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Original poster

Please reassure me about Centre Parks

12 replies

ladybouf · 06/06/2008 22:36

This is proof to the fact that googling is no good! I have booked a 3 bed Executive Villa at Elveden CP in July and stupidly then went reading reviews - there seem so many that say the Executive Villas are tatty and dirty, are they really?? I am now wondering whether I should have paid £300 more for the Exclusive Lodge but really would rather spend it on activities/eating etc. Can anyone put my mind at rest?!

OP posts:
Quattrocento · 06/06/2008 22:39

don't worry it'll be fine - we stayed in an executive villa i think - was dreading whole experience - thought it would be like butlins - but it was really nice cycling everywhere - tbh the house was a bit battered but not dirty or anything

Twink · 06/06/2008 22:46

Have never splashed out for exec, 2 weeks ago had to wash glasses before we used them (1st time ever) but that was the only winge I've had in 5 visits (my standards are low though )

Spend your money on having fun, then you'll hardly be in the villa anyway. Enjoy.

DontCallMeBaby · 06/06/2008 22:48

I've not been to Elveden, but have been to Longleat and Whinfell, both of which have some dreadful reviews online, none of which were borne out by my experience. In fact, I read one review which said 'If your first visit to CenterParcs was to Longleat in September 2006 you'd never go back again - I read that shortly after returning from my September 2006 holiday in Longleat, and even more shortly after booking my next CenterParcs holiday! It was like reading about a completely different place.

After the two holidays, and reading some reviews, I'm convinced each park has a rogue cleaning team who don't actually do their job, while all the other teams do ...

Original poster
ladybouf · 06/06/2008 22:53

Thanks for your replies - I love the thought of the rogue cleaning team, that really made me laugh! Oh dear, if only I weren't a born worrier...!

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Pinkchampagne · 06/06/2008 22:56

Can't remember the name of the villa we stayed in, but it was very basic. We weren't provided with towels, an iron, extra pillows (only one each), and not even any bloody toilet roll!!

WendyWeber · 06/06/2008 23:08

Did you just let it go, Pc, or did you go to reception and thump the desk and demand towels, an iron, loo rolls and extra pillows?

(I mean CP is not a cheap weekend, they should provide these things )

I have not been, but from what I've heard CP in Europe has somewhat higher standards (and lower prices, though of course you have to get there first...)

Pinkchampagne · 06/06/2008 23:10

I didn't but was with my parents, and dad went & kicked up a fuss at reception, saying he wanted to be upgraded to a prison cell because at least he would get toilet roll!!
We got toilet roll after that...and a bottle of wine!

Pinkchampagne · 06/06/2008 23:12

I've heard the Eupopean CP is a much higher standard & cheaper too, WW.

emma1977 · 06/06/2008 23:20

You've worried me now. I've also booked an executive villa in Elveden for my mum's 50th birthday weekend in July. I've never been to a Centre Parcs before but my parents seem to really like them.

Original poster
ladybouf · 06/06/2008 23:45

See there, I told you googling's a bad thing: can - worms - open. Sorry emma!

OP posts:
AbbeyA · 07/06/2008 00:02

We stayed at Whinfell and it was fine, I didn't see anything tatty or dirty. Some people just like to complain-I have read reviews of places that we have stayed at and they can be very unfair.

Marina · 07/06/2008 00:02

Have just got back from Elveden!
We had a less than delightful experience years ago when ds was a baby, at Whinfell, before it became a CP, and we were a bit apprehensive.
So we were in steerage, in a Comfort Lodge like PC but although as quattro says, it was a bit battered, our villa was perfectly clean and very comfortable - beds and linen especially. It was basic in terms of facilities, but we were hardly in it either, despite pervasive rain for three days out of five. We had everything we needed, although could have done with more pillowcases.
We were so impressed with CP in general if Elveden is anything to go by. You can see where the money is spent in terms of site maintenance - roads and paths constantly being repaired, zero litter or damage to fencing, facilities etc. Every single staff member we spoke to was genuinely friendly and pleasant, some of them were really lovely (a woman from the toyshop who remembered dd from a brief conversation about cars the previous day, for example). If you get there and the villa is not up to scratch ladybouf - report the problems. We had an unexpected bedwetting from an exhausted dc and fresh linen was delivered in under an hour.
I do wonder if the high prices at CP encourage people to assume they will get boutique hotel perfection. Initially I was a bit underwhelmed by the external aspect of what looked suspiciously like a shed with ideas, but inside was snug and neat and everything else CP has to offer more than compensated. We had ducks and geese at our windows, baby rabbits on the patio every morning - take a good nature guide for the dcs as the big gripe for us was the lack of a decent selection of good books and maps in the shops.
I hope you have as lovely a time as we did - big hit for the whole family

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