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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

OMG I have just booked a Park Resorts break!

34 replies

ibetitsonlyme · 14/02/2010 13:01

Hormones taken over at 40 weeks pregnant.

Thought I would use our Tesco vouchers to book a break on the Isle of Wight. Looked at the Lower Hyde Park Resort Gold Caraven, 4 nights, Ferry etc £33 left to pay. Seems fab deal with a toddler and a new born. Once we are out for the day, we are out, only really going to use the resort to sleep etc.

OMG the reviews I have read! TERRIBLE!!!

AIBU, someone please tell me its not that bad!!

OP posts:
thedollshouse · 14/02/2010 13:06

I tend to take reviews with a pinch of salt. Some people are only happy when they are moaning. I have never had a bad holiday as I have the attitude that I will enjoy my holiday come what may.

As you said you are only using the resort as a base anyway. When you get there if the caravan is unclean or not adequately supplied complain straight away and get them to clean it or move you.

Isle of Wight looks like a fantastic destination for children, loads to see and do.

Out of interest what was the problem with the reviews?

southeastastra · 14/02/2010 13:07

i've been we had a really fab caravan, didn't use the tiny pool or entertainments as there is so much to do on the isle of wight

2boys2 · 14/02/2010 13:07

i have been to park resorts and stayed in a gold caravan (admitidly not that particular site), and it was fine. Basic but clean. when we went to the isle of whight we only used the site for accommodation so it met our needs. I always err on the side of caution and take detox spray etc and also when i had a crawling baby i took a couple of old sheets to put on the carpet in case if it was really manky - i have never had to use the sheets yet

Notalone · 14/02/2010 13:11

Hey. Have not been myself but if you look on this site some of the reviews are ok...

www.holidaywatchdog.com/34333-Isle_Of_Wight-Lower_Hyde_Holiday_Park-Holiday-Review-Full.html#revtext _134716

I think you will be ok as it seems from most of the reviews that if you do encounter any problems the staff will sort them for you pretty quick. And also remember that most people tend to write reviews for places that are bad and don't often bother if its good.

If you want to see really bad reviews look at Havens Craig Tara lol

Hope you have a good time

Original poster
ibetitsonlyme · 14/02/2010 13:16

Thank-you lovely ladies. Yes LOADS to do of the Isle so really just want it as a base. Poor DH reminded me today that the days of All Inclusive Mexican 5* Luxury have gone out the window now we have babies!

Main worry is about the cleaning of the caravan.....seems to be the biggest complaint and also the germs in the pool Think we will stay away from the pool with the little ones.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 14/02/2010 13:17

our caravan was pristine and it was a bronze. booked through hoseasons though if that makes a difference. it was really huge and had a nice veranda

hippipotamiHasLost79lbs · 14/02/2010 13:19

Don't panic. We did a Park Resorts Isle of Wight break two years ago. We went to Thorness Bay.
Like you, we used the resort for cheap accomodation only.
Used the pool once (perfectly fine) and the on-site restaurant once (very basic but fine)

Our accomodation was spotlessly clean and perfectly acceptable. And we really only slept there because there is so much to do on the island.

Don't worry and have a great time!

FoxForceFive · 14/02/2010 13:27

We've been to one of their sites on IoW several times, and it's fine. Gold vans tend to be privately owned and of a very good standard. I always take Milton and dump all the kitchen stuff in it, and spray evrywhere just to be on the safe side, but never had a problem.

And the DC adore the Sparky Krew.

MrsC2010 · 14/02/2010 13:29

The Island is a lovely place to holiday, I lived there for years and love it. I have never heard anything bad about the holiday parks there, they are what they are. Enjoy!

Original poster
ibetitsonlyme · 14/02/2010 13:36

Relief! Thanks again. Cleaning stuff will be in the boot of the car. Island sounds great, have really good memories of Blank Gang Chine. etc.

Read about Robin Hill Adventure Park and the Zoo, Godshill Model Village??? Any thoughts??
DS will be 2 1/2 years and newborn will be 10 weeks.....if it ever shows up!

OP posts:
Kbear · 14/02/2010 13:40

We went to one at Hastings last summer - booked last minute for 5 nights away. It was about £200, was a top of the range caravan, was immaculate, site was really nice and the kids had a great time in the pool which was also immaculately clean.

Stop panicking this instant!

cluckyduck · 14/02/2010 13:48

I've been!

Its absolutely fun, the caravan we had was a good size, with telly, shower etc.

The resort isnt brilliant, but as previous posters have said there is SO much to do on the IoW you dont need to hang around the resort really.

Habe you been before? I love the IoW for cheap family breaks.

cluckyduck · 14/02/2010 13:49

Tsk, "fine", not "fun"!

2boys2 · 14/02/2010 13:59

robin hill is fab. Avoid Allen bay. We went when our eldest was 2yrs. I got on a chair lift with him and tied his reins around the back of the seat. Lucky i did because as it started its decent down to the beach ds1 panicked BIG time and was trying to get off!! If i hadn't of tied him on i think he would of fell. We reached Allen bay to be told that we couldn't go onto the beach any more to see the different coloured sands - complete waste of time!!

