married for nearly 15 years, two children nearly 26 and 22 and a grandson three. I am currentl...
married for nearly 15 years, two children nearly 26 and 22 and a grandson three. I am currently caring for an elderly gentleman who has dementia. This is very rewarding Ebay buying and selling, and love David Essex and Loose Women
Member since:30.06.2002
Reviews:40
Members who trust:5
After having read many reviews about Butlins in Bognor Regis that were not at all good, with only the odd one saying a few nice things, I was really dreading my time there. However I have been very pleasantly surprised indeed.
At the beginning of the year I decided to save the tokens from the Daily Express newspaper for a short break to a choice of venues around the South Coast. After completing all the forms and sending the relevant tokens, a cheque for £38.00 and chosen the places and dates we were given Butlins at Bognor Regis from the 8th September throught to the 12th September, which was my Grandson Luke's 3rd Birthday.
So it was that I my daughter and my grandson found oursleves in Bognor Regis on Monday 8th Setpember. We arrived at about 3.15pm. The Redcoats on the gate entrance gave us instructions of which car park to go to but we were totally confused on entering and just parked in the I thought we were going to have to queue for ages
but a Recoat came to us straight away found our details and gave us instructions on how to get to our silver apartment. The newspaper deal gives you standard/budget accommodation, but after reading all the reviews I upgraded to Silver which was all the deal would allow you to do, otherwise I would have gone for Gold. We Were in Atlantic Bay, and the cleaners were just finishing cleaning at 4pm, we had to wait 10 minutes. Our apartment in Atlantic Bay was exactly where I would have wanted to be, although near the road you couldn't really see it and although you could hear it it wasn't too bad. We were on the end and shared the outside door with one other apartment, which was upstairs. We were far enough away from the entertainment not to be able to hear it late at night and near enough to walk to it without any trouble.
On entering I was pleasantly surprised at how clean and fresh it all seemed to be, although we found the steel steps up to the entrance fairly dangerous especially when it was wet. The kitchen was immaculate. The oven and microwave were spotless and all cupboards and utensils were very clean. A nice touch were the little pot with tea, coffee, milk and sugar sachets, and the pack with dishcloth, scrubber, and washing up liquid in. The bathromm although fairly small was clean on first appearance. But my daughter pointed out the bottom of the shower curtain and how dirty it was and the shower head. Also I shut the door to use the toilet and when |I opened the door the handle fell off in my hand. I thought I was locked in but I wasn't. The bathroom sink was clean, but obviously blocked and the water took ages to run away. There was only a shower, which I personally don't like. The two bedrooms were big enough with two singles in one and a double in the other. All beds were made up with very clean white sheets pillows and duvets. The windows too looked refurbished and the paintwork was clean. The furnishings and fixtures were a bit the worse for wear, with the wardrobe in the bedroom looking like it would collapse as you looked at it. Everything worked as it should and as most people say you are there for a short time and you get what you pay for really. However we discovered that my Grandson doesn't like loud noises, and all the shows and things that were going on inside he just did not like, so we maybe spent more time in the apartment than most people would. My daughter and him were also getting over tonsilitis so still needed to rest and sleep a bit.
I would say the enternainment is what most people go for - we just went because Bognor is only just over an hour away from where we live and we just wanted a little holiday for Luke. From what I saw of the entertainement it was good. But as other reviews say people were quueing for over and hour every day for the Red coats which I really could not be bothered to do. Luke did love all the fair rides which seemed to work most of the time. He was disappointed not to be allowed on the dodgem cars though as he loves them. The controller decided he was too small. He loved that he could sometimes stay on a ride. There were a lot of things that did need paying for which I agree should be in the price. The bowling, the go carts the bikes all needed paying for. We gave him a go on the go-carts £5.00 for a few laps but felt it was worth it as he loved it. There are far too many slot machines there for my liking and it is very easy to get sucked in to them and spend a lot of money. The restaurants/cafes were ok, but it seemed to all be fast food. There is a supermarket which is overpriced. If I went back again, I would go to Tesco and buy things for our tea there. I had taken supplies to cook for breakfast with us. We didn't sample the swimming pool because they were still a bit too ill to go in there, but I would think it is quite good, and at least it is in the price. Butlins is right on the seafront, and it is lovely to walk along the front and go on the beach. Unfortunately the day we chose it rained and rained and we got soaked.
Another hotel is being built but it didn't interfere with our time there at all. The outdoor park is quite good for children. It is new and wooden.
I'm not sure I would go again. I certainly wouldn't pay the full price for the accommodation. I think I paid £150.00 for the five days as opposed to about £400.00. If you like noise and activity and entertainment then this is for you and the kids. There are sporting activities there that seemed good but Luke is still too young for that so I can't comment.
But for what we paid as I said earlier it was much better than I expected and for that I thought I should write this review. I hope it is helpful to people deciding whether to risk it or not. Just make sure you go at least Silver and above it you can afford it.
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Advantages: Excellent Entertainment, Sports facilities, Childrens Clubs, Swimming Pool Disadvantages: Drinks In The Clubs can be Expensive, Clubs can be Over Crowded
criple 30.06.2002 ·
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Review of Butlins
Advantages: The non-stop entertainment is first class, as are the redcoats.Great fun WILL be had by all. Disadvantages: A bigger funfair would've been good.No net curtains in the accomodation.
bluesparkler 09.10.2001 ·
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Review of Butlins
Advantages: Great fun, lots to do, well themed, brilliant location, very atmospheric Disadvantages: Expensive on site, get fat from all the drinking and junk food.
Trixie_Firecracker 12.05.2005 (12.05.2005)
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Review of Butlins
Advantages: Lots to do, great fun family entertainment, good standard of accommodation Disadvantages: Limited choice of food outlets for self-catering guests
Sep 17th, 2008
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