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Original poster

Centerparcs Longleat - if you know it, please help!

20 replies

amidaiwish · 14/08/2009 08:57

Am looking at booking a weekend in Longleat but never been to center parcs and so many choices to make!

  • what style accommodation? was thinking the Longleat Forest Woodland 2 Bedroom Lodge looks nice, no idea though.
  • and now they want me to choose the zone / even the apt no... I have no idea.
DDs are 3 and 5, so no buggy but will have scooters. don't want to be too far out but again rather that than on top of everything in the middle.

any other top tips?

TIA

OP posts:
Original poster
amidaiwish · 14/08/2009 09:00

or the executive 2 bedroom villa is just £10 more...

OP posts:
GeneHunt · 14/08/2009 09:09

Get the executive, much more spacious and a bargain at only £10 more.

We try to stay close to the shops and swimming so generally book a lodge with a 300 number from memory. If you look at the pdf map on the booking page you should be able to see which lodges are close. Just don't be tempted to be really close to the pool as it is noisy.

Staying nearish to the pool will mean you are on fairly level ground which is easier for the legs too. Have a lovely time!

Schulte · 14/08/2009 09:10

We had a woodland lodge in the Pine area (top right on the map) - close to the pool etc but still nice and quiet. It was lovely, all newly decorated and quite stylish.

Enjoy your weekend!

MrsBadger · 14/08/2009 09:14

re zone, decide if you would rather be near the centre (pool etc) or the sports plaza as it is a bitch of a journey to keep trekking between the two even on scooters. Once a day is ok.

avoid anything starting with 1, 4, 5, 6 or 7 - we like 8s and 3s

Executives aren;t as modern but have a jacuzzi

Original poster
amidaiwish · 14/08/2009 09:19

i don't believe it, since this morning it has all gone up by £200! what's going on...

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MrsBadger · 14/08/2009 09:34

it's like flights

'dynamic pricing'

when the limited no of cheap deals have sold out the price goes up

skibelle · 14/08/2009 09:35

We found Longleat pretty hilly and prefer Elveden or Sherwood forest. I'm afraid I can't remember which zone we were in but the hills were a pain. I vaguely remember a little train/bus that you catch that did circuits which would help.

Original poster
amidaiwish · 14/08/2009 10:29

thanks skibelle, will look at the others too.

does anyone know if the prices will come down again? am gutted...

OP posts:
Original poster
amidaiwish · 14/08/2009 10:30

thanks all for your really useful comments and advice btw.

OP posts:
Original poster
amidaiwish · 14/01/2010 19:49

nearly 6 months on and i have booked for a weekend at the end of feb half term.

i've taken the advice above, gone for exec villa no.377 in middle area.

any top tips gratefully received. the pre-booking options are v daunting! We'll only be there friday afternoon to sunday night, what should we pre-book?

many thanks in advance

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Original poster
amidaiwish · 16/01/2010 14:32

bump

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Neatnick · 16/01/2010 14:37

If you want to use the spa/treatments or kids' clubs, you should definitely book them in advance. We've been there before and they were all sold out before we arrived.

Depends what sorts of things you want to do?

You can book restaurants when you're there, that's not too much of a problem

Neatnick · 16/01/2010 14:39

Ps. Middle area very good location by the way.

foxinsocks · 16/01/2010 14:42

yes most key thing about longleat is positioning. Being miles away from the pool area is a disaster imo (unless you have an older family and like cycling or trekking back and forth a lot!).

as nick said, prebook the spa if you use it and any kiddly things

Original poster
amidaiwish · 17/01/2010 15:33

thank you. i don't think we'll use the kids club as DD2(4) won't be keen. maybe if we go for longer we'll try it out.

was thinking of the magic show at the pancake house for sat night, a gym session for me/dh at different times, family tennis, roller skating (me and DD1). glad to hear i don't need to pre-book the restaurants!

will have a think about the spa, it looked quite expensive. is it really good? (i belong to a good gym/spa in SW London so not overly bothered about going).

OP posts:
Neatnick · 17/01/2010 17:05

Yes spa is expensive. I like it, it is a good spa - loads of different saunas, steam rooms. But if you have that at home then maybe it's not worth it.

Original poster
amidaiwish · 17/01/2010 18:33

thanks, this is all really helpful.

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Neatnick · 17/01/2010 23:54

No probs, by the way, you may have to book the Pancake House thingy in advance as that will likely get booked up.

But generally in other restaurants - Strada, Ortegas - you can reserve on the day when you're there.

unfitmummy · 19/01/2010 10:26

my top tip if you have little ones is to see if they are doing the early bird social on the saturday night - it is a buffet, magician/entertainer followed by a disco all starting at about 5 i think! i can never find mention of it on the site but they tend to have posters up when you get there. well worth it!

Original poster
amidaiwish · 19/01/2010 16:08

thank you, will look out for it!

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