Center parcs is basic. Alternatives please.

[Summerstarsarepink]

Bland food. Floors sticky. Shouting parents drinking beer . Crap coffee. Dated. Kids unattended causing problems.

The Swimming pool was the only saving grace. i

After years o my brother telling me jow incredible CP’s is , we went with him last year. It was , for me, horrible. DH and I were shocked. Run down, hectic and stressful.

It was like weatherspoons and created a family park . Now maybe this is my stupidity but I was led to believe it was a luxury Butlins! I’m sorry but it (Elveden Forest) was just so disappointing .

Please recommend a luxury alternative .

Bluestone in wales is similar or the centre parcs abroad are meant to be really nice.

I went to a CP recently, not the same one as you, but it was really nice. Certainly not like a weatherspoons. However, although we did acticities and the spa we didn’t eat in the restaurants. I don’t like the restaurants particularly.

Not the center parcs I recognise 🤷

Well if you don’t like the centre parcs idea as a whole not sure you’ll like the alternatives, Ribby hall is the only 5* holiday village I know of. It is very nice with a zoo and lots of other activities but the pool is a lot smaller still has slides and whirlpools.

https://www.ribbyhall.co.uk/

Bluestone is lovely. We've been a few times but not for about 5 years, they were building a big new indoor play area at the time. I liked that a lot of the activities were free unlike centre parcs, but do check if this is still the case. Great pool there too, just a shame about how far away it is! I didn't like CP when we tried it either, and pricing up a weekend there is the same as a European city break in a 4* Including flights 😆

Haha never been to real life butlins then?

Crieff Hydro?

I always take my kids here - the pool is a bit small and some of the guests are a bit downmarket but at least the coffee is topnotch.

I live about 40 mins form Elveden, I have friends that go every year. When I ask why? I get told 'the 'swimmings really good'. I always say to my friend that I can go abroad and swim somewhere hot for the price you pay! I just don't get all the centre parcs hype when you have to pay for activities on top. I've never been but not fussed about going either. That being said, the people who have gone that I do know seem to really love it which is great for them

I don’t recognise your description as my experience of Centre Parcs at all.

It’s a bit odd to have such a strong opinion when you’ve never even been and those you know who have been love it 😂

I love Bluestone - me and my kids go with my dad, my sister and her kids which makes it affordable as we can all share a house there. It’s got loads of activities (many included) and it’s small enough now the kids are older that they can go round by themselves / with supervision from afar, which they love and gives us adults a chance to relax a bit.

Then you'd love the hotel de crillon round the corner from there!

I so agree with you, @Summerstarsarepink. Have only been once - don't plan to go back! BTW, I have also been to Butlins @QforCucumber , and for the money, Butlins wins! CP v overrated IMO. The large villa I rented for my extended family was SO basic and even included a family of mice! CP staff not at all concerned when I mentioned this to them!! I tend to prefer to holiday in somewhere that's nicer than my regular home rather than pay £££ for somewhere worse!

We went to Elvedon recently for the first time and I thought it was great. Safe for kids to bike and skate. Good activities - not just the pool. Lovely environment for kids with deer, animals and nature. What were you expecting exactly? Knobbly knee contests and talent shows?? It is definitely not at upmarket version of Butlins. Maybe you would be better off there.

My kids love Center Parcs, especially the pool, but I've gone right off it. The pool turns my stomach.
My alternative is to spend the money on local spa membership and take the children during their (thankfully limited) children's swimming times. I then use it myself whenever I have time.

Hate CP! Absolute kip of a place.

I was underwhelmed by CP too. We went last year for the first time. The pool area was fabulous but the activities were expensive and the restaurants were poor quality and expensive for what they were. The lodge was ok, nothing special but nothing to complain about either, but the outside seating area was poor. The grass was far too long, the paved area very small and it looked generally tatty.

Hof van saksen Netherlands an hour from Amsterdam. Doddle to get to. Upmarket better value centre parks. Weather is shit like the UK. Or it was last August. We had a fabulous time. Waterpark plus every activity under the sun. Classy, tasty, kid friendly restaurants. There's even an art and sculpture trail. The cycling was amazing because... Dutch.

We went to CP Whinfell Forest recently and it was excellent!

Long time ago now as mine are adults, but I took mine to Bovey castle once which had a great kids programme (then) no fancy pool though. Proper 5 star hotel

We hate CP too. No idea why so many love it.

My main memory of Bluestone was endless driving rain and baby shit on the bouncy castle. It's probably nicer than CP, but I wouldn't get your hopes too high. By definition holiday camps aren't really luxury cos of the numbers who have to be catered for. Ribby Hall may be your best bet but if you're a long way away, I wouldn't drive a great distance for it. Either reset expectations and go to a decent caravan park or go proper luxury on a hotel or self-catering cottage/villa break.

Centre Parcs is what happens when the lower earners get a windfall and they want to go somewhere 'posh'.

The sites need bulldozing and taken over by Potters.

Whinfell in Cumbria is lovely.
Much nicer and less tired than Sherwood or Elveden.

I love Center Parcs.

I suspect if you don’t like CP you definitely won’t like other holiday camps.