Tell me about Butlins especially the Bognor hotels please

[mumto2andnomore]

Was going to add this to the CP thrad but thought it might get lost.

We love CP and have been many times but am up for a change, we could go to Butlins October half term 2012 very cheaply (we have a different half term to most of the country )

Has anyone been, how is the pool and what are the hotels like ?
Thanks

We've been a couple of times. Vastly prefer it to CP because the accommodation is much better and much more is included in the price. The Ocean hotel is terrific. DC stay in a little den with their own flatscreen TV so you have a bit of privacy. There is a fab disco lift which plays music.
Haven't stayed in the shoreline hotel but heard it's quite nice too.

The pool didn't have much space for actual swimming - it was all about water spouts and slides. A few nappies slooshing about the changing room, the odd plaster in the water and tattoos for all.

On the down side, the resort is pretty small and there's not a lot else to do in Bognor.

We do both. Personally, I prefer CP but my DDs (6 and 3) prefer Butlins. So we go to both every year.

We always stay in the Shoreline hotel and go dinner bed and breakfast, that way you do actually get some decent(ish) food to eat and its not all junk food.

CP I think is more about relaxing and the pace is quite slow. Butlins is all about entertainment. There's a soft play area, daytime entertainment programme, pantomine, fairground and indoor rides for smaller children, kids shows and so on.... The red coats are second to none, and really take care of the children... they have the best holiday possible, but it does mean that you do a lot of sitting around.

The hotel is nice and clean. Again, the children sleep in the same room but in their own section so it doesn't totally ruin your evenings. The swimming pool isn't a patch on CP, but there is so much else to do (and all free) that we barely fit in the time to go to the pool.

We are doing the same this year. We went to CP in August and are going to Butlins Bognor, Ocean Hotel in October. I feel very excited about it as its so new and sparkly! Anyone got any top tips about staying there? DC are 12, 4 and 2. A bit worried there won't be much for my 12 DS??

You've put me off now Ive heard the pool isnt a patch on CP ! Let me know what you think when youve been though CDMforever.

Will do. We love the pool at CP though my 2 little ones can't enjoy the rapids yet. It is always immaculately clean there and I've got a feeling Butters won't be quite the same.
PS are you really planning a holiday in 2012 already??! I thought I was anal when it came to forward planning!