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AIBU?

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Original poster

Off to Butlins...now dreading it!

121 replies

SpringHasSprungGrassIsRiz · 15/07/2022 12:02

We went a few years ago to review it for Mumsnet and it was great for the kids, but it was a Just for Tots break, and we never got around to going back.

Decided to book a week in Minehead to kick off the summer holidays as the DC are older and thought they would really enjoy it.

Just made the mistake of checking the reviews on TripAdvisor, all of the most recent ones are horrendous!

Dirty, understaffed, overcrowded!

Now I'm stressed out!

I'm going to have to pack my marigolds aren't I?

OP posts:
PotterLottery · 15/07/2022 12:53

I went to Minehead at Easter with 2 DC. We had the second cheapest accommodation and it wasn't dirty. It wasn't posh! But it wasn't dirty. Nowhere was. It's all a bit tired, and Skegness is much much better. But the DC absolutely loved it.

Isitsixoclockalready · 15/07/2022 12:56

MolliciousIntent · 15/07/2022 12:05

The reviews for Butlins are always pretty grim. In my experience you rather get what you pay for, it's often not great, but hopefully the kids won't notice a bit of grime if they're having lots of fun!

Butlins is not cheap in my experience.

Original poster
SpringHasSprungGrassIsRiz · 15/07/2022 12:57

I'm feeling a bit better!

Yes I'm not expecting luxury, but clean basic accommodation is not too much to hope for!

For 5 it's costing £1k, but that includes breakfast and evening meals.

I have great memories of going with my family in the 80s, every year to a different camp, back then they still had communal bathrooms!

When I went a few years ago it was fine...

Wish me luck!

OP posts:
Isitsixoclockalready · 15/07/2022 12:58

PaperTyger · 15/07/2022 12:36

Op just take cleaning stuff,own sheet's... mattress protector and so on .

Also be aware,some of the steepest roads in the UK around there.

You are not wrong. Beautiful part of the country but some very steep roads in that part of Somerset.

Figgygal · 15/07/2022 13:03

I havent been since covid far too many people in unventilated spaces
I grew up going to butlins been to minehead a few times with own kids some of the blocks are a bit prison campy but the entertainment is fantastic you'll be fine

sHREDDIES19 · 15/07/2022 13:06

Seasoned Minehead and Bognor Butlins attendee here, have been loads of times with the kids, both on just for tots breaks, as well as the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays so lots of experience. So firstly, it depends on your choice of accommodation. Some of the cheaper options aren't very nice but if you are prepared to pay a bit more the new lakeside chalets are very nice with housekeeping included. Entertainment is second to none. Wall to wall fun, both indoors and outdoors, with playgrounds, soft play, fairground and amazingly produced shows and visiting professional acts. The acts we saw over Easter for example were absolutely brilliant and in fact a number were touring theatres around the country and so Butlins offers great value for money to be able to see such a variety of shows in one holiday. It can be very busy over the holiday periods but there is lots of different things going on simultaneously so you do have options. Pool is great although the Bognor one is awesome. If your focus is on the kids and their enjoyment, not much can beat Butlins for what they have access to. If you have great weather too it's a bonus. There is an awful lot of snobbery about Butlins but the reality is that for the main, families are there to ensure their kids have a great time. Enjoy.

ladygindiva · 15/07/2022 13:08

Shreddies that's brilliant as we have pushed boat out and booked lakeside chalets for our next trip. They do look lovely !

CupidStunt22 · 15/07/2022 13:23

I can't think of anything worse than a week at butlins. But clearly people must enjoy it

Skinnermarink · 15/07/2022 13:28

alphapie · 15/07/2022 12:15

@Yodaisawally a Butlins break is very cheap, especially for families.

I just looked, a week in 2 weeks time (so peak dates and short notice) is only £800 for a family of 4.

That's nothing compared to how much most holidays cost

You get what you pay for

£800 for a self catering U.K. break isn’t cheap you muppet.

Letterspostname · 15/07/2022 13:30

I went to Butlins every year as a child and I take my children every year now. They love it! The entertainment is brilliant and what child doesn’t enjoy as many goes on the rides as they like? It’s not an adults holiday but for me, watching my children having the time of their life is worth the lack of luxury.

The basic accommodation is a bit tired but not dirty. The premier food plan is worth the difference. We’ve just got back from a weeks all inclusive in Tenerife which cost £3500 and the kids told me the food was nicer at Butlins.

User48751490 · 15/07/2022 13:31

Not long back from Butlins with the DC. Won't be back if I have any say! Couldn't wait to get home.

