Excellent break with young children (Center Parcs)

Member Name: G Family

Product:	Center Parcs
Date:	31/03/09 (303 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Facilities, activities and lots of cycling

Disadvantages: Older accom didnt look as nice as the new style decor, so a bit hit and miss, no covered bike parks

We have just had a fantastic weekend at Center Parcs - Elveden Forest. We stayed Fri- Mon in one of the new styled Woodland Lodges (cedar area) which was excellent. Clean, spacious, peaceful yet convenient to the main area (about 5 mins on bike) and well equipped. The cot and high chair were also of an excellent standard and very new looking and modern. We took our own cot bedding as advised.
The weekend was really relaxing - even with our 2 kids aged 3 and 22 months! They enjoyed lots of the activities - swimming lagoon (excellent treasure cove paddling area with sand pits and mini slides, remember to take buckets and spades) as well as the main part of pool with larger slides, lazy river and wave machine. We also tried bowling, the Jack and Jill Show (good for young children), the outdoor play areas which were excellent, and lots of cycling - we took our own bikes.
I was also lucky to use the spa and treatment rooms for a massage, as my husband took the children for the afternoon (he found it very easy to 'babysit' them as so much to do). The Spa was bliss. Really clean and lovely facilities (in future would take flip flops with me as none provided). The spa pool was truly relaxing as well as the greek herbal bath, and water beds!
We made the most of the self catering facilities and took food with us for most meals as well as packed lunches, snacks and juices for the children. The Parc Market was great and very well stocked but we didnt get much from here - prices looked okay, not too over the top.
We also ate out for lunches at Sports Cafe (soft play area for kids too, which was great), Foresters inn (lovely sharing platter, good value and fantastic Bali Bay play area). We had a meal out at Hucks on the sat eve which was good, if a little busy - again soft play for kids but this one more difficult to keep an eye on them from the table as it was more seperate probably more suited to older children aged 5 and up who may not need so much supervision.
We found all the food to be lovely and prices in line with most of the nicer eating out places on the high street.
Eating in was great as the accomodation was very open plan and sociable. The kitchen was also modern and well stocked with pans and cooking utensils. the patio area would be nice for summer BBQs as the patio was private and opened on to woodland where deers come to the patio.
We also had a tv and dvd player so were able to watch a few films (which we brough with us) and relax.
Having never been to a Center Parcs or any holiday of this kind, we were unsure what to expect initially. But now would definitely recommend for a family holiday with young kids as everything has been considered for you, and makes it very easy to keep them amused so you can relax!
We found customer service was fantastic throughout the parc, with staff very helpful and friendly.
We found no issue with security as some people have said, we too our bikes into the villa at night as recommended and used the bike parks (it would have been useful to have had some under cover ones as we did have some showers. Recommend take a plastic cover for saddles and kids bike seats).
Overally we thoroughly enjoyed the center parcs experience and found it an ideal way to relax at our own pace. You can spend as little or as much money as you want by booking lots or just chilling out on the bikes with picnics. We would definitely go back sometime.

Summary: Elveden Forest is an excellent family destination, lovely location and something for everyone