Original poster
ibetitsonlyme · 14/02/2010 15:46

OMG 2boys2 that would be our DS! Poor you I can totally picture that!

OP posts:
mumandlovingit · 14/02/2010 16:52

i havent been to that particular site but have been to park resorts.any problems weve had they sorted quickly.the kids love the sparky crew and are thoroughly entertained every night.the adult entertainment was good.pool basic and site basic but you get what you pay for.

we are going again when im 32 weeks pregnant in april as a last holidy with the kids weve got and i know we will have a great time.we are staying in gold this time but stayed in silver last time and the carpets were fine.if they arent, complain when you first get there, they can move you to another then.dont accept that they'll clean the carpet then and there for you unless youre happy to wait hours for the carpet to dry and little one wont be able to crawl on it when its wet.the machines can only take so much of the water out of the carpet.

ignore the revies, i worried when i went to mablethorpe haven because of the reviews but it was absolutely fine.for every bad review thers loads of good reviews that people havent bothered to write

have a good time

2boys2 · 14/02/2010 18:12

ibetitsonlyme - it was very scary!! Was just on your other thread - have you got tomorrow sorted?

jellybeans · 14/02/2010 18:22

Hi we have never been there but have been to many caravan parks like this (Haven, parkdean etc etc) and even the ones that had dire reviews were fine. One was abit erm 'lively' but we still had a great time and only went to one or two shows (the circus/pantos/party dances are great for kids but alot of the rest is cheesey) we tend to use the park as a base and explore the local area. I always clean the caravan on arrival but I never expect it to look that great as so many other people have been in it. i have complained about standards and they were sorted out pretty quick in every case. Go open minded and knowing that you can just use the place as a base if need be and I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised!

feedthegoat · 14/02/2010 18:26

I haven't been to the site you have booked but we went to their Bideford Bay park in Devon last year (we also paid with our tesco vouchers).

We have done exactly the same thing this year, as we had such a good time and probably couldn't fund a holiday any other way this year.

The mixed reviews worried me but the caravan was clean and had all we needed. The site was good and ds loved the entertainment, not exectly my cup of tea but surely that sort of thing is for the children.

I think if you go expecting 5 star luxery you are bound to be disappointed but take it for what it is and I'm sure you'll have a lovely holiday. Ds says he only ever wants to holiday in caravans from now on!

CheekyGirl · 14/02/2010 22:03

We've booked to go there for the Easter hols! Fingers crossed...............

Dysgu · 14/02/2010 22:30

We went there for a long weekend when I was 30 weeks pg - DD was just 2 at the time and she had a fabulous time! We live on the north end of the island and were having work done on the house so this was an easy escape! We did use a pool a couple of times - had it pretty much to ourselves as it was near the end of the season and it was fine.

There is so much to do on IoW that we went to the places we talked of going - DD loved watching them make rock in the shop in Shanklin, was VERY excited about going on the road train, and the weather was still good so the beaches are great down that way - shanklin is much better than sandown - unless you want loud and crowded in which case head to sandown. You can also go in the old train - either the old tube ones that run from ryde to shanklin or else splash out and head for the steam train in Havenstreet - DD1 loves both. DD2 (now 13mo) loves anything!

Just plan to brush and clean the caravan - although ours was fine and much cleaner than eurocamp one in France one year - and you will have a great time: Blackgang Chine, Robin Hill, Fakenham Farm in St Helen's - much smaller than Coleman's but just as much for tiny toddlers; Also Seaview Wildlife park is fun, great park with loads of grass and small play area at the top end of shanklin - go through the old village and up the hill; if you need a break there is a cafe/restaurant in Cowes where they have a free indoor play area for kids whilst you can drink proper coffee and/or eat proper food - so much better than JR's Place and Space Island - whihc are both ok if that is what you are after but The Schoolhouse in Cowes is great for little ones as there is not enough there for anyone over the age of about 4 or 5.

Will be great!

Goodadvice1980 · 16/02/2010 08:18

Hope you have a fab holiday

Just remember to remind then if you want non-smoking accommodation. There cannot "guarantee" it (as I was told the other year), but you don't want to end up staying in a glorified ashtray!

Please post a review here when you've had your holiday!

Goodadvice1980 · 16/02/2010 08:18

Whoops, "they".

bintofbohemia · 16/02/2010 08:28

Ha - glad to see this as I was looking at the rewards brochure the other night and wondering if it was any cop. When are you going - you'll have to let us know what you think!

Morloth · 16/02/2010 10:16

Reviews can be tricky. Some people are just miseries who are never happy. When we were researching our Disney trip there were scathing reviews of the hotel we stayed at (which of course I only read afterwards), I have never been anywhere better!

How far ahead do you/can you book the ferry? We are doing Isle of Wight in mid-April.