Heidi-hi! (Butlins (Minehead))

Member Name: djw08

Product:	Butlins (Minehead)
Date:	13/11/08 (404 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great entertainment

Disadvantages: awful administration, poor organisation

I booked to go to Butlins last year for our anniversary. We decided to go away on an adult weekend in March. I was really looking forward to the weekend and had booked the time of in advance (I need to book all holiday a year in advance). The booking team was helpful and took my deposit over the phone.

3 months before we were due to go I contacted them to pay the remaining balance to be told "you are not booked it" I argued that I was and quoted the reference number. The woman insisted I was not booked and that they were closed that particular weekend. I double checked...quadruple checked... still they insisted we were not booked. She said that we were not and there was nothing she could do that I was not happy at all and refused to leave it at that.

About 4 calls and an hour later they realised that they had changed the date and had not sent out letters to tell people. A large company had booked that weekend and we have been shafted aside with no thought. I was not happy about the date change but we wanted to go, luckily work let me have that weekend off after some serious grovelling and we set off to Butlins.

Check-in was handled badly with keys going missing and maps not placed in welcome packs. Not happy we set off to find our accommodation. 15 minutes later we arrived at out chalet. The accommodation was very hidi-hi. We walked in the place was musty and the beds looked filthy. Still this was our home for the weekend we should make the most of it. We had complementary tea and coffee so we made a drink and had a lie on the bed before we headed out to the canteen.

The food was OK - not great but edible. We always managed to find seats, mainly because on an over 18 weekend there is one thing on most peoples minds and that's alcohol, alcohol, alcohol not food.

We went to Reds that night and we were stunned by the 'old school' entertainment. It was great. We had a fab time when we were in the clubs as they put 100% into entertaining everyone. During the day there was plenty to do as well with archery, climbing, excursions, bingo and swimming.

It's easy to find your way around the park and the redcoats are friendly. There are rides in the forecourt, these are actually quite good and because there are no kids the queues are minimal. Overall we enjoyed the weekend but the admin staff and cogs behind the scenes need to pull together as they ruined our weekend!

Summary: It's put me off going again!