We stayed in a comfort plus lodge and paid the extra so we could choose the location. Having four kids we wanted to be within five minutes of the Village Centre.
The lodge could have been a lot cleaner - soap or shampoo all over the tiles in the upstairs bathroom. Cobwebs everywhere (I know it's Halloween season but I don't think this was for effect). Used ear buds down the side of one of the upstairs beds.
The children put the cushions from the couches onto the floor to sit around the very small TV and we were shocked to see what was underneath. It's been a while since the couches have been hoovered. Upon leaving I checked under the couch to make sure we hadn't left anything and found a pair of swimming shorts left by previous occupants.
It seems pointless having two showers in a lodge if they can only be used one at a time due to the hot water being utilised by one. We've never had this issue before.
We had mice or rats living inside the walls which kept us awake for two nights with their constant scratching. We were given a device to plug in which emitted a high pitch noise to scare them away. This eventually worked. Guest Services were very apologetic and offered to move us but to the other side of the complex. This wasn't an option for us as this would have been a twenty minute walk to the Village Centre.
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| Activity Booking Points - OUT OF ORDER |
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| Cash Machine - OUT OF ORDER |
The Village Centre was the main cause of the frustration. The three Activity Booking machines were all out of order as was the cash machine. It was hit or miss whether the card readers would work in the Parc Market, usually it was a miss. Quite often large queues would form as the shopper and cashier struggled. We were forced to pay cash and then visit the Sports Centre (a 25 minute round trip!) to use the only working cash machine.
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| Village Centre from across the lake |
One of the People Driers in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise was out of order and there were panels missing from the sinks in the gents toilets.
Some of the games machines in the arcade were not working.
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| At least the bowling lanes were working |
On our first day we decided to eat in the Sports Bar. The meals took a long time to come (apparently there is a 45 minute wait but nobody told us this until we enquired after 40) but were OK value except our youngest's meal which was an absolute rip off. One piece of toast and two table spoons of beans for £3.30 and one scoop of ice cream for £2.35.
Again the Activity Booking machine was out of order in the Sports Plaza as were a lot of the pool tables.
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| Mini Tennis in the Sports Plaza |
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| One of the working pool tables |
Some of the lodges are undergoing renovation work in the Seven Pines area. These were originally Comfort Lodges but are being redesigned as new Woodland Lodges (with an increase in price for next year). We were informed that there is to be redesign in Badger Wood too. The children's Adventure Playground has already been changed and looks much bigger and better.
This may read like we are nit-picking but we paid close to £1000 for this holiday and don't think this time we got value for money. The pricing of Center Parcs for families is very unfair and unfortunately there is no equivalent holiday centre in the north of England. We had an enjoyable time as a family and we have booked to go back next year but if we have the same issues, it will be our last visit to Center Parcs.
This may read like we are nit-picking but we paid close to £1000 for this holiday and don't think this time we got value for money. The pricing of Center Parcs for families is very unfair and unfortunately there is no equivalent holiday centre in the north of England. We had an enjoyable time as a family and we have booked to go back next year but if we have the same issues, it will be our last visit to Center Parcs.
What I forgot to mention in my TripAdvisor review was the wristbands. These are not only used to get you into your lodge and to secure the lockers in the 'Subtropical Swimming Paradise' but you can now also use them in certain shops in place of cash once they are registered at one of the pay points. We used ours at The Canopy Cafe (who takes cash into a swimming pool?) and Treats (didn't want to play 'Hit or Miss' with the card reader). Hopefully this will be extended to all shops, bars, cafes, etc as it is a very good idea and avoids the frustration of dodgy card readers.
The highlight of the holiday was the 'Subtropical Swimming Paradise' as always. Lots of flumes, rapids, outdoor pool and waves every half hour. Not to mention hot tubs, Cabanas (at a price of course) and a snack bar. Lots of hours were spent in here.
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| Not my photo ;-) |
More information about this Parc can be found here (but don't take their word for it).
