To ask about Butlins...

[bertiebassett]

I want to have a short break with just me and DS (aged 4) before he starts school. I noticed that Butlins have some good deals on first week in September...but....
Is Butlins (Skegness) ok? I'm a bit of a snob used to quite high standards...

Feel [embarrassed] to ask this really!!!

[CrapBag]

I don't think it is cheap at all. We were lucky and our break for the easter week next year is about £240 for the Monday to Friday in a gold apartment. We won't need to pay extras as the DCs are young.

If you want a cheap holiday then the Sun deals are good. We always book a Haven one through The Sun, been to a couple in Weymouth and they have been lovely for the bargain price of under £100!

[TheArmadillo]

went to minehead one about a month ago. All fully open now (though I think at least one of them still has a partly closed pool). They've done a lot of work on them I think.

Accomodation basic, we self catered and then could eat out if we wanted but didn't have to.

Went for long weekend (fri-mon) and couldn't fit in all the free activities, let alone start on the paid ones. Kids had a fantastic time, me and dh were exhausted but enjoyed it - more for the kids, than whole family like our usual holidays so wouldn't go for longer than a long weekend.

there was plenty even for the 2yo to do (have a seperate fun fair for the tinies, and they do under 5s discos everynight as well as the soft play, shows, swimming pool). Ds (7yo) got to try out archery and fencing for free (though they do charge £5 per session for 8yo and upwards).

So much to do, multiple shows on in the evening (they have 3 stages/club areas for family at minehead then another adult only nightclub). Loads of staff everywhere who are really helpful and friendly. E.g. 3 level softplay had staff member on each level supervising.

[balotelli]

PenisVanLesbian I presume you have many happy holidays in Hull bus station?

I happen to live in Hull and the bus station is rather nice!

I have also been to Skegness Butlins every year for the past three years and will be going again in three weeks.

It is AWESOME especially for kids. The only problem we ever have is fitting it all in. Compared to Centre Parcs then Butlins id much much better. The entertainment for all is miles better. The accomodation isnt a luxury lodge in the forrest but what 4 year old gives a crap about the accomodation they just want to ride on the fairground all day and play in the soft play area and watch Barney singing and dancing on stage which is what happens at Butlins and why we love it.

My SIL wont go to Butlins ad 'you get a better class of person at Centre Parcs'!! you get a DIFFERENT Class, one that wont talk to you or make any effort. at least at butlins they are friendly and non judgemental.

We for one family will be going to Butlins for a long time especially when the pool opens next year but for now I am off to book a weekend break at HUll Bus STation.

[Cloudbase]

Okay, I was a bit of a snob about Butlins since a hideous visit to Pontins in 1983!

My DM and I took DD5 and DS 4 to Bognor Butlins in the first week
Of the summer holidays. We stayed in the Ocean Hotel. It was £800 Mon -Fri.

The hotel was lovely, modern and spotless and easily comparable to other good 3* hotels. We ate at the restaurant for the new Wave hotel (only opened in May this year) and the food was fantastic, fresh, plentiful and really well laid out. Adults were £16 and kids £8 for a buffet but the amount, quality and variety of food made it great value. Some of the other buffets on site were less so though. I also read really bad reviews of the chalets.

The facilities are great for kids - massive soft play frame attached to a Costa Coffee in the middle of the main area, plus kids shows on twice a day, plus puppet shows and the pool/flumes bit -all free. Didn't do the evening entertainment as we had to stay with the kids but we took my Bones box set as TV's in each room have in built DVD players. You can also borrow DVD's from a library at reception. They also had a very nice Spa at £19.50 for 2 hours (sadly couldn't go)

I loved it and the kids can't wait to go back. I think in recent years Butlins have had to really raise their game to compete with Centre Parcs and I, for one, was pleasantly surprised.

[Morph2]

We went to a haven site (booked through the sun) earlier in the year but DS wanted to keep going on the little rides in the arcade all the time which were £1 a time so soon mounted up. We've booked butlins this time (through sun again) and although i know they still have the little arcade type rides i'm hoping that because there is bob the builders yard that DS will get his ride fix from that.

