Butlins - who has been? Advice please

ash11

we went bogner 2 years ago we had the silver apartments, when we got there the kitchen was dirty, so we phoned up and withen 10 minuites the cleaners came and cleaned up the kitchen, the bathroom is tiny we tried to stay out of the accomadation as much as possible its was ok and basic , but the kids loved butlins they were 3 and 1.5 and loved meeting all the characters, and going on the rides and swimming first thing in the morining when its only parents and toddlers.
Im not sure about babysitting in the evening but they do have a creche during the day where you can leave your child for about two hours.

Hope you have a good time

suki1964

Its a few years since I was at Butlins Bognor. We took the kids when they were young and they LOVED it. Entertainment all day and half the night, freedom to run around and not be thought annoying, swimming and fair ground rides whenever they wanted - a kids paradise.

And the evening adult entertainment werent bad either

Its not a relaxing sophisticated holiday, but if the kids are having fun then that makes for mum and dad having a good time

Go with an open mind and enjoy

itzmee

We've just come from a week at Butlins Skegness and the kids had a great time, we thought it was ok. They loved the swimming and go-karts (which cost us a small fortune!) The accommodation (silver appt) was clean and surprisingly quiet as we were well away from all the entertainment and tbh it was mostly young families so no noisy revellers coming back in the early hours waking everyone up! The only complaint we had was that the bed (wooden one with plyboard base) was so creaky every time we moved that we didn't get a wink of sleep the first night. We complained to guest services who arranged to fix it within 2 hours but it was still creaky so we complained again and they ripped the bed out and replaced it with one that didn't make a sound! The food was quite repetitive, carvery or fish every day and full english every morning - we were fed up of it by Wednesday and we only arrived on Monday. We didn't even bother going for breakfast on Friday (our last day) as we were desperate for something else to eat and stopped at McDonalds on our way home! All in all though it was a good break and I wouldn't rule out going back to Butlins but would probably go gold instead next time.

Smi1er

Sorry but I must take you up on a few things.

Swimming has no charge as your post might imply it does. There is a charge for Go-Karting but the rest of the funfair rides are free.

The choice of food is very good. For example you can have Salad, Jacket Spud with Fillings, Fried selection (Chips/Fish/Sauage), Roast (Chicken/Roast Pots, Mash, three different veg). It's all rotated throughout the week.

I honestly think that for the amount of people they cook for they couldn't improve the selection, or the quality.

RoxieW

I'm trying to organise a trip with a few mums from nursery (and kids obv) - does anyone have any tips to get the best price - anywhere to find offer codes etc?
We're not fussy when we go although it would pref be fri - mon or hols (thou too exp I think for this) as 2 of the children are school age.
We are a group of 3 mums, 5 kids and a baby. Logistically it seems a nightmare. There is a standard apartment large enough but someone would draw short straw and be on the sofa bed Has anyone slept on those? Are they a nightmare?

melie3

tricky subject, as people are all different....
if you've never been then best to see for yourself than have people make up your mind. you need to be openminded.
i have been to all 3 sites... and personally wouldnt go again... but then again the kids loved it...

sticher

My kids LOVE Butlins!!

We have been to both Bognor and Minehead (twice) and are soon to go to Bognor again.

I am always puzzled when people complain about food choices being 'samey' as when I have been the breakfast choices alone include cereal, cooked food, breads and fruit - ?what more could be offered? and yes it would be the same each day - unless they only offered cereal one day, cooked the next, and so on!

Chips are nearly always served as a lot of children (and adults) want them.

I only really regard the apartment as a place to sleep therefore size doesn't really matter - I have 3 boys and we have never had a problem.

Have to say though the first time I went self cater in Minehead, the apartment was a bit scruffy.

Go with an open mind and you will have a great time!

Nicolefury

I've been 13 times over the years and I think it's fab for kids. When my nephews a few years old I'll definately take him, plenty for him to do and enough to keep me entertained.

itzmee

sticher wrote: »

My kids LOVE Butlins!!

I am always puzzled when people complain about food choices being 'samey' as when I have been the breakfast choices alone include cereal, cooked food, breads and fruit - ?what more could be offered? and yes it would be the same each day - unless they only offered cereal one day, cooked the next, and so on!

There is more that Butlins could have offered for breakfast and in fact they do BUT you have to request it the day before. This fact is not advertised and we only found this out on the day before we left when we saw people eating boiled eggs - and there was definitely no fruit on offer when we were there.

finc

Well despite my huge worries (see earlier post) we've just got back from Minehead and had a fantastic time. We went self catering so can't comment on the food but the accommodation was clean enough with about twice the space we got at pontins. We are so not a holiday camp type of family but we will definitely be going back. In true MSE style we only spent £100 all week including all food and extras.