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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Christmas at Butlins.....

107 replies

AutumnGlory · 18/12/2012 22:30

Has anyone done Christmas at Butlins? We always spend Christmas with my Dh's family as mine are miles away in my home country. Our homes are too small for everybody so every year is very uncomfortable, and my DD (5) is the only child at Christmas so it is a bit lonely for her. I suggested next year we go to Butlins. No cooking/cleaning, everybody comfortable at the hotels and plenty of activities (instead of boring TV in-laws love and I hate so much), plus children around for dd to play with. AIBU?

OP posts:
Vagaceratops · 19/12/2012 07:07

The Butlins hotels at Bognor are fab.

TrudiRed · 19/12/2012 07:10

We did Christmas at Butlins many years ago - the first after my Dad died - because we want3ed to be away from home and all the reminders that came with it. Everything was open as normal and we had as good a time as was possible under the circumstances. We were self catering but due to work commitments didn't arrive til Christmas Eve and found a frozen turkey waiting for us - so we ate at one of the restaurants. That was 20 years ago so times will have changed. I live in Bognor - there are 3 hotels at the Bognor Butlins one of which only opened this summer. There is a spa in one of the hotels I believe. Honestly there will be plenty to do and it will probably be a different, fun holiday. I wouldn't do it with my kids now but then again I don't need to as all family are nearby (so can go home!) and we have enough space but I'd say go for it if you fancy it and have fun

balotelli · 19/12/2012 07:13

If I could afford it and they did Vegan food at Butlins Hotels then I would be there like a shot.

Love Butlins.

Best holidays ever.

FolkElf · 19/12/2012 07:18

I would reply, but I think Worra has already said all there is to say.

Why you would inflict butlins on your family at any time of year I have no idea, least of all at Christmas!

The 'quality' of the entertainment would be enough to put me off.

whomovedmychocolate · 19/12/2012 07:21

I'd rather eat chocolate truffles out of Worra's hands than got to Butlins.

Mind you, at least it gives you a target for your arguing rather than descending into random disputes over sprouts. Grin

AllSnowballsAndNoKnickers · 19/12/2012 07:22

"But to be honest, the idea of spending Christmas in the nastiest of temporary housing, surrounded by people you'd normally phone the police about is not an attractive proposition"

Actually I think that's pretty funny and exactly as I'd imagine it would really be! Xmas Grin

GColdtimer · 19/12/2012 07:38

Op, I think you are asking the wrong bunch of people. Some here will love butlins and will have had great experiences, others (and this being mn, the majority) will hate it As this thread shows. Just look up the reviews of the butlins hotel you think you would go to. Or save up to visit your own family next year?

LynetteScavo · 19/12/2012 08:02

The polar bear does look quite entertaining, actually.

If you like pantomimes and fairgrounds, then you'll be in heaven.

Speedos · 19/12/2012 08:10

Wow so many negative comments. I was brought up in a foreign country where this type of holiday place is unheard of and we fly to Australia and NZ twice a year so a short drive is heaven instead of that journey.

We have been to Butlins Bogner twice and stayed in the hotels and the kids (5 & 2) loved it. We obviously wouldn't go as a couple or with older kids but for us now and only being an hours drive it's great.

I've never stayed in the chalet type things so can't comment on those but the hotel was like many other holiday resorts and well kitted out for kids, we had maid service every day in the hotel so no cleaning the room! We ate in Turners most evenings, fantastic food at great price. The buffet breakfast was ok, I am not a fan of any kind of buffet though.

We are actually at Centreparcs right now and the Christmas decorations are lovely, we would definately come here again at Xmas time. However Centre parcs is double the price of Butlins and you have to pay for everything extra.

So I guess my conclusion is I like Butlins for a short weekend break in the summer but Centre Parcs for winter but I realised you said CP was too far, do you know the are opening a new one in Bedforshire in the next year or two?

gimmecakeandcandy · 19/12/2012 08:21

The butlins ocean hotel in Bognor is nice! Op of you want to go, go. You may find a week abroad good value too though!

Original poster
AutumnGlory · 19/12/2012 09:47

I don't drive, Dh's don't have his license, we don't own a car, SIL doesn't drive, BIL doesn't drive nor does his gf that he insists taking everywhere. Those are some of the reasons why cottage or centre parcs are a hassle. Or even a nice meal out. I supposed I could invite them for a Christmas day only with a meal out and no sleep overs but there are no such nice places (for a Christmas dinner) walking distance where I live, we can't all fit in FiL's car and he wouldn't drive anyway because he wants to drink on Christmas eve and day and that is why do sleep over (and also have Turkey). My country is very far away so it is not worth going just over the Christmas holiday period. I will check Christmas abroad too, any recommendations? Ah, our local Butlins is Bognor so Ocean hotel is the choice

OP posts:
Glitterknickaz · 19/12/2012 09:49

It's not being snobby. I spent a week there when DS1 was a baby. Chalet was cold and dirty. Never again.

