Nice Short Break but let down by restaurant service. (Center Parcs)

Member Name: JulianF

Product:	Center Parcs
Date:	26/04/07 (1491 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fresh air, size, activities, swimming pool.

Disadvantages: Very average, pretentious restaurants with very average management.

I went with my wife and son to the Lake District complex. Our first time at CP and, given I'm not one for 'chalets' or 'lodges', I was pleasantly surprised at the cosiness of the 'chalet' we'd been allocated.

There was plenty to see and do for three days. However, the weather was very 'soft' - but you'd expect that for March in Lakeland.

I was unimpressed with the restaurants as they came over as being very pretentious and a tad on the expensive side (for what you got). They were very 'samey' with average service at best.

We had to wait well over an hour to pay our bill one night as the computer system went down. Our little one was very tired so we tried to leave having worked out the bill ourselves and pay by cash. They siad they couldn't do that and we'd have to stay till the tills 'came back online'. Talk about understanding how Terry Waite felt! I even tried to hand them an 'IOU' with our details on so we could pay the next day. That just brought a stream of abuse!

The activities were a little advanced for our little guy who's 3. However, the main pool was fantastic. That's where we spent most of our time. A great viewing area for non-swimmers, too. One the other hand - we have a great pool two minutes from our house back at home!

We rented a couple of bikes - one with a trailer for 'junior'. Guess who had to tow the trailer (no prizes!).

It was a nice shourt break. Couldn't do more than 3 days. It would get a bit mundane and the other guests are a bit 'pick and mix' - if you get my drift.

Don't think I'll be rushing back

Summary: Okay for a break, but not for > 3 days. Take a brolly and your own food.