to think that center parcs is over priced and over rated?

[minxofmancunia]

have just returned from a 4 night "break" from whinfell forest and couldn't be more pleased to be home.

It was tacky, tatty and just a bit crap really. Food in restaurants absolutley minging so ended up cooking all the time, hardly a break.

"executive2 lodge grubby, dark and decorated like a travel lodge.

Sports plaza cheap and nasty, very artificial atmosphere. Why do people rave about it?

I've never been anywhere so culturally devoid i my whole life.

This was the one I visited.

Erperheide on Belgium/Holland border.

www.centerparcs.com/EN/CZ/villages/erperheide/parcspecials/baluba#a

Maybe we got them on a bad week, and it's better for older independent kids.

We actually did a 2 week twin centre holiday thing. First week cheapy-cheap Landal holiday park in Holland. Second week - spend a bit more on 'centreparcs quality'.

The Landal - not a big site - but it had the requisite (regular) pool, crazy golf, play ground, mini-market and animals. Nice two storey villa with quirky little mezzanine and gabled windows. Little thoughtful touches in how the kitchen was equipped. Crazy toddler bikes that Ds could mess about on. A good stable bike for my Dd to practice her wobbly cycling on (around and around our detached villa). Gorgeous croissants in the morning. Extra little steps to check in so kids can 'check in' too.

It was charming. The contrast with CP's functionality was stark. Everything that had to be there, technically was. But no real consideration or love had gone into it - so for me it ended up feeling very 'processed'.

For example, once you have a pool - how hard is it to employ one lifeguard to offer 'early bird swim' without the flumes etc for babies and exercisers? The pool was there - but just a little more thought would have allowed people to tailor their break to their own needs.

Why would you build a hut where you have to close the door behind you to reach the baby's cot, and the kitchen bin is in the bathroom ?

Nannynick - I used to work at Butlins. And - after we finished a shift dodging toddlers while carrying trays loaded with six plates of food at once - we'd grumple about the punters who'd paid Butlins money and expected Hilton service. Maybe it's karma.

I'vew been to erperheide and while not the best it is certainly not as you describe it.

There is an 'early bird swim' at Eleveden. It's called little dolphins I believe. Quiet swim at half 9 just for the little ones.

And there is aqua fit in the pool too.

we've been three times and have had a great time. my son even found five pounds in the pool which made his holiday!

I like going to CP, nice pool, massive adventure playgrounds all within walking distance of where you are staying etc etc

however, I think the prices they charge are obscene (nb: we can only going in school holidays as I work in a school) there are never any offers and I simply cannot bring myself to spend that much on a holiday this year (especially when last year we braved Haven for about 1/3 price and dd LOVED it)

So, all in all, like center parcs, have been many times over a 10 year stretch but prices have become riduculous and the last few times we have been we have noticed the clientel becoming chavier and chavier

I'm no yummy mummy at all, but I am polite and dont swear loudly everywhere whilst also wearing a tracksuit

We've been 3 or 4 times and loved every single time we went. The lodge we stayed in was clean and well presented.

We always went at a xmas time when they did the whole park in fantastic xmas garb. It only ever cost us about £200 for about 4 nights which is fantastic value i think.

I'm in the 'unfavourable' camp.

We ended up going twice to longleat in 4 weeks. Once to meet friends and once because MIL decided it would be a good place to have her birthday. It sort of worked for both occasions (although the second time a cottage would have done as no one other than us used the facilities) but thought it over priced and just a bit grim being stuck somewhere.

Having said that, I think it would be somewhere to go which the children would love when older, able to cycle their own bikes, do everything in the pool on their own and do some more activities (dd1 is 5 and loved it to be fair but dd2 is 1 (just) and the pool wasn't much fun for her and although she was happy in a trailer you needed the buggy in the centre so I ended up walking with her). I don't think we'd go back on our own but I guess we probably might to meet friends (but not for a long time).

We went to Elveden Forest just before Christmas for their Winter Wonderland 4 night break and it was amazing, so much so that we have booked it again for this year and friends are coming too.

Our DS is just 3 and we went not expecting much. (We absolutely detest holiday park type places). We were pleasantly surprised.

Tbh 3 nights would have been ample as things to do with a 3yr old were limited, we were purely saved by all theChristmas stuff that was going on which kept us going. One poster mentioned above that you "get out what you put in" and I would have to agree with this 100%. At the end of the day it's not a 5 star Caribbean getaway.

We were really impressed with how they catered for younger children, buggy bays just inside the restaurants and buffet sections of hot food so you can feed the children instantly rather than have to wait for food to be prepared. (Regular menu available, buffet just there if you had really hungry children who couldn't wait). It was immaculately clean etc etc.

We did book a Woodland Lodge, which we were told before we went where the newest type of accommodation so recommended to us and we have re booked the same. Our DS loved it when the ducks pecked on the patio door each morning for their breakfast!

The only thing that I would say I was disappointed with was the cost of all the extra stuff you could book, which sometimes seemed excessive considering you've already paid to be there, but there is plenty to do which is free if you don't want the additional cost anyway.

bruffin - I wouldn't like to rain on anyone's holiday memories (and it is the company that makes the holiday, of course) - but I am curious - what did you find to like about Erperheide.

I honestly thought it was a complete hole.

