CP - ELVEDEN FOREST (Center Parcs)

Member Name: Sophie-Harris-x

Product:	Center Parcs
Date:	07/05/09 (166 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fabulous facilities, pool and accomodation.

Disadvantages: You can't get in until 2pm!

Recently stayed at Center Parcs (Elveden Forest). We arrived on the Monday and it was absolute MURDER to get in. When we got to the Check-In Lodge (located after you have made your way in a little bit) we found the staff were very helpful and checking in was quick and easy. Parking was very difficult - we had to drive around for at least 20 mins before we found a space. A couple of moments later, we went to the Pancake House. OUTSTANDING VALUE FOR MONEY! My little cousins got to eat entirely free! The pancakes were delicious - not too filling but not too sweet! By the time we had finished, we were allowed to enter the Subtropical Swimming Paradise and our Chalet (155, Cedar).We decided to give Swimming a miss and go to our Chalet. Bike Hire was appalling. The way from bike hire to Cedar is so confusing! We all got lost and couldn't find the way for about 30 mins, all to do with the signage. It was terrible. Ridiculously small font and tiny signs. Anyway, once we eventually got to our Chalet, we automatically parked up the bikes on the supplied bike racks (thumbs up for that) and entered our Chalet. It had a beautiful interior. Though the bedrooms were asolutely TINY with no walking space whatsoever. I would suggest that if you were booking for New Style Woodland Lodge, book with a small number of people. However, the kitchen was fabulously equipped with provided milk, two fridges and a freezer, numerous saucepans, fryingpans and bowls and cups. The sofa was very comfortable and the Television had very good channels on it.

Subtropical Swimming Parasdise:
The main pool was HUGE, with a fantastic wave machine with warning signals when it was about to start. The rapids and water slides were great fun - most of my family didn't like the look of them but once they had had a go, they loved it! Food + Drink was a rip off. The More we went the more we took our own food and drink.

Huck's:
Huck's restaurant was a really good night out. The food was gorgeous and the drinks were nice. I would like to point out a very nice young waiter - Ben S I think he was called. He was very polite and he brought our food up very quickly. Huck's had a great indoor play area with a slide that my little cousins loved going down.

Bella Italia:
Bella Italia was a lovely authentic restaurant with very friendly staff and a delicious menu. I really enjoyed what I ate and didn't feel guilty about it after as it was all low fat and low calorie (No, I did not request a dietary meal!). I felt very happy in a warm atmosphere and it was a pleasure to know I'd been catered for with care. I will be sure to go there again because I have a new Bella Italia very near my house in Hornchurch.

Overall I enjoyed my stay at Centre Parcs again and my skin is tingling with excitement as I will be going there again very shortly.

**********I STRONGLY ADVISE**********I STRONGLY ADVISE*********
You take a couple of DVD'S and quite a bit of money. Also quite a lot of snacks and nibbles as activities make you very hungry and thirsty.
Pre-booking activities and writing the times down.

Summary: Definately go there again. Will bring portable bbq!