Growlithe · 19/12/2012 09:58

Glitter we did the same when DD1 was a baby. DH had fond memories of family holidays there when he was a child, but hated it when he went back as an adult.

I guess there are so many more options for holidays than when we were younger. It's not being snobby, it's just knowing that you can get a better holiday in nicer surroundings for your money elsewhere.

Crawling · 19/12/2012 10:01

Go you obviously like butlins and the people saying no, don't like it anytime of the year but you need to do what's best for you.as for the alternate suggestions well that may be someone else idea of a nice break but its not what you want and would be the same as you convincing others to change their ideal break for butlin which they hate. Just go.

LauriesFairyonthetreeeatsCake · 19/12/2012 10:02

I've just checked out the 3 nights at New Year in the hotel at Butlins in Bognor - inluding buying the food package at £22 pppd - which goes towards restaurants its £697 for 2 adults only.

Shock - you can go abroad for that, you can have a 5 star hotel and flights to a European city for that.

Butlins, my arse.

SugarplumMary · 19/12/2012 10:03

We go ever summer and have a great time and have the last 3 years with no bad things happening and its been clean and pleasant experience. We also don't drive so its great having everything close by.

IME people who don't drive just don't think about the practical issues not driving can and does throw up.

When we can no longer avoid having the big extended family Christmas it would be an option we?d look at.

Worst case ? you can come home early and not repeat ? best you get to have break at Christmas.

cantspel · 19/12/2012 10:10

A few years ago i went to Butlins at Bognor for new year. If christmas is anything like new year i would rather crew my arm off and eat that with my sprouts.
The only good thing was there was lots for young children but the skyline (or want ever they call it now) was freezing and there was so many kids pushing and shoving to get to see the kids enterntainment we ended up not bothering with half of it. Everything was taken over by people who had come in large groups. They would send an advance party to reserve the best seats, all the chairs and tables then proceed to set up their buffet and own bar. A little later the rest would decend after already getting tanked up in their rented sheds and anyone else would be lucky to find a corner of the floor to sit on let alone a chair.
It was hell and expensive hell at that.

Mandy2003 · 19/12/2012 11:12

As above, and I'm clapping along with Worra! We love caravan park holidays but HATED Butlins. The whole place felt really unsafe for children for reasons I can't really pin down Sad My ExP who we went with said he was constantly on "Peedo Watch" looking at some of the men hanging around the amusements. The food was gross, the accommodation dingy, damp and fragile...need I say more.

Can anyone tell me why the B&B accommodation (those concrete blocks of "flats") there and at Pontins, are called chalets??

ClippedPhoenix · 19/12/2012 11:16

I went on an adult weekend recently to Butlins in Bognor.

I'ts lovely, I was most surprised. Nothing like the old caravan parks.

Knocks spots off Haven etc.

Accommodation was spotless.

gordyslovesheep · 19/12/2012 11:16

I'd rather spend Christmas in prison

YourHandInMyHand · 19/12/2012 11:28

I took my son to Butlins Skegness for a weekend in October and was pleasantly surprised. Id paid for silver accommodation and half board. Food was nice. "Room" was like a hotel room, modern and clean.

Only thing I didn't like was the Jeremy Kyle parents everywhere screaming and swearing at the kids. I am far from snobby but even I was shocked!

It was busy but we didn't do any queuing, always got seats, etc. I'd go again but only when it's a half price booking offer like I paid last time. Fab for me as I don't drive and could easily get there.

I wouldn't go at xmas though as I like Christmas at home.

OP why not break tradition. Have Christmas at home just you, and do a boxing day gathering instead where they can all pop round for the day then bugger off home.

Atthewelles · 19/12/2012 12:06

Why not rent a cottage and buy a lot of the food ready prepared from M&S? Between all of you it probably wouldn't cost much more than paying for everyone to go to Butlins.

AllSnowballsAndNoKnickers · 19/12/2012 12:10

I went on an adult weekend recently to Butlins in Bognor

The mind boggles - and not in a good way Grin

WorraLorraTurkey · 19/12/2012 12:16

All this shitting and clapping is like a dirty protest

No wonder the place is filthy Grin

Original poster
AutumnGlory · 19/12/2012 12:40

I didn't expect it would be so busy there at Christmas, I thought would be the quietest time of the year. I like the idea of the boxing day get together, FIL can than use public transport if he must drink. It is not my fault if they can't have anymore grandchildren, that BIL's gf and SIL can't have children and need/want to spend Christmas with dd. They might get offended or left out but I have been miserable for the last 4 Christmas. Funny is when I was 6 months pregnant they fucked off somewhere else and didn't invite us for any fucking thing be it before, during or after Christmas even tough they knew we were sharing a flat with strangers and had no money at all.

OP posts:
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