80 for a self catering apartment? I'm not sure how expensive the restaurants are vs the onsite supermarket?

(Both would be within the hotel - all the lodges are 2 bed which we don't need)

Self catering is so much easier and lodges have fabulous kitchen equipment

Thanks @CornishTeaTime - it wouldn't be a lodge though, so only a mini kitchen I think

Bumping! Any views?

I’ve stayed in one of the studio apartments. It’s definitely better with a kitchen. I’m pretty sure it had an oven as well as a hob, toaster and kettle. Be aware that the coffee maker is a pod one.

DS and I ate out one night, but it’s so busy and expensive it didn’t seem worth the money.

We used public transport too. It’s worth filling a cool bag if you can manage it.

The restaurants and on site shop are both expensive

I'm currently here now and have a friendly muntjac deer visiting us outside the patio doors daily.

We've never stayed in the hotel but if there's either a ground floor one or the lodges are a similar price (some bed standard can be similar price) I'd go for that.
With self catering you will find it much cheaper than eating out for almost every meal, nice though it is!
The supermarket onsite is mainly stocked with co-op food and I think has the same prices from what I can see.

Definitely self catering.

A lot of the restaurants need booking in advance to guarantee a table (although there is usually a sports bar that doesn't plus fast food, starbucks). I'd get a kitchen for breakfasts, occasional lunches etc as you could easily pay more than 80 for that (and you can bring some shopping with you)

Lol, I suspected as much!

Thank you, that's really helpful. The self catering apartments are on the ground floor I think so I'll book that.

Do you think the deer will really come up to the big hotel building?!

Yep, they did when we stayed there! I’d go SC, otherwise you literally have to eat out for every meal. The restaurants are overpriced and not that great IMO.

They might do, depends which one and what's nearby, the lodges definitely, got a fright last night when the deer was up against the window in the dark looking at me 😂 we've been a few times and had squirrels, ducks and swans actually inside the lodge before, so they aren't scared of humans.

Definitely self catering. Even if you have plenty of money, the resteraunts sometimes get very booked up.

I'd go for self catering especially with a child who will want lots of snacks! You could take some basics that aren't too hard to carry, maybe noodles, teabags, that kind of thing. Echo what a PP said about restaurants getting very busy and booked up.

Thanks all - I've booked self catering!

I would also go for the self catering option, even if the kitchen is small. Any facilities are good with a 4 year old. I've only stayed in the lodges at Center Parcs, but have stayed elsewhere in rooms with a tiny kitchenette and a 5 year old at the time, and it was a godsend really, just means you can rustle up something quick whenever.
I didn't go to any of the restaurants at CP, I knew they were expensive but also didn't fancy any of them.

Which one are you going to?

@MinnieMountain Woburn

@RosePosse We usually have breakfast in our lodge leftover toast crusts go outside to the ducks, make up a packed lunch and eat wherever we are usually the pool, evening meal we eat in ... usually pizza, curry readymeals I buy from supermarket when we get there but I always take a bag of dried pasta and sauce with me. We probably do eat out once as a treat. The American diner or sportsbar are great and I dont think too expensive....plenry of deals on the menu. The pancake place is very expensive as is Iguanos both in my opinion not good value I dont think.

The supermarket is fine, right next to the sportsbar ok prices are probably a little more than at home but they have a fantastic choice.

we have only stayed in lodges which have excellent facilities for cooking. The on site supermarkets are well stocked and cater for everyone; price wise, I would say on par with Waitrose or Sainsbury’s. The sports bar does reasonably priced pub type food ie burger and chips, fish and chips etc plus a good selection of kids meals. Have a fab break!

Self catering every time. Gives you flexibility and control, avoids queues and crowds. Maybe take some light things (eg cereal variety packs) or basics that will cost more (eg cheese, ham) but buy things such as milk & bread there.
The supermarket is great fun to look around, perhaps allow yourselves to choose a treat each such as the fresh bakery items.
I'd recommend you have one meal or takeaway per day, partly for the fun of it & also cos it is a break for you, too.

Enjoy the excitement & fun & the great pools & all the adventures!

Restaurants aren’t brilliant on the whole and need to be pre booked with a deposit paid /supermarket is quite limited and can be expensive . I always take some stuff with us - jacket potatoes and a tin of beans / pasta and breakfast cereal … you could always take an extra small wheelie case with some bits

Shop is fine for a cooked chicken bread milk eggs etc. No difference to a local spar or co op.
The big mark up is on things like specific cereals or washing up liquid or shampoo so take small amounts of those with you.

We go every year and always do lodges as there's four of us. I'd definitely go self catering and make as much of your own meals as you can. The restaurants are really overpriced and in my opinion, can be very slow and busy. The parc market (on site shop) is pretty well stocked and whilst prices are inflated, the basics aren't too bad. They also do a kids meal deal for £3-something and that's actually pretty decent (if you needed lunch/something between meals. We always come out of swimming absolutely ravenous).

We usually get a delivery from the nearest supermarket, they only deliver to the main gate, so we take our suitcases on wheels to get it back to our accommodation