To feel a bit cynical about Centre Parcs?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

We are just back from a 'five' day break at centre parcs at Whinfell. It was Ok and I am sure that many people enjoy it but it just felt like a bit of a rip off in lots of ways. Our cabin thing was really tatty, lots of wear and tear, the carpet covered in stains and the toilet seat kept falling off. The five day break was really three days as we couldn't check in til 330pm on Monday then had to leave by 10am on Friday. Yes I know we could have stayed and used the facilities on those days but realistically with two very young children and me being pregnant, who can be arsed lugging everything about and having to pay extortionate prices for lunch etc.

The swimming was like human soup with about two inches between each person, the Chinese banquet we got was double the price it would normally be and pretty bleurgh, but the main thing that annoyed me was that there was only TWO infant swings for the entire place and one tiny soft play area next to an expensive bar. I just felt that they were blatantly not putting in free activities so you had to spend more money. We ended up going out to see the lake district most days rather than doing the activities that were there as I thought they were a bit of a rip off too.

Sorry I am moaning so much but just wondered if this is just me or has anything else felt like this after staying there?

Those who make judgements on other people's class make it pretty clear that they have none.

My mate goes to CP.
In her car with spoiler and dump valves.

she'd be better off at Butlins with me

Honestly that is a ridiculous generalisation Hexagonal In the last 10years I've been to center parcs, haven, butlins, holiday cottage in Devon, farm in Cornwall, Paris, Florida, Toronto, Budapest, Portugal, Israel and Spain on holiday/short break. Some paid for by us, some won through work. Does that make me a middle class wannabe? Or Noveau Riche? Or just someone who enjoys a lot of different types of holiday like most people

We're going next week, in a 'New Executive' (Did you hear that at the back??) And I don't give a rat's chuff what any of you think.

I've just priced up a week - 20th July - 27th July, in a 2 bed comfort villa at Elveden - £1158! FOR A WEEK!!!!!

The 3 bed villa in Menorca I stay in is £650 per week, flights £500 for the 3 of us. £8 cheaper.

Why would you choose Centre Parcs?

£1158 for a week! That's ridiculous! Which further illustrates my point about it being aimed at the wannabe middle-classers who will pay 'any amount for their child's happiness' and the Nouveau Riche!

I've never been to CP. When I was little I thought that the big curved roof you see in the adverts actually covered the whole forest and it had some sort of artificial weather because the adverts banged on about activities whatever the weather so I thought you could be merrily cycling or horse riding in the sunshine while it was raining outside the globe.

The little part of me that still wants to believe that would love to go even though I know it isn't true and it will just be crowded hell on earth.

@diablo I'd choose it because Menorca, or anywhere else in the Med, holds no appeal to me whatsoever. As I said earlier, there's no right or wrong here just personal preference.

Who goes to CP for a week anyway? I don't thnk I know anyone who's been for a week!

Keep your pants on people!

I was using the week for comparison purposes.

As you were.

And Ken - a midweek, 4 night break, commencing 30th July in a 2 bed exec lodge, (2 bed, not 3), is £1049.

Yep - that's much better value!

I went twice. Once to find out that it was rubbish, and once again to check that I was not wrong. I wasn't. It confirms my suspicion that all forms of communal holidaying are appalling.

ME keep my pants on!?

I've only just joined this to see everyone frothing at the mouth!!

Keep your pants on is actually very polite for Mumsnet Ken

Horses for courses and all that.

I love CP (as my comments on the previous page will confirm). I just think it is ridiculously expensive for what it is.

Oh I know that, I mean I've just joined the fred!

Nobody is asking anyone else to pay for their holibobs so just let 'em get in with it.

I was completely underwhelmed by centreparcs and would never go again. I really don't get it at all, but some people swear by it don't they? Weird.

It's a very personal thing. I for one, would hate lying on a beach for a week, stressing over whether the kids are going to get lost/sunburnt/drowned etc.

I don't fly so holidaying in the UK and Europe is so easy for us.

We currently live about 30/40 mins from Elvedon and even when it's so near, it could be anywhere and in fact, the one at Bispinger Heiden in Germany is exactly the same.

Yes, it's more expensive but it's not only about money - it's about a relaxing holiday.

If you pick the right weeks, it's not only cheap, it's really cheap and not crowded in the slightest. We usually go in winter - lovely frosty walks, swimming outdoors whilst snowflakes fall into the water and cosy nights in with the kids fast asleep after lots of swimming and a movie for us - perfect.

Indith - me too! I thought it was all in a big dome Trueman Show style. Now that would be worth £1500!

I would go if I could be in The Truman Show :)

Perhaps it's a perspective thing? Perhaps if you are ferrying kids around relentlessly to various activities using the car, then the chance to have all those things close by gives the parents a break?

I did a PGL holiday whilst young and apparently slept for 24 hours after :) I've done a few outward bound courses too so i get the appeal of outdoor activity holidays. I'm still a bit bemused by people claiming cycling and walking as a big attraction to CP though.

We've been twice to longleat. First time stayed for a week which was too long. Weekend was filled with hen and stag dos and it was people soup in the pool. Accommodation was a bit tatty and cleaner didn't seem to clean and we had my Mum staying who is a clean freak so she complained. Got £80 off our next holiday. Wasn't that keen on going again but we did two years later. Stayed in a better style of chalet because we had money off and we were very comfortable. Still had the impression that CP aren't too bothered about keeping their newly refurbished villas nice. There was a stain on the curtains and on cushions (?bumsex related ) and nail varnish on the coffee table. Ds who is 3 loved it, especially the playgrounds and we enjoyed not driving for 4 days. We only did one activity - bowling - which was over £20 for 45 mins so it felt pricey but we enjoyed it. And one meal out which was nice and not too expensive.

Basically it was a good enough (but yes pricey) holiday with two young DCs. Not sure we'd go again because as the kids get older we'd be more prepared to travel further. Longleat is only an hour and a half away for us which was another plus point. We saw all kinds of families there.

If you're going to Whinfell there's now a Sainsburys in Penrith and a Booths for the properly posh.

We went at the end of feb to longleat - at the princely sum of £349 for 6 adults and two toddlers in an executive villa. We mainly self catered and I do think that the prices are relative to where you live - we are near Brighton and found the cafes at CP pretty standard. The kids loved the pool, lake and playgrounds. For us it was a resounding success but I would probably have felt differently paying full whack or if the children were older and therefore requiring more activities

Blimey, can't believe people are getting cross about Center Parcs!

The main reason I've decided to go is because my children all love animals and I see it as time we can spend together as a family without people knocking on the door or texting me and without the internet.

Funny isn't it perception! Now tell me - are you 'nouveau riche' or a 'wannabe'? - because according to HexagonalQueen you must be one or the other

Yanbu. Very expensive indeed.