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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think there is no equivalent alternative to Center Parcs?

258 replies

Onelifeliveitright · 08/05/2023 11:40

We go every year and this year have booked an exclusive lodge with hot tub, games room, sauna and steam room. Looks amazing! My love of CP is growing the older I get. The teenagers still love it and are now old enough to do what they like. We only do a couple of activities to keep costs down. I love the environment, the lodges and the pool. And the fact there's enough restaurants to eat out every night. We like lazy days and going out. So looking at next year. My daughter works in a private school so breaks up early in summer. We can therefore go at the beginning of the week but it's SO expensive even though term time. I've looked at loads of alternatives but cannot find anywhere else that compares like for like. Aibu to think it doesn't exist?!

OP posts:
MayBeeJuneSoon · 08/05/2023 11:51

There probably is...I mean, center parcs look a bit shabby

Went to one for a work thing and I was surprised at its neglect if I'm honest

noblegiraffe · 08/05/2023 11:52

exclusive lodge with hot tub, games room, sauna and steam room.

And your beef is that this is very expensive?

Fam23 · 08/05/2023 11:54

CatOnTheChair · 08/05/2023 11:53

I was coming on to say this.
I’ve not been but heard it’s even better than center parcs due to cost and less shabby.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 08/05/2023 11:55

I prefer Bluestone myself, although it’s further from me.

They don’t have those hot tub, private sauna etc lodges though.

WandaWonder · 08/05/2023 12:07

I presume it's expensive as it's a business, not a charity, I presume there is no alternative as they couldn't run with out high charges?

SocialLite · 08/05/2023 12:15

WandaWonder · 08/05/2023 12:07

I presume it's expensive as it's a business, not a charity, I presume there is no alternative as they couldn't run with out high charges?

Exactly this!

I get incredibly fed up of people complaining that they're taking advantage of people during the summer holidays etc, they're a business trying to make a profit!

At certain points of the year, they actually sell the lodges at a loss, taking into account, the staffing costs, maintenance, bills, etc for the parts of the park that are free – just in the hope of the people in those lodges spending money on activities and in restaurants.

grafittiartist · 08/05/2023 12:15

Me too- love it even more each time I go!!

Chowtime · 08/05/2023 12:17

Apart from Bluestones in Wales I don't know anything that comes close to being like Center Parcs I agree.

underneaththeash · 08/05/2023 12:19

I love CP, but we've not gone this year as it's too expensive.

I also don't rate their restaurants at all - expensive, poor service and mediocre food. We tend to take a Ocado shopping order with us and just cook.

flowergirl2020 · 08/05/2023 12:19

Two places I've been too that have lovely lodges with hot tubs:
Bainland in Woodhall Spa Lincolnshire - really lovely lodges and an array of sizes including party ones with swimming pools. Lovely restaurant onsite, activities (bikes, ar Harvey, mini land rovers, mini golf etc) you can book on and a nice village in walking distance.
Cons - pool is bookable at £30 an hour.

Landal Darwin Derbyshire: beautiful lodges set within woodland. Pool and leisure facilities to use at any time. On site soft play centre and smaller soft play for really little ones. Restaurant/pub on site but not as fancy as Bainland.
Cons: not as many bookable activities but a lot cheaper than centreparks and Bainland.

Crikeyohreilly · 08/05/2023 12:20

We are a Center Parcs family and we go every year and previously have been multiple times a year. We also stay in the Exclusive lodges and the cost increases have really been phenomenal. I expect to pay more for the benefits however the cost increase combined with the decrease of benefits over the years is eye watering. Personally I don’t rate Bluestone. It’s a shame because I liked the idea but it’s just not a CP for us. Over the years we have reduced the frequency of our holidays to CP because of the expense and value for money. They really have become greedy. My kids adore it and say it’s their favourite holiday but I have an issue paying that much for such little. I haven’t found n alternative but we are using Air B&B more and have found places with ample facilities in beautiful locations for a fraction of the price. Following along to see any suggestions for an alternative!

shammalammadingdong · 08/05/2023 12:22

Having been to CP, I cannot understand how any can like it, let alone love it and keep going back repeatedly. I just do not get what there is to like about it. It's awful.

ididntknowthat11 · 08/05/2023 12:28

shammalammadingdong · 08/05/2023 12:22

Having been to CP, I cannot understand how any can like it, let alone love it and keep going back repeatedly. I just do not get what there is to like about it. It's awful.