User48751490 · 15/07/2022 13:33

CupidStunt22 · 15/07/2022 13:23

I can't think of anything worse than a week at butlins. But clearly people must enjoy it

You are right. It was sh*t. I have no desire to return.

User48751490 · 15/07/2022 13:35

Isitsixoclockalready · 15/07/2022 12:56

Butlins is not cheap in my experience.

Show quote history

Definitely not cheap for what it is. We spent more on the Dine Around plan than the accommodation.

User48751490 · 15/07/2022 13:36

MolliciousIntent · 15/07/2022 12:05

The reviews for Butlins are always pretty grim. In my experience you rather get what you pay for, it's often not great, but hopefully the kids won't notice a bit of grime if they're having lots of fun!

It really isn't cheap.

Sidge · 15/07/2022 13:37

@Skinnermarink I’m guessing you’ve not priced up a UK break recently then…

User48751490 · 15/07/2022 13:38

Cakecakecheese · 15/07/2022 12:07

The thing is people are more likely to use such websites to complain than they are to compliment so there could be lots of people who didn't have any problems. If the accommodation isn't up to scratch let them know and they can sort it. I hope you have a nice time.

I was nearly bowled over by the smell of ammonia when entering the bathroom in the apartment. Disgusting.

No soap either. They could surely stretch to a tiny bar of soap.

Blabla81 · 15/07/2022 13:39

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 15/07/2022 12:11

If you go expecting luxury and classy entertainment you will be disappointed.

If you go with the mindset that your accommodation is just a place to rest, sleep and store your stuff and that you will be out and about having fun then you'll enjoy yourself.

You might need to wipe a few surfaces but you're not going to be moving in forever so don't need to deep clean the place. I'd take some wipes for surfaces and my own sheets and towels, everything else will do for a few days.

We have been taking our children to the Skegness Butlins every year for 8 years and have always loved it. The entertainment is brilliant actually!!! Very high quality. Always clean on resort too. Obviously this is just our opinion. We love Butlins. Couldn’t manage more than 3 nights though 😂.

maddy68 · 15/07/2022 13:43

I went pre covid and was pleasantly surprised. I had low expectations , It was clean ,(all I want) facilities were good. Entertainment was good. Stop panicking and enjoy

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 15/07/2022 13:44

We’re going to an all inclusive in Majorca this year but my 5year old wants to go back to Butlins!!!
bognor was super clean, amazing refurbed pool, lots to do- with the weather of your side go and enjoy!

Idiotintraining · 15/07/2022 13:55

Not necessarily its just there oppion but you don't know what type of accommodation they have stayed in or when they stayed. Your stay will be wonderful. We normally do the Skegness one. It's having a massive makeover with a new park and new rides next year. We have always found it clean and tidy. Toilets could have been better but still not overly bad.

If you feel worried it will ruin your holiday. Have fun xx

Idiotintraining · 15/07/2022 13:57

User48751490 · 15/07/2022 13:35

Definitely not cheap for what it is. We spent more on the Dine Around plan than the accommodation.

Show quote history

We used food court. It cost use 700 for a 5 day break, with food and circus tickets. For us that's amazing value as if want the same in a hotel your looking at 300 plus for the hotel then the rest of the costs it all ammounts to the same.

Plogeggio · 15/07/2022 14:06

We love Minehead, but I've been going to butlins all my life and know exactly what to expect. It's like a good old spit and sawdust local, it's never going to be a swanky gastro pub. Kids think it is heaven on earth. I like to think of it as a holiday from being middle class. I let them get sticky, hand them a couple of quid, and give them far more freedom than they would normally get and buy myself a shandy and sort of settle into it all.

Plogeggio · 15/07/2022 14:11

I've even stayed in the cheapest accommodation. Treat it like the self catering holiday it is and take soap, towels and cleaning stuff (although I find a packet of wipes is fine), there's no need to go overboard though, the accommodation we've had has always been clean, if a bit tired, and if there is a problem it gets sorted out.

ladygindiva · 15/07/2022 14:21

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 15/07/2022 13:44

We’re going to an all inclusive in Majorca this year but my 5year old wants to go back to Butlins!!!
bognor was super clean, amazing refurbed pool, lots to do- with the weather of your side go and enjoy!

We suggested Disney to our kids for our next holiday but they protested and insisted on Butlins🤣 it's paradise to them !

Schooldil3ma · 15/07/2022 14:26

I've never stayed in the huts so I can't speak for them, but the apartments have always been spotlessly clean and the dc always have a great time. The free fairground is just amazing.