~~~~~Thanks for all the reads and rates, all appreciated.~~~~~I call in from time to time but just ...
~~~~~Thanks for all the reads and rates, all appreciated.~~~~~I call in from time to time but just haven't had a chance to sit and write a review for a while.
Member since:08.06.2004
Reviews:134
Members who trust:45
Like most holiday companiesHoseasons bring out a brochure around October/November time. But unlike other companies this is the only one that will come out all year. So the prices will always remain the same, whether you book the week after the brochure comes out or the month before you go on holiday.
There are a couple of exceptions, sometimes if you book early enough either just as or before the brochure comes out, but more about that in a moment.
We holiday through Hoseasons each year. We only use the lodges and Parks so this review will be mainly directed at that side of the business. However they also offer Boating holidays in Britain, Country Cottages in Britain, Boating holidays in Europe and Cottages and Holiday Hamlets in Ireland.
~~~The Brochure~~~
The paper brochure is very easy to read, prices are clear. Most accomodation prices includes everything however any extras such as electric or gas are clearly stated.
The brochure is divided into 8 sections, each covering an area of Great Britain. They are also colour coded making it easier and quicker to get to the area you desire.
Each section starts with a map page. This shows the location of each place. There is also a list of all the parks in that area, each with a number corresponding to the map. All the parks are divided into four sections.
*Fun and Laughter* Here, Fun, Games and Entertainment are available all day, every day. The parks have an indoor, and often outdoor pool,
play areas, clubs, shops, pubs, and bars. They are usually the most expensive of all the choices.
*Lively and Leisurely* You will find plenty of activities on these sites both indoors and out. Most will have an indoor pool. Entertainment is available at times, normally the evenings, but allows you the chance to have quiet time too.
*Relax and Explore* These parks are found in Scenic locations. They are close to touring attractions and places to walk or cycle. A pool is often available along with a bar and some entertainment.
*Peace and Quiet* These make great bases for touring and sightseeing. They are normally groups of lodges or cottages or small caravan parks. They can be found in quiet rural or seaside areas, though near to main routes. Because they don't have many facilities or activities on site these are the cheaper of the bunch.
The next few pages then go through all the parks in that area. Some have half a page others two or three, depending on what the place has to offer as Hoseasons like to show you as much as they can. A variety of accomodation is often shown, both in and out. The pools, clubs and bars plus any places of interest locally. A small box on most pages also gives details of what is in the area thsat you may be intersted in visiting.
Each accomodation is listed, giving details of bedrooms, sleeping arrangements and bathrooms. Whether pets are allowed. Extra information is listed as to whether there is a balcony, or prehaps hot tub and also which white electrical goods are included. Most have a fridge freezer and microwave as standard.
You are also told what sort of bedding is included and whether beds will be made for your arrival, always a plus point if you will be arriving late.
Finally will be a box giving all the prices. They are done in simple format. You simply read along from the date you would like and down from the accomodation you fancy. Where they meet is the price.
Any offers that can be used in this park are listed here.
~~~Prices~~~
Their prices are cheaper than booking direct with the parks which is unusual, and with offers this makes it even better. They currently have the following discounts/offers available.
*Under 5's* For certain times of the year you get £10 off per week per child under 5. Maximum of two.
*Over 55's* As above but applying to over 55's.
*Second week half price* You can get one week and get the second half price in Spring and Autumn
*Twos and Fours* If there are only two/four of you or two/four and a baby in a two/three bedroomed accomodation you can have 20%, 25% or 50% off your holiday depending on the time of year.
If you stay in the same park for two consecutive weeks you can have £25 in Summer and £50 for most of the rest of the year.
If you book within about 10 weeks of the brochure coming out (or before) you can get 10% off. You can also cancel the holiday and get a refund if done by mid January.
Most of the offers cannot be used at peak times, unless indicated but the brochure makes this all clear.
~~~Our Verdict~~~
After nine years of holidays with Hoseasons we have only ever stayed in one place we really disliked. It was not so much the park but the chalet. It was under trees and never got the sun. This resulted in a bad damp problem. We were given a dehumidifier when we complained which did help but put a fair amount in the electric meter. We complained to Hoseasons who contacted the park. They claimed that it was not damp and the machine was cheap to run. We were offered £25 though. As we had put at least £40 in the meter we refused to accept this. Hoseasons eventually got us £50 which we took. We had stayed at the park a couple of years previous in different accomodation but had a very similar experience. Our 18 month old daughter had gone away healthy and come home a week later with pneumonia. Though no cause was found, damp spores were suspected. She ended up spending a month in hospital, desperately ill at times. We made Hoseasons well aware of this, and they informed the park. The park still insisted there was no damp problems and Hoseasons went along with this. but I noticed the next year that particular accomodation was removed from the brochure, and this year the park has gone altogether so I think they must have taken some note or had floods of complaints! .
In general though, all the bookings we have made we have been extremly happy with. Most places are good quality and in good order. They are clean and tidy and have all you could possibly need included.
The children have always been impressed with the play areas and the pools are good sizes. Only one was freezing, we mentioned to reception who came and asked the other man who was in at the time. He said he was fine, however he was doing lengths at the time! Bit different when you are standing watching the kids. Childrens' entertainment when available is good and we are particularly impressed with Skipsea in Yorkshire (See review for my details)
~~~What is included~~~
The price includes accomodation which is fully furnished, bed linen, colour TV and a fully equipped kitchen.
Swimming pools, entertainment and childrens activities are also included in most cases.
Gas and Electric is included in most, but if not, charges are clearly stated.
Not included are towels, except where shown, toiletries and cleaning items. Though sometimes a cloth and black sack has been left for our use.
Cots and highchairs can be hired for a small charge, and in one park we stayed pushchairs. We have also had games consoles, videos and games equipment available.
Ok, now you are ready, have picked your place, how do you book?
~~~Booking~~~
Booking can be done in a number of ways. You can fill out the form at the back of the brochure and send or fax direct to Hoseasons. You can telephone your booking to their booking service, you can go into your local travel agents and book, (if this is a Travel Care Agents you will also get Tesco points) or you can book online.
As for booking we have done this online, direct over the phone and at an agents. All have been ok.
Addresses and numbers you need are,
Hoseasons Holidays Ltd, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR 32 2LW
Tel: 0870 333 2000
Fax: 0870 902 2090
www.hoseasons.co.uk
~~~The website~~~
Like most large companies, Hoseasons have a website. Here you can view all the details as you can in the brochure. Prices will be the same, there are no online discounts available here. Fairer for all I think.
A couple of extras though are that you can check whether aparticular accomodation is available on a particular date, and on some sites you can have a virtual 360* tour. Giving you just a little more idea what the place is like.
~~~Finally~~~
It is now time to bid you farewell, I hope you have enjoyed your trip through the Hoseasons holidays and hope whatever you decide you have a happy holiady. I'm off to pack. See you soon.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Gosh, you have worked hard on this. Worthy of an E. Maureen
tutu422 13.05.2005 12:53
I like caravans and lodges.I have looked at Hoseasons and checked out one park in Devon. It was absolutely packed with tons of vehicles round each plot so it put me off a bit. I have just received a Hoseasons abroad book so will give that a look.Susy
tutu422 13.05.2005 12:53
I like caravans and lodges.I have looked at Hoseasons and checked out one park in Devon. It was absolutely packed with tons of vehicles round each plot so it put me off a bit. I have just received a Hoseasons abroad book so will give that a look.Susy
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