butlins instead of pontins? worth it

gawebb99

ok so we booked a cheap (£49) break to pontins camber sands in october half term (mon-fri) but we are now thinking of not going after reading awful reviews and seeing horrible photos!

as its a self catering break we would have spent a fair bit on eating out and entertainment etc

kids would love to go to butlins, just wondering is it really worth it? looking at £700 for dinner bed and breakfast for ocotber half term:eek: although with that including food we wouldnt need much spending money.... or would we? can you stay at butlins, be busy in the day time and not need to go anywhere off site? or do you need a chunk of spending money too?we would obviousely take some, but wouldnt want to take too much after paying £700

LunaLady

If you can afford to go I would. Pontins @ Camber Sands is hell on earth.

Most things are included at Butlins, so when we go I only normally take £300 for the week for 1 adult and 3 children.

gawebb99

haha yes i have read similar reviews- hence not wanting to go now!

cannot decide what to do... butlins for a week or find someone else? needs to be plenty on for the children as dont want to be paying for days out etc.

Syman

Camber sands has a great beach but that's about it locally. So if you get good weather it's not too bad.

Have not been there for a while but in my experience......

The apartments were functional but VERY dated.
The cleanliness was OK but not perfect.
The pool is basic, but ok if you take a ball to play with.
The Pub is like a normal pub, big screen, quiz nights etc
The main entertainment bar had been redecorated last time we went, and the entertainment was structured so that the younger kids stuff was first then got more "adult" as the evening went on.
There were kids clubs everyday, but the our eldest (13 at the time) was a bit bored by them. I would check with them what is available as may be reduced so late in the season.
Food in the restaurant was fine if a bit over priced ( there is a nice chippy just outside though).

superwhy

Butlins is brilliant for the kids, have been a few times with the kids and hoping to go again in september. There is plenty to do that is included in the price, however, there is also hundreds of arcade/teddy machines everywhere - that is where they sting you for your money!! If you can steer clear of these, or perhaps set a budget of a couple of quid a day and stick to it, then it is definitaly worth going to Butlins.

poshstock66

I think it's a no brainer really. We went to camber sands quite a few years ago now (AT LEAST 10) and the accommodation was very basic, and the main double bed was a pull out sofa bed in the small lounge and was very uncomfortable! I ended up sleeping on one of the spare single beds which wasn't much better tbh! We are hoping to get butlins in this round of sun 9.50 holiday's - as the kids would love to go - thanks SUPERWHY for that helpful comment....finger's crossed we can get butlins! x

t_obermory

If you were going to go self catering at Pontins, why not go self catering at Butlins? We went last year to Minehead and stayed in their cheapest level of accommodation self catering and had a really good time. The apartment was good; clean and well equipped. The majority of the activities were included, the swimming pool is brilliant, the evening entertainment was good and the beach is literally just across the road. We went off site a fair bit to see the local area but I'd have thought you could quite happily stay on site all week if you took advantage of all the free activities.

I was dubious before I went as to what it'd be like but I was really pleasantly surprised and would go again.