Center Parcs

I used to go to Center Parcs at least once a year when I was a kid, with my parents and younger sister. We loved loved loved it, so when I found a cheap deal for the holiday park we'd loved as kids (Elveden) I decided to book it up for me and my boyfriend.

What had looked lively and fun in 1993 looked dated and sad in 2008. The villas look nasty and the whole place is falling to bits and cynical. The restaurants are expensive and the food very average. The subtropical swimming paradise looks like it's not been touched since 1993, every corner you turn is a new excuse for them to rinse you of your hard earned cash- in short, it's a mess.

Save your money; go somewhere else.

As an extended family, we have been to Elveden Forest Center Parcs at least 30 times - but never again.
Our heating and hot water failed, yet the staff were not interested and it took repeated requests to get any action; a new pump being required.
The salt pool is dirty - there being grafitti inscribed in the dirt on the waterline.
The villas are being upgraded but not to a high enough specification to justify the spiralling costs.
All this is very regretful. We were at Elveden when it was damaged by fire a few years ago and at that time the staff and customer service were superb. Our complaints regarding this last visit went unanswered. It's easier to lose a reputation than regain it!

just got back today from a completely disasterous break at whinfell. our first two visits there i couldn't have faulted, but this time they put is bang in the middle of a building site (they are re-furbing some of the lodges, cement mixers, lorrys, vans, dumper trucks etc all hurtling past the front door, mud everywhere, hammering, knocking, drilling (you get the idea!). not a bit like the advert for peace and quiet. they also closed the road meaning about another mile on our walk to get to anywhere on the park. they had the cheek to charge us a £25 fee for selecting one of these lodges! they didn't mention any building works on the phone or the website. absolutely furious. won't be going back.