I have spent 15yrs in Retail Pharmacy, and I'm also a Licensee, both of which depend on good custome...
I have spent 15yrs in Retail Pharmacy, and I'm also a Licensee, both of which depend on good customer service and quality products. Oh, and I love Smarties...
Member since:31.08.2002
Reviews:5
Members who trust:1
I, like most other people I know, thought that Centre Parcs would be an expensive way to spend a weekend in the UK. Not entirely, although this holiday can become quite costly if you let it.
My husband is in a wheelchair, so finding somewhere for us to have a short break where we can both have things to do and I don't get exhausted wheeling him about and looking for disabled facilities, is quite a challenge. Centre Parcs was the perfect answer.
Where we stayed... Center Parcs have three main types of accommodation. One bedroom apartments- aimed at couples, witha balcony or patio but no facilities for self-catering.
Comfort Villas- normally 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms, all ensuite (bath with shower over), with kitchens (microwave, oven, hob, fridge), patio, TV, hi-fi open fire and central heating.
Executive Villas- as above, but the ensuite have either a jacuzzi bath or a hydrobath. These villas also come with daily servicing, towels, bathroom toiletry pack and a phone (ask at site for charges)
All the accommodtion has bedlinen and seating areas.
Some villas are adapted for disabled use, with a giant wheel-in shower room. Lots of thought has gone into these and they are very user/carer friendly.
Villa location... Villa's are allocated randomly, but you can request a specific area for a small price. So if there are lots of you going, you can ask to be near each other. You can ask to be near the main complex, or far away! We, of course, ask for an adapted villa (for which there is no charge), and these tend to be closer to the main area.
What no car... Cars are not allowed on site, they are left in Center Parcs large carpark during your stay. If you hold a Blue Badge, you are allowed to keep your car with you, and you have a parking space by your Villa, but as everything is within a 15 minute stroll, you wouldn't use your car anyway.
What to do... They have loads of suggestions, some of which you pay extra for. There's archery, boating, fishing, tennis, squash etc. Or to relax, there's the spa - Aqua Sana - which has massage, beauty treatments, sauna, pool etc ( You need to book Aqua Sana sessions as soon as you get to the parc, as they are very popular).
Things that don't cost any extra include the use of the main indoor swimming complex, which we find we use every day. It has ample changing cubicles, lockers and poolside seating, is always tropically heated. The swimming pool has everything you would expect, (slides, rapids, wave machine) as well as plunge pools and hotubs.
What to eat... Center Parc has loads of places to eat out, cafe's, fine dining and lots in between. They also have the Parcmarket, which has a bakery, off-license and well stocked grocery section. It's not overly expensive, things cost about the same as our local Spar, so self-catering is reasonable.
Other bits... You can hire bikes at Center Parcs, but on a first come, first served basis. I found it's easier to take your own (No queuing that way). You can take your car to the villa for loading/unloading on checking in/out days, so the access roads around the site can get pretty busy when the gates are open.
You can use the facillities all day on arrival (even before you're in your villa) and departure (after you've checked out of your villa)
All in all, lots to do (if you want) for all ages. This holiday will be as good as you want to make it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Center Parcs Spa, the Aqua Sana is no longer adults only, it is now open to teenagers who are encouraged to use it. So it is very noisy and unpleasant. Speak to the Spa Operations Manager at their Head office if you have a complaint, the local staff have no influence on policy and just have to toe the line.
thingywhatsit 09.09.2003 15:39
Good write up for a newbie !!! Rachel
bodybuilder 06.07.2003 10:45
great op. would have liked to have known a bit about the prices though...andy
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Huge range of activities, good for families, excellent facilities for small children. Disadvantages: Mediocre service especially in pool bar, mediocre level of cleanliness.
timmyotoole 19.05.2001 (19.05.2001)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Center Parcs
Advantages: Great family holiday, perfect for kids, lovely natural setting, plenty to do Disadvantages: Lodges can be shabby, you will wear yourself out with all the activity!
fallen121 20.03.2006 (20.03.2006)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Center Parcs
Sep 13th, 2002
very helpful by (100%):
