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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that people should at least go to Centre Parcs before they slag it off

141 replies

Ohbehave1 · 25/09/2015 20:30

I am fed up with my friends saying how expensive Centre Parcs is or how they wouldn't like it when they haven't even looked on the booking site.

I know they can be expensive but I have done it on the cheap. And I know that they have gone downhill a bit, but they can still be good value for money.

For those that want to complain, at least look at the booking form.

OP posts:

FizzyGood · 25/09/2015 23:37

Although, I don't like the way they ask for your villa number whenever you buy something. I don't want to help them target their advertising.

Also there's a gnat in my room, I can hear it.

WhoAteMyToast · 25/09/2015 23:50

I went for a get together with friends - it was fine. Convenient, lots of trees, places to eat. Didn't go before it apparently got commercialised, but if I wanted a week away in a remote cottage, I'd book a week away in a remote cottage.

yummumto3girls · 26/09/2015 00:16

I'm a fan of CP, we all love it. If you want to lie on a beach and do nothing then CP is not the place. If you want loads of activities, free or extra, to enjoy some fresh air and lots of exercise, the kids love the pool day and night. 3/4 days is enough as it's an activity place. Those who go to CP and do not embrace what it is deserve to not enjoy it. Take your bikes, enjoy riding car free, stopping for pancakes and hot chocolate. Go with friends, enjoy socialising. For the amount of entertainment we get we think it's good value. we have been to Longleat about 9 times.

Bolograph · 26/09/2015 02:05

We went when our children were small. We were as short of time as we were of money, so I can't offhand recall if it was "cheap" in monetary terms, although it was certainly "cheap" in most other ways. But even if I don't at this distance begrudge the cost, I still begrudge the time I spent.

I realised afterwards that it was an inheritor of massive concrete holiday camps on the Baltic and the Black Sea, built by fascist regimes for their party cadre. Going to Centre Parcs in 2000 was as though the KdF and Artek were still operating: concrete rooms, communal eating, public pleasure to avoid any private subversion, healthy outdoor living.

Look at pictures of Prora, and you think "that's where Centre Parcs got the idea".

No, I didn't enjoy it, since you ask.

To think that people should at least go to Centre Parcs before they slag it off

BoffinMum · 26/09/2015 07:29

Being a snob, like, when I was last there competing for my 6 square inches of space in a manky pool whilst being asset stripped for cash at every corner, I did wonder if the CP fans knew any better. Perhaps if they had been to a decent 4 or 5 with hoid facilities hotel for less money and seen how nice it can be, the scales would fall away from their eyes.

CPtart · 26/09/2015 07:56

We had two or three short breaks when the DC were very young, so not paying half term prices. It ticked the boxes at the time, nice enough memories. Now the DC are 10 and 12 it would do nothing for us. They have done more archery and challenging high wires with Cubs and Scouts than you can shake a stick at, cycling holds no particular excitement and just how long can you eek out an over crowded pool? The thought of paying several hundred pounds to be tripping over buggies everywhere makes me shudder. Horses for courses.

PicaK · 26/09/2015 08:00

Well I like it there but that's beside the point. I fully sympathise with your situation when someone asks what you are doing in the hols and you say going to center parcs - and then you get an absolute torrent of complaint from people about how expensive it is and they wouldn't go there. Fine if I was trying to tell them they had to go but bloody rude tbh when I'm just answering their question.

monkeymamma · 26/09/2015 08:05

I feel like you lot just told me Santa doesn't exist! We are booked to go there for the first time in October. I am super excited because: we have never been away before as a foursome (it's me, dh, 3.5yo and baby); dh and I are wimps about holidays. We'd love to go abroad with the dc but need to build up gradually so this is a good start!; there's a spa and I NEED some a that shit atm; the dc love swimming and we don't have many child friendly pools nearby; I want to eat out every meal and have no washing up; hot tub and sauna in our chalet, hurrah!; want a holiday where we and each dc have their own room (this would be pricey and feel a bit unsafe in a hotel, even holiday cottages that size aren't cheap). Oh and there are some good day trips nearby. None of us cycle though and we're not massive nature enthusiasts. Tell me it will be ok!!!!!!!!

monkeymamma · 26/09/2015 08:07

Oh yes and according to previous threads on mn I am most definite a 'beige person' (live in a new build and love generic coffee/Argos furniture - frankly this doesn't bother me!) the idea of Starbucks in the middle of a forest actually really appeals to me. So maybe we will enjoy it ha ha.

Sanchar · 26/09/2015 08:11

I'll go with you mintyy!

Fancy staying in one of those ice hotels?

I'm another that just knows I would hate CP. As a misophonic introvert it would be hell on earth to me.

tobysmum77 · 26/09/2015 08:11

I really hated it the first time I went as it wasnt entirely what I expected plus we were in a manky 'comfort' villa at Sherwood. It just seemed like an expensive middle class version of butlins. Got persuaded to return with friends and quite enjoyed it although I was ready to come home at the end..... Third visit next Easter is mainly due to it being cheap and the children will be able to do more being older.

