Got a Butlins Bargain!!

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

blue_monkey wrote: »

Can you tell me what day time activities, kids clubs, rides and nightlife are there for free when you get to Italy please. As an example.

You think it expensive, others do not. Thats the way it goes really. For what you get included in the price at Butlins, you cannot compare that with a week in a caravan, having driven to a lakeside caravan Italy.

And driving to Italy would not feel like a holiday for me. We are driving to DLP Paris in May and that is enough, and far enough, for me

And because I spend every day cooking and cleaning up after my kids and hubby - where is my holiday if we self cater? I want to eat out.

We went to Orlando Oct/Nov 2010 Spent 3 weeks there. Booking again for May 2012.

The majority of the Parks have kids clubs-free- during the summer hols with a mass of activities. Large outdoor/indoor swimming complexes etc..etc. I'm not going to list every activity at every one of the hundreds of parks across the continent, that would be very dull, and is what Google was made for.

I believe it's comparable- better, in fact, as per my previous post. You don't. Ces't la vie.

I merely set out to prove it was doable; because I know it is.

For the record, if we go away with the intention of the kids having a "full on" few days- we go to Holland out of season. Four hourish drive from Calais, spacious caravan, free theme park, two hours free daily in one of the largest water parks in Europe (it's vast, and has some slides that even I won't do) lovely site set in the sand dunes, short walk into town (where there's a fab supermarket that even has a free tea/coffee machine) and entertainment if you want it. And yes, cheaper than the equivalent (if there was such a thing) in the UK.

Op, enjoy your holiday- if you're happy with the price it's a good deal

notakid

That's a good point Polly, I'd totally forgotten the parks abroad! They are a mecca for children, however Bluemonkey said she wanted a holiday as well and aren't they all SC? I know you can eat out but if the Mom wants a holiday as well......:p

chalkiesalem_2

debbie21 wrote: »

Somebody asked for an example of a holiday under £1000. Im not actually going to go there. I am also going to Butlins & the Oralndo in Nov like I do every year. I will probably also upgrade to silver when I get there but there is no way I am paying the upgrade prices now as you can usually get a better deal when you get there and speak to them in person!! :A

Many like minded people on here. When in November are you going? We will be there over the Thanksgiven period

BigKisses

Has anyone ever stayed in one of the deluxe lodges at Butlins Bognor? Apparently they're like a wooden beach hut over looking the sea near the Shoreline hotel? If so are they worth the price?

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

notakid wrote: »

That's a good point Polly, I'd totally forgotten the parks abroad! They are a mecca for children, however Bluemonkey said she wanted a holiday as well and aren't they all SC? I know you can eat out but if the Mom wants a holiday as well......:p

I've not been to all of them (yet ) but at least the majority are SC. A lot of the operators have started doing apartment resorts though- I don't know if there's a HB option with those. I'm a mum of four, so believe me I know how it feels to need a holiday from the mundane stuff! However, most places have on site eateries (and there's not so much of the "captive audience" pricing that goes on in the UK) but it's so easy to find somewhere nice to eat out- and you get more variety of course.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking Butlins if it's your thing- (and I didn't even state it was expensive btw) just arguing the point that it is very possible to do comparable stuff "abroad" on the same budget.

And now I want to go to Brittany. Harrumph. :cool:

blue_monkey_2

BigKisses wrote: »

Has anyone ever stayed in one of the deluxe lodges at Butlins Bognor? Apparently they're like a wooden beach hut over looking the sea near the Shoreline hotel? If so are they worth the price?

Not stayed in one but have seen them. Would I pay deluxe price. If I had the spare money I would because you are in a detached property with your own parking and it's close to everything.

I'd not say it overlooks the sea but it is in the seafront, the sea is over a wall. You might have to stand on a chair when you look out of the window....

At Minehead the Deluxe units are like caravans but you get your own decking area, patio furniture and parking space. Again I would if we had the money.

As for upgrading - it depends if anything is avialable. The first time we managed to upgrade to Gold from Silver for £50 and got a 3 bed apartment which was nice - on breaks after this there was nothing at all left, the resort was full and so we could not be upgraded so we book Silver as a minimum. So at peak times, if they are sold out, then you cannot upgrade - we have tried. I usually check online the day before I go and see if anything is left to book now and if it is we give it a go. We always try and upgrade to Deluxe but I've never been lucky. YET!!

blue_monkey_2

BigKisses wrote: »

LOL. I'll be honest, you're not gonna get a room with a jacuzzi at Butlins

Unless the kids are in the bath.... :rotfl:

notakid

I've not been to all of them (yet ) but at least the majority are SC. A lot of the operators have started doing apartment resorts though- I don't know if there's a HB option with those. I'm a mum of four, so believe me I know how it feels to need a holiday from the mundane stuff! However, most places have on site eateries (and there's not so much of the "captive audience" pricing that goes on in the UK) but it's so easy to find somewhere nice to eat out- and you get more variety of course.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking Butlins if it's your thing- (and I didn't even state it was expensive btw) just arguing the point that it is very possible to do comparable stuff "abroad" on the same budget.

And now I want to go to Brittany. Harrumph.

I haven't been to Butlins for 30 years! The last time was when I was 15 and I got the most horrible food poisoning and we were in those 3 story chalets and I knocked myself out trying to get to the toilet block across a field somewhere! (It was Minehead btw!):rotfl:

However, I know from experience and pricing holidays up that the UK holiday parks are so expensive and judging from what i've read Butlins have spent an awful lot of money in upgrading their services.

I'm thinking of holidaying in the Uk this year myself in Whitby, so if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears!;)

sammyw

How do you upgrade? Do you phone and ask? We've book silver for whitsun at bognor. Couldn't afford anything better at the time Are the queues there worse now the new hotel is built. We went a couple of years ago before the 2nd hotel was started and managed to get seats for shows easily then, bit worried that we'll have to queue for ages now.

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

notakid wrote: »

I haven't been to Butlins for 30 years! The last time was when I was 15 and I got the most horrible food posioning and we were in those 3 story chalets and I knocked myself out trying to get to the toilet block across a field somewhere! (It was Minehead btw!):rotfl:

However, I know from experience and pricing holidays up that the UK holiday parks are so expensive and judging from what i've read Butlins have spent an awful lot of money in upgrading their services.

I'm thinking of holidaying in the Uk this year myself in Whitby, so if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears!;)

Whitby is lovely, the people are warm & friendly & the surrounding scenery beautiful. Must admit though, I like it better when it's cold & bleak & I'm the only tourist around- it gets packed in the summer & during Gothfest.

Can't help with the accommodation though- I was in the verrrry lucky position of having free bed & board whenever I wanted it on aboard a particularly beautiful tall ship in the harbour.