I recently stayed at Butlin’s Bognor Regis during a term-time “Tots Week.” We deliberately chose the week after half term to save money, expecting slightly reduced prices but still a good standard of experience. Unfortunately, while the cost was lower, the entire experience—including the facilities, staff, and overall environment—was extremely disappointing.
The accommodation was run-down, of poor quality, and clearly not well maintained. This extended beyond the interiors to the wider grounds, which were equally neglected. Overgrown hedges, bushes, and weeds were present throughout the site, with large thorns protruding in areas near the children’s playground. My daughter unfortunately cut her arm on one of these, which is completely unacceptable.
Butlin’s promotes an “all-day fun” experience included in the price; however, this simply was not the case. Around half of the fairground rides were closed throughout the week, and the swimming pool experienced constant issues. Key features such as the wave machine were unreliable, and the helter-skelter slide remained closed due to so-called “operational issues,” which appeared to be a resourcing problem. For younger children under 1.2m, there was effectively only one suitable ride available, with the rest being very basic and uninspiring. There was also a noticeable lack of atmosphere—no music or energy around the rides—which made the experience feel dull and lacklustre.
The standard of staff across the resort was also very poor. Many appeared disengaged, unapproachable, and at times rude. Presentation was often untidy, and the general attitude conveyed a lack of care or pride in their roles. The only exception was Gaz, working the breakfast shift at The Deck restaurant, who was friendly, engaging, and a credit to your team.
The dining experience was particularly disappointing and I strongly advise others against purchasing the DineAround package. The restaurants were in an unacceptable condition—externally they appeared neglected, with peeling paint, poor signage, and uninviting, dark windows. Internally, standards were no better, with poor hygiene, visible food debris, stained carpets, uncleared tables, and an overall sense of neglect. The toilets across the resort were in an especially poor condition and fell well below acceptable standards. For clarity, as a returning guest from four years ago, I was disappointed to find that the same issue with the non-functioning taps in the Skyline toilets still persists. A cleaner even mentioned that they had not been repaired or replaced for “some time,” to which I could only respond in disbelief that this remains unresolved four years later.
Overall, the resort fell significantly short of expectations in every aspect. I am extremely disappointed with the experience and concerned that families paying peak prices during school holidays could be exposed to the same standards.
I would welcome feedback from other visitors who have experienced similar issues at Bognor Regis, as well as any advice on who best to contact regarding my complaint and what outcomes others have achieved in comparable situations.