Would you take your dog to Centerparcs?

[gracebf]

We are thinking of spending 5 days at Centerparcs in April and have to decide whether to take the dog or put him in home boarding. We have never been to Centerparcs before so its hard to make a decision.

It works out financially almost exactly the same so wondered from those of you who have been to Centerparcs before, how easy it is to have your dog there?

He is a smallish dog but we could not let him out around the house without a lead on as he would run after wildlife.I worry it would mean we would have to be more careful about keeping patio doors shut etc and would make the holiday less relaxed.

What are the dog exercise areas like?
What are the dog friendly apartments like? I have heard stories about them being smelly and covered in dog hair, but cant believe thats true.

I like the idea of 5 days without having to worry about walking him, being home regularly etc but then it might be nice having him around.

What would you do/have you done if you have a dog and been to Centerparcs?

I haven't got a dog but I've been to CP millions of times and always wonder why people bring their dogs! They have to be on a lead at all times outside the villa, there are no exercise areas (or not that I've ever spotted anyway) and you can't take them into any of the indoor spaces, restaurants, cafes shops or anything. TBH you will be very restricted in what you can do with your dog, expecially if the weather is rubbish.

Went with friends and their 2 dogs for weekend in August sharing 4 bed villa at Longleat. There, the doggie villas are furthest away and in a section altogether. There is a small fenced area to let dogs off the lead nearby, otherwise they must stay on leads and not go in any of the buildings.

Other holiday makers either look in horror at dogs in the park or rave how cute they are. Find on leads they can wander in front of bikes speeding past, all sides tutting at each other! They werent my dogs so I could see both arguments!

I would say they are a tie, you have to be thinking about not leaving them alone for too long in the villa etc. Probably more fun for you to leave them at home if at all possible. I think my friend would say that, but she had no option but to take them or not have a holiday.

We did complain about the villa, was one of the more tatty ones, looked like the sofa had been chewed on the arm. Had laminate floor rather than the usual carpet, no better than comfort standard. A couple of times the dogs were on extended leads on the patio so they could sniff around a bit etc.

You have more choice of villas now, it used to just be basic. The dog villas to have laminate but it's nicer than the carpet IMO. Unlike other resorts you are allowed to leave your dog in the villa and they can sit with you in most out door areas. You soon find a place to walk them out of the way and they are allowed in the poop excersise areas of which there are plenty.

We have never has any problems with cleanliness in villas, only the odd previous dickheads who have left shit outside and tbc cp dealt with that.

A good in the morning meant we could go out till lunch time and then go back to the villa for a break and see to the dog. She loves it.

Never got any ill feeling apart from one guy who we once heard complaining I'm sick of this place being full of kids dogs and people

Forgot to say its £55 extra to take a dog. The villa prices are already too high for the quality of accomodation, then to pay extra for a scruffier villa is v frustrating. Only ever been in Comfort, I gather Woodland styles much nicer!!

We took our dog to CP (Whinfell) last year. I wouldn't do it again TBH - although it was basically OK we found it too limiting especially on the last day when normally we'd go to the pool and try and eke out as much time as possible before leaving. The dog exercise areas are tiny and really only good for taking them to poo. The lodge was immaculate however, you'd never have known it was a designated dog lodge.