Who would seriously pay £4000 to go to Center Parcs??

[SquiffyHock]

Honestly???

I've been browsing holidays for May next year (DS starts school in September so we will be restricted to school holidays). We have a new baby due in March so DH suggested going to Center Parcs - just looked it up, Comfort accomodation starts at £1700 - new style executive Lodge, which we've stayed in before £3000 and the most expensive type is £4000!!

I was looking at a 4 bed as we will take my parents but honestly! We went to a really lovely villa during the Easter holidays this year and it wasn't that much including flights.

Just wanted to rant really - they must sell some of these villas, I just wondered who to

Trib, we went to Kempervennen in NL - it's just past Antwerp, so not too far a drive from Calais. The cottages are all on one level and are very spacious, so it should be easy to move around without having to move furniture out of the way.

It is wheelchair friendly in as much as there are ramps everywhere.

The place we went to in France, Lac d'Ailette, specified cottages suitable for disabled people (most of the cottages are two-storey there, so you would need to get a bungalow). You can hire golf-carts for the week for about E150 (there are some slight hills).

We have been to CP in Holland twice. We only get the budget villas and they are just fine. It was about £400 IIRC.

We've been to de Eemhof up near Amsterdam and to Het Heijerbos which is near the German border. DH preferred de Eemhoff but DD liked the petting zoo in the park at Het Heijerbos.

TBGP

It doesn't even hit that mark.

It is overpriced Butlins/Pontins/Haven but it sure as hell 'aint posh.

well we really loved De Eemhof, but others may have different ones they prefer. When you look at the website it is in Euros so obviously its a lot less money than at first glance.

I believe that all the sites have specially adapted chalets for wheelchair users and even ones for asthmatics. You can even pick the chalet you would like, i.e nearest the pools etc.

Am just looking at the site now to book this years one and thinking of De Kempervennen (if anyone knows this one pls tell me about it).

We really love it as we take our bikes and cycle everywhere, and if its cold you can whack the heating up full blast, no daft little heaters in the rooms.

Our Kempervennen cottage had underfloor heating which was just the ticket during a very chilly August.

oh just spotted your views on de kempervennen squeaky, so would you recommend it. My DH and DC really loved de eemhof and would hate to make the wrong decision and have them whinging at me all week!

Yes, we liked Kempervennen. The special things they have there are waterskiing (using an aerial tow rather than a boat), scuba, and snow skiing. They have all the usual CP things too, including petting farm.

thanks squeaky, thats made my mind up - we shall book there.

Bree - have you been to a CP? Just wondered which one it was, as have not experienced anything like your description?

People with more money than sense!

We went to Corfu, 4* half board for 2 adults 2 kids for £800!!!!

PMSL MarkStretch!
I second CP being a very expensive Butlins. For those who think they can afford and deserve a little better.

I hate center parcs.

Hated every minute and left early - the only wildlife we saw was a rat on our patio.

You don't mean a p-p-p-package holiday, do you, Hairy? Shudder!

yes, i understand that quite a few people would not like centerparcs but WHERE were all these awful experiences, in the UK or abroad?

no, i wouldn't.

the thetford one for us.

we stayed there as visiting aged grannies nearby and it made sense at the time.

i thought the food was massively over-priced and too many people for my liking.

You could easily stay in BEdruthan Steps for for 4k AND pay for your childcare (oh yes, on holiday) AND your spa treatments AND your food and wine and have spending money...

We don't all have to like the same kind of holiday. We happen to find that these resort/park holidays are very successful in our family. If the children are happy then we are all happy. We have done these types of holidays at all levels - Siblu, PetV, Centerparcs, Bedruthan Steps, 5* US version.

Nothing makes me happier than when my kids have the freedom to disappear on their bikes and join in football matches with other kids.

We did force feed them culture via 3 days in Paris before going to CP, and it was clear what they liked the best.

For me, a holiday is where I can relax, eat simple food, and read a new novel every day.

as much as i heart cp- i woulndt shell out 4k to kip there.

Malory- dish, where is this house that you speak of? we love padstow

Wilf, we stopped going to Bedruthan Steps when we had too many children to fit in a suite or two. It was fab though - but pricey. And not very weatherproof.

I think we might have paid £1500 for one week 10 years ago (2 children plus a baby).

agree with squeaky - the dc love it, fresh air, loads of outdoor activites and new sports to try. In the summer we go camping, in our tent in England and have our family holiday witgh Canvas holidays mobile homes abroad.

I have never been on a package holiday since I was a teenager when you went with a crowd of mates. It is not something I could dream of doing with the famly, meals at a certain time just wouldnt suir.

Not knocking them, just explaining reasons for a different type of holiday.

We've been to centerparks. We lasted 12 hours and then left. Dreaful place, felt hemmed in and like I was in some kind of controlled environment, plus accommodation was dreadful. God knows who would pay £4k. A mad person.

None of us that has actually been to CP has spent anywhere near £4000. A quarter to a fifth of that price is more likely.

katie - which one? Nobody seems to want to name and shame these awful places?

I only ask as I have not experienced it in all the times i have been and would like to know which ones to avoid if any.

Yes, this october midweeker will be around £500 with a tunnel crossing on top. A bargain really for a family of 5.