To not get the fuss about centerparcs?

[BelleMarionette]

It seems to have an almost cult like following. I went recently and joined the Facebook group to see if any useful information and anyone who dares say anything negative is immediately jumped upon. Centerparcs can do no wrong apparently.

When we went, the cost was exorbitant (nearly £3k for one week for a poky terraced single story 'lodge') and nothing was included other than the pool. Activities were extremely overpriced. The shop and restaurants were also poor both in terms of value and quality. The pool was overcrowded, changing rooms and pool dirty, and it looked very tired. Only a tiny, boring playground on site.

I've been to Bluestone and found it much better: better quality and more spacious accommodation, included activities and play areas, both inside and out. Paid activities were reasonably priced too. Pool was far better maintained.

I've been to Butlins too: so so much cheaper and loads included. Accomodation was also better, and the pool was miles better than center parcs.

I don't understand what the obsession with center parcs is, especially given how poor value it is.

AIBU?

I went once and never again. Not just because it's expensive (I love Disney after all and that's extortionate!), I just found the fake nature vibe seriously dull. Would much rather go to somewhere actually rural and drive to activities nearby, go to nice country pubs rather than crowded chain restaurants you have to book ages in advance, etc etc.

Not something I'm prepared to pay school holidays prices for. I used to go as a kid and remember it being brilliant but I don't think they have refurbed / upgraded anything since then.

We go to butlins, stay in the hotel, kids love it and the pool and changing rooms at Bognor are fab since they were redone a couple of years ago. It's not my idea of fun but for a few nights a year for the kids I suck it up.

Only been once to CP, would not go again. Thousands of people turning up for a ‘Forest’ type experience at the same time. All the lodges crammed in together with no privacy. Everything priced to the sky. No character or actual peace in the forest.

Bluestone doesn’t have the rapids that Sherwood has. Must have gone down those 3698626 times. We take all our food with us, pre cook all our meals so we’re not eating out for three nights.

I think this is it! Class snobbery at its best.

People turn their noses up at Butlins but we didn't have any issues.

That stunt they tried to pull on the day of the Queen's funeral didn't do them any favours.

It takes about 2 man hours to clean a lodge in these places. So if a place has 900 lodges they need 450 cleaners to do a change in 4 hours.

It's really hard to recruit cleaners at the moment. The local Deans holiday park to me is advertising at £15 an hour!

This. There was literally one the other day exactly the same. Weird!!

My affluent brother, once went, taking something for a friend of his that they’d forgotten, he described it as Butlins for posher people.
Ive never been, but I don’t like the idea of communal holidays, and staying in one centre

We went to CP once outside of school holidays and shared a lodge with another family. If I'm honest, it was a bit disappointing. I was expecting this forest haven and it reminded me of a housing estate near where I grew up.

Been to Bluestone on several occasions which was great. It feels like it's easier to escape than CP. We have some activity vouchers and got trips to the spa as part of our package. The pool at Bluestone isn't as nice and at certain times of the day was absolutely rammed.

I don't get the CP love either but apparently the ones in Europe are netter and cheaper.

Bluestone is totally different- it’s for younger kids and you can go off site easily.

CP appeals to all generations. It’s best to go out of high season or on a ‘deal’. Luckily we were able to do this when school holidays didn’t coincide with theirs so have never paid a ridiculous amount.

We maybe paid for a couple of extras, we took our own food, ate out a couple of times to reduce cost.

Spent most time in the pool area. With young kids you can use playground, nature area, older ones can go off on bikes.

We always chose Woodland lodge.

900 lodges! 900?!

My head is spinning at the thought of so many.

Get a grip.

I'd imagine they have lots of cleaners because they have circa 500 lodges that have new occupants every 3-4 days. As well as the rest of the facilities being cleaned continuously including restaurants.

I'm a serial Center Parc goer but do go other places too so I wouldn't view myself being part of a cult We always go as part of a group whether that be family or friends and the cost is reasonable if you're sharing lodges like we do. In fact we've just priced up a few other places for next September with friends and it's all like for like.

It's an easy holiday with kids and that's why we like it. I can drink a coffee while watching kids play tennis or spend the day in the pool. I don't think it's rocket science why people with kids enjoy it to be honest and always find these threads a bit strange when the question is asked.

There are red squirrels at Whinfell Centre Parcs.

I stayed there a few years ago with my friends. We got a lodge with a hot tub and it was honestly one of my favourite holidays ever. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much and came back so relaxed.

People talk about the price keeping the riff raff out and I hate to say it but it's true. I've done plenty of caravan type holidays and been kept awake many a night by drunken shouting and fighting. I've never had that at CP.

I've been to two CPs and a Butlins. The Butlins was much better value in terms of accommodation, facilities and activities. We also found it far more convenient as you could easily walk off site to the beach and even more activities! Didn't like the feeling of being stuck in the middle of nowhere at CP eg you're limited to the on-site shop unless you get the car out.

You are in much closer proximity to other families though at Butlins whereas at CP the lodges are more spread out. We have non-cyclists and non-swimmers in the family which means all the 'free' stuff at CP isn't really an option for us.

I laughed so much at your post.

I am clueless as well. We’ve been twice and my takeaway from it was lots of middle class people on bicycles swaying around the roads. Extremely expensive food and activities. Swimming pools that were frankly so overcrowded they were dangerous.

id consider going back to one we’ve never been to as long as it was just DP and I abd it was the most off season available.

My dd is in her 30's, she still complains that we never took her to cp.
I have no intention of going, ever.
I live in sw France, we have lakes with free water activities in summer, we have woods in abundance with fantastic walks, cycle paths are plentiful everywhere, car parking is mostly free and a good 3 course lunch with wine is about €20 per person.
And most gites have a pool.

We really like it. We can afford it and happy to pay. HTH. Now bore off and read one of the million other threads about this.

I'm with you. I think if you live in a city centre and your idea of nature is a ratty squirrel then it's fine. Likewise "family cycling trails" past everyone else's chalets? No thanks.

The idea of paying £50 for a climbing wall when I could do it in nature, for free. Or at a local climbing centre for £6 is absurd. And "lovely meals". At cafe rouge? No thanks.

But horses for courses. You wouldn't catch me a million miles near an all inclusive resort for 14 days either.

I have friends who take their kids (private school) before normal schools break up by themselves or with grandparents as partners are working and I can see the benefits then i.e. easy activities and entertainment on tap.

Agreed. I stayed at French Gites recently and was impressed by the value for money and quality of the accomodation, plus how cheap local activities were ( eg 5 euros for aquapark, when it's about £40 in center parcs!)

We go to Whinfell every February half term. It's expensive even with the cheapest lodge (about £850 for mid week if I recall), but it's a tradition that started from when we had our youngest (£250 mid week in September 2014!)

For us, it's an easy holiday. We have fun planning what we'll do. Some activities are better value than others e.g. table tennis and badminton. It gets me mentally through the dull January/February post Christmas period. One downside is sometimes it does feel too crowded in peak season.

We wouldn't go in summer for the prices they charge though. We'd rather do abroad. I also think the higher classes of lodge are ridiculous prices.