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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No washing machine at centreparcs

470 replies

SuperCaliFragalistic · 26/07/2021 22:39

I'm at centreparcs for a week. Someone else paid for this holiday which I'm very grateful for. However our 4 bed (sleeps 8) Lodge doesn't have a washing machine and there are no laundry facilities on site. I know its a massive rip off anyway, and I know I should have checked the details and packed more stuff, but seriously? Now I'm expected to rinse my knickers in the sink after paying 4k for this this holiday! It takes the piss.

OP posts:
TonytheDog · 27/07/2021 00:07

@SuperCaliFragalistic

Well lots about going on holiday with small children is "same shit, different location". But that's OK, I like keeping my kids clean and fed and happy. I don't think that packing your entire wardrobe and then doing 5+ loads of washing on your return is necessarily better than packing light and doing 1 or 2 loads midweek?
Completely agree. I take 2 dc dog and rabbit. We pack light (have a Mini) and wash as we go. In an ideal world I'd never have to do any washing but that's an impossible dream. If you don't wash on holiday you've only got to do 8 thousand washes when you get home? Unless, all the ' why do you want to wash on holiday' people have 'people' who do their washing? I can't believe how anyone would think it's unreasonable to spend £4K on a holiday and washing facilities not be provided. You could have spent £3,500 instead and bought a washing machine.
UrAWizHarry · 27/07/2021 00:08

@Charliecatpaws

£4fucking K 😳 fuckedy fuck that.....jeeez I’m gobsmacked
For 8 people - so say 2 families splitting it - it's actually not totally extortionate.

FYI if you google "are there laundry facilities at centre parcs" it states explicitly on the CP website that there isn't so really it's the OP's own fault.

MiddlesexGirl · 27/07/2021 00:09

@Clymene

The whole point is that it's a holiday. You don't do laundry on a holiday.
That may suit you but I'd prefer not to have it all pile up to be dealt with when I get home. It's hard enough getting it all done in a week without doubling the amount.
VaccineSticker · 27/07/2021 00:09

You are not being unreasonable. We travel light too and it’s not hard to throw in a bunch of dirty clothes in washing machine. For the price I expect a public washing machine facility on site. Cheaper holiday places have one, why not centre parcs?it’s another money making machine- I’m surprised they haven’t done it, seeing as they milk everyone there.

Shmithecat2 · 27/07/2021 00:09

Warminster is only down the road, and they have a laundrette.

Sparklingbrook · 27/07/2021 00:10

I wonder what the reasoning is behind CP not providing washing machines or indeed anywhere to do laundry?
I was reading a thread about a huge part of going to CP is spending most of the time at the pool. So where are you supposed to wash costumes and towels?

Original poster
SuperCaliFragalistic · 27/07/2021 00:11

Totally agree its my own fault for not checking but was wondering if I was BU for assuming.

I think the crux of the matter is that most people don't come here for 7 nights, I would not be doing washing on a 3 night break either.

OP posts:
PickAChew · 27/07/2021 00:11

Well I couldn't stay at centre parcs with my incontinent teen, then. (it's more than just knickers. 3 laundry loads is a light day)

Original poster
SuperCaliFragalistic · 27/07/2021 00:13

You're right, it's not very inclusive.

OP posts:
Sitchervice · 27/07/2021 00:13

I love centre percs but again didn't think about washing. In other lodge holidays I've gone to there's not been washing machine. Just in air bnb or holiday cottages. Instead of asking us or moaning on here how about asking the customer information center....

Original poster
SuperCaliFragalistic · 27/07/2021 00:16

Of course, I have already done that.

OP posts:
ineedaholidaynow · 27/07/2021 00:18

Who does laundry if you go somewhere for a weekend? Isn't this the point of a holiday, to get away from household chores

ineedaholidaynow · 27/07/2021 00:23

If people do washing on holiday, do you sit in the lodge whilst the washing machine is on, bearing in mind you aren't meant to leave a washing machine/tumble dryer running at night or in an empty house

TonytheDog · 27/07/2021 00:24

@ineedaholidaynow

Who does laundry if you go somewhere for a weekend? Isn't this the point of a holiday, to get away from household chores
Maybe read the thread? It's not a weekend.
PluggingAway · 27/07/2021 00:25

Yes, obviously OP should have checked if there were laundry facilities, so I'm sure a lesson has been learned there, but I think it's entirely reasonable to have expected laundry facilities at a holiday park. Even if it was just a few pay as you go machines in a shed somewhere, at a push.

If I paid that price I would expect the place to be fully equipped with everything.

