To be worried about Butlins?!

[Burlee]

I’ve booked a few nights at Butlins in May - I used to go as a kid.

Last night I saw on their website that part of the pool in closed which was the main thing we were going for so I checked the trip advisor reviews to see if anyone mentioned it - OMG the reviews!! They were so bad they were actually funny! One person saying that the people who go there are tough as toast and it’s not unusual for parents to be calling their kids “little cunt” etc - kids running around absolutely feral, people queuing for 6pm entertainment from 2pm - everywhere smells of urine - half the rides don’t work - the accommodation is like a run down council flat - WTF have I done!

Anyone been recently and can tell me it’s not this bad?

The people swearing at their children are not necessarily poor. They're just shitty (and sometimes drunk) parents. It's these rough people I don't want to be around, not poor people. I also choose to avoid rich shitty people.

Read the reviews and you’ll see the ones I’m talking about.

Im not posh, I grew up on a council estate - I just don’t particularly enjoy being an extra in Shameless!

We’ve been, but it does seem to get worse each time we visit. Last time we didn’t even last 48 hours before turning round and going home - even the kids were asking to leave.

The apartments are shabby but functional. I’ve always turned up and cleaned it though as their standard of cleanliness is poor.

The current issue with the pool is a big problem. Their toddler pool is still open (water is about knee height) which is fine for the kids but because everyone now visits such a small body of water, the water is murky despite all the chemicals.

The food is fine. It’s not something I’d choose to eat, but it’s edible.

We have never seen the evening shows, we stay in the skyliner for the kids disco. Some people stake out a table all day, but we prefer to dance with our kids so it’s never bothered us we have nowhere to sit. It seems sad to waste a day saving a table for the evening.

You do need to book on the app the second it’s available. Last time everything was booked up within 20 minutes.

I agree with previous posters I’ve never seen so many people swearing like that around children. I’ve also seen people changing nappies on dinner tables. And yes, lots of alcohol. Equally it’s so incredibly cheap I think you need to acknowledge that’s the sort of clientele it attracts

Christ murky swimming water is making me feel sick. I’ve only paid £30 towards it so far, wonder if I should just cancel it

I went to Minehead, the chalet was awful. We were 5 adults and the bathroom (no shower) was through the 2nd bedroom. To get out everyone had to go through the 1st.

OP I also grew up on an estate and would also not want to spend my holiday on a Shameless set. The people saying stop being snobby probably holiday abroad and wouldn't dream of holidaying in Butlins. Total hypocrisy.

It's not that bad! Yes it's a bit run down and some of the people there are a bit chavvy. But you get that anywhere I reckon. My kids absolutely love it. Just accept it for what it is and have a laugh with it! There are loads of Facebook groups about it too that's where I get all my info from.

We have been to all 3, Minehead twice.
It's fine. There are rough people wherever you go (Even MN fave Center Parcs!) but i have never seen anything outrageous.

Its a bit scruffy in places but our accommodation has always been fine.

The main thing though is it has so much for the kids. The pools are great, the funfair, and the entertainment is awesome. We watched the Masked Singer show last year, it was really good (Barry from Eastenders was behind the mask!)

But saying that, I think everyone's standards are different. I recommend my friend to go. She hated it and I was mortified. My in laws would hate it, but they are very much Center Parcs type of people. I hated Center Parcs because its overpriced and there's nothing to do unless you're prepared to pay a fortune for the additional activities.

I have holidayed in Butlins loads of times. I'd rather the snobby lot stayed away so me and my rough chavvy family can enjoy our holidays without being looked down on.

You may aswell seen as you clearly want to. Most comments have said it’s fine but you’ve ignored those ones. Water was fine when I was there, didn’t see anybody change a nappy on a table. Don’t recall seeing any Stella. Food was a bit repetitive as we had a dining plan but was nice (obviously it’s not 5*). But if you’ve not much to loose and you don’t want to go then don’t go.

I think some people are confusing Butllins with Pontins
It's nothing like pontins
Or last went through n 1975 and assume its still the same.

Went to Bognor and there were too many people when I went. Huge queues. We stayed in the hotel and it was so dirty. I walked in to our room and was instantly disappointed. We had to change our pillows as they were covered in chocolate/snot so obviously hadn't been changed. Closed the curtains at night to find dried food all over them. Was horrible we wouldn't go back ever.

