Sands Resort in Porth, Cornwall-have you been there and would you recommend it?

[Coopertrooper]

For us + DC 5/4/2?
Or if not, anywhere else with good facilities in S/SW UK eg Dorset/Devon Cornwall. Would be happy with self-catering but needs to have good children's facilities.
Thanks.

Went a long time agao and enjoyed it na dit ahs been upgraded since (firneds have been since). Otherwise try Bosinver Farm Cottages, West Banbury Farm Cottages or Bedruthan Steps hotel . Have a look in Reviews (blue header above) for more recent reviews adn other similar places.

Thank you LIZS, have investigated all these and they look fab-Thanks also for the reviews section tip, had never spotted it.

Friends of ours went to Sands last year and they didn't enjoy it, not really sure why. They don't have tinies, there children are 11+.

We have been to Bedruthan Steps 4 times and to Watergate Bay both are excellent.

I don't think it is really for older ones yet. Friends felt their dd is outgrowing it now , at 10, and they ahve been regulars. Sands are trying to develop activities for the preteens and teenagers too but the lcoation isn't as good for surfing as Bedruthan and Watergate.

I am pleased to say that I mentioned this at school, some other parents have been there and raved about it. They said that it's a bit shabby but the facilities are fab and the food very good. So I have now booked!

Hi
We went there last Sept with then 18mth old.
Friends had been and we trusted them so we went for it.
I loved it and I felt like I'd had a holiday.

BUT when I saw it from the outside my heart sank. It's a 1960s/70s stlye monster of a place, someone described it somewhere as looking like an army barracks. Try not to let that get you down though. Very clever photo's on website, you can barely see the main road in front of the hotel between the hotel and the sea. Again, a bit of a shock but didn't spoil things.

Inside was much better. Recently done up and our room was really nice. It was the attitude of the place that made it and the facilities for children. Little things like stacks of high chairs, a choice of being able to eat with or without your children and at different times. We didn't use the indoor pool but it looked nice. We were too busy to use the outdoor playground but again it looked good. We did use the creche and all of the staff were really friendly and professional.

We didn't use the baby listening service but I would recommend calling in advance and getting one of the ladies from the creche to babysit the odd evening. It meant we could relax a bit more and leave the hotel. That was wonderful.

I used the spa a couple of times. It was OK, I've had better but I wasn't expecting much I just need some ME time.

The local beech was good and there are so many things to do in Cornwall but I think we were lucky with the weather.

I did consider Bethrum Steps & Watergate Bay which were a lot more expensive but I feel we possibly got better value for money at Sands. Despite it being cheaper, the Sands Resort crowd were nice and well behaved as were their children.

As I said at the start, I came back feeling like I'd had a holiday. I'd had time to myself, my DD loved the creche, I had time alone with DH, the food was really good. I'd go again.

We went last Feb and have booked again for Sept. We LOVED it. Our DCs are (now) 2.8 and nearly 1. It does look a bit shabby from outseide but has been refurbished inside.

The staff were lovely, the food was nice, the creche was great, it has a lovely outdoor play area plus outdoor and indoor pool, tennis courts, occasional bouncy castle, etc. Loads of activities for kids which our 2 year old enjoyed - eg a visit from the local zoo, a visit from the local aquarium, a clown and a magician. They also had a disco for the older kids.

We used the baby listening service and were very happy with it. You have an intercom in your room which you turn on when you go for dinner. There is a dedicated member of staff who sits in front of a bank of lights and will come and get you from dinner/the bar if there is any noise from your room. Each to their own of course - babysitters are also available (mainly the creche staff).

Overall we were really impressed, thought it was good value for money and came away feeling like we'd had a holiday. Virtually every other person we spoke to had been going there for years, and I suspect that we will be too.

Another vote for Sands Resort from me.

We have been twice, the last time two years ago when our DCs were 9 and 11 (although I felt they were getting a bit too old for Sands even then as my 11-year-old was one of the oldest children there - in peak season of August as well).

The food was really good and the rooms are lovely and spacious. The beach opposite - Whipsiderry - is absolutely gorgeous and great for rockpooling, but it's not lifeguarded and it's a very steep climb up/down but worth it when you get there, in my opinion.

We have also stayed at the Watergate Bay hotel (which we also liked for different reasons) but I personally felt Sands was better value for money and more suited to children under 10-years-old.