To consider a haven holiday for summer hols

[Thisisembarassing]

I’ve never been before and heard divisive reviews. Some worst thing ever and some best. Trip advisor too seems to cut it that way.

anyone been? What’s Devon cliffs like? My kids are 4 (will be nearly 5 by august) and 2.5. We’ve done an expensive holiday already this year but need another little break

dh is repulsed by the idea

We did Haven loads when the kids were younger, had some great holidays, the activities on offer are fantastic. However, i think given the age of yours you'll need to check what they can do. but you can still use the pool, which were always clean and the play grounds and other age appropriate stuff. . Few caveats though, make sure you get the best van you can afford, it really makes a difference, and look at where you are on the park. You can pay an extra fee to be closer to what you want, facilities or beach The onsite restaurants are a bit grim. Find a nice pub instead. And the evening entertainment is best avoided. They have some brilliant locations, great beach access. Just dip into stuff as you want to. If you're going to book activities you can do it in advance, they get booked up.

If it’s all about the pool the HayfanYmor one in wales is probably the best sure it’s an ex Butlins. No outside pool though.

We stayed in an Uninterrupted sea view three bed with decking and outside furniture. Didn’t do the entertainment but the pool and even arcade were good. Restaurant was half decent messed up once but fixed it right away. Nice beaches.

New Quay in wales again pool is not singing and dancing but also has an outdoor pool and splash play. Lovely beach for blue blue water.

I find park dean / part resorts to be the worst of the Butlins/haven type parks. The two I’ve been to have had the worst pools I’ve ever had, active rodent problem in Dorset which they said well we are in wood what do you expect…. Not rats running along my
window ledge thanks. Nor windows that don’t shut probably or so much mould cleaners where admittedly coming out daily but that also set of dhs and ds asthma. Couldn’t possibly move us apparently despite there being empty lodges that where clearly their stock lodges. You can tell.

Not haven but similar. I'd recommend Hendra in Newquay it's fantastic.

And that’s park Dean out the running

Right beauties

shoreline hotel at Bognor butlins with dining plan

or

silver cabin in Devon cliffs

both about £900 for 4 nights

We're in N Wales, there's one near us that even locals use for short breaks. They're spotless, the children love it all. Gorgeous beaches.

"Hafan y Môr Holiday Park in Pwllheli, Gwynedd, North Wales | Haven" https://www.haven.com/parks/north-wales/hafan-y-mor

Havens are gross now but if you're considering Devon cliffs I'd recommend Ladram bay - just down the road, independent, cheaper and nicer. Havens are dirty. They have gone downhill massively since covid.

Neither. But I live near bognor and butlins is way better than any haven. So go there if that's the only 2 choices.

I will gladly consider other holidays for around £1k (ideally food included)

Love Devon cliffs. The beach is lovely. Never found Haven dirty. I have traveled all over the world and have stayed at the Marriot Times Square, Banff Springs Hotel and Park Lane. But I'm happy in a static caravan in cold Uk. The kids loved them at your kids age. Pool was clean but I find all pools a bit minging.

My sister took her children on an expensive Caribbean holiday last year.
Where did they say they preferred?
You guessed it, Haven

Ladram bay. Or stick with butlins. Bin off all havens x

Go for Haven. Gold caravan if you can. We've had some great Haven holidays when the kids were younger. Butlins was really loud, although the entertainment was good, and the accommodation was not anything like as good as the Haven caravan.

Your dh sounds like a snob. Make sure to get the best level of caravan you can afford though.

We go on about five haven mini breaks a year instead of one big holiday. My kids LOVE them and prefer them to more expensive holidays!

I've not been to Devon Cliffes, however I've been to about 5 different Haven sites, my son loves it. We've stayed in bronze, silver and gold caravan specs, all have been clean and tidy. The only one I wouldn't stay is in the saver as it doesn't have central heating ,and sometimes it can feel chilly in the mornings. It is worth booking a gold or higher if you can afford it to as they usually have a wrap around decking and are better equiped inside.

Swimming is included and the pools tend to be good. Yes the Entertainment can be cheesy at night, but it's fantastic for kids , give it a go and see what you think!

Agree with this, Hafan y Mor is a great park 👌

My only complaint about Haven resorts are the appalling state the indoor pool changing rooms get when it's a wet day outside.

Otherwise you can just use it as a base, or get as absorbed in the entertainment as you choose.

Kid love them especially if they've got bikes/scooters.

The caravans and lodges are immaculate.

Top tip: book an online food delivery for the evening you arrive. I was so envious the first day of one of our stays when a neighbour had an Ocado delivered. Straight online and ours turned up the following morning after I set that little mistake straight.

My favourite Haven is Weymouth Bay.

We went when DS1 was a baby 18 years ago, to Perran Sands. We were in a basic chalet and it was bloody awful. Such an old depressing looking site. Crazy golf had peeling paint and looked unloved. Pool was too busy and not that clean. We spent most days out and about instead off site. Re the acommodaion itself, I can do basic no problem but it has to be clean. With that place there was no plug in the bathroom sink, the duvets and pillows smelled like unwashed head and bodies, and the very worst thing of all was the carpets were actually flea-ridden. I couldn't lay DS on his changing mat on the floor to change his nappy because the fleas would just jump on and off him. 😡 We actually managed to catch on in a jar and took it to guest services to complain. They didn't seem surprised and said they'd send someone out. Well 4 hours later they still hadn't come out so we just packed and left (2 days early). Never again.

It was our first holiday with DS and to book somewhere like that with a 6 month old was silly, we could have got a lovely little cottage somewhere, he was too young for any of the haven facilities anyway. But cottage websites were in their infancy so I didn't even look and just assumed that Haven would be the cheapest type of place to stay.

Does it have to be a chain park type holiday? There are some lovely independent static sites without all the entertainment that pushes the price up and means less is spent on the quality of the accommodation. The food you'll get locally will be far better than the burger, chips and rubbish pizza you find in big parks; nice pub in walking distance and you're sorted.

I just needs a nice pool and slash area

😂hopefully the toilets will be adequate for you!

Our kids loved them, loads for them to do, sort of things that meant we just had to be vaguely around, I always took a couple of books and my embroidery. The evening entertainment made us shudder a bit but again the kids loved it and it improved no end with a glass of wine. Do they still do the fancy dress competition one evening? Try to find out so that you go prepared. We always took a cooked chicken and a huge home made fruit cake which became a sort of tradition, mum's making a fruit cake so it must be time for a holiday. I also saved loose change all year for the arcades on the pier. Happy days