I guess the soft play was large and well equipped. However, it lacked imagination/charm - and the coffee shop area was out of sight of the rig, so in order to supervise my DC I had to sit on the floor next to the rig.

I had a few fun swirls around the jungle river - but it wasn't really that special. And like I said, the opening hours meant it was packed or closed.

We go for October half term every year. The kids love it and we both find it incredibly relaxing.

Apart from the swimming, last time they did;
Archery, horse riding, climbing wall, tots fencing, bird of prey experience. Plus we cycle out to the edges of the parc. Oh and lots of walking to all the outdoor play areas which are particularly good at Sherwood. We've been to all four and I disliked Winfell the most. Sherwood is my favourite.

Little kids also love all the indoor play areas and at Sherwood its fab having breakfast at the Forresters Inn then sipping tea and reading the paper whilst your kids are entertained with the rope play area.

Food not great, I agree though the aformentioned Forresters Inn at Sherwood is reasonably nice. Take lots of food and booze oh and SOME SHARP KNIVES.

agree it's overpriced. never been because it's the price that puts us off!YADNBU

Well...I don't think you can say it is over-priced because if it was then nobody would pay it and they'd need to lower the prices. It's a market economy. Nobody is forcing you to go but if you want to that's the cost. Also, a huge number of the families at CP at any one time will be returners so have been and are willing to pay it again.

It's like saying housing is over-priced but if people are prepared to pay it then thats its market value.

wow £200 for 4 nights near xmas was a bargain

4 nights in august £759 cheapest villa. People are willing to pay it yes, which is why they charge it, I however simply cannot bring myself to ... considering how much activities and food cost when you get there, ah well ...

also, wehnwe first started going 10 years ago it was a real treat, now I feel it is overcrowded and just not so special.

hated it!!! just come back from longleat three weeks ago. left a day early as well. didnt like being so controlled, our lodge was the furthest from the pool so getting there was a military plan with a 3 mth old and 14 mth old, double buggy and bags. wanted to go to the dolphin session, doors shut at 9am but the land train didnt start till 9.05 am. even trying to leave early we rang the info line and they said we ciuld have the car for an hour at the lodge. i know its meant to be car friendly and none on site but the lodge oppostite us had their 2 cars parked outside the whole time. food was v expensive and we missed out on all the sessions our boys could have gone to. luckily my mum lives 20 mins away so we went there for 2 days. wont be going back. i know we chose lodge etc but too much work with babies the age we have.

Longleat is supposed to be the worst for getting around the park. It's very hilly I've heard. Last time we went to Elveden, I was 37 weeks pregnant and we had no issues getting around even with a 2 and a half year old.

Mrspooh, I went when mine were a similar age to yours and we loved it. But then we paid to be as close to the village as possible. No way could I have coped with being that far out. When we weren't in the pool or at the soft play area we just pushed the buggy round the outskirts. Oh and as the weather was good we also used the beach.

Kif
We just had a nice relaxing holiday, my mum came with us and I just spoke to her and she had a lovely time as well. We had chickens running round the back of our cottage which we sort of adopted.
The kids loved the baluba and have been going to other CP europe before since they were 3 and 5 and love Pepe TV even though they can't understand dutch. They really enjoy the kids club. I think they were 8 and 10 for that holiday.

We did scuba diving and DS did the high wire thng and the zip wire and we also played crazy golf.

My mum and I went for walks around the water, which in no way could be described as charmless.

We booked a food package before hand , we ate in different restaurants each night and we just had to book the times when we got there.

It is not my favorite european park but I think we paid less than 1000 euro for 5 of us including scuba diving lessons for 4 and food for 5 for 5 days in august. We drove onto duinrell after that for a week.

Erperheide is not my favorite CP but for the money it's very good value.
We have met so many english people over there who go back time and time again.

It's a holiday that suits us as a family as DH doesn't have to drive once we get there if he doesn't want to and we can just relax and chill out!

I remember once when we arrived and found that we had paid for food for the children in advance and it turned out that the food was free. They gave us vouchers to use in the park as a refund and I started tearing them down the perforated edge. The receptionist turned round and said "that's my job you are on holiday which sums up the service we get, nothing is too much trouble.

Ach, well, I'll feel softer towards them if they gave someone a nice holiday .

Oh Minx thanks for that - going to check it out.

I prefer to go abroad and have done pitifully little since being with my dh (who's italian so we have to go there ALL THE TIME) now only Italy since having ds! However little ones just want fun - fun in france sounds fab - something to save up for!!!!

Well i'm excited about the weekend break that i've just booked with friends for next feb. not been since i was a teenager but really looking forward to it.

OK, so we're going to the one at Sherwood - what's good and bad a about it?

This time (the last time I think) we're taking ALL food and entertainment - we're taking our kid's bike and scooter and we're hopefully going to just chill?

I think their food sucks and it way way overpriced.

I love CP. But we only go when there is a good deal on. It would be overpriced otherwise.

I like self catering. I am fussy about food.

Bastard fire alarm is pissing me off! Of the 4 nights here tonight was our night in cooking and as soon as I turned the oven on the thing started going off and didn't stop for an hour! I even took the friggin battery out and it still continued!!!

WTF?!

Lol £260 for a week...price gone up tenfold it would seem!