Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To spend £1,000 on a 4 night Butlins Bognor break?

129 replies

Worriedkat · 19/12/2013 22:11

That's the quote for 4 nights in a 3 bed gold apartment in the Easter hols, with the cheaper breakfast/dinner option. Sounds a lot of money, would it be worth it? Just want a post winter break with stuff to keep the boys amused (9, 6 & 3) while I sit and feel knackered

OP posts:
DumSpiroSperHoHoHo · 20/12/2013 01:38

Would also say that whilst the accommodation is fine, the communal areas are pretty 'tired' and they really need to up their game for the money they're charging these days imho.

annieorangutan · 20/12/2013 07:31

That seems a lot. Wait until the boxing day sale I paid 600 for the four of us in the hols next year with premium food which is soooo much better than the other food.

annieorangutan · 20/12/2013 07:33

I think the great thing about butlins though is once you have paid you dont have to spend much so we are going there for our cheap hol and abroad twice for our other breaks. Butlins is great to get away fir it and my kids are obsessed especially wity the skyline gang.

StairsInTheNight · 20/12/2013 07:44

You could go to centre parcs for that! And the pool would be much nicer!

sandyballs · 20/12/2013 07:44

Sandyballs would prob be a similar price in the Easter Hols, we used to go there every year until about 5 years ago, hence the name! But prices have rocketed.

Holidays in this country cost an absolute bloody fortune, then it pisses down and you have to fork out even more to keep the kids entertained and pay a extortionate amount for food.

We've just booked a cottage in Dorset for the May half term with the in laws as we always used to go away with them but haven't for a few years and DH is worried they're getting old and might not be able to go soon. £1200 just for a cottage, and it's not luxurious at all, lovely sea view but quite basic.

Now in laws are considering not going, they'd better do as we could have spent that money on flights to Turkey.

ProfYaffle · 20/12/2013 07:52

It depends on what you want from a holiday. Don't forget that £1000 will cover most of your entertainment and food, if you book a cottage you'll end up paying for days out etc on top.

We went to Butlins Skegness this summer for 4 nights, it was cheaper than your quote but we had lower standard accommodation and only 2 beds. The kids loved it, loads of entertainment on tap and the pool was amazing (just refurbed though) It was a safe environment where our dds could go off with their cousin and have some independence. They are desperate to go back.

However, Dh and I felt like we'd spent 4 days with a metal bucket on our heads while people bashed it with sticks.

We went with bil who booked a gold apartment and his apartment was much nicer than ours. Ours was rather uncomfortable and depressing. We also got the food pass breakfast/dinner thing but I wouldn't do that again I'd prefer to go to different places and have different types of food. I got really fed up of doing the 'all you can eat buffet' type dining every single day. The dining hall was massive, noisy and echoy. I had a headache and sore throat (from bellowing over the noise) for about a week after we got home.

Did I mention the dc are desperate to go back?

busybob · 20/12/2013 08:08

I would go for the better dinning but cheaper accommodation we went in October and had a great time the room was basic but clean and we hardly spent any time there anyway.
£1000 is a lot of money but the pool, funfair, and shows are all included so no real need to spend much while you're there.
would love to know how a family of five can go to Florida for a £1000 though

BocaDeTrucha · 20/12/2013 08:17

Yabvu. I personally couldn't think of anything worse. Depends what you want from a holiday though.

Viviennemary · 20/12/2013 08:21

That sounds absolutely mad. There are lots of better things to do with £1000.

Gileswithachainsaw · 20/12/2013 08:27

Just no. It's sooooo not worth that kind of money. Granted I went 16 yrs ago but it was shit . If be getting on a plane for £1000

rookietherednosedreindeer · 20/12/2013 08:43

Sadly there are few cheap flights these days, so for those recommending going abroad, I think with 5 people OP will struggle to do that for less than 1k on flights alone,never mind somewhere to stay,transfers and food.

It does seem dear though. Might be worth checking with a travel agent or posting in the travel section to see if they are going to have a Christmas sale.

sandyballs · 20/12/2013 08:45

Center Parcs in the Easter hols would be loads more than £1K for 5 people.

floppyfanjo · 20/12/2013 09:04

Actually I don't think its bad value for money - I'd love to know where these alternative deals for more sophisticated sunnier climes are ?

Its works at £50 pp per day for accommodation,entertainment and food - I'd love someone to post a link for anywhere abroard for that (or even centre parks)

pixiepotter · 20/12/2013 09:06

I would pay £1000 not to go!

EnianShelZman · 20/12/2013 09:41

We had spent less on a boutique hotel in the Versailles grounds, with a Gordon Ramsey restaurant.

soverylucky · 20/12/2013 09:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AlpacaPicnic · 20/12/2013 09:48

I might have been slightly overtired last night when I suggested Florida - I forgot about paying for children! But honestly, £1000 for butlins seems extrordinarily expensive...

rookietherednosedreindeer · 20/12/2013 10:50

Holiday cottages are £££ these days as well unless you rent privately. We're looking to do 3 nights between Christmas and ny , the prices being quoted are ludicrous ,as evidenced by loads of availability.

I think the key thing is that OP is looking for on site activities for her DCs so she can relax. Butlins wouldn't be my choice - 2 nights in Haven was enough for me - but many people enjoy it, hence it's on going popularity and rising prices.
It seems expensive to me, but holiday prices have risen a lot over the past couple of years, so maybe that's just how much it costs.

KenAdams · 20/12/2013 10:55

Eurostar to Brussels with an amazing hotel, there's a massive waterpark and model world, parks, two pissing people, which I imagine would amuse children no end, LOTS of chocolate and waffles, pool in the hotel and less than £1k.

justtoomessy · 20/12/2013 10:56

There are a great many Eurocamp places that have kids clubs and are a lots cheaper and will have sunshine!!!

I keep looking at butlins for me and my son but I'd rather pay extra and go on a skiing holiday as its not much more

Mandy2003 · 20/12/2013 12:03

The dining option? I went years ago on the silver option and the dining facilities were in some sort of hall serving school type dinners and finished serving at 6.00pm. It may have improved now, Trip Advisor should give you the up to date facts.

Artandco · 20/12/2013 12:16

No way. We have just booked 4 days over Easter weekend in Sardinia. For 5 star hotel, half board ( so breakfast and dinner included), and flights for x2 adults and x2 children its £960

The beach is outside door, sunny weather and cocktails on the beach.

Ifcatshadthumbs · 20/12/2013 12:20

If you do go then please upgrade the food option. The basic dining package makes for grim dining. The gold dining package is better in a beefeater kind of way.

My kids love Butlins and we had a lovely time BUT I didn't pay my mum did so most weekends away are rather pleasant when they are free!

facedontfit · 20/12/2013 12:36

If you wait to book they have offers on, especially if you wait last minute. Don't do an apartment, if it is Bognor I can recommend the Ocean Hotel, well laid out (separate bedroom for kids with TV & DVD) and the food is good. It is not like the Butlins of old! Lots of entertainment for the kids, most of which is free.

BiscuitsAreMyDownfall · 20/12/2013 12:58

Now I love Butlins, havent been for a few year and have only been to the skegness one. I agree about the food. Basic food option is just like being at school. Yeah its ok to feed you, but its not lovely. Last time we just paid for accommodation and paid for our meals seperately. The prices were normal, but there were no offers as such like you might get in family freindly places anyway (eg kids eat for £1 or 2 meals for so much).