Butlins - who has been? Advice please

Mum_of_Boys

Hi Finc

Please don't be too worried. I went to Butlins at Minehead twice last year, first time on my own with hubby:D , second time with my 3 children and parents.

Both times we stayed in the silver plus bungalow.

I have no complaints nor high recommendations for the accommodation BUT I have nothing but praise for the on camp activities for children. There is aways something for them to be doing and because the environment is so relaxed you'll find that you will arrive home feeling as if you too have had a break too.

Evening entertainment is great, early evening slot for the children and then entertainment for the adults at about 9pm. Your children will be in their elements, on site they have visits from Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam etc.

Do as I did.... Go with an open mind, don't expect too much and you should have a great time. :j

Let us know how you get on.

lady_stardust

I live about a mile from the Bognor Butlins and DH used to work there. It's a good idea getting Gold accommodation, being one of the older Butlins the Standard and Silvers are a bit past it. They are pulling down all the chalets later this year at Bognor and replacing them with hotel accommodation.

Although the surrounding area is lovely there is actually surprisingly little to do for families. Amberley Working Museum is good but avoid the Weald and Downland museum unless you want whining bored kids! Littlehampton is a nice place to go for a half day if the weather is nice and it is generally a smarter resort than Bognor.

As a local can I just make one request - do your shopping off site and put your money into the local economy rather than Butlins' coffers. Sadly they are quite detached from the local community which is a shame because something like that has the potential to do so much for the town.

Eagle_1

We went to Butlins skegness in silver accomodation and I liked Butlins itself for what was on site to do but if i ever went again id most deffinately go in a caravan instead of butlins chalets. I didnt like the noise factor from other guests and its not like they were being overly noisy its just the fact that the noise travelled in the apartments.
On a night one of the apartments next to us left the light on in the bathroom all night and all we could hear was the fan going, quite annoying when you arent used to it. also people just walking in the flat above was quite noisy, so yeah i think id go back to Butlins but just not a chalet.

fay144

I went on holiday to Butlins as a child, and then worked there a couple of summers while I was a student.

I'd say that for kids under the age of 10 it's a good place for a holiday. Over that (and for parents) it's really not the best (and I'd keep 15/16 year old girls well away from the place and particularly the staff)

I have bad memories of long shifts listening to the appalling entertainment but the young kids loved it.

Mutantk

I would like to add that we have been to Butlins Bognor every year at least once since 2004, this is the first year it's just too expensive to go during school holidays...we always stay in a gold apartment but we go half board.
The gold apartments are excellent, modern, spacious (and we have 3 under four years old!) and the facilities inside are great. The food included in half board is excellent, particularly for the kids, it is help yourself in the dining room but again, this is great with the kids cos you can dive in as soon as you get there and the kids aren't sitting at the table waiting for their orders to be taken. Soft drinks and tea/coffee/hot choc are also included which really helps keep the cost down. If you have a big brekkie, a bit of toast back at the apartment is sufficient for lunch and also keeps the cost down. If you go out the back of the camp you can walk along the front into Bognor where there is a Tesco express so you can cheaply stock up on bread, milk, kids snacks/goodies to keep in the apartment. The shop on camp is overpriced and the food places are too and aren't great quality either.
the entertainment is constant and for the kids, fantastic - I know some people think the standard isn't great but Butlins is not a £5000 cruise where you would expect it to be better! The kids love all the party dances, character appearences, shows etc etc and I really don't think you can go wrong. With the little ones in tow everything is so easy there, it's home from home and you will have a fantastic time - and I'm jealous!!!!!

Lyndsay_21

we went a few years ago and stayed in the shoreline hotel...the room was really nice but did work out expensive as we had to eat out as we had no cooking facitities, we went into bognor mostly for our meals which was a nice little town as i remember.

Smi1er

finc wrote: »

Please someone tell me Butlins at Minehead will be better or I might not bother going.

Depends what you want out of a holiday.

We're off to Butlins Minehead soon for a week, our fifth visit in as many years.

The food is above average, the rooms are fine (we only sleep and wash in them) and the entainment is non stop. We're on the go from 10am till Midnight.

Would I go there if we didn't have kids? No, but as a family holiday it's great! In fact we've already booked up for 2009!!

adea

Does anyone know if Butlins still offer the babysitting service?
We're going to Bognor in August/September with our 4 and 6 year old girls and would like a night out if possible.

Thanks in advance

something_girl

went to Butlins Ayr many a time, when the kids were little, they loved it, we loved it. Always went in budget breakfast and dinner accommodation.

One awful thing was that one year, our car was keyed all round in the car park, that really ruined our hols as it was a rather new BMW. Staff took no responsibility, as they would, so we left that day as we didn't want to stay another night....

but that's not really to do with the holiday, just really bad luck.

I really did enjoy those hols, went to Haven in North Wales too (think that used to be a Butlins park).

Baybee1984

I LOVEEE Butlins!!
It is amazing for kids, so much to do!
Gold accomodation is lovely, really clean and dead modern!
You'll really enjoy it!!