Wwyd? Aib selfish over holiday?

[Tractorprincess]

Long and short of it is we'd like to take the dc abroad this year but can't afford it.

We usually go to a lovely holiday apartment or cottage in the UK, 5*, very home from home, beach on the doorstep, short walk/train into town with more beaches, shops and restaurants, but, we have to make our own fun with games on the beach, day trips, picnics, walks, meals out etc.

We could, for the same price go to a butlins style holiday park in a caravan, accommodation wouldn't be as nice, not in so nice area and beach not so near, but there would be more 'entertainment' for the dc. A pool onsite, and children's activities.

I've never been anywhere like that and I know what I'd prefer. Wondering if the dc would prefer the latte and I should embrace this type of child friendly holiday?

But then I guess that's because you have all the on-site facilities which children enjoy.

What age are your DCs ?Are they complaining about the holidays?
If they’re happy then just keep going where you want.

From my experience French Campsite Chalets are always very clear and well maintained. And if you somehow got a wrecked one they can often move you - especially towards the end of August when the French go home.
Never as dodgy as some holiday cottages.

We went to Butlins for the first time a couple of years ago it was over Halloween,it cost me a fortune and it was crap!!

Every where was packed no matter how early you got there you could never get a seat or see the stage let alone the people on it.

The food was okay(we went full board)the accommodation was'nt great and yet it was the most expensive and the cleaning service didn't happen for half the time we were there and even though we complained nothing got sorted.

Honestly give me Center Parcs over Butlins any day,I'd honestly even prefer Haven over Butlins.

"I'm imagining poor, dirty accommodation, lots of litter, rowdy people."

Sorry but yes, you do sound like a snob. We've been to Butlins many times. We stay Gold standard, accommodation always spotless, never seen a single piece of rubbish, grounds are spotless, haven't seen many rowdy people on the kids breaks, adult weekends are another matter but you know what you are signing up for then. People who are there in normal times are there with children, they don't tend to get rowdy even if some are a bit rough round the edges.

We love Butlins, as do our DCs. So much to do there, great staff, great entertainment, lots included in the price and clean and tidy.

op we live in Newquay and have stayed at hendra in the past with visiting family plus have visited the pool there as guests and as far as all-in holiday camp style places go it's pretty cool! Would definitely recommend.
I also used to do eurocamp as a kid with my family and loooooved it - all the adventure of camping with the activities of a holiday camp and the weather of a foreign holiday... ☀️⛱️🌴😁 Totally do it!! Next year tho as you save loads of money booking well ahead.

Definitely the usual option. The kids will love spending time with you. Many parents try to entertain children non- stop with adult-led or organised activities. The most memorable times for me, my kids and most kids I know are games on the beach with buckets and spades, balls, collecting shells to make pictures etc. Good family based old fashioned fun. It brings you closer as a family. Have fun!

rock I agree, beaches are great, but a lot of the nice places suggested on here are right by beaches for this reason! So, it's not a holiday camp vs beaches situation. The one I suggested (Cofton in Devon which is spotless and very well maintained) is about a mile away from a beach. This is quite typical.

We had a long weekend at Hendra a few years ago, when the kids were younger. I must admit, I was rather negative before we went, as we have a camper van and I prefer wild camping. BUT it was a great weekend, the kids lived the kids club and evening entertainment, not to mention the pool, and we got some time to ourselves whilst they were at kids club.

The static caravan we stayed in was clean and relatively spacious, and I think you'd be pleasantly surprised by the class of people staying there

I'd go back.