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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Please tell me it's going to be ok! Probably being over dramatic? - holiday related

39 replies

rbmilliner · 29/06/2021 16:40

Ok I know this is a first world problem etc but.....
Have yet to take 4 year old on a decent family holiday and was determined we were going away come what may this year before she starts school.

So booked a caravan at Perran Sands in Cornwall with Haven last September, have been paying off monthly and everyone's been busting to go - especially me.
This isn't the type of holiday I'd have chosen personally (ideally pack backing and winging it suits) but with a child everything changes and just wanted somewhere we could treat like home and keep costs down.
We booked a stay and play pass so that she could do the activities and the entertainment which cost £120.00
Because of covid all the activities and entertainments have to be booked in advance - fair enough but so far all I've been able to book is a bug hunt (booked over 4 weeks ago as only thing left) and two 60 min indoor swims despite logging on to book at 9am today when they released the swimming slots and being told that we could book up to 8 (which is actually only 4 because a slot = 1 person, not visit as your led to believe in their literature)
I've tried contacting Haven but can't find an e-mail address anywhere and the app your meant to book on crap.
Have mistakenly (try to approach holidays with a 'one mans passion is another mans poison' attitude) taken to reading the reviews only to find this is everyone's experience. I'm annoyed but to be honest we're in Cornwall which by all accounts is lovely (1st visit) so in relation to stuff to do I don't think it will be an issue.
But on reading these reviews I can't find one that has any sort of praise for the resort, (mostly all 1 star) saying the caravan's are dirty and poorly kitted out, uncomfortable beds and worst of all noisy with hen and stag do's (very light sleeper)
I'm really starting to panic now as only wanted a decent family holiday and had such high expectations.
Can anyone put a positive spin on it

OP posts:

Twistered · 29/06/2021 16:43

Do you know what you've it booked now so just go and make the most of it. Bring what you consider essential so that if there is no tin opener in the caravan you'll be ok, bring earplugs, and extra duvet etc (that type of thing).
I've had holidays in places with terrible reviews and had a ball anyway. You make what you want of any holiday.

Twistered · 29/06/2021 16:44

I always viewed it as "well at least I am not in work"

birdling · 29/06/2021 16:50

Remember that a lot of people only post reviews when it is negative, so there might be hundreds of satisfied customers who haven't done a review.
I think the pass is a complete rip off, but other than that, we've always been happy with Haven sites.

Original poster

rbmilliner · 29/06/2021 16:52

@twistered your right, I need to step anyway from the reviews and no we won't be at work, thanks

OP posts:

ghostyslovesheets · 29/06/2021 16:54

I did a cheap caravan holiday through the local paper at a site in North Wales - terrible reviews etc - okay the pool had seen better days but the caravan was clean and warm and we had a lovely time

Shylo · 29/06/2021 17:00

We love a caravan holiday and my kids always view it as a bit of an adventure - your 4 year old will love the caravan alone!

We don’t usually go for the entertainment, on site pubs etc to be honest , we use the caravan as more of a base for the local area and you’ll have tons to do in Cornwall!

As another poster said, go and enjoy not being at work :)

Original poster

rbmilliner · 29/06/2021 17:00

thanks @birdling and @ghostyslovesheets, suppose I just want it to be perfect ( I know nothing in life is)

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Original poster

rbmilliner · 29/06/2021 17:05

@Shylo I think that what we planned to do mostly. And yes your right it will an adventure for her. Do you find them noisy at night?

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Quiero · 29/06/2021 17:05

A holiday is a holiday, even if it’s a bit shabby it could be a real good laugh people watching. Go lwith an open mind and lots of wine.

You can just use it as a base and do loads of other activities.

I think hen and stag do’s might be less likely due to weddings being difficult to book.

I’ve stayed in lots of Haven places and the caravans have always been clean. Never had that problem.

As pp said, people who leave reviews always tend to be negative or positive, no one bothers when things are just normal, lovely and fine. I’ve stayed places which are close to perfect and there are always 1 star reviews. People just like to complain.

DC is 4…they will LOVE it, whatever it’s like.

Rowgtfc72 · 29/06/2021 17:07

As the previous poster says, caravan holidays in Cornwall but only used the van as a base. Plenty for families to do outside of the site usually.

LittleOwl153 · 29/06/2021 17:10

I'd cancel the stay and play pass though.. £120 for 1 bug hunt! I'm sure you can find alot to do in the local area for that money!

Squaretoe · 29/06/2021 17:11

Go to reception/customer service when you arrive, and see if they have any last minute cancellations for activities. We went a few weeks ago and the people on reception were so helpful. Also keep checking the booking page incase anyone cancels or they add extra sessions.

RogueMnerHidesUnderABigHat · 29/06/2021 17:12

Just coming on to say what Rowgtfx72 said - Cornwall is gorgeous. If you don't like the caravan site, go and explore it!

