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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Anyone been to Center Parcs in Holland?

23 replies

triplets · 13/05/2007 10:59

Hi,
Finding the website difficult. Has anyone been, are they as good as the excellent UK ones? We are interested in the Port Zeeland one near to some old friends we would like to look up. They don`t do a brochure in English. Has nyone booked one, any tips for discount etc? Thanks!

OP posts:
fibernie · 13/05/2007 17:10

Not center parcs, but we went to a Landal park, which are very similar. Their website is available in English...
We went to one on the Veluwe, which was ok, but I wouldn't recommend it - service poor, provision for babies (cot highchair etc) inadequate. However, Dutch family say good things about the parks.

christywhisty · 13/05/2007 21:45

We have been to various dutch and belgium centerparcs for the last 5 years

The parcs we have been to are
Het Meerdal (twice)
De Huttenheugte
Het Heidjerbois
Erperheide

I have never been to the Uk ones but having spoken to people who have been to both, most wouldn't go back to the Uk ones after europe, becasue the uk ones are such a rip off! We usually pay less in euros than the uk ones are in pounds.

Cannot criticize the accommodation at all, we have had both comfort (basic) and deluxe.

I usually book over the telephone because in the past you couldn't book 10 days on the internet, but that has changed now.
The parcs are very child friendly and every cottage has a high chair, travel cot potty etc but there are also children's cottages where the childs room is decorated etc

It is worth booking meals in advance as they do a special where you are given a voucher for different restaurants each night, it works out very reasonable and children often eat for free, although you can book this when you get there.

The activities can be booked up quite quickly so its best to book an activity pass in high season so you book up before you go.

Furball · 13/05/2007 21:52

please say nice things, we've booked de emhoff for late august.

Original poster
triplets · 13/05/2007 22:02

Thanks, that sounds very good, we would like to go to one near Vlissingen/Middelburgh, I am just trying to find a map, looks as though the Port Zeland is the nearest. Yes, they do seem alot cheaper.

OP posts:
Original poster
triplets · 13/05/2007 22:03

Is there alot of diff between the standard and deluxe or vip type villas?

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olliepolly · 13/05/2007 22:09

We went to de kempervennen at easter and had a fab time.
Will be going back.
I found the web site a bit frustrating but did book this way.
If you have kids remember to tick the family discount option as this gives 15% off. They also have even bigger discounts if you book 9 months ahead.
I could never get the website to let me log into my booking after it was made but the paperwork arrived smooothly.
Important to book all activities ahead as we learnt to our cost if you arrive and havent there is very little left and none of the popular things ,did not affect our enjoyment but we know for next time.
De kempervennen is in a lovely area and not difficult to drive to from amsterdam only 1 1/2 hours.I think the one near amsterdam ,sorry dont know the name, has a lesser star rating, so perhaps facilities not quite so good.
I have just remembered that I also phoned the european booking number with a query ,was answered initially in dutch but as soon as I spoke english the rest of the conversation was carried out in perfect english.

olliepolly · 13/05/2007 22:11

We had a deluxe villa do not think the difference is massive but with deluxe beds are made and linen and towels provided.

christywhisty · 13/05/2007 22:25

With the deluxe you get a dishwasher,extra tv in the bed room and a cd player and in one case we had a huge apartment with better quality furniture.
Also as said before you get the bedlinen etc.

Original poster
triplets · 13/05/2007 22:32

Hi,
Cant work out how to put in the discount, we can eith er get the kids disc or 9sadly) the over 55s, where do you do that?

OP posts:
Original poster
triplets · 13/05/2007 22:39

Just tried again and when you get to stage 3 it says no special offers available, why?

OP posts:
Furball · 14/05/2007 06:57

Went and had a shuft for you and if you look under 'first minute deals' on the home page. The discounts are listed except by the one 'Young Families Discount, Kids' So they must have stopped that particular offer.

scienceteacher · 14/05/2007 07:11

We went to Kempervennen last year and loved it.

If you put your residence as USA into their website, it will appear in English.

Furball · 14/05/2007 07:30

what wrong saying in you are from Great Britian?

Blandmum · 14/05/2007 07:34

Also look into going to Duinrell. Not quite the same as Centreparcs, as it has a theme park, rather than the sports type stuff. But it has a wonderful water parc.

If you book via Canvas or Keycamp, eurocamp etc you get all day free in the theme park and 2 hours in the water park. You can hire bike and there are some sports facilities.

It is a fantastic place to go on hoilday. My kids love it.

If you don't want to stay in a caravan.....but these are very plush, you can book Duingalows.

scienceteacher · 14/05/2007 07:37

If you say you are from Britain, it sends you to the UK website, IIRC.

Furball · 14/05/2007 07:39

not for me it doesn't

first you have to click on the right hand side of the pagemthat you are from 'somewhere else' then it takes you to another page where you use a drop down button with all the countries in.

LittleMouseWithCLogsOn · 14/05/2007 07:39

cos you is a furry nutter

Furball · 14/05/2007 07:40

Well that and I read the on screen instructions

But it is centerparcs.com not co.uk

Original poster
triplets · 14/05/2007 09:02

Oh dear what have I started!

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Furball · 14/05/2007 09:18

Don't worry triplets, Cod was only jesting! and to be fair, I am abit of a furry nutter

christywhisty · 14/05/2007 12:44

I also second Duinrell
Went there last year, did a week at Erpeheid then drove up to Duinrell for the week. We booked directly. Accomodation not up to centerparcs but still great value for money, and the theme park is lovely

purpleduck · 14/05/2007 13:23

went to Kempervennen twice and going again (considering getting a job as a goodwill ambassador for the state of centreparcs) Love it. There is an indoor ski slope and ski lessons are cheap cheap cheap. In the summer no one is on it, so my son basically had 1:1 tuition. Very good! Can't wait to go again

Sherbert37 · 14/05/2007 13:30

Please keep an eye on your credit card after you book. They have had a problem with the system in the last couple of weeks and took my deposit off 3 times. I hope it is sorted now but I didn't get every penny back as the exchange rate had changed and I had to make three calls to Rotterdam. If I hadn't phoned they would not have noticed as it didn't show up against my booking, only on their separate credit card records. We have been before and loved it. Going to the one on the coast near Amsterdam in October.

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