To not get Centerparcs?

[goingmadinthecountry]

No holiday this year - finances - friends suggested a weekend at Centerparcs. 600+ for a weekend without activities, showers rubbish compared with ours at home, basic kitchen with not too clean stuff in it, cheap plates, tiny outside area, all the effort of shopping/cooking/washing up/cleaning/making beds. Overcrowded overpriced activities, screaming children. Having to be at every activity at a set time, riding a crappy hired bike around for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Been before and it all seemed like an effort. Really, am I missing something? Disclaimer: I live in the countryside so feel no need to get away from it and commune with nature.

Surely it isn't hard to figure out what's on offer before you book?

I love Center Parcs, and also live fairly rurally. In my defence I have 2 young boys, so need to be outdoors with them every single day or they go bezerk. They love swimming, bike riding and pancakes, so it's the perfect place for them.

Like I said, I've been before. Just don't get why it's so expensive and why so many people love it.

Well, some people swear by it, so I guess it's good for them, but the price alone would put me off, it's an absolute fortune. Also my family are quite lazy on holiday so don't think anyone of us would like feeling like you should be doing 'activities' all the time.

I bloody love Center Parcs but we love swimming and spend most of our time in the pool and we pop the DC in kids club a couple of times so we can have a nap.

I loved it. We were mostly adults though but just loved hand feeding animals and being in the woods / lakes

I'm not a fan either so I don't go! Simple!

I've never been. I know someone who spent 7000 for some sort of lodge for a week. That's incredible. And for all that, you get to eat at bloody Bella Italia and Cafe Rouge.
I'm presuming it's an expensive Butlins that's not hear the sea. English people seem to like doing things with the herd e.g. School shoes from Clarks, holiday at the national middle class activity centre that is Centerparcs etc.

Well, this has been done to death but I think YABU.

We went for 4 days at Christmas last year and immediately booked again for this year.

Swimming outdoors in the dark- ace. Playground round every corner- ace. Choice of restaurants to walk to- ace (we live rurally so have to drive to eat out normally). Millions of activities to keep (only child) DS happy without much effort from us- ace. DS's little eyes when he saw the Christmas Village all lit up in the evening- awesome.

Our apartment was cleaned/ bed done etc every day.

I'm not drawn to it and it does seem expensive.

People at work swear by it though so each to their own.

if you don't like it then just do something else

I think they sound awful. Hire a place for a fraction of the price somewhere else and have a nice Break IMO!

I suppose it depends on budget. We pay extra for a nicer lodge, we eat out every night. Im here at the minute and for whatever reason there are extra cleaners, so someone has been everyday to do bedroom/bathroom/kitchen

I guess it's that expensive because lots of people like it and are prepared to pay that much. If everyone agreed with you they'd have to slash their prices or no one would come. I love it. Went twice last year and would happily go again in future.

We enjoyed it. It's great for toddlers, easy walking distance to everything and nice and peaceful in the school holidays (and fairly cheap).

Guess we've not had a centre parts thread for a while.

I love it, my two small dc love it. We spend most of our time in the pool. We go as a big family group so can get one of the big villas between us cheaper, it's great.

The people who I have known who have gone enjoyed it, but did remark how expensive it was.

Love it, no, but think it's a good compromise for what we want - indoor, warm swimming every day - sometimes lots of times a day, ability to do a few other activities like pool or bowling, playing at the beach, scooting on safe roads, and familiar food for the two young kids. Oh, and no planes (because of aforementioned 2 young kids)

I don't really understand the child-free going there - there must be better ways to play badminton/go canoeing..

I think it depends on which type of accommodation you stay in. We go as a big group, so get a Lodge for 8. It's big and has a hot tub and games room, it also comes with a daily maid service that clear up, empty the dishwasher and make the beds, change towels, hoover etc. Huge difference. We also either eat out in the evenings (admittedly limited choice) or get takeaway delivered. We love cycling around, no problem booking activities and spend most of the afternoon in the pool. But it is an expensive holiday in school holidays. Just look at the prices out of school holiday time. Shockingly cheap!

I can take it or leave it, but I have to admit, the christnas winter wonderland is bloody lovely

We went to one in Holland and it was AMAZING. We had a luxury lodge with a sauna and jacuzzi tub, whole site was immaculate, great facilities with an amazing pool and slides, shops etc. The woodland setting was beautiful and very peaceful. Literally half the price of the UK sites too, even with the travel. I recommend it to anyone.

YABU.

We love it too. Loved going as a family when the children were young and now my daughter and I go and spend days in the spa! Bliss!

Loads of holiday places have basic kitchens and showers, that's not specific to Center Parcs, although the last time I went it was bloody lovely (think they had recently rerfurbed). Children also scream in other places and self catering accommodation will always involve shopping and cooking or eating out.
The pool and free play areas are great and it is easy. Not sure why you are riding a bike for no reason.

I think it's good for kids but also older people. However get the more expensive accommodation....it's well worth it and don't go in school holidays as the prices are a rip off!

However if you don't like what's on offer, at the price quoted on their website, don't go!