Are Haven Holidays Any Good?

plane_boy2000

Stayed at a hoeseasons site in Devon - cant remember the name of teh place but has the big replica boat in the harbour? Anyway, the sit was awful - the accomodation was dire - I would have thought twice about leaving animals in tehre. Complained at reception and offered a chalet the same, but had been renovated recently. This was not much better, and explained that we had 2 small children and us so really needed somewhere with more that one double bed and a sofa bed. Told that there was no more 2 bed accomdation left - bumped into the people next door to us moving out (they also unhappy) who told us they had just been moved to a 2 bed!!!!! Proceeded back to reception where upon ranting very loudly they suddenly "found" a 2 bed we could have if we paid the difference. The 2 bed was OK, but the enetrtinment and site facilities were poor - wouldnt rush to use hoeseasons again.

scottishf

ive been to quite a few...presthaven sands...primrose valley.......blue dolphin..craig tara...marton mere.....and ive never had a bad stay yet...they are great value for money and theres always tons for the kids to do

financial_filly

phew! i am glad i am not the only one that experienced the "delights" of Blue dolphin guests. We went to both a Haven (B.D.) & a Butlins -skegness- last year and have to say that we enjoyed B.D. a lot more. I felt that from the minute we set foot @ Butlins it was pay pay pay and they didnt appear to have much on for the kids during the day whereas at Haven we could take ds to see an afternoon show with Rory & gang. Yes it is incredibly cheesy and you have to forget being an adult for the time you are there and just do the kiddie things and it is a laugh.

We are going to Great Yarmouth this year - seashore..is that one good ?there are 12 of us going so we need another break later on in the year just me,oh & ds so are unsure as to which haven one we should go to..any suggestions ?

MyUserNamesTaken

Although not revelant to the OP, I thought I'd post here for those thinking of staying at a Haven site in Norfolk.

There are four Haven sites in Norfolk, all near each other.

1: Caister (just a short trip away from Great Yarmouth. The largest Haven site in the area. Some complaints about the food there, and lots of tales of people coming away with bad stomachs.

2: Seashore (Great Yarmouth). This site is considered to be Great Yarmouth's Haven site, although it's right up by Scroby Sands. It's quicker to walk to Caister from here than it is to the Golden Mile. Entertainment is ok, as is the site. However, the complexes are split. The swimming pools and main restaurant are up one end of the site, whilst the Central Complex is up the other end. The biggest problem with Seashore (and Great Yarmouth in general) is that the chav population of the UK seem to like going on holiday there.

3: Hopton (in between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft). Fairly large resort, but nothing spectacular.

4: Wild Duck. The best Haven site in the area by far. Wild Duck has all its facilities in a reasonably central location. Also, the park is in woodland. It has a really relaxing atmosphere, unlike the other Haven sites in this neck of the woods. It's also not a site that chavs frequent, as it's out in the very small town (more a village) of Belton (about 15 minutes drive from Yarmouth). Of all the sites, this one is probably the best for kids, as the environment is relaxed, yet friendly and fun, the beach is still accessible by car, and it is safe. The entire park is enclosed by proper fencing hidden behind the trees. There is only one way in and out of the park.


If I had to choose one of the above sites, I'd go to Wild Duck.

Two more points:

1: Never book a Haven site through Hoseasons - they charge you more than Haven!

2: Use the following website to book your holiday. The site is used by private owners of caravans on various sites, including Haven. You'll find Wild Duck, Seashore, etc, on there, but you'll pay less than you would to Haven.

http://www.ukcaravans4hire.com/

simes

If you are going to a park as quiet as Wild Duck then you may as well consider the cheaper Park Resorts sites.
Calififornia Cliffs is very good and situated right beside an excellent beach. Its quick and easy to get into Gt Yarmouth from the Caister/California/Hemsby side too ( its slow from the south or inland ).
I am off to California cliffs for may day weekend ( it was only £79 for Fri-Mon). I went at easter last year and really enjoyed it. I have been to several sites in the area and like CC the best ( been to Haven's Caister , Hemsby beach , Sundowner , Belle-air , and Vauxhall )

I am surprised why so many choose Haven or Butlins when they clearly don't like the entertainment ( you are paying for the nightime entertainment that you are not using). If you don't want a lively site then choose the companies with smaller sites such as Park-Resorts (though some of these are still quite lively) or Parkdean..

MyUserNamesTaken

Strange that you should say that about Wild Duck. Entertainment-wise, it offers exactly the same as Seashore and Caister (and most over Haven sites). In fact, the Show bar at Wild Duck is better than that at Seashore. It's not quiet because of the lack of Entertainment. It's quiet because of the lack of chavs and people in general. It's a smaller site, but with the same entertainment and facilities. Wild Duck is for people who still want the Entertainment side of things, but with a more relaxed atmosphere. Basically, Wild Duck is better because it isn't a park where they've tried to cram as many caravans as possible into one area. They've thought more about the layout and general size of the park overall.

I actually live in the area and have visited many sites recently (as I'm buying a caravan). The Park Resorts site at Kessingland is ok, but the Park Resorts site at Breydon Waters is terrible. Cherry Tree Park (a Parkdean site) was great. I'm probably going to buy there. Wild Duck was also great, but the site fees are more than at Cherry Tree and I didn't like the sales team there. Cherry Tree also offers just as much in terms of entertainment as Seashore (Haven) at Yarmouth. I recently stayed at Seashore.

Eagle_1

We love Haven holidays, having only the one child we know that on an evening she will be kept entertained all night.
We have been to Haggerston Castle and i loved it there. We have been to Golden Sands in Mablethorpe about 5 times so yes we quite like that site lol
Seen the bad reviews about Blue dolphin well last time we went there it was fine, no little raggers running riot it was a great short break (Fri to Mon we did)

So really if you have children and your main priority is keeping them amused then you cant not like Haven, they make sure kids are well catered for. For me and hubby if our Daughter is happy then we enjoy the holiday, if she is bored then its a crappy holiday for us tbh.

Zoetoes

Only been to the Prestatyn one, it was awful! Would never go back there.
Have to say Butlins is far better, we've been to Minehead a few times.