Thinking of going to Center Parcs for a shortbreak ........never been .......come and tell me your horrors/tips/advice thanks (-:

[mosschops30]

Thats it really

Love Center PArcs and have always had a bit of toilet roll for us on arrival.
Agree longleat accomodation getting very dated and last time we stayed boys room was damp.
Facilities are good esp the spa, we are going agin in Sept with a group of friends.

Went in December to Longleat, 2 Bed Comfort villa... no issues whatsoever. Loved it. AquaSpa had recently been revamped.

Going back in about a month, so will be able to update the situation at Longleat in late August.

Try sandy balls in the new forest, much the same thing but cheaper and very nice. And I've not got a financial interest in it, despite the name

just bumping this cos we were thinking about it but it heard it was a bit ... as much as i hate the term i can't think of a suitable pc term right now ... chavvy.

You know, I think Centre Parcs is one of those holidays that you have to really know in detail the insider tips and plan before you go.

We love it and go every year in the cheapest week (just after new year) and have for the most part always had good experiences. I would NEVER pay to go at a more expensive time as it is just not good value. I have an almost 4 yera old and an almost 7 year old. And a baby on the way.

We have been to both Longleat and Elvedon, but always chose Elvedon now as it is closer. The accomodation is getting very dated, but they are really aware of that and are in the process of updating everything. We have stayed in both normal and also exec accomodation and have booked to stay in one of their new premier lodges for Jan 09.

Personally, I don't like the food there. We are really fussy, cook mostly from scratch and eat organic. Their resteraunts are not great. But again, they are addressing that and at Elvedon have replaced msny of them with well known chains. When we used to have a car, I would batch cook before we went and we would take a lof of food with us. We went by train last time so this was not possible, but we bought ingredients in the shop and cooked.

I think what makes Centre Parcs is the surroundings. Even in the middle of winter when we have gone, it is picturesque and peaceful. It is chocked full the week we go as it is so cheap and it never feels full. You really do need to like swimming as that is the main free activity. We combine that with walks, play areas outside and in and the occasinal paid activity like bowling.

For us, it is a much anticipated holiday each year (though not our main holiday) and the kids have always enjoyed it. Im really looking forward to seeing the updated accomodation when we go this time.

look at the european sites - we are going to belgium and it is less than 1/2 the uk price, even including the ferry, though no aqua spa thing !

Unless you can go term time off-peak season it is very expensive, and you'd be better off renting a lovely cottage somewhere for a week.

We went for a day visit recently as friends of ours were staying. They were in one of the executive lodges with 4 bed, all ensuite, sauna, games room, etc. But there weekend cost almost £2000!

I agree, It is insanely expensive and not worth it during school holidays. I think the price more than triples. But the week we go is so cheap. You can stay in their lesser accomodation in a two bed villa for just over £200 MOnday to Friday. We are splashing out next year on the new premier lodge which is 4 bed and has a games room and suana and that is costing us about £450, but we are hoping to share with another family to split the cost. Bear in mind that we got a discount for a return booking. For £2000 you can go all inclusinve 5 star to greece!

just got back from Elevdon and would NOT go there again - dirty, dated, pool area and pool bar/snack place was flithy. Beer on draught was not working, and they served the hotdoags in baguettes as they had run out of proper rolls. We live in Notts and go to Sherwood quite a bit but wanted a change - would recommend Sherwood as most of there villas have been refurbished

We go to CP twice a year, have been to Whinfell, Sherwood and Elvedon. We have 2 boys aged almost 5 and almost 2. There is loads for the 5 yr old, we played tennis with him this time and as always he went horse riding. But little for my 2 yr old but then to him walking is an adventure

Whinfell has the nicest looking accommodation from the outside as they made it very bling bling as it was originally built by Rank to compete with CP, and it usually has an extra toilet too in the hall instead of just in the bathroom.

Sherwood is nice and flat so good for little ones legs. We always hire bikes but it is costly, if you do want specifics I can give them to you for anything as I have kept my brochure this time.

We have always stayed in "comfort plus" so towels, dvd player and dishwasher (yes toilet rolls are provided) also executive so each bedroom has an en-suite, and this time we stayed in Whinfell in a Woodland Lodge which means it has been refurbished.

It has underfloor heating in the bathroom and shower room (it was a 3 bed and like I said Whinfell does have better accom with a shower room in a 3 bed, although the other sites have shower rooms in a 4 bed) new fluffy white towels on the floor to ceiling heated towel rail which is great for drying all your swimming stuff, vileroy bosh toilet and sink, hansgrohe taps and shower. Oak flooring which is easy to clean food off

We really like CP and have never had a problem with the food or supermarket on site. We like the fact that I can do something in the evening and walk back down a semi lit road at 10pm and not worry. Plus you can do loads or nothing at all. I went once when my ds2 was only a few weeks old.

Spa is fab, especially ladies only morning. I will tell you that it is expensive but although I wish it was cheaper we keep going back!

CP Sherwood's church has become a Starbucks!

I'm sure this is symptomatic of something. I leave others to comment.

I went once and was not very impressed. Very expensive, food vile, swimming pool quite cold. It's not like the countryside at all, there is no open space, just rows of horrible chalets. I felt like I was imprisoned the whole time. The kids quite liked it but I wouldn't go back.

The food is OK. And there is open space - the villas are tucked away hidden in the trees - you can cycle around for miles without being plagued by cars.

Some people get the point of CP, others don't. You don't go expecting luxury. It's good to go with another family/families. The "villas" are just a base to enjoy a whole load of activities which are never going to be so close at hand at home. Last time kids did archery, climbing, swimming (and attendant slide/cascade/rapids stuff), table-tennis, cycling, tennis...

The pool, though, certainly wasn't "subtropical" when we last went - I think they've lowered the temperature.

It is a bit of a shock that it doesn't follow the "theme park model" - i.e. pay on door and all is included. The first time we were a bit taken aback that there were extra charges for everything except the swimming dome and the children's entertainer! But then, you'd have that at home or staying in a cottage.

We have been going for about 5 years usually twice a year as everyone from the teens down to the toddlers in my family love it. There is something for everyone.

We have stayed in all levels of accommodation but the best deal is to get a discount code, if I figure out a place to post them on mumsnet I will add mine as I get emailed them and any others I "find out about ". We found the best value was the new Woodland Lodges (we go to Sherwood). this was around £200 for a 3 bedroomed one. It was really nicely done out, very modern and everything you could need. You do get knives etc, even loo roll, but I am fussy and like a sharp knife so tend to take my own.

I find the supermarket prices on a par with say a Spar shop or similar local supermarket and the off licence is Threshers afaik still, which always has good offers on . Some of the food is ok in the restaurants, Sherwood is changing a few over to national chains, so I assume the others are as well, there is to be a Starbucks soon, already a Cafe Rouge and the burger pbar place was closed to refurb when we were there 3 weeks ago, so that is probably changing hands too. At Sherwood the Country Club is better than most and the Jardin de Sports place has been handy as the kids can play or play pool (or waste their allowance on the internet!) while we relax and the food isn't too dire there. Been disappointed with the italian and huckelberry's the americano place tho.

We love it!

went once - was fun but I'd rather rent a cottage

been 6 times in 18 months, fantastic, look out for great offers. Excellent for todders/kids, food greay! supermarkets are same price as anywhere and can get everything you need but remember you have to carry it all back. Yes it is blardy expensive but safe x

its fab going in may for a midweek break this will be our 6th time we go out of term time though as in school holidays it costs a bomb!!