AIBU to ask for a refund on a seaview caravan upgrade?

[Notwantanyonetiknowitsme2026]

Generally feel like I have a point but dh thinks not.

We are currently at haven seton sands for a 3 night break which cost us just under 800 pound ( that includes 25 so we can choose our check in time)

We booked a seaview gold caravan but feel like it's definitely not worth the extra pounds especially when other caravans have s better view. If we booked just a gold caravan ot would have been cheaper.

Aibu to Ask for a refund between a seaview gold and a gold caravan?

Because the OP has paid extra for the view...

They need to cut the bushes down then you could see more of the sea!
at least you’re not looking out over anyone else, so technically you have got a better view which is what you’ve paid for!

In the photo you posted of what you were hoping for, you were stood on the balcony with the camera up high, resulting in a lovely view. In the one you’re complaining about, it looks like you have purposely taken the worst photo possible. Low down, through a closed door. Why don’t you stand on the balcony and get a photo from head height. This I feel would show the sea a lot clearer.

🤣🤣 brilliant

Unfortunately you are front row and you can just see the sea.

I get it though I book front row seats view and I make sure I pick which caravan and sites where the sea isn’t actually miles from front row. On some sites you can be basically in the sea and 20 caravans down get a view like yours.

Google earth and the site map tell me you were never going to be close to the sea as there is a road and land in front of the caravans. Just as close as site can get you.

It is front row from your image (there are no caravans in front) and there is the sea.
Maybe not the view you were expecting but I think it does tick those boxes.
I would query it but I don't think they will do much.
Are there other vans on site that have a better front row sea view? If so maybe explain that was what you expected (but you will probably discover they are in a different category and more expensive again!).

Go to reception with the proof photo ready on your phone, say you want to be moved or refunded the difference. Their publicity is misleading & fraudulent ( use lots if big words including ombudsman.
You may get lucky

You can definitely see the sea tho... Just be a hedge in the way!

This. Otherwise yes ask for a refund for the difference. That should be Telephone flagpole view. If you're paying extra they need to provide a nice view.

If they don't give the refund then mention it on Google review.

Nothing wrong with trying. Too many people don’t complain.

Absolutely mental. I understand there’s a lot more involved re travel, but you can get a villa in Thailand with your own swimming pool for 10 days for the same price as 3 days in this grotty UK caravan 😭

'Holiday Park' stays used to be very good value for money, but not any more, IME.

It's the type of holiday I generally choose because it's so convenient with my dog. A friend came with us on the last one (so 2 adults, 1 dog) and we thought we'd got a bargain - 3 nights for just under £500 (this included 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms). No sea view, as we were in the middle of Kent, but that was fine.

The reality was that the place had not been adequately cleaned; the carpet was stained throughout; the mattresses were full of lumps; one bed was broken; the ensuite would have been impossible for anyone larger than a size 14 to even enter. I complained (without asking for any money) and they didn't even bother to respond, so I posted a negative review on TripAdvisor (to which they also haven't responded....).

So yes, OP, definitely complain.

Is anything else included in the £800? I’m just baffled by a caravan costing almost a grand for 3 nights that’s all so unless it’s a package deal then…

Well I think you’ve been totally ripped off but if you don’t then don’t complain I guess 🤷‍♀️

Exactly. It’s over the over side of the road and set back. You’d literally have to go to the entrance of the park to see the sea.

Love the Basil references - it’s what I thought of when I read the thread. What were you hoping to see ‘the hanging gardens of Babylon perhaps’

I do think that’s expensive op. We paid £800 for 7 nights term time in a lovely place in the North West - and I thought that was pretty expensive. No problem with you making the case and asking for a refund of the difference.

What did you expect? A herd of wildebeests?" I loved this scene

I would ask for a partial refund

@NotPrimrose ”so I posted a negative review on TripAdvisor”

Google reviews get a lot more traffic than TA.

Geeezus! £800?!
My friend owns a lovely gold standard caravan on hafan y mor that i rent out for him, with decking (ok no sea view) and that is £975 for a week in the summer hols! Private WiFi, smart tv, PlayStation, etc

We rent to the same private guests every year people keep returning as its so lovely (on the look out for a couple more private guests this year if anyone's after a nice holiday! :) )

We are going to Sea Acres next Easter - fri to mon, its cost us £200 for their top van with sea view......

It went on there as well, as that's the portal the particular holiday company uses. Still no response....

We stopped going to Haven because the prices now are ridiculous, so many much nicer places you can stay in the UK for the same. It used to be good as a cheap getaway (as it’s hardly a luxurious holiday!) but think it’s a rip off now, sea view or not!

Ah I was reading hoping you was going to say it was location on cardigan Bay Area 😅

Thats my go to for front row sea view. Now they are on the sea basically.

Also hopton right on the cliff edge. Quay west again some right on the edge.

Yabu. You paid what they ask for a gold-size caravan from which the sea is visible and you got what you paid for. If you don't like it, don't pay the extra next time and have a gold caravan where the views are just trees/grass/road/other caravans. Gold isn't the top tier of haven caravan so will never have the prime locations. They have "signature" and "signature gold" higher price bands and the seaview properties in those price bands get you a much better sea view. They set their prices at the level that they can be confident that someone will pay it, so if you don't want to pay it that's fine, you aren't the target market.

Scotland has weird bank holiday arrangements - here in Edinburgh this weekend is essentially the early summer bank holiday - schools are off on Monday. Next weekend is not a holiday. Seton sands is v. close to Edinburgh so that’ll be pushing the price up.