Ok Elevden, i went once before, before it burnt down and since then all the changes they have made have been great.
Pool area
Changing rooms were nice new and clean with plenty of 'family' changing rooms. Lockers are rather small and need a £1 (returnable), we used 2 lockers for the 4 of us, and kept the £2 in the pocket of the rucksack - so we didn't spend it!
The pool itself has a new toddler area which was nice. 2 little pools - about 12" deep - with 2 small slides/flumes, a sandpit, loads of chairs, kids plastic picnic tables, giant connect 4, loads of playpens/travel cots, spearate loos with changing table/toddler loo seats etc.
Main pool area is fun with 2 big flumes, rapids, salt water outdoor pool, waves etc. My only word of warning is the waves are very powerful, even at the edge. The shallow area is roped off too.
Lagoon bar at the pool is the best value place to eat in the whole place! £4 for a grown up hot dog, chips and drink (DH loved these) £2.50 for a kids version. But we used 1 meal between 2 (aged 5 and 3) as they don't have huge appitites. Ice-cream sundaes fab £2.50 for a grown up one which my kids shared, ask for loads of sweets and 2 flakes!!
You can take picnics in with you, but we were lazy
Restaurants and Bars
These are overpriced (IMHO) but do have good facilities. We used Hucks which has a 3 storey play area in the middle. Kids have a buffet (£3.95) which mine shared a plate between them. This wirked well as they didn't have to wait for ages for food and chose hot dogs and chicken nuggets on the same plate! Food is OK, we only tried the family nachos (they were great). One tip on the arrival day, go to the restaurant around 12 and book, they will give you a buzzer which took about 1/2 hr for us. By 12.30 the wait was 1 hr!
We didn't try the other resturants, Sapinaire was fab 2 yrs ago (£28 a head) a real treat. If you eat early between 4 and 6.30 you can get kids eating for £1.
We didn't go into the bars to drink, but the Sports bar looked nice (Ball pool/slides - unsupervised) but pricey. Bowling looked fun, a bit smokey for me, but probably the most action (!) Country club also has play area, but looked a bit dull!
Other facilities,
The shoop is great, a little more expensive than a local supermarket, but loads of choice and so we ate in all the time. Other shops include swimsuit shop - nice, sweet shop - avoided, toy shop - fun and a couple of others that we didn't check out.
Cinema, really fun - we saw finding nemo. Costs £4.50 adult and £3 kid, but you get a free big bag of Haribo sweets too
Kids Clubs are lovely, but do pre-book. We didn't used them as they are pricey for 2 kids £15 per child a session, and you can get daytime babysitters.
Babysitters are great, we had Dodo who is a cancer nurse too. In fact she was brilliant DD2 was knackered and so was able to sleep for a bit when she arrived, and DD1 was sick! Seriously, she had a bit of a tummy bug and we came back to vomit all over the floor and housekeeping on it's way She was so fantastic and helpful and kind. If DD1 had been sick if I was there I would have scrubbed at the floors etc, instead she got housekeeping to come and do it
Playgrounds
There is a fab huge playground near the centre with areas for under 3's and over 3's. It is great with lots of stuff - never enough swings!! Also for older kids there is an area but we didn't use it, I have been told it is great though.
Spa
This is a must if you can, you do need more than 3 hrs and they don't throw you out. It is pricey £25 for a 3 hr session (but just stay in) but so lovely I thought it worth it. Again pre-book if you want to et Spa and childcare at teh same time.
Is that enough!!!!!