Agree with this. I've been once and thought it was "ok".

But absolutely not worth the money

MaltedCow · 08/05/2023 12:30

Bluestone is so overrated. Nice pool but everything else is very meh.

Neededanewuserhandle · 08/05/2023 12:33

Managed to wean DD off the CP rip-off after 3 visits, thankfully.
Damp smelly accommodation, shit service, massively overcrowded and expensive.

https://www.landal.co.uk/parks/darwin-forest?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-KiBhCsARIsAPztUF2yrd00W6P1YM3n7ZlmYQnvM7rPOnq1dvjIgsCyJO5RySGmeJisLFcaAmh7EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

This was way better value, although I accept the pool etc isn't as big (but it also wasn't as overcrowded).

The cabanas in CP were occupied by some really unpleasant people - TV turned up to max, blaring out, no-one even watching. Not a fan.

Holiday resort Landal Darwin Forest | Landal GreenParks

Landal GreenParks | Over 100 resorts in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

https://www.landal.co.uk/parks/darwin-forest?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-KiBhCsARIsAPztUF2yrd00W6P1YM3n7ZlmYQnvM7rPOnq1dvjIgsCyJO5RySGmeJisLFcaAmh7EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

PrincessHoneysuckle · 08/05/2023 12:34

Never been but out of curiosity ive just looked at the price of executive Lodge for 3 nights and its more than our 5* A.I holiday that we've booked for a week later in the year.
Madness.

Neededanewuserhandle · 08/05/2023 12:34

shammalammadingdong · 08/05/2023 12:22

Having been to CP, I cannot understand how any can like it, let alone love it and keep going back repeatedly. I just do not get what there is to like about it. It's awful.

This - everything about CP is shit and expensive.

ichundich · 08/05/2023 12:36

I've not been to CP but to Bluestone and didn't think it was all that. If you love it for the pool and spa facilities, have you considered holidaying in Germany or Austria? They both have loads of heated pools with flumes, waterfalls, jacuzzis, sauna "landscapes", etc.

Samphiredragonfly · 08/05/2023 12:40

We've been to few different ones over the years.
Found the one in the west country (Longleat) attracted a very different clientele from the one in the Lakes. Even the supermarket (more like Waitrose).

Softoprider · 08/05/2023 12:42

I love our Centerparcs break each year. We go because we have dogs and they are dog friendly. There is something for all ages too and I know my grandson will continue to come with us for this reason.
I look for the cheapest weeks which are always mid-term. I would not want to come in the school holidays anyway as I fear there will be too many people/bigger queues etc.
We could not go into one of these super sounding lodges because of the dogs anyway !

Gymmum82 · 08/05/2023 12:43

Bluestone and I’ve heard ribby hall village is also similar though have never been.
Tbh for the price I’d rather a 5* all inclusive with guaranteed sunshine

Lostinalibrary · 08/05/2023 12:44

Centre Parcs is not all that anyway. Butlins with trees.

BashfulClam · 08/05/2023 12:45

It’ll be expensive at that ti e due to Scottish schools breaking up at the end of June. They will want to cash in on Scottish families as well.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 08/05/2023 12:45

I was looking to go to centreparcs for the first time this year, we have not had a holiday for 4 years and have never took the kids abroad. After looking at prices it was actually cheaper to book 7 nights on a cruise to the Norwegian fjords for 2 adults and 2 teens than what it was for the same week at CP in the school holidays when you factor in food and activities.