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Original poster

What will happen if I book a lodge that is 'too small' for number of people at centreparcs...?

22 replies

shouldibeaband7 · 11/11/2011 19:55

Myself Dp and our two DC are planning on a trip to Cp next year. My Dsis and her son are hoping to come too. If I go on the website and put us all in then it comes up that we need 3 bedrooms but I know for a fact ew will only use two1! Dsis and her Ds will share, our baby will still be in his cot (travel cot) and DS mostly still sleeps in with us for most of the night (and defffo wont sleep alone in a strange room etc).

I just begrudge paying for a room that wont be used at all as we have done in the past, what a waste!

Doesa anyone know will they check that closely how may people are in the car etc when we arrive etc?

Thanks

OP posts:
belledechocchipcookie · 11/11/2011 20:01

There's a thread on here about a woman who invited her MIL to join them, the MIL then invited another couple. Apparently they do check how many people are in a cabin, you're better off asking them. It's also a fire risk as they won't know who is in your cabin and who isn't.

Original poster
shouldibeaband7 · 11/11/2011 20:05

Thanks for the reply. We did ask them last time for the same reason (its just that we dont' want to pay for a room we wont even go into) but they said they can't deviate from the 'formula'. Am not sure the fire risk aspect really matters as they wouldn't have real time knowledge of who is and isn't in any cabin as far as I can make out.

OP posts:
Ponders · 11/11/2011 20:07

The fire risk thing isn't just academic - if there were a fire, & you were over-occupied, you wouldn't be insured

How old are the children?

UniS · 11/11/2011 20:08

Do they have two bed lodges with a larger "family" room.

Ponders · 11/11/2011 20:11

Also

this is from National Trust but I would guess CP are the same

'As such any over-occupancy is considered to be a serious infringement of the Terms and Conditions and can result in an immediate requirement to vacate the premises, with no refund of monies due'

Original poster
shouldibeaband7 · 11/11/2011 20:17

Ponders I wont be taking out travel insurance (never do for UK breaks) so again I don't think that applies.

The third bedroom last time was a tiny room with bunk beds so would have been useless for our children (age 1 and 4).

Went to a holiday inn a few months back and they were more than happy fo us to have a 'family room' which was abiscally a normal room with a small pull out sofa (DS took on elook at it and that was the extent of his interest!) and we took our own cot!!!

If only CP would be a bit more fleible and let you book the rooms you want but maybe an additional amount for kids sharing your room

OP posts:
Ponders · 11/11/2011 20:18

it's not your travel insurance, it's their public liability insurance

Ponders · 11/11/2011 20:21

& technically they could look at your party arriving, see 3 adults, 2 over-2s & a baby, check your booked accommodation, & refuse to admit you.

you can risk it, but you could lose all your money

MOSagain · 11/11/2011 20:23

Agree with Ponders ref insurance. Also, I'm sure that when you first arrive you all get ID cards which you will have to show to get into certain facilities. You will only get the amount of cards for the number of people you have booked for which may then cause problems.

Georgimama · 11/11/2011 20:24

Why not just ring their customer services and ask?

Georgimama · 11/11/2011 20:26

I've been to two different CP resorts and not been issued with ID cards.

Original poster
shouldibeaband7 · 11/11/2011 20:26

Mosagin I don't think I have ever been given a card or anything at Cp. You get a card to show on your car but nothing else as i recall even the pool etc is essentially walk in walk out no one checks.

OP posts:
trixymalixy · 11/11/2011 20:26

It's definitely to do with their insurance. It's the same with hotel rooms.

strawberrie · 11/11/2011 20:27

We've been to whinfell three times, each time with our 'party' arriving in 2 separate cars and they have always had a cursory check of the occupants in the car. I wouldn't risk it personally.

Original poster
shouldibeaband7 · 11/11/2011 20:29

Hi Georgi yes i did this last time but they can't deviate from the 'formula' so to speak.

Just really wondering if any other MNetters have done this.

OP posts:
Original poster
shouldibeaband7 · 11/11/2011 20:31

Also I completely understand that they dont want parties of 8 crammed into a one bed apartment but surely parents should have the choice of having their young kids in with them if they choose Smile

OP posts:
Georgimama · 11/11/2011 20:32

Which CP are you thinking of going to? Don't some have sofa beds in the lounge, so you could have a two bed - CP would think someone is sleeping on the sofabed by their bed count of what they think you need, and you can all actually sleep where you want.

Georgimama · 11/11/2011 20:33

And if it helps, I have often seen 3 beds for the same price as 2 on the CP website, so it doesn't necessarily follow that you will spend more.

Original poster
shouldibeaband7 · 11/11/2011 20:34

Georgi I'm not sure about that but its definately worth me asking, thanks.

OP posts:
Georgimama · 11/11/2011 20:36

We're planning on going to Whinfell for a weekend in Jan, haven't booked yet, just done a search and 3 beds are only £30 more than 2 beds.

dreamingofsun · 12/11/2011 12:02

they have always looked to see how many people in our car. its not just insurance though.... part of the charge is towards the facilities such as the swimming pool...so obviously if everyone booked villas with less rooms than people the facilities would be even more overstretched and full. I imagine CP is aware of this and so wants to stop this. otherwise you'd get families like ours with older kids booking less bedrooms than needed and taking pump up beds (as seasoned campers this wouldn't bother us)

fluffy123 · 18/11/2011 14:44

They definitely count people as they arrive in cars. The price difference between 2 and 3 bedroom lodges is real small. I wouldn't risk it.

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