calling any Centreparcs devotees....

[mckenzie]

Dh and i would like to go to Centreparcs with our 4 year old DS and our 7 month old DD. And possibly my DM, her husband and DS, her husband and 2 boys age 6 and 8.

We would go to the Thetford one as it's our nearest and easiest to get to.

I'd really love some sound advice from frequesnt visitors about the best accomodation to choose, what to pre-book, what dates might be best etc etc. It does have to be a weekend as DS is at school now but he does half days on friday so we can go early afternoon.

Any tips very gratefully received.

TIA

bump

we've only been once - to Longleat last November, week before DD's first birthday. we went with family, including nieces aged 10 and 8, and nephews aged 7 and 5, and grandparents. we had a fantastic time, we didn't have a luxury villa, think it was a Comfort or Comfort plus, but it was really good. we went swimming everyday, there were loads of kids clubs etc, free, although you did have to pay for other activities like rowing, abseiling, crazy golf etc which were a bit pricey. we also found the restaurants were on the expensive side so only ate out once, but the kitchen in the chalet was very good, and there was a supermarket on site which sold lots of baby foods, nappies etc, a really good selection. the best bits were that we walked everywhere, no cars around except the Land Train, and we saw squirrels and rabbits, and a baby deer even walked up our path! the chalet was lovely and warm with all mod cons, and we couldn't have asked for more really.

tips - take food with you if you have room, then you only need to get a few bits from their supermarket. take more than one swimming costume each for the kids if they ahve them, as they'll want to be in the water all the time! the toddler pools are very safe and good fun, the water is really really warm, even in the outdoor pools - and don't get me started on the hot tub!! it's good to go with others, then you can share the childcare and everyone should get the chance of half an hour in the hot tub relaxing!

hth!

Hiya been to Eleveden it's nice there as it all close together.
Nice and flat for cycling.
We usually go for the excutive villas, they are well equipped. Pre book what you can as you tend to get first come first served and it's hassle booking things whilst your on holiday and waiting in queues only to be disappointed that all things have gone!

The Aqua Sauna is the only thing along with the country club that is seperate from the rest of the village and if you can get some massage treatments booked up and a three hours sauna session, lovely!
Ths food ain't that brilliant but the Country Club and is better and the Indian is Superb.
You can get take away for that too.
They have a supermarket there, so you can always fend for yourselves or even better take your own food in with you. Cashpoint on the outside of the supermarket.
You can even pre book a supply pack if you wish at a cost. Mobile phones don't work there and they do charge a lot for outgoing calls.
Um the beds aren't that brilliant and the lighting a bit dim in the villas.
Anything else?

Nice holiday and I find it relaxing.

Agree with as lel1972 too.

It all depends how much you want to spend - the comfort lodges are basic but they are fine. We normally stay in those (though have stayed in an executive once). The executive lodges are lovely and have loads of extra stuff (like spa baths etc.) so it depends what you want. If you're not going to be around much in the villa, then it's probably better to save your money and book the cheaper lodge otherwise, go for something a bit more pricey.

Ask for your lodges to be close to the centre (if that's what you like) - book the kids clubs, sauna and treatments as soon as you get your pre-booking pack and anything the older kids want to do. If the boys love football, they do a great football school thing.

If you want to hire bikes (esp. if you want a baby seat/trailer!), go get them as soon as you arrive.

Agree with foxinsocks - comfort villas are basic but fine (haven't tried executive).

we've just got back from oasis whinfell and stayed in a 2 bed comfort lodge, right by the lake..it was better(although a little smaller)than the excecutive lodge we stayed in alst year..very clean and nicely decorated.
if there are a lot going id say the bigger the better, to give you all a bit of breathing space and with that many id go for at least a comfort plus as they have more included such as towels, washer/dryer, dishwasher, en suites and shower cubicles.
tip- when you book, as youve got a little one under 5 you'll get a discount, and id also request to be located in one of the newly modernised ones as they are doing them up all the time, i would also have a look at them map on website and request your location(this will cost less than 20 quid but well worth it to be close to resort)..HTH..have a lovely time

Can't add to the advice here - except to say that center parcs always seems to be full. We've never been in school hols, only in term time and car park is always wedged. Don't mean that to put you off - there will be very busy bits, but then you'll look around and wonder where everyone is.

Have a great time (we're going in November with my family, can't wait)

Went to Longleat in May. It seemed full when we arrived and when we left - apart from those 'changeover' days (we did a mid-week break) it was fine and the area felt very spacious (even got lost a few times).

I had a bit of a beef with CP because we paid for a top of the pile detached lodge with a hot tub, steam room, sauna only to arrive to find that they were constructing seven or eight more detached villas near us. They claimed to have informed us of this beforehand, but hadn't. When you are paying for their top of the range accommodation, you don't need to hear hammering and sawing from 7am to 7-8pm! Grrr

I wouldn't race back, but we actually had quite a nice break. We used the creche and the babysitting service (book in advance!) and got some good time to ourselves.