AIBU to think that the reason Centre Parc prices are so high is because...

[spababe]

they want a 'certain type' of person to stay and wish to exclude others ie the Butlins type?

You may not like what I am saying but I think it is true. Prices in school holidays are rather eye-watering but my kids love the place and it's the only place they want to go to this year. I've gone for a middle of the range villa sleeping 4 and it's cost £1125 for 4 nights Mon-Fri.

That's £280 a night to stay in a self catering shed.
Is the makes-it-all-worthwhile swimming pool (woo) filled with asses milk then?

Blimey, it's really expensive.

I have booked a dirty great 4 bedroomed house, with pool and jacuzzi in a v posh area of sw Florida for much less than that.

Maybe they charge loads for the villas because then they know the people coming can also afford the expensive activities?

Having said that, we have always had a fantastic time and to be guarenteed that on a holiday makes me choose CP over other options

CP isn't anything special. Over priced, definitely. When we went last year out chalet (Executive) was akin to a Premier Inn, dingy 'living' areas, one room smelt of sick (which they couldn't shift) & it's all so ££££. There was no wow factor, I would expect a wow factor or the price we paid!

I would always opt for a lovely cottage somewhere in future.

But we rent out a holiday cottage and, of course, it is more in August when there is high demand and very, very cheap in November when the weather is terrible. That is business. If people weren't prepared to pay the priced then we would drop them. But our costs are increasing, year on year (electricity, insurance, cleaning etc). However, have never been to CP as hate the idea of lots of people and organised activities. Aviemore Highland Resort has a similar brilliant pool and is is about £70 a night for a family room with meals in a range of restaurants.

Oh my lord, that's expensive!

I love CP to a certain extent, you pay for an 'easy' life there. But I do agree the prices are now exorbitant. My neighbour is paying in excess of £1000 for their share in a 4-bedroom villa (she is a family of 4) during the June holidays for the weekend. Ouch! My DH and I said as long as people pay it, they will charge it. Why not? Also, CP used to be 'different' but now all the restaurants, coffee shops etc are all chains. If I wanted to go to Starbucks or Cafe Rouge, I will stay in my home, thanks. We love the swimming paradise but this year, we will be spending quite a big part of our summer holiday in a tropical climate with my parents who has a condo where the swimming facilities can rival CP so we are going 'glamping' in the April half-term instead for 3 nights for a bargain price (compared to CP anyway!).

And I don't think Butlins is cheap during the holidays! I keep checking it and for Feb half-term, it was about £1000 for 4 nights for a family of four. I guess it is ALL inclusive (what I was pricing up) but still not that far off CP prices... I keep hoping I will come up with a dirt cheap Butlins break but no luck so far!

Center Parcs charge what people will pay - and do pay. Simple as that. It has nothing to do with keeping a certain type of people out.

I don't think they give a toss what "types" they attract provided people pay them.

I believe thats how the laws of supply and demand work for pretty much any product.

I can hardly begin to tell you how much I'd rather take a four day break in a European city than spend that kind of money on 4 days in fake surroundings and a communal pool!

Anyway - unto each his/her own so I hope you enjoy it!

Now Aviemore I can gel with.
We love Aviemore, and are going again this year for 10 nights at the Rothiemurchus campsite. We have a 5 metre bell tent, with heaters and electric hook up. It will cost us about £220 for the 10 nights. There are endless activities to do there...it's excellent for families.

Roseformeplease, would you please link to that Highland place? I love Scotland.

Yes, for families with kids during school hols it is very expensive. But I know loads of peole of 'all types' who go and love it year in, year out.

If you're a group of friends, it works out very cheap. Six of us went in a mid-range villa (three bed) for a three-night weekend last March and it worked out about £70 per person for the accommodation and the swimming stuff per person for the whole weekend. Impossible to get 3 nights in a B&B for that price without the swimming!! Yes, some of the add-ons ramp the price up, but up to you what you choose and if you cook and eat-in, you save a packet.

The reason the prices are high is because people will pay it.

The same as the price of anything else.

If the prices were too high and they didn't sell enough spaces, they would put the price down.

If they were always completely full they might put the prices up to see if people would pay even more.

We go to cp twice a year. Don't think it's particularly more expensive than hoseasons etc. We're going for a weekend in summer holidays and it was £729 for 4 bed rooms, pretty reasonable I'd say, we pay half as we have 2 bedrooms. It's actually a fair bit cheaper than a cottage we're renting a few weeks later.

I would never pay that and much prefer Butlins type. I do think many pay as they like to feel it is more exclusive.

we stayed in a woodland lodge and was less than 400pounds. I like the fact the less chavvy families are not there

We love CP

But we also love other kinds of holiday, including walking holidays, camping. It's not either/ or.

All sorts go there. I expect they save up, as do we.

What I've always experienced is peace and quiet in the villa and the surroundings. The drinks are not cheap, so there's little antisocial behaviour ( except by 20-something lads in the rapids).

"I like the fact the less chavvy families are not there"

That's fine for me. I'll leave you lot to it :)

For me I find it quite a cheap holiday.

Last summer we camped in the uk and it was £250 for a weeks camping. Food on top of that and you end up eating in pubs, chippy quite a bit rather than cook in a tent. Pool at the campsite was an extra £30 for the week for an ordinary small pool, no slides. Then day trips out, petrol, etc. whole holiday was well over £500, nearer £600.

Cp in summer holidays is costing £500, we could have got one cheaper but we've gone for an exec lodge with wifi. Ill take food with us and cook in the villa. I should imagine the only activity well do is a nature walk.

No wet tent, no noisy idiot in the tent next door playing a radio all night.

We're going in Feb half term, and it's costing £949 for 4 nights. Two weeks later (during school time) it's £299 for the same villa. Bloody rip off.

We are going because we have been every year since our oldest son was born (15yrs), and we always have such a great time. Nowhere else suits us as well, as we have a range of ages (2, 10 and 15).

In previous years we have gone in school time, but can't justify it this year with oldest being in yr 10.

I REALLY resent paying it though.

In answer to your question OP, I do think they want a 'certain type' of person to stay there.......big spenders! BUT I have noticed in the last couple of years, the restaurants have been quieter, and certain activities easier to book. I think this is because people are still going, but eating in, or not doing as many things while they are there. I think CP will have to take a look at there prices soon, they can't go on like this, getting more expensive by the year.

Viva - surely it's not £500 in the school holidays though?????

We are going to Longleat in October half term.

Because we are in the east mids, our half term is out of sync with everyone else, so its only £479 for 4 nights

If you are anywhere else, check the Sherwood one, because when you have your half term, we will already be back.

Cp in summer holidays is costing £500

the main school Summer holidays???

Yes, only me and dd. so we get a one bedroom lodge. We could have gone for £450 if we'd got a cheaper lodge.