I was worried after reading reviews but all turned out brilliantly during our trip.

Went to Bognor last year 3nights during late Aug bank hol. Stayed in slightly more expensive apartments, had fridge, freezer section and hob/oven, which were functional and clean. Also served nicely to chill and rest a little as has TV in kitchen/lounge.

People of all sorts were there but nothing really unpleasant or rude that you describe.

I got a Sainsbury's shop delivered,which goes to the massive car park near the hotels rather than the seaside entrance , so had lollies, crisps , snacks and simple meals all ready. Shop does appear reasonable though expect small mark up on everything.

8 year old and four year old loved the pool and all the shows. For all shows we just turned up five mins before as you get a good view regardless though book on the Butlins app. Mini fairground indoor and outdoor too so plenty to do...I think three nights about right...a week we would have to venture outside.

My manager just got back from the one in Skegness. Her photos looked good and she didn't have any complaints!

We went to Minehead a few years ago and it was great. I was actually surprised by how polite and well behaved everyone was.
It does sound like occasionally a room is not cleaned well enough but as long as that gets remedied I wouldn't let that ruin my holiday.

I live close to a popular Butlins. The pool is amazing, I have been for a day just to use the pool and spa with friends. It was clean and really good fun.
I took a group of my students there on work experience for the day a couple of years ago, one of their jobs was glass collecting in the pub. It was 2pm in the afternoon and we saw two fights and various people passed out drunk with their children running riot, we got our students out quick haven't been back again unsurprisingly! Hopefully we were just unlucky but it was an eye opener!

Many years ago, standing in the check in to fly to the US, our two teens moaned that we never went to Butlins so later in the year we booked a few days at Ayr. They never moaned again!

We’ve been going to Butlins Skegness every year for the past 10 years and have honestly never had a bad experience. Best one was during term time when we could still go then, the rest have been during the holidays which are a lot busier. I’ve always found the vast majority of people to be “normal”. Not much swearing.
I’ve worked out that the best accommodation, in my opinion (and have booked this the last 3 times) is the “New style Silver” - not as shabby as the budget standard and not as popular as the gold and other levels (seaside, fairground etc) and the layout of them is in such a way that there is less noise - no external walkways. They seem a bit more solid too.
I’ll admit that the swimming pool has gone downhill in the last 5 years or so - used to be so lovely and clean; changing rooms aren’t as fresh now and the jacuzzi pool has been closed off for years. My girls still love it, though.
The entertainment and activities are brilliant - throughout the day and night. No need to queue for anything - just go in when everyone else has gone in and there are always plenty of chairs to sit on. I can highly recommend the Animal shows, the pantos and Electric city.
If you’re paying for a food package, the premium dining is very good. Very clean and lots of choice.
We are taking a break this year, however, and will possibly give Center Parcs a try (much to the annoyance and protestation of our eldest - Butlins is her happy place).

Honestly it’s not that bad.

we went in July last year and my 3 year old loved it.
we stayed in a caravan so couldn’t book the shows but still got in.
we’ve booked again for June.
the skypark is brill and the tots fairground is good for little ones too.

head into skegness for a day- the seal sanctuary is worth a visit. Fantasy island has lots of rides too.

I took the kids to Butlins at Bognor Regis years ago. We left early.

The accommodation had been built as a prisoner of war camp. It was really boring and unpleasant. The food was bad. Everything was bad.

But - that was years ago.

@x2boys if it was a booking in Pontins, I'd be concerned about the site still being open, as they have shut three(?) places at almost no notice.

Having read this thread I’d be cancelling OP 😱

It wasent built as a prisoner of war camp ,some of the campsites were taken over by the military during the second World war
But the sites have all changed massively since the 1940,s
It is what it is not Jerry one will enjoy holiday camp type places but most kids do.

We've been to Butlins Skegness once and once was enough! It was not cheap, in fact quite the opposite but then we didn't get the meal package which I guess is where we went wrong. However what really put me off was the dirty accommodation. Suspect stains on the bedding and floor and loads and loads of ants in the room! Not surprising my 11month old at the time came home with a nasty stomach bug which spread through us all! Safe to say it put me off for life!

Yes and about time too
But my point wss Butllins is nothing like pontns , they invested money into Butllins
Im.not suggesting everybody enjoys these types of holidays
But Butllins in no where as bad as people are making it out to be on here