Butlins...don't be fooled by the good marketing!! (Butlins (Bognor Regis))

Member Name: Kaalin

Product:	Butlins (Bognor Regis)
Date:	20/08/09 (356 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Plenty do to if you like queuing...

Disadvantages: Queues, miserable staff on resort, some costs on site, pushing and shoving, stressful,need i go on|!

I am currently in my Butlins apartment with a terribly dodgy internet connection! The only reason for this is due to my husband needing internet access for work issues.

I have never written a review in my life but I would rather write one about this one to warn potential holiday makers of what to expect as I have found this to be the most stressful holiday I have ever had. I usually try to make best of things but have found it difficult to find positives in this instance and am not one to make a complaint usually.

We (myself, husband, son (11) and daughter (7) booked silver plus accommodation thinking it sounded more than reasonable for our needs. Very disappointed upon arrival the carpet was stained and walls desperately in need of a coat of paint. I am used to basic greek accommodation so came to the conclusion that as long as the area was clean and shower was functioning all was fine and would make the best of it. As the week progressed we realised being on an upper floor the whole building wobbled everytime someone walked past our apartment and you can hear every noise in the apartment next door!

We paid for the dinner, bed and breakfast option. We were allocated a restaurant and they open fixed times for meals - breakfast 0830-1030 or 0800 to 1000 on changeover days, dinner 1630-1830. I found these times a little restrictive, particulary for dinner as if you arrived at the restaurant later than 1700 there appeared to be little of the basics such as salad left. I have to say though, there was a good selection and the food was of a reasonable quality. The pushing and shoving was horrendous and i have never met such rude and greedy people in all my life...for heaven's sake, we're on holiday and it was incredibly stressful! The crockery and cutlery as another review suggests was dirty (when there was some!). Many times we had to ask for cups/knives and bowls sometimes only to be met with very grumpy staff.

The entertainment of an evening was of a very high standard and most enjoyable. The issue was the queues to get a table in the entertainment areas. If you or a member of your family are prepared to stand in a huge queue for an hour (sometimes longer) for a table then it is a great evening of entertainment but be warned there is a lot of repetition if you go for a week. Bar prices are reasonable. Be warned that people often get into fights about tables and chairs...a reminder: we're on holiday, what is going on the world!!!!

There are a number of activities for boys especially but be warned queue early. My son was first in place to do BMX/Basketball/soccer training with a friend he had made, only to be told at the desk that a parent needed to sign the form. I was sat 5 metres away and by the time i had stood in the queue to do so, we were told that there places were filled and I was met with two disappointed lads. I tried to speak to the staff about this but was told the standard training lines of basically "tough luck"

Some of the redcoats are amazingly funny and fab with the children and it was great to go back to the days of yesteryear learning the dances to songs with them and the kids. However I found the majority other staff around the place quite unfriendly in the supermarket and pubs. I understand they probably see millions of people and get bored but that's not what you would be lead to expect!

We actually wanted to leave after the second day but couldn't afford to go elsewhere so stuck it out.

My advice would be if you want to come here, be prepared for queues, queues and more queues. I personally believe Butlins is very greedy and cram as many people as they can into accommodation but don't allow for entertainment to facilitate the huge volume of people passing though the resort. I would also say, clear the savings and stay in gold or above. Beware: small charge would be around £4-5.

Summary: Butlins should change their name to Queue-lins!