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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why on earth anyone goes to Center Parcs?!

533 replies

CakePigeon4 · 31/07/2019 17:50

I’ve had several friends who have been to various sites and raved about it, but to me it just looks like a slightly more upmarket Butlins?! It’s extortionately expensive, the chalets look like they’re furnished by Premier Inn, you have to pay for activities, you’re stuck on site eating at their overpriced restaurants... Am I missing something?!

OP posts:
MrsElizabethShelby · 31/07/2019 18:06

I have been once and actually did like how lovely and quiet it was.

However was utterly horrified at the obese bold wildlife. Opened the patio doors to an immediate onslaught of fat Ill looking ducks, geese, pigeons, and squirrels. Had to slam the door shut sharpish as they were definitely going to mug me for my latte and croissant

Passthecherrycoke · 31/07/2019 18:06

“CakePigeon4

@Lazypuppy but for the same money you could get an amazing self-catering cottage anywhere in the country - why is Center Parcs better?!”

It’s not comparable though- centre parcs is an activity holiday. How goes a self catering cottage compare? If I wanted the same entertainment I’d have to arrange it all and travel to it

Lazypuppy · 31/07/2019 18:09

@CakePigeon4 its not that expensive if you pick your dates well. And i think the centre parcs chalets are amazing self catering lodges so money well spent for me

I like holiday parks where everything is on site, its safe for cycling, no roads/cars etc.

The pool and slides are amazing, and as another poster said theres lots of activities.

Its probably the same comparison as why would anyone stay in a 5 hotel instead of a 3

Mrskeats · 31/07/2019 18:09

The accommodation is very basic.
The pool is not free, it’s part of the ridiculous cost.
35 quid to hire a badminton court? Give me a break.
It’s good with kids-except for the huge price hike in the holidays.

Original poster
CakePigeon4 · 31/07/2019 18:09

@Passthecherrycoke but surely most of the activities are available in any fairly decently-sized town? I can’t see anything they’re offering that I couldn’t source easily myself, for less than they charge, even if I have to travel? I understand it’s possibly more hassle to sort it out yourself, but surely it’s also significantly cheaper? And probably less busy?

OP posts:
Original poster
CakePigeon4 · 31/07/2019 18:11

@Lazypuppy the chalets at Center Parcs are very definitely 3 star in comparison to the last couple of gorgeous cottages I’ve stayed in for a fraction of the price Confused

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Sunshinegirl82 · 31/07/2019 18:11

We've been quite a few times and really enjoy it. Our DC are still pre school age though and it's actually pretty reasonable if you do a mon-fri in term time. I doubt we'll be going once DS1 gets to school age as too pricy in the holidays.

The pool is great, the spa is excellent, it's very peaceful and the kids always have a great time plus it's just easy. We usually go to Longleat and spend a day at the safari park.

Whatever floats your boat I guess! We're going back in September and we're really looking forward to it. We did a self catering cottage elsewhere in the UK in July so we don't only do Center Parcs but for a short break it's nice.

Passthecherrycoke · 31/07/2019 18:13

I think it does cater to a customer group that are less likely to quibble over the cost of everything.

However last time we did 3 activities a day - eg day 1 was horse riding, roller skating and climbing wall, then 3 hours in the pool. Dinner in a restaurant then bowling. Imagine how much time and effort shunting between those activities would be in your average town?

I don’t think they were particularly expensive - some weren’t extra payment at all.

JemimaPuddlePeacock · 31/07/2019 18:13

I went once and loved it! Four adult friends. Worked out £150 each for thurs-sun inc bike hire, so pretty cheap considering the cost of a normal hotel room. The pool was free and we bought groceries beforehand and cooked. It was lovely feeling kinda secluded once you left your car at the gates and walking or biking around. Didn’t pay for activities or need to. I’d go again in a heartbeat, basic cabin but was gorgeous and peaceful.

BarbariansMum · 31/07/2019 18:13

So where are these amazing cheap cottages with huge, free leisure pools in nearby towns?

HeyMonkey · 31/07/2019 18:13

Because CP is more expensive and rich folk don't like to associate with rough folk I.e Butlins people.

At CP it's all more wealthy people.

