a few questions from a butlins virgin

NMSE12

Hello all.
I am hoping to book butins holiday in the next week and have a few questions.
Is the minehead site any good? we have 8,4 (almost 5) and a 3yr old.
We have priced £601 for 4nights in a silver apartment with kitchenette (27th June) that includes the premier dining (£528 normal dining) is the extra £80 worth it for the premier?
When they say Breakfast and dinner they mean evening meal right??? (i'm a northerner!)
What isn't included in the price that i should be aware of?
When they say kitchenette what is that?? Is it suitable for a family of 5 on a half board? thinking toaster/fridge/sink etc etc

Thankyou in advance for any answers you can give me! as a possible first timer at butlins i'm slightly nervous:beer:

NMSE12

Also is it possible to upgrade when your there? room and the food package?? thinking if we book standard food then decide that the grass is much greener other side....

ojc77

Have you considered just going self catering in a Silver Apartment? That would cost you £357.50 at the moment.
Then when you are there you can decide if you want to eat in the dining rooms or cook yourself or eat out in the other restaurants on site.

We have been to Butlins Minehead many times (Going again in April!) - first few times went with the food option - but soon became bored of the food choices (even in the premium restaurant). They can be very noisy and canteen like (premium one was better though). Food serving time can be limiting as well - as you have to plan your day around it.

If you decide to take up the food deal when you are there it will cost £20 per day per adult in the Premium and £10 per child.
If you look at it they way and say eat breakfast in the apartment - that then free's up about £70 per day (excluding breakfast costs) to either eat in say Pizza Hut, Sun & Moon, Finnagans or to go to one of the many off site places. I appreciate that with 3 children though this could prove more costly!

Another option you might want to consider is staying in one of the privately owned caravans on-site. This could save you an absolute fortune! Take a look at http://www.directholidayhomes.co.uk/butlins_minehead.html the rates include access to all the butlins facilities - they are not like Haven that charge extra for passes!

This one is £220 for the week you want: http://www.directholidayhomes.co.uk/sprop_ref_3186.html

This one is £225: http://www.directholidayhomes.co.uk/sprop_ref_2944.html

and this one £250:
http://www.directholidayhomes.co.uk/sprop_ref_2944.html

Feel free to ask if you have any more questions! I love Minehead and go every year!

caz1978_2

Hi Natt

I am going on our 5th holiday to Butlins Minehead this year, I have a one year old boy and a five year old girl and believe me we always have plenty to do

We always go half board in a silver plus room. Breakfast is between 7/8 and 10 I think and dinner is usually 4.30 till 7.30 (if I remember correctly). There is a huge choice at breakfast including cooked breakfast and it is all buffett style (as is the dinner, also lots of choice) so you never need much at lunchtime to tide you over. There is a huge tesco within walking distance if you want to buy snacks etc.

We had a meal in the premier dining once because I took my daughter to a character lunch. It was very very nice but I am still happy with the dining included in the silver room. I do know that it is limited, for example the week we are going it is not available for upgrading anymore. If you really really want it I would advise to book it while it is available just in case.

If you want a kitchen thats great but we have never needed one, we have a silver plus room which includes a fridge, which we found sufficient so this may save you some money.

We think Minehead is brilliant and havent been to the other two sites but I always hear good things about all of them.

One of my favourite things about Butlins is the little booklet you get with all the entertainments info in it so you can plan what you are going to do that week and don't miss any of the shows. If you want more of a flavour of what the entertainment is like I suggest you can go on youtube and search through peoples home movies of their holidays. My daugther's favourite was the skyline gang (google them). I hope this helps

NMSE12

Thankyou for your help
ojc77 just about to have a look at your links.
Slightly undecided as had a few friends telling me i'd hate it!
Sounds alot for the food when you break down the costs, but then again £20 for a 3 course meal and breakfast is good....
We normally do self catering an dnever had a problem with it nce to choose what to eat, where to eat and when. Just thought i never really get a holiday from cooking and cleaning lol!
Think i shall keep looking, holidays saved now so have 14days to decide (i think!)
Shall have a nosey on youtube too!

Eagle_1

Never been to Minehead but have been to Skegness and like to go Half Board.
There are lots of different foods to choose from so the kids will all be sorted (even fussy eaters). Its self service and you can go back as many times as you like. We never need to eat during the day, the breakfast keeps us going till we eat later or if we are feeling peckish we just have a sarnie back at the apartment. (We prefer apartments and not just room).
So yes it may sound expensive but if you work out how much it is to eat out these days I think the meals option is a good deal. No cooking, no washing up and also not having to wander round a place trying to find somewhere nice to eat.