Got a Butlins Bargain!!

jakes-mum

sorry to go off topic, but do butlins have a good food selection for coeliacs? This is the first year i'm going to have to go on holiday in britain (medical issues mean I cant travel far so airports and flights are a complete nono) so am looking for somewhere with lots for kids to do and cater well for my 9 yr old. Was thinking about butlins or haven. (again sorry for the thread detour!

flea72

Poly,put_the_kettle_on wrote: »

Easily. Two adults and up to FOUR under 19's, last week of August two bed caravan in the Italian lakes, Dover Calais ferry inc. for under £600. No food in with that price, but with £400 change it's no biggie to eat out. That's just the first of the bunch, from one euro camping operator. And that's paying full price, a month ago there would have been discounts, and there will be again nearer the time.

so not exactly a weeks holiday, as it takes a full day to drive to the lakes from calais (better to split over 2 days really), which unless you live near dover, puts even more hours on your trip - would want to use toll roads too, to speed things up, so that would put another whack onto the price tag, plus fuel - all in i think fuel and tolls would be another £500

the exchange rate to the euro at the moment is really bad. tbh £400 for a weeks food, would mean having to cook it all yourself, so pricewise still doesnt stack up against Butlins at £1k

F

flea72

EssexGirl wrote: »

But the summer before we rented a friend's apartment in Spain and 3 of us had a week for £600 inc flights and car hire o it an be done if you look around and book early.

£600 for 3, makes it £800 for 4. now add on the cost of food for 4 people, and you are up to the £1k

assuming you didnt pay mates rates for the accommodation?

F

matt987106

We have just came back from Butlins ( fri - monday )

We have done the same dates for the last few years

now i do not understand the Butlins haters, what is not to like ? ? the chalets are nice enough inside ( we stay silver plus OR gold ), We either eat at the food court or Pizza hut etc etc ( though this time we did the prem dining ), the Pool is great for a few hours entertainment, though the Q for the raft ride was very long all weekend the evening entertainment caters for all ages, from under 3's to teens, bar prices are similar to a pub, the day time entertainment is fine aswell, mine did 'fencing' and it was good for 1 hour

seriously, what can you not like about it

We also go to disney ( orlando ) most years aswell, normally in oct, Yes Butlins isnt a patch on disney, but neither is the price, but its not that bad, i allways compare it to a UK disney ( the americans do service well and it shows )

RoxieW

In 2008 we stayed in a beautiful place can Vilanova in Spain in August for less than that.
Ten days, good quality caravan, family of four - £600 plus cheap flights to Barca £200. Kids clubs and on-site entertainment - free.
Self catering but I can feed a family of four for 2 weeks on £200.
We booked through Europarcs, they have some great deals.
I'd highly recommend it.

MrsE_2

matt987106 wrote: »

We have just came back from Butlins ( fri - monday )

We have done the same dates for the last few years

now i do not understand the Butlins haters, what is not to like ? ? the chalets are nice enough inside ( we stay silver plus OR gold ), We either eat at the food court or Pizza hut etc etc ( though this time we did the prem dining ), the Pool is great for a few hours entertainment, though the Q for the raft ride was very long all weekend the evening entertainment caters for all ages, from under 3's to teens, bar prices are similar to a pub, the day time entertainment is fine aswell, mine did 'fencing' and it was good for 1 hour

seriously, what can you not like about it

We also go to disney ( orlando ) most years aswell, normally in oct, Yes Butlins isnt a patch on disney, but neither is the price, but its not that bad, i allways compare it to a UK disney ( the americans do service well and it shows )

I'm certainly not a hater, but I was shocked at the cost.

I will tell you why it wouldn't do it for me.

I want my accommodation when I go away to be a treat & that means better than home, not "nice enough".
For food I want proper dining, not a food court or pizza bar.
I want my pool/sea to be in the open air & the water to be warm (which no sea off the UK is going to be).
Lastly I want sunny hot weather, guaranteed.

matt987106

jakes-mum wrote: »

sorry to go off topic, but do butlins have a good food selection for coeliacs? This is the first year i'm going to have to go on holiday in britain (medical issues mean I cant travel far so airports and flights are a complete nono) so am looking for somewhere with lots for kids to do and cater well for my 9 yr old. Was thinking about butlins or haven. (again sorry for the thread detour!

Not sure on the food issue, sorry ( they have a wide selection of food though, BUT you can go self catering and take your own food and prep it yourself, might be a idea for people with food issues ), still loads of places to eat, pizza hut, burger king, a pub doing pub food, chip shop, a few cafes

but as for stuff to do for a 9yr old, loads and loads, from the moment you get up to bed time

it really is designed to keep the children happy

MileySmiley_2

Hi BLue Monkey, I think your £1000 for a week for 4 is pretty good tbh. I have not been to Butlins since I was a kid but have friends who go every other year as their kids LOVE IT.
I cannot see how a family of 4 could go abroad for that in the summer hols with accomodation,food,cleaning of your rooms and all entertainment for a week...Hope you have a great holiday and thanks for posting xx

karlie88

you cannot put a price on quality family time, especially on a holiday.

seems like a good deal OP!

if you have the money, then go for it.

have a nice holiday op!

Jodie+Matt

Were going in term time in may..
2 adults, 1 child
standard breakfast and dinner (went premier dining last year and didnt think it was worth the extra)
silver accomodation but upgraded to apartment (its usually just room when you go breakfast and dinner, but with a 2 year old we thought it would be nice to have a kitchen and living room so weve got somewhere to sit when she goes to bed)
for £294.40
I think it worked out nearly £100 less to go with a normal room rather than apartment though