I truly don't get the 'love it' brigade though, its crowded, food is crap, it isn't particularly picturesque. I am also as to why adults go without children there is a whole world out there. But each to their own!

londonrach · 26/09/2015 08:14

Monkey...you will have a good time as its somewhere away from home. My dsis went with large extended family (bil side) and they just used it as a base and had amazing time. The highlight was when the ducks came to the window to be feed by her pre school age children every morning. She didnt pay though (pil s paid for everyone). From what i hear its expensive to eat in etc but if used as a base etc its ok. (Never been myself so information from dsis)

MrsTedCrilly · 26/09/2015 08:14

I've been and wasn't impressed.. It cost £600 for 3 days for two of us, the lodge was so old and basic and all that was included in the price was the pool. It just felt so run down and expensive. The surroundings were beautiful though and the spa amazing! This was the one in Cumbria.

lk26 · 26/09/2015 08:15

I live 5 mins away from a centre parcs and have been a few times usually on cheap deals from friends who work there. Always enjoyed it.
Priced it up this year for a week and it's cheaper for us to fly and go on a week long cruise in the med all inclusive than a week at centre parcs !!! Crazy.

SWFARMER · 26/09/2015 08:25

We go every year twice a year or more and do it on the cheap. If there's a few of you it works out not bad. Everywhere for a holiday in England is expensive nowadays.

Centerparcs is beautiful. It doesn't feel like you're in England it feels like you're far away! So relaxing. Even though that is the only time I ride bikes but it really is tranquil.

The only activities we do is swimming and badminton really. The rest is playing in the parks with the kids. Bike riding and walking. Oh and I do treat myself to the lovely spa at times!

I'm really not a love exercise person either. In fact I'm a lazy cow but it is enjoyable. I've been to 3 centerparcs altogether, but we usually stick to longleat as it's closer :-)

LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 26/09/2015 08:28

We went once in term time when the dcs were tiny. I was a bit dubious beforehand but actually quite enjoyed it, although we mainly liked the forest bit.

But pay school holiday prices for it? No thanks. It is really expensive.

Siennasun · 26/09/2015 08:29

Sanchar - I've been to centre parcs and the Icehotel in Swedish Lapland - they are actually pretty similar - everyone at Icehotel has matching Icehotel snowsuits and are all doing the organised snow activities.
I loved both but they are both essentially holiday parks.
Monkey - you will have a great time. I think it's hard to not enjoy yourself at CP, unless you go determined to hate it.
The main critism I've got is that the restaurants aren't great - if we go back I'd take a few nice pizzas, or something for a break from the chain restaurants. Apart from that, it's lovely. Have a good holiday!

tobysmum77 · 26/09/2015 08:32

it really is tranquil

No it isn't

SWFARMER · 26/09/2015 08:39

What I find tranquil and what you find tranquil is clearly different things. Like I said for the last 7 years I have been going 2+ times a year.

Probably because I live in an extremely busy city and work 24/7 is the reason j find a nice quiet forest with lots of wildlife tranquil :-)

tobysmum77 · 26/09/2015 08:45

Yeah I suspected that might be the case

I live in a rural area so to me it seems busy, developed and full of people in comparison..... Forests should be natural without roads and chalets. But this is it, different people have varying expectations/ opinions.

Bunbaker · 26/09/2015 08:47

I live in a rural area as well. Centerparcs would be far too busy for my liking.

SWFARMER · 26/09/2015 08:52

Oh how I long for a life put of the city!! Literally centerparcs to me is so quiet and feels like no one is around. So crazy how life can differ from one person to another.

I plan to retire to somewhere rural for sure!

Oysterbabe · 26/09/2015 08:52

I went once on a hen weekend and it was actually loads better than I was expecting. Our apartment had it's own hot tub, sauna and steam room. We drank our body weight in prosecco and zoomed around on bikes. It was very cheap for a hen weekend but there was 8 of us sharing 4 double rooms.
I had a great time but it's not a holiday I'd choose ordinarily.

WorktoLive · 26/09/2015 08:53

I've never been to center parcs and I know I wouldn't like it.

I can cycle in the woods from my house whenever I want. I go walking in the hills most weekends. There's a fun pool in the next town.

I don't like planning things in advance. I want to decide on the day what to do. I don't like having to book in advance or else missing out.

I don't like chain restaurants. I don't like the 'being taken for a mug with rip off prices in a captive market' aspect.

Therefore I think I an being perfectly reasonable in not wanting to go to Center Parcs. But other people may like those things so that's fine if that's what they want to do.

Twowrongsdontmakearight · 26/09/2015 08:54

I think OP's post is really about people criticising someone else's holiday choices which is annoying.

About CP? We've been as a family which was OK but I agree expensive. But went as a group of mums and it was great. Those that wanted could spa. Energetic ones could do exercise stuff. Then we could all eat together at the end of the day.

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