I actually like Haven

The_mangler

I have used Haven a lot over the past ten years, been to Hafan y Mor (not so good), Primrose Valley (atrocious),Caister, Weymouth Bay and Devon Cliffs, all of which were fantastic. We're going back to DC on Monday then moving on to Park Dean's Torquay site for the weekend so it will be interesting to compare the two. I also tried Park Resorts at Scarborough which was probably the bast place out of them all. Haven suits us because I have a disabled husband and three kids ranging from 8 to 16 so generally theres something there for them all, plus we use it as a base to explore the area, once weve made use of the swimming pools!

kerry49

Snooper wrote: »

I have used a Haven Camp for the fist time and was totally thrown by the shabby condition of the furniture, and carpets through out the caravan I hired. It was like living in a gold fish bowel, with curtains (no nets) ill fitting and a door that is fully pained again no curtain. So at nights you are seen by anybody passing. The basic amenities were dated and in real need of repair. You do not get adequate cooking utensils and you are not provided with a micro wave. No heaters in the bed rooms. The claim of ‘standard’ caravan translates to a joke that I would advise everybody to avoid. The price you pay to stay at Haven for a basic almost tent like experience is insulting. The camp is based on how much they can extract from its customers, almost every that is provided labelled free is based on you either not participating OR joining in, but everything you use at a price !!

My experience for a like for like with Parkdean holidays is far removed. Parkdean supply you as ‘standard’ a micro wave, nets on windows for day time / night time privacy. Curtains on door and all windows. The amenities are fresh and always in good condition. Every caravan I have used with them has had heaters in the bed rooms(used them over a number of years) the price IS truly good value when you consider what you are getting for the same with haven is by far more. As I say, like for like at ‘standard’ Haven push up the user price just to match what Parkdean provide.

I shall NEVER use Haven willingly again.. !!

oh what a shame, that probably ruined your holiday. unfortunately the one thing I did find is the staff are nt always helpful.

But try a 9.50 sun holiday at Rockley and upgrade to platinum or like and I am sure you will change your mind, lol. I am fussy and was impressed by Rockley Park, do you have children?

Kerry x

su1_2

I went to Rockley Park in May, it was the best park and caravan I have stayed in and I have been going twice a year for 8 years on the Sun holidays, all over the country.
I didn't pay for any upgrade but the caravan had double glazing, central heating, very clean, a pleasure to stay in. The camp itself was very clean. Sure to go there again.

loucroft

Have to comment on Snoopers post, and agree with most points raised there tbh. Which is why I'd recommend private hire at these parks - it seems all the complaints were about the accommodation, some I've noticed about staff but if you do it privately you get a cheaper deal, improved quality - better value all around. If you book privately through a seperate company then there's always a fall back if you get caught out, we did it will individuals that were using their own van to hire out and were impressed every time.

I think Haven may make just as much money from private hire as they do hiring themselves which takes more workforce and a great deal of time, which is why so many of their plots are allocated to people that will deal with rentals themselves.

I think Snooper had a bad experience, the people next to us did to so I have to be open to booking privately if I ever use them again.

Have used Parkdean, Park Resorts, Butlins, Center Parcs and Siblu ( Haven Europe, or they used to be Haven) and the Haven accommodation was poor. At least butlins has a superior entertainment rota and center parcs have private accommodation and a good workforce to help if you need it.

Smart_Mart

I almost feel like a veteran of Haven camps having been to them so many times. Each occasion, I've booked through the Sun's £9.50 holiday voucher collection scheme and normally get first or second choices...

Went the weekend before last to Devon Cliffs - that's the fifth time I've been there. Always go with my twin boys aged nine, we've been going now for four years. Also been to Rockley Park, Perran Sands, Burnham and also Littlesea at Weymouth. The accommodation this time wasn't great but the atmosphere on the final night is great 9we went in halfterm week, the night before the camp closed for winter!!).

At the end of the day, the three of us get a mini holiday for about £60 all in which is a bargain. I'd recommend Devon Cliffs every time to people although Rockley Park is also nice.

Stompa

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2010/11/haven_holiday.html

BrownGirl

We stayed with Haven at Haggerston Castle at the beginning of November through the paper offer. Our caravan was very very damp (horrible smell, black damp patches on the matresses and damp seating) and had various equipment which was either missing or broken - we left early it was that bad.

However, saying that, the staff we met were all great, the site is located in a beautiful area of the country and was clean and tidy and the facilities on site seemed fine (although you did have to pay for additional passes to enable you to access everything from the pub to food outlets so we didn't actually use them).

The experience hasn't put us off caravan parks but we won't be staying in Haven accommodation again.

rosatoso_2

BrownGirl wrote: »

We stayed with Haven at Haggerston Castle at the beginning of November through the paper offer. Our caravan was very very damp (horrible smell, black damp patches on the matresses and damp seating) and had various equipment which was either missing or broken - we left early it was that bad.

However, saying that, the staff we met were all great, the site is located in a beautiful area of the country and was clean and tidy and the facilities on site seemed fine (although you did have to pay for additional passes to enable you to access everything from the pub to food outlets so we didn't actually use them).

The experience hasn't put us off caravan parks but we won't be staying in Haven accommodation again.

Did anyone see Watchdog last night? I recently went on my first Haven break to the Orchards in Clacton and our caravan was absolutely disgusting - I have written to them including details and photographs and am awaiting a response. I was shocked last night when I stumbled upon it watching TV that other people (obviously not all) have experienced similar problems.

Are there any MSErs out there who have had similar problems and complained?

P__G

I completely agree - fabulous experience

davehills

Out of all the 'Caravan' parks I have been to, Haven have been the best.

Unfortunately, something always goes 'wrong' which lets them down, such as the restaurant manager 'forgetting' half of our meals and getting shirty when we asked for a refund...but that's another story...