Original poster
CakePigeon4 · 31/07/2019 18:13

@Sunshinegirl82 interesting - although I struggle to think how it can be that peaceful staying in a chalet next door to other families? It sounds a bit like a stationary cruise to me Grin

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Mrskeats · 31/07/2019 18:14

1200 quid for 3 nights at my local one. Mad.

Passthecherrycoke · 31/07/2019 18:14

We both work full time and CP is positively set up for families like us- maximum activity for minimum effort.

PrayingandHoping · 31/07/2019 18:15

Yes its more expensive that rental cottage but it's the convenience of activities are on site and the pool really is excellent.

The restaurants are not overpriced. It's standard high street prices as it's the supermarket on site (just with less range so no they don't do like a budget orange juice, it's brands).

We have never been disappointed with a CP holiday. With or without children.

reefedsail · 31/07/2019 18:15

I love it because you swap your brain for a green wristband at the front gates and you don't need to think for yourself again until you leave.

I need that sometimes.

JemimaPuddlePeacock · 31/07/2019 18:15

I was definitely ‘poor folk’ when we went HeyMonkey. Like I say, was surprisingly cheap at £150 each for thurs-sun.

Original poster
CakePigeon4 · 31/07/2019 18:16

@BarbariansMum we generally pay around £1000 for a family of 8 in a self-catering cottage - the last two, in Cornwall and Devon, have been full-on country houses. Obviously local pools aren’t free, but as the cottage is significantly cheaper than accommodation at Center I don’t mind paying for it!

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eurochick · 31/07/2019 18:16

I don't love it but it has its place. It's an easy holiday - no worries about weight limits or decanting toiletries. Just chuck everything you might need in the car and go. Once you've unloaded, park up and forget about driving/navigating for a few days.

The pool is great and now our daughter is five, the activities offered really came into their own (she was too young to get anything out if most of them before). In four days she did archery, pony riding, ballet, held owls, learned to snorkel and swum loads. She also got more confident on her bike, riding around without cars about. And it didn't feel rushed at all. You wouldn't be able to do that much in a similar amount of time in most holiday cottages.

The spa is also good. I've never had a bad treatment there.

It's not perfect. The pool changing rooms could be a bit cleaner. The restaurants could be better. The signposting could be improved. Some of the cabins could be smartened up (the first one we stayed in smelled very damp).

PinkSpring · 31/07/2019 18:17

We have been a few times and went last year as a family with a young child and not sure we would bother to go again.

We paid for executive accommodation and it was far from it. Quite dirty and smaller than expected. Cost over £500 for the weekend.

Pool is always good, but when it's busy it's just hell as it's so loud. After the first day, we were bored as once you have been once, it's like deja vue as nothing changes!!

Food is expensive, the takeaway service is ridiculously priced in my opinion.

We came home a day earlier as we had enough in the end.

To be honest, we live in an area with lots of woodland and lakes so perhaps it was somewhat lost on us!

Cutesbabasmummy · 31/07/2019 18:17

Never wanted to go until we had our son. He's 4 and we've been 4 times to two different parks. He adores it and we love seeing him try new things. And we love walking everywhere without fear of being run over.

Original poster
CakePigeon4 · 31/07/2019 18:17

@Mrskeats isn’t it!! I was starting to feel like I was the only one not in on the secret!

OP posts:
Henlie · 31/07/2019 18:17

Went to one for the first time last year. Hated it. Shan’t be going again. It’s too contrived for my liking.......

Original poster
CakePigeon4 · 31/07/2019 18:19

@eurochick we have a toddler and I have to say I was tempted by the activities. However, for me a holiday is all about gorgeous accommodation and fab food - it seems an awful lot to compromise for the sake of some horse riding!

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C0untDucku1a · 31/07/2019 18:21

Mwe went to one in europe last year. Was significantly cheaper than the English ones. Skiing was significantly cheaper than it is at my local ski place. We biked a lot. Kids lived the farm. But the chalets were a bit crap —and not at all clean— and the entertainment was nowhere near the standard of the worst entertainment at Butlins. Im looking at you, Thomas the TankEngine... So while Butlins is all day into the evening entertainment for families, kids werent at all entertained bh centreparcs. Of course, they went old school and made friends instead. I had to talk to my husband.