to think am I going to get value for money at Center parcs in the Summer?

[slipperandpjsmum]

Just looking to book and some of the chalets are quite expensive (£2,000 mid week). If I book one of those am I going to be amazed by the standard of the accommodation? Or should I look at the comfort (£1,000). Don't want to be disappointed by staying somewhere basic but don't want to feel ripped off by inflated prices during the Summer hols!!

We used to go to the Dutch Centerparcs last week of August and they are so much cheaper than the uk ones. Something like £1000 for 10 days in a VIP when you would be paying over £2000 for a uk one for just a week. The activities are a lot cheaper and so is the food even when the euro was really high as we used to pay in advance for food.

Also look at www.landal.com

have just come back from butlins and myself and dh have deceided never to go on holiday in uk again prices are ridiculous am going all inclusive next year somewhere hot

Comfort Plus has a dishwasher and towels and therefore IMHO is worth more than basic Comfort becasue it's my holiday too and I don't want to be responsible for towels and enforcing a washing up rota when I'm on holiday.

If there are things wrong with your villa on arrival mention it straight away and someone will usually come and sort it out. These are forest based chalets, forests are damp on the ground where tree canopy is dense enough and there are plenty of bugs etc outside in the woods (plus squirrels/ducks etc), don't expect unrealistic standards, it's not centre parcs fault if pigeons have crapped on your patio table, just clean it before using the table.

Money is not a problem for us but that's not the point, even if I had squillions to fritter, I wouldn't consider anything above Comfort Plus to be value for money in the summer/school holidays when, especially if you've got children, you will be out most of the day doing (possibly free) stuff. We spend lots of time each day in the swimming complex and trail round the various playgrounds feeding wildlife as we go and always an afternoon at the "beach" too.

We do take most of our own food and just eat out most lunchtimes in a restaurant with softplay/playground attached to give us adults leisurely free-time for an extra beer/drink once the kids have bolted their food and drinks.

Hope this helps re the value for money part of your AIBU.

I would stay in the cheaper villa and then have more money for really good activities such as spa, high ropes and meals out. Or perhaps take a look at mid range villas.

Portofino - have you been to one of these? We're off to Rabbit Hill in the summer....looks fab and I agree loads cheaper - even the ferry was £123 + cabin each way for overnighter!

We have been to cp several times to different locations and have never paid more than £400 for the week. We went in jan and I felt utterly ripped off. Everything seemed more expensive than ever. We had a dishwasher but had to pay for the tablets, had to pay for loo roll and a coffee and two soft drinks over a fiver. If you are seriously considering paying that much then you must have more money than sense! I was surprised that we weren't being charged to fart. Never again. I was haemorrhaging money from start to finish.

Horribly expensive at CP - once they are bored with swimming everything they want to do costs a fortune. Luxury villas not worth the difference imo (ex insisted on it one time, complete waste of money imo) Club Med are a much better deal - all inclusive, including soft drinks all day and unlimited wine with meals - great kids clubs - we've done both and club med worked out cheaper even compared to non luxury lodges. At CP it was a constant request for money to do more activities - felt very mean to have to keep saying 'no'

bestbefore, we've been to a couple. We had a Luxury bungalow at Sonnenberg in Germany for a week at Easter a couple of years ago. That was great - sauna, flash shower, DW, Wash machine and tumble dryer. This Easter we had a standard chalet at Hoog Vaals - though that was absolutely fine - really well appointed. I ordered my shopping on line and it was delivered directly to the chalet, as was (the most huge) breakfast every morning.

The facilities at both places were really good - I think the Dutch have much higher standards I will definitely go back to Hoog Vaals again - it's only about 1.5 hours drive for us. But i want to try some of the others too. I have been to the SunParks at Oostduinkerk and De Haan before (though i believe the latter is now CP) and to the CP at Eperheide. Personally I think Landal beats them all hands down - and is cheaper to boot.

I posted on another thread yesterday that you could get a luxury villa for 8 for 2 weeks in August for just over 2000 euros.

We're CP veterans and have stayed in every type of villa. Executive villas are very nice and Comfort is very basic but for a difference of 1k, I'd live with the basic. It't not exactly rubber sheeting on the floors!

I'm amazed at people who are shocked that they have to pay for dishwasher tablets etc. It's self catering, you cater for yourself. The clue is in the name.

And we've taken children ranging from newborn to 8 years, we pay for remarkably few activities and they have never been bored.

ive been before and never had my purse closed :(

was bloody expensive, but we did enjoy it

Is it just like a posh Butlins?
My friends have been and quite liked it, they didn't pay for the upgrade and it was fine.

Portofino - thanks - we are going with hoseaons, think we are in a standard one (tried to book direct I think but no availability) - i'll do a review of rabbit hill when we are back - so far looks good and lots to do in the area. I think ours is £1400 for 4 people for 2 weeks.

I've stayed at the top end chalets at Whinfell Forest and the Comfort Plus at Elveden Forest. The Comfort Plus was a little bit more worn down but still had things like a dishwasher (can't remember about the washing machine). The biggest difference was the bathrooms were much nicer at Whinfell Forest, but still not 5 star. Based on my experience, I personally wouldn't pay an extra £1000 for the top end chalets. My child is still young so the pool and the ducks were enough for her, but as she gets older I would definitely want the extra money for activities and eating out.

Either way, I hope you have a lovely holiday. We always have a great time.

Flipping heck!! We have had a week in France and including sailing, accomodation we have had quad bike, scuba diving for DS2, paintball tournaments, days out, high ropes and zip wires plus indoor and outdoor swimming pool and mountai bike trips as well as a guidedd walk and still had change out of £1,500 for four of us!

Back to Centre Parcs. I would sget standard acomadation and blow the money on other things tbh.

The first time we visited we were impressed by the standard in the top of the range challet. The second time we stayed, again in a top of the range challet. It was shabby, the soft furnishings sofa etc were stained, the floor in the living room was sticky and the kitchen was actually dirty. The dishwasher was a health hazzard. Even the filter in the dishwasher was full of rotting food, sweetcorn etc. The bed rooms were not too bad. We asked for the place to be cleaned again after our arrival, they only did an indifferent job. I would not go there again.

Stayed in an Exec 4 bed villa with sauna in January for £300. £2k seems very steep imo....

Come over to the dark side camping threads. We can help with a good basic standard of accomodation for lots of people and then you'll have LOADS of money for booze days out while you're on holiday .

I won't through schrapnel Funtime!!