free pontins holiday

gentlepurr

firstly, i would just like to again thank pondie1 for this freebie! xx

pontins hemsby - well, my 13 yr old son & his mate threw up their arms in horror! and i have to say, it was not somewhere i would have paid real money to stay at! but, a holiday is what YOU make it, and we had a great time, although we didnt hang around the site very much!

room was freshly painted, but not clean. pub fasias were still being painted while we were there. curtains had no stoppers on the ends, & flew off the tracks when i opened them. drains nearby stank. as i said, had a good time, because of the company i took on holiday. but pay to go again? - not for a gold pig! (well, maybe for a gold pig that i could sell, and make some serious money into the bargain!)

went to wells next the sea (near sheringham) on the way home, & had a fab time crabbing! lovely little town.

xx

xx

penypincher

Back from Hemsby this weekend. It was a free trip and once again I thank the OP's for the codes. I was unlucky with my room. It stank of smoke and was very shabby and dirty. But, it was free, so believe me, I really am NOT complaining. I also know why they had these competitions. This place is struggling to keep open. When Hemsby was closed last week, it was because they only had 25 bookings. By filling the rooms, they breathed some life into the camp and hope for employees and others who enjoy/rely on this kind of holiday.
This weekend, they were nearly full, no doubt due to the freebies. If you looked closely, you could see the most staff was happy to be busy, though they were a bit overwhelmed too. Try to give them a break and be as nice and constructive as possible. We had most of our meals in room, but I did spend some money (one meal w/coupon, some arcade games, ice cream, etc), to support the site a bit. The meal took AGES to arrive, for fish and chips and hot dogs for kiddies (approx 45 mins, but it was during the world cup, I later discovered). Some people walked out in a huff. I do not know their circumstances, but we waited for our meal and it was very nice, when it did arrive. It wasn't exactly as expected, but the staff was helpful as possible, and all were happy in the end, without demands for money back.

I hope everyone notes the feedback form in their registration pack and fills it in as constructively as possible. Pontins are looking for some help by providing these freebies.

Mumstheword

We went to Prestatyn this weekend - looked out for car stickers/pics in windows, but didnt see anything!

We had a lovely time. The two little ones loved the play area near the entrance, and the little motorised cars. Oldest thought the quad bikes were fab (pricey tho). They all enjoyed the arcades! We didnt get to the beach because of the weather not being so good, but intend to try Prestatyn again in the summer hols as we've got some Haven tesco clubcard vouchers to use.

The classic appartment was ok. The sofa bed - as others have said- dire! With hindsight, I'd have put the thin mattress on the floor, think it would have been more comfy.

BIL went to Prestatyn pontins during school hols time, and myneices were able to do the activities all for free. Maybe thats how they are making money back on cheaper (lol) term time hols.

Lotta_Littlies

We got back last night from our weekend in Hemsby. Everyone had a lovely time and the children were pleased with the activities (although we ran out of time for them to try the rock climbing).

I found myself looking around at people trying to work out if they were MSE's though what sign I was looking for I have no idea lol!

The accommodation was a good size for the eight of us and the bedding was clean though I have to admit that the bathroom left a little to be desired.

I wouldn't pay their asking prices for a break but I would consider a verygood offer on their normal prices.

Thanks to Pondie1 from all of us!

Lotta

Lotta_Littlies

Oh and we did have our MSE Bumper sticker on our Previa!

Lotta

Agutka

We got back from Hemsby last night too! We had a fabulous time, thank you Pondie. First impressions were that of a prison camp and I made my mother cry with laughter as I described it to her on the phone (especially since we are still technically on honeymoon). Reception handed me an envelope without a word of explanation, or any welcome but I suppose it was obvious enough. Besides the man on the gate was lovely (chuckle brother). The apartment (ground floor classic double bed) was large and airy and clean (although I still gave it a once over) except for the sofa, which would not be out of place on a skip - we had to cover it with a sheet. The main buildings were extremely smelly and the arcades mean. The Londis shop on site I did not find to be that expensive and made wonder if there was any sense bringing half of Tescos with me. We did not get to use any of the facilities as we were eager to explore the beaches (did anyone else climb the stupidly steep dune only to find there was a perfectly suitable entrance to the beach?) and nearby towns. We had a great time at the arcades, mini golf, wind farm 'museum', PYO raspberries (my idea of heaven!). Then on saturday night my brother joined us at last with my ickle nephew, who made many friends on the playing field outside our door.
By the end of my stay I was used to the look of the place and sorry I did not use the facilities more. I would definitely go back again to the area, maybe trying the prettier camps instead...

AnnieH

My mother in law is taking my step kids to Camber Sands today. I hope they have a good time, and the weather is nice. When we went to Pontins 2 years ago, the weather was so awful, we came home early as there was not very much to do.

fabwitch_2

Just got back from Camber Sands and we had a fantastic time. The apartment though had not been cleaned but a very nice man apologised and swept up and hoovered all round. Thanks again to Pondie for this great deal. My kids loved it there so did my friends and sister in laws kids also. We went into Hasyings on Saturday on the bus and spent some time on the beach and looking round the town centre. On Sunday we went to the beach at Camber and it was like walking though a sand storm, but great fun, we really enjoyed the break and the kids have been askin me all day when can we go back to Pontins as they loved it there. A holiday is what you make it and although the accomodation may be basic the atmosphere and service was great.

CGG

Just back this afternoon from our freebie break at Hemsby.
A break is what you make it. Our apartment was fine - clean, tidy and certainly not dire. It didn't smell of stale cigarettes and the beds were more comfortable than ours at home! Plenty of spare clean sheets/pillow cases in cupboard.
The indoor swimming pool was great. We didn't go to the clubroom at all, as Saturday evening my son wanted to watch the last Doctor Who of the series, and then, of course, the football was on last night.
I want to thank pondie1 again for posting the details of these freebie breaks, as without his(?) kind input, my family wouldn't have had this break.
Cheers pondie1!

savingsgirl

Just wanted to say thanks- we've just got back from Hemsby and my 3 little ones are very tired and happy. Ok it wasnt the Ritz but a holiday is what you make of it and my children love beaches so we had a fab time!