Wordsmith · 27/07/2021 00:27

Who are these people who think you can't possibly do washing on holiday? Have you ever had a self catering holiday? Have you ever been away with kids? How big us your car that you can pack so many clothes to cope with the British weather? I would definitely expect a washing machine or a launderette on site. There are washing machines in holiday homes and camping/caravan parks - why should CP be any different?

Slightly tangential but... about 10 years ago we priced up a Monday-Friday break at CP Longleat for 2 adults & 2 kids in August and it was something like £2300. We ended up going to CP at Lac De L'Ailette in NE France and it was half the price, including an overnight stay in Premier Inn in Folkestone, return ferry from Dover-Calais and all fuel. Plus the chalets were cuter.

Gardenista · 27/07/2021 00:27

If I’d paid £4K I’d expect a washing machine and tumble dryer abs a dishwasher too .
Isn’t CP all about the swimming? Not unreasonable at all to expect to be able to wash and dry swimming towels etc.

ineedaholidaynow · 27/07/2021 00:27

Very few people go to Center Parcs for a week. It probably doesn't make economic sense to provide washing machines in each lodge. I am sure they did have a laundrette very early on at the Longleat one, but I assume it wasn't used enough, so not worth keeping.

UrAWizHarry · 27/07/2021 00:30

@Wordsmith

Who are these people who think you can't possibly do washing on holiday? Have you ever had a self catering holiday? Have you ever been away with kids? How big us your car that you can pack so many clothes to cope with the British weather? I would definitely expect a washing machine or a launderette on site. There are washing machines in holiday homes and camping/caravan parks - why should CP be any different?

Slightly tangential but... about 10 years ago we priced up a Monday-Friday break at CP Longleat for 2 adults & 2 kids in August and it was something like £2300. We ended up going to CP at Lac De L'Ailette in NE France and it was half the price, including an overnight stay in Premier Inn in Folkestone, return ferry from Dover-Calais and all fuel. Plus the chalets were cuter.

If I can manage to go on 2 week foreign holidays with 2 under 5s with easyjet level baggage restrictions, and manage without needing to do washing I'm sure most people could cope with a few nights in a lodge.

You just take enough clothes to last, possibly rinse a few things in the sink and wear some things multiple days. It's not hard.

OnTheBrink1 · 27/07/2021 00:32

Isn’t centre parks marketed as an outdoor adventure kind of place where the kids climb and ramble through a forest, kayak, horse ride, get grubby and wet? Wtf then do they not have any washing facilities? Completely mental when they charge so much. Yes, you pack spares but some people are going for a week. I have 3 kids so packing spares for each would mean we wouldn’t get the luggage in our enormous boot! It’s full as it is.
Plus it’s completely non inclusive to those adults and kids with additional needs

Wordsmith · 27/07/2021 00:34

@UrAWizHarry all you need for a package holiday on the Costas is shorts and T shirts, so yes I can see that. But whenever I've rented a villa or gite they've always had a washing machine.

thevassal · 27/07/2021 00:35

Yanbu in that on a campsite that size there probably should be some sort of washing facilities - what if someone has a stomach bug etc. But I also agree with posters that most people wouldn't plan to do washing on a one weeks holiday and would just take enough clothes.

Saying that....I am agog at you not taking at least a pair of pants per day you are away. Have never heard of that! I understand the others things you are saying like kids clothes but I mean pants...they are tiny and take up no room at all! Most people I know take extras, not less! I would take at least ten on a weeks holiday in case of maybe wanting to change in the evening after a shower etc.

I've been here for all the raging mumsnet debates re how often you wash a towel, or change bedding how, how many showers per day etc but this is the first time I'm honestly shocked - have never, ever heard of anyone only taking 3-4 pairs of knickers for a weeks holiday before!!! Grin

Maggiesfarm · 27/07/2021 00:38

Center Parcs have a laundrette according to website.

worriedatthemoment · 27/07/2021 00:38

Obviously most of you don't stay in caravans or cheap chalets as they never have washing machines.

clary · 27/07/2021 00:39

@SuperCaliFragalistic

Well lots about going on holiday with small children is "same shit, different location". But that's OK, I like keeping my kids clean and fed and happy. I don't think that packing your entire wardrobe and then doing 5+ loads of washing on your return is necessarily better than packing light and doing 1 or 2 loads midweek?
Yes OP I totally agree with you. I am aware that we are lone-ish voices on MN, but I would much (much) rather pack light (we used to tote three kids and loads of beach kit in a Citroen picasso with no roof box, so minimal room for clothes) and then wash during the week. I always used to wash the day before we came home so I didn't spend the first couple of days home doing laundry.

It's hardly heavy labour to whack a load in a machine and then in a dryer. I wouldn't book somewhere without a washer, even now that my DC are grown. With small kids, swimming kit and muddy walks it's a no brainer. I would feed back (tho it clearly will make no difference)