Butlins

[VK456]

I know this might sound like a daft question, but am getting a bit anxious about a forthcoming break having seen some ‘iffy’ reviews, so please put it down to last minute panic.
I’m assuming that Silver apartments with kitchens have crockery, cutlery and utensils. I am right, aren’t I?

Yes they have all the basics, from memory I think you have to pay extra for a linen package, but everything else should be included. Its basic but fine and tbh you're not likely to spend much time in your accommodation. Butlins has a bad rap with MN but we've been to skegness and Minehead a few times and had enjoyable holidays.

I felt the same before we went for the first time last year. I booked a silver apartment at minehead. We had the best week!
Apartment was clean, enough space and even had washing up liquid and fresh cloths. Beds were comfy and clean.
I’ve booked to go again next month and next year, same apartment type.

The cutlery, crockery etc was fine but I took a sharp knife which was useful. Other than that it had everything we needed.

Book what activities you can ahead of time. But I found people cancel loads whilst they are there so whilst everything looked booked up; actually I could book on the day once other people cancelled.

I’m a convert! For the price I think Butlin’s is bloody amazing!

The only thing that wasn’t good was the food in the on-site pubs/restaurant. But that didn’t really matter.

I felt the same before we visited a couple of years ago. My kids really wanted to go so I booked it but I was very judgey in my head. My kids had the best time and everything was clean. We had a food plan and some of the food is really nice particularly the vegetarian options. The staff could not have been more helpful

Thank you all very much indeed - much appreciated.
Yes - the cost was ridiculously cheap, really. I’ve booked some events and the DG are very excited!

A silver apartment is pretty basic but has everything you need to function on holiday, any missing equipment just call guest services.
It won't be five star luxury but it will be great fun for the kids, which in turn will make it great fun for you.

Thank you very much - great to hear!

I am at butlins Minehead now.
If you can cancel do it.
I have paid for the waterside accommodation and dine around package.

• my kitchen diner smells dreadful, nothing has been done
• the restaurants service is appalling I have cancelled dine around and now am trying to eat in a tiny kitchen
• restaurants have changed menus since advertised - little gluten-free etc
• several restaurants shut
• because I have had my money refi des for dine around I now have no bookings at all for food on site And with other restaurants shit there are few options
• all day I hear people complaining

Get a refund now .

I’m sorry to read this, tigertreats.
We left Minehead yesterday evening. We never bought the dine around option, took a little food with us and managed to get into one restaurant to eat and had a takeaway another time. The food was fine.
My biggest beef is how few people were wearing masks, to be honest. Butlins’s team members were and there were signs all over the place asking people to wear them, but they had little effect, unfortunately. Queues were socially distanced in the main.
I’m sorry that you and your family are having such a rough time.

I'm going in a few weeks. I've been going for years and never had a problem. Hoping it won't be too bad this time. Seen reviews on trip advisor which look really bad.

It was my first time. The boys really enjoyed it, so from that point of view we’d go again, though I think I’d go in different accommodation. It was cheap as chips, so I can’t really complain.
I hope that you have a good time

Last week I was expecting to welcome family of 4 from Scotland. Emma messaged me saying they can't wait to spend a week in my lovely place.
On the arrival she sent me text saying 'Hey thanks, amazing here absolutely love here will be back again that's for sure , neighbours are fantastic X'.
The house is new, on beautiful new estate, scored 9.8 on booking and we make every effort possible for our guests, leaving snacks, tea, coffee, breakfast cereals and toiletries.
After this family had left we got a massive shock. Dented walls, stains on the new carpets, sofa, walls, all bedding and towels also stained and basically ruined. Broken bedside lamp, missing cups and toys, that's only part of the mess left by Emma from Narin, her husband and her 10 and 8 year old kids. It took us a week to bring it back to the state before Emma.
This business is our lifeline and I just can't believe somebody feels like they can just abuse it. How can parents teach their young children that this is ok to behave like this on holiday?
I want to write to this woman but not sure if I should. I already reported her on booking but it doesn't seem to lead anywhere.
What do you think?

That’s dreadful!
I’m not sure that this is the forum you intended to post it on, but I’ll respond anyway.

It will have cost you a significant amount of time and money making good the damage. Is there anything in your contract/terms and conditions about being people responsible for any damage? It’s not right that you are out of pocket. I’d certainly feel that I’d want to contact Emma, but I’m unsure what the ‘etiquette’ is in situations like this.

You must feel very disappointed and frustrated. Sorry that I can’t help more.

@VK456 thanks. We've booked privately through eBay and are staying in a caravan on site. We've stayed in all different sorts of accommodation. If you go again then the minimum standard is go for is gold.

@wetfloor
Thank you

We stayed in Minehead last month, it was fine, DS loved it - go with an open mind, you'll have a great time. We found a lovely pub down by the harbour, the Old Ship - had some nice meals there. Also one in the town centre called the Hairy Dog, it had a brilliant huge play area outdoors.
Funfair in Butlins was good, swimming pool slightly tired and huge queues for the slides. Lots of other activities which were really cheap. We stayed in Gold and it was fine, very basic so it was like an adventure (!) I took cleaning stuff, antibac etc just to be on the safe side but it was clean anyway.
Enjoy your break, we booked for a break next year while we were there. Have fun!

We normally go to Butlins every year as an extra break. Not this year or last year though. The children love it every time. For me, it is better than camping so good enough for me. I always take bleach wipes to clean around the room.