Pontins Prestatyn anyone been?

FatAndy

millerose wrote: »

They were in the process of building a Tesco so maybe thats built now?

The new Tesco is due to open sometime soon. It's part of a new retail park in the centre of Prestatyn which will also include an M&S, Next, River Island, New Look and Boots.

http://www.meliden.org.uk/?p=1121

Scorpio_girlie

We went last year - it was very run down and horribly dirty. I would NOT go there again. I do not mind basic, in fact that was what I was expecting for the price we paid, however, there is no need for filth.

penrhyn

Suggest you watch 'Holiday on the Buses'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDbcUCslJWs


I hate you Butler!!

http://www.moviemapnorthwales.co.uk/eng/map_detail_12.html

pinklady.82

millerose wrote: »

We went to Pontins Prestatyn on a Sun Holiday in August 2012 for those £15 Holidays. We were 2 adults and 2 children (7 and 5).

We upgraded to Club (the top accomodation) for about £100. This included unlimited heating and electricity, passes, free newspaper everday and towels and bedding. We felt this was worth it because with the Sun deal you have to pay your service charge and passes anyway and in the basic accomodation your heating and electric is metered and you have to buy cards etc.

The chalet/room was totally fine :). It was like a Butlins Silver chalet. All the Club appartments had patio type doors. We were in a 1 bed chalet with a sofa bed. The kids had a nice room with 2 comfy beds. The kitchenette had kettle, micro, ironing board, iron and all the everday essentials, plates knives etc. Pots and pans were a bit iffy - so take your own frying pan as they are non stick lol. It was clean, nice decor, no muck, smell or dents in the walls. The bathroom was sit down bath with a swimming pool type shower where you press a button and the shower works, nice new tiles, toilet and sink. We had a proper wooden dining table with 4 wooden chairs. The site was being upgraded and the club appartments/chalets had had a makeover. I cannot comment for classic or popular but I did notice that they were situated near the bar/club so there might be some night time noise from the discos.

In no way is it 5* but then again these holidays arent for staying in your room all day. It depends what you like and what you are expecting from a holiday. If you are an OCD nit picking clean freak then its a no no. It was clean, livable for us and we arent scrubbers. I would recommend if you went club to ask and pay £10 for a ground floor one as it backs on to the patio - grass area, so the kids can play out and not go down the rather steep steps and you can see them at all times. We will do that next time.

The swimming pool is a bit dated, its not your £1m pool, but it was split into 2 parts, a childrens shallow pool with a small plastic slide and a larger lane type pool. Not enough lockers so dont take valuables/money, small changing rooms and the showers arent great, but its free so enjoy. The kids liked this the most.

Upstairs in the receiption area there is a soft play area, with video games and slides, ball pools, little tyles cars etc for kids with a nursery nurse type of staff member. Parents can sit, read and watch. This is free, you have to stay with your child and sign them in and out. Great for cold and wet weather.

There is an outdoor playround for kids with crazy golf and climbing tower, along with the football field and goals.

The restaurant is an all you can eat or where you eat if you are half board etc. It was £5 per adult and £4 for child. Good choices, fish, sausage, chips, curry, meat, veg and a huge salad bar, desserts, cakes and icecream. Menu varies daily. Never ate breakast as we were self catering.

On site shop is a typical Spar type shop, average prices but take your own foods. The nearest Tesco or ASDA is about 15-20mins away. They dont do lottery! Good for missing essentials such as milk or bread.

The entertainment complex was fine. They had stadium type seating at the back when it was busy so everyone got a seat. Yes, it gets busy and people hog tables but if the kids are danicng at the front then you just sit on the stadium seats at the back and its fine. Good coin machines and arcade games. Had a few fast food places near the bar, such as hotdogs and pizza, popcorn etc.

Never went to the 'pub' on site but apparently it was okay.

If you turn left at the entrance and walk down the lane - you come to the massive beach, all flat and sandy and fantastic! only about a 10 minute walk. Prestatyn is about a 20 minute walk and there is a Lidl and various shops. They were in the process of building a Tesco so maybe thats built now?

Honestly I read Tripadvisor et al and was horrified :eek:. We had a great time. In fact far better than Butlins and you know why? with Butlins its all under one roof, so many rides, shows, clubs etc that you never leave the site and you are spending more money. We visited off site too - went to a clothing outlet, Prestatyn, Rhyll and a castle. We stopped off at Cheshire Oaks on the way home and ate in the cool 70s diner

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and the kids talk about it all the time more so than Butlins, with Butlins the kids go 'oh again....been on that, done that' but there it was different. The bluecoats are okay too and the characters are great and the kids stuff is really good.

Thankyou for taking the time to type this, I really appreciate it:)

millerose

Scorpio_girlie wrote: »

We went last year - it was very run down and horribly dirty. I would NOT go there again. I do not mind basic, in fact that was what I was expecting for the price we paid, however, there is no need for filth.

When did you go though? They were renovating the accommodation apartments during the summer months. By the time we arrived in late August, paintwork and new equipment was installed. They are updating everything slowly but it does take time and money. More slowly when the site is open. A lot of the renovations will be done when the site is closed during the winter months.

I agree there is no need for dirt. I can honestly say that our apartment was cleaned with bleach and we had pure white towels and bedding. Now, I don't know if this was because we were in a better apartment or were lucky, but upon leaving on the Friday there was a team of 20 cleaners stripping the apartments and hoovering mopping all the club apartments. The cleaners were very friendly and English. I know that sounds racist but when we went to Butlins one year, our gold apartment was horrific, beer bottles and sick on carpet. It hadn't been cleaned after an 80s weekend. I complained and the head of cleaning services told us that they outsource cleaning to a polish company who use polish cleaners. She implied that sometimes they skip cleaning duties on purpose to go quicker and still get paid. I know some english cleaners probably do the same! But it's cost cutting because a polish company will probably be cheaper but you might not get the same quality.

It doesnt matter whether you go gold class or peasant class, it should be clean and safe.

My opinion, go, if you don't like the site for whatever reason, spend time off site visiting the stunning scenery and attractions.

One Weds we went to Rhyl and did the cinema "orange wednesday 2 for 1" and got a voucher for the Sea Aquarium next door from their website ( 2 for 1). It made a good day out. We also looked around the town and had some time on the beach. You can park cheaply for the day near the cinema.

penrhyn

Rhyl, the Skegness of North Wales.:D

FatAndy

millerose wrote: »

The cleaners were very friendly and English. I know that sounds racist but when we went to Butlins one year, our gold apartment was horrific, beer bottles and sick on carpet. It hadn't been cleaned after an 80s weekend. I complained and the head of cleaning services told us that they outsource cleaning to a polish company who use polish cleaners. She implied that sometimes they skip cleaning duties on purpose to go quicker and still get paid. I know some english cleaners probably do the same! But it's cost cutting because a polish company will probably be cheaper but you might not get the same quality.

I should point out that the cleaners in Prestatyn might not necessarily all be English :whistle:.