Thehop · 29/06/2021 17:15

We went to haven in Burnham in May and blooming loved it! We had a super time

DoThePropeller · 29/06/2021 17:16

I think I saw this place when on holiday last week, it’s really close to the beach, I wouldn’t worry about activities!

We rented a house so had no activities or pool but we really didn’t need them, my 5 and 1yo spent the entire week playing on the beach, rockpooling, swimming in the sea. We were lucky with the weather but even on the one grey morning we had they had fun at the beach. See your caravan as a base, you’ll have a great time!

Aqua55 · 29/06/2021 17:17

Read the reviews for any pontins site, and the haven reviews will look like 5 star luxury

Gertie75 · 29/06/2021 17:19

We've been to Perran Sands a few times, it's really nice, the site itself is set amongst the sand dunes on top of the cliffs overlooking the beach.
We haven't been since 2019 so all the entertainment was on, when is it you go?
If it's after lockdown ends the entertainment may be back to normal.

We often found though with dd's that by the time they'd had the day on the beach they were too knackered to be bothered with anything else, the beach is beautiful, lovely and sandy with rock pools big enough to swim in.

Regarding the caravans we always book privately owned ones because they're cheaper and better equipped, the Haven ones are OK, usually basic and they don't put anything in them so you need to take everything including cleaning stuff etc, the plus side is though that you can complain if you're unhappy with anything.

If the weather's nice we used to go back to the beach in the evening to watch the sunset, the kids loved being up late and were still paddling at 10 pm.

The only reason we're not going this year is cost.

Hdieonfjc · 29/06/2021 17:19

We went to haven 2 weeks ago with a 4 year old and they loved it we booked one swim before we went but managed to book 2 more when we arrived. The evening entertainment you could only book on the day between in the venue between 11 and 3 which was a but annoying but we went the early session (4.30-6.30) every night. There was also limited availability to book other things but we only did sand sculptures and mini jeeps. We all had a great time, I have been haven before and obviously stuff was different but it was still a lovely holiday

Shylo · 29/06/2021 17:23

@rbmilliner no not at all - sometimes hear the odd couple going past having a Chat but no raucous parties or loud music

Honestly, I’d take the bad reviews with a pinch of salt , we always found haven caravans clean and well appointed - other than once, but it was really the most basic van, but even then we had fun

CoffeeandChocolateplease · 29/06/2021 17:24

I've been to Perran sands twice, admittedly a few years ago, and thought it was great. No problems with the caravan at all.
It was great for kids and you have perranporth beach right next to it which is wonderful.

101spacehoppers · 29/06/2021 17:27

Oh you're near Newquay so there's heaps to do. There's several fun pools in Newquay, a trampoline park, a small ish zoo and loads of theme parks etc in the area. Big soft play at Dairyland. I'd cancel the entertainment pass and do that, they will need pre booking but should be doable. Also maybe worth looking at some of the national trust sites etc and seeing what they have on.

ThePlantsitter · 29/06/2021 17:28

A caravan in Cornwall is never going to be perfect. Once you have accepted that you can have a wonderful, imperfect time I reckon. What holiday with a 4 yr old is perfect anyway?

Hannahthepink · 29/06/2021 17:28

We went to a different Haven a couple of weeks ago, and it was very, very easy to book additional swimming and activities once we were there (at main reception or at the pool reception) so I wouldn't panic yet.
I am not someone that ever imagined enjoying caravan holidays, but the children are always so excited that it's won me over! Perran Sands has a nice pool, an enormous beach and lots of little playgrounds, and the kids enjoyed spotting all the rabbits playing in the sand dunes around us. We had some great days out at St Ives and St Michaels Mount on that holiday.
Caravan holidays do feel like a lot of work in the planning, but I hope you enjoy it once you're there!

superduster · 29/06/2021 17:34

We went to a Haven when it was full on a weekend at half term. Loads of people were moaning - most of them hadn't bothered to read the information they were sent or were just being stupidly unreasonable so I would take the reviews with a pinch of salt. (An example would be the woman who was outraged the activity staff wouldn't let her daughter do climbing in a skirt and told them it was their problem to sort it.)

Keep checking the app- we found more sessions of some things were added as we were there, probably when they had confirmed staff availability. Some things also became available as people cancelled. Lots of activities may not be suitable for a 4 year old anyway. If there is something particular you want to do its worth asking if you can turn up and wait, as many people are booking things and not turning up.

We had a lovely time, it wouldn't be my choice of holiday but the kids think its brilliant so we go every year. It helps to start with fairly low expectations I think! If you treat it as glamping rather than thinking about a hotel/apartment its fine. The onsite restaurants are generally not great so we go off site for meals or do pizza or BBQ.

Original poster

rbmilliner · 29/06/2021 17:39

Thank you, everyone. I'm starting to look forward to it again now, as I'm remembering why I chose there in the first place.
Thanks for the heads up @Hdieonfjc and @Squaretoe and glad you had a lovely holiday @DoThePropeller.
Quick question Eden Project - would it be a bit wasted on a 4 yo, perhaps save it for a couple of years time?

OP posts:

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