Daily mail holiday offer starts 4th january

*manda*

I agree, we have had only good experiences of Haven.

We always take our own bedding anyway- just prefer my own duvet and may as well take it with a cover on! Cheaper too. We take washing up bits for kitchen but we have never had any issues with cleanliness. We use them as a base and mostly eat out but with the option of eating in if wanting to. Sometimes the ovens can be a bit weak but otherwise cooking facilities are fine! We spend all day out and about, usually go back and get changed then head out somewhere for evening - sometimes on site, sometimes off. Sleep- then same again.

robstersgirl

I'm thinking of doing the European holidays does anyone know anything about them ??

French_Knickers

dollop wrote: »

ive been on these a few times,dont forget its not just the £15 you have to pay,at most parks you have to add on cash for the entertainment passes ect,they always ask if you want bedding thats an extra tenner,i always say no but they always give me the bedding anyway.

I can throughly reccomend hafan y mor in wales which is a haven,and primrose valley,again is a haven.

Also just be carefull because when you get a budget caravan they sometimes dont have heating in the bedrooms and it can get very very very cold at night.

Hafen y mor has loads of facilities for the kids, but the standard of accomodation is far from good! Rule of thumb on this site, DO NOT go in standard accomodation as they allow dogs in. We got money back this year as my OH had TWO tics I had to dig out of her! :eek:

I'd stayed in a superior chalet the year before and it was very clean.

My favourite site for cleanliness and peacefulness (for those of you without kids as its a small site and has liited facilities) is Riviera Sands, I've been there a few times and its spot on everytime. Interestingly enough they do not allow dogs on that site at all....wonder if theres a link to cleanliness and dog allowance?

I take my own bedding (including quilt as its nice to curl up in your own quilt) but appreciate its not always possible if taking lots of kids too. You also don't have to buy the entertainment passes either, but sometimes they are there in your welcome pack anyway for free.

nosherw

At the end of the day you get what you pay for,

we have been to perranporth and great yarmouth and both were very good,

as *manda* says, if you use the caravan as a base it is excellent and Haven have good swimming pools for the kids,

Caravans were sometimes a bit grubby but not dirty and definately good value for money holiday

x

kelbag_2

We went to Hendra in Newquay last year and paid an extra £12.50 for an upgrade.

Absolute bargain, the caravan was lovely, the park was nice and quiet around the vans and the facilities were great.

Only complaint we had was that every newquay attraction charged you to park and we were disappointed with the zoo. They charged us £10 each and it was only tiny.

robstersgirl

the John fowler sites are normally included in these type of promotions always excellent if you stay at the one in hailed it's all houses.

French_Knickers

nosherw wrote: »

At the end of the day you get what you pay for,


x

Sorry but that is not strictly true! For the cost of a Sun holiday, they are cheap but rent that SAME caravan in august and you'll be paying 700 quid plus for it and I certainly wouldn't call them good value, in fact I don't even think they are remotely near fair value!

As you say, as a base and for 80 quid (ish) for 4 nights, they ain't bad provided you can find a reasonably clean one.

*Jelly_Tots*

dollop wrote: »

ive stayed in a few caravans with haven and theyve all been clean,the only one i ever had a problem with was a chalet at craig tara that was grubby,but never anything as bad as pontins,i dont know how people can complain when they get a holiday so cheap. and thats not directed at you.

The thing is we ended up paying £190 for 4 of us in a deluxe caravan (you can't upgrade to a prestige on these offers) for 3 nights, which is really really cheap I know, but at the same time £190 is £190. And for the caravan we had I wouldn't stay in it if they paid me.
We took our own bedding. The caravan was so dirty it spoilt my holiday and I'm really not a clean-freak - I'm a bit of a housework-slob lol. They were fully booked so we couldn't be moved, so I ended up scrubbing all the mould off the walls and carpets but the caravan stunk of mould and stale chips. The settees were filthy and stained. We had to wash all our own quilts when we got home as they also stank of the caravan, as well as our cases etc etc.
I have been to various different caravans over last 2 years and it really is the luck of the draw if you get a decent one or not.
I am annoyed that Haven don't respond to compaints and I don't want to be a party pooper, but just want to warn people that there is a possibility the caravan will be disgusting and dirty. Don't get me wrong, the kids loved the facilities, entertainment and swimming pool etc. but I don't think I want to risk ever staying in a horrendous mouldy & stained caravan again. We felt really trapped, even though we just 'use them as a base'. It's sad for us, as we will probably not be able to afford any other type of holiday, but it really was awful. I always thought these people on the travel review sites talking about Haven were just a load of moaners until I had a similar experience and it does make you angry.
Yes, it's cheap and we could have just turned round and gone home, but it's not just the money. It is all the hassle of packing your stuff and travelling to a Haven park with excited kids to be bitterly disappointed.
Sorry - didn't mean to type 'War and Peace' - just feel strongly after our last experience .
EDIT: And I have to say the staff are always lovely.

robstersgirl

before booking it is worth checking with the sites direct as once you factor in all the charged for extras it's sometimes cheaper to book direct as they dong charge the extras

lynnexxxo

We used this promotion last year to book Lakelands - its a haven site but was quite nice, new swimming pool, plenty to do in surrounding area (but you needed a car).

Our caravan was ok clean and fresh enough, but freezing at night. Our frends who booked the same promotion at the same time lucked out and got a very new all mod cons caravan.

If you are going outwith school and major holidays there is a good chance you can get it cheaper by booking direct though.