[PenisVanLesbian]

All of the people at Butlins are friendly and no judgemental? I doubt that somehow.
You might enjoy it, fair play to you. I'd rather stick rusty nails in my eyes and tour the piss filled corners of ALL of the north of Englands large bus stations.

Different strokes and all that.

[TheHumancatapult]

We have done centre parcs and do enjoy it ,as for the kids downside other than pool and tiny soft play nothing else free

But happy give Butlins a go for a change it does look like there is more free stuff to do and to be fare there special needs department been very helpful

[GothAnneGeddes]

Penis - you are living up to your name here. Saying why you don't like it is one thing, hyperbolic snobbery is another.

Op - I loved it as a kid. According to my Mum it's still good, but whereas in the past, most of it was free once you got in, now there's quite a few things you need to pay extra for.

[Guiltypleasures001]

Butlins minehead..fag burns in the sheets the food was inedible, the whole place was expensive and awful, and the bar staff were love bite covered teenagers. The cabins stank and hoards of drunken idiots male and female marauding around in the early hours keeping everyone awake, never again.

[topknob]

We went to Bognor only 3 weeks ago for a mid week break and we all had a fab time, spent way too much money and the kids really enjoyed themselves.

I must point out, Butlins is not cheap at all, those of you thinking it is have not recently been at all, the cost for a summer holiday break for all of us was over £1k ! Food not included.

[TheHumancatapult]

To balance out 10 years ago Butlins minehead yes ok basic accomidation was very basic and did need new matress

But my then 5 year old was taken very poorly , was ran out to local hospital then picked up by staff ,
3 hrs later turn for worse and ambulance called staff were fantastic . Rest time there they popped in checked on kids and member even came to hospital to see how was and brought gifts and more so food for me

I am a take it as I find it person also the same for people

Some hate some love it and will see after Easter next year which camp we fall in

[TheHumancatapult]

Topknob we going Easter holidays mon-fri for £500 half board for 4 of is which I thought was pretty reasonable

[Babyroobs]

We went to the Skegness one an I thought it was awful but it was quite a few years ago. The chalet was dirty , the food was awful. It may of course be quite different now if it has been refurbished. There seemed to be goups of loud aggressive teenagers roaming around which made me feel quite uneasy. Maybe we were just unlucky. I've had a couple of good day trips there , but I would never stay there again.

[topknob]

There are 7 of us theHuman :)

[PenisVanLesbian]

Wheres the snobbery in saying I think Butlins is shit? please do point it out.

[topknob]

penis Please advise why you feel this, genuine query.

[PenisVanLesbian]

because I've been, and it was beyond hideous.

[Growlithe]

Butlins Minehead. I cried when I got into the accommodation. Dirty, cobwebs everywhere. Horrible concrete block, felt like a run down council estate. Entertainment full of drunken yobs annoying everyone. Made the best of it by getting off site as much as we could. This was 8 years ao though, things could have changed. I'd never go back though

[topknob]

but for what reason(s)?

[PenisVanLesbian]

do we have to write an essay to have an opinion now?
Accomodation like something out of Tenko, filthy, broken down, cold and cheap. Terrible food, overpriced attractions, hideous "entertainment", leching redcoats and clientele like the cast of shameless.

[topknob]

penis no not at all, just wondering what your reasons were #stroppy.

Things have changed alot over recent years, of course no where is perfect and cannot meet everyones stuck up requirements.

[topknob]

this bit especially point out exactly what sort of person you are clientele like the cast of shameless.

[topknob]

*points

[Growlithe]

Agree Penis clientele like the cast of shameless.

It's got to be experienced to be believed.

[LittleDragon]

I absolutely love Butlins. The Skegness and Minehead ones are the better sites tbh. I found the standard food brilliant. The parks are all upgraded in the past 3 years or so and there's always plenty to do.
The only problem I had with them was the long queues for the shows and to get in the food court if you wanted to be one of the 1st.
I was at Skegness over Christmas and new year and it was brilliant.