Hi Ho Skyline (Butlins (Skegness))

Member Name: Duty_Free_Me

Product:	Butlins (Skegness)
Date:	03/09/06 (1930 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great for the kids

Disadvantages: Can be pricey

Butlins Skegness.


Butlins Skegness has changed a lot over the years, after working there for some time, I have seen its constant makeovers, and heard the views of many who have taken their breaks there.

What Butlins is all about?

Butlins whole idea is family fun, but mainly focus on children.
If you don't want to travel to places like the Disneyland resorts, Butlins is considered by some to be a much toned down version, replacing Disney characters with the famous Red Coats. They have shows, fairground rides, swimming pools, and many other leisure activities.
On arrival you will have your children wanting to do everything in one day as there is so much to do for them considering activity clubs and leisure activities run throughout the day .
LLike I have said before, Butlins has had many makeovers since the infamous Billy Butlin first put on the cheap holiday experience for all the hard working families all those years ago. In fact so much has changed since Billy's days to accommodate the ever changing generations that only one thing really does remain the same, which is the Red Coats. One thing is for sure, it certainly is not a cheap experience like Billy Butlin first intended.


My Experiences:

I have had the pleasure of both being on holiday, and working here, however in this review I will write about the holiday experience rather than me ramble on about watching others enjoy the resort and have fun whilst I am sat behind a desk.

My most recent holiday at Butlins Skegness was last year…….yes I know what you are all thinking, why go on holiday at Butlins if you live there? Truth is, it was not really a holiday for me, My sister and her husband decided to bring their two kids on holiday, and rather than staying cramped up in my two bedroom house, they decided it would be more fun if they stayed on the Butlins resort, naturally I agreed and me and my partner joined them.
It was easy for all of us to book in, having entered the main gate of the resort to within 5 minutes of parking the car having checked in and heading off to our room.

Although I knew my way around the resort very well, you are given brochures and maps to guide you around the resort, and everything is surprisingly easy to follow.
Upon entry to the resort, so many things were happening all at once, that not only the young ones eyes were everywhere, the adults in our group were going quite cross-eyed too. The atmosphere was brilliant, and everyday seemed the same.

The younger side of my sisters family, a girl aged 7, and a boy aged 5 were always out and about around the resort, weather it be swimming or the fairground rides, to actually being entertained by the Red Coats who were organising activities for them. They would always come back and ramble on and on about how much fun they had.

While the kids are at bay, the adults can play……..stop it, I didn't mean that, Butlins has a variety of arcades, bowling alleys, snooker halls, themed casino days, swimming, and adult entertainment in various show bars, failing that, we normally turned into big kids ourselves and went on the funfair.

Obviously at some parts in the week me, my sister and her family wanted to venture off campus for a time out. The good thing about Butlins Skegness is that there is just as much to do outside the campus than there is inside.
To the left, and a few miles up the road you have the seaside town of Skegness, where you can enjoy all the towns amenities and beaches. And to the right of the Butlins resort you have Eastgate Market, proclaimed to be one of the Europe's largest outdoor markets. Also Fantasy Island with more adult themed rides, clubs and bars.

Back to Butlins though, everyday was a joy. We all seemed to like the swimming pool the most, never missing a day in there whilst on holiday.

The entertainment was always good for both children and adults. The children seemed to be amazed at the puppet shows they had on and were very entertained by the Red Coats and their shows. Me and my partner, my sister and her partner always liked the entertainment on the night time, weather it be a comedy performance or a tribute artist, whilst we were there, they did an act where there were several tribute artists, like Michael Jackson, Tina Turner. Elvis and many more which we really enjoyed. The children are of course aloud to be present at most of the adult entertainment venues to which are very much aimed at them also. There is only one venue to my knowledge which is strictly only adults and that is 'Jumpin Jaks'.

The cost of our holiday for 4 adults and two children was £680 for self catering, but that was with a promotional offer. Obviously the adults among us split this cost in half. We did at first think the price was a little steep, but when we considered the fact that all our entertainment, the use of the pool and fairground was free, it did not seem too bad.
Now I briefly mentioned then that the entertainment is free, whilst that is the case, obviously you will be spending money for drinks and snacks in these types of venues, and my advice would be to limit what you are spending as it is not cheap and soon mounts up. Our group made use of all the swimming and fairground rides most days, it was only the night time entertainment venues where we would splash out a little and buy drinks, we found our spending money lasted quite well that way.

Also it is fair to mention that the staff 9 times out of 10 are nothing less than fantastic. The Red Coats were always friendly, and were brilliant with the young children. All other staff were most helpful right from checking in to various queries about the resort.

Our family group found the holiday to be superb, left us penniless for a bit, but money we spent enjoying ourselves. Although unlikely that I will be going on holiday at Butlins Skegness again, due to the fact I live up the road, my sister and her family would consider certainly coming back just for the simple fact the kids were so entertained.
Here is some more information on the resort you might find helpful:


The Accommodation:

A variety of apartments are available. Depending on what kind of quality rooms you would like, Butlins now have standard, silver and gold status apartments. On our particular holiday we went for a standard self catering which we found more than adequate. Two separate double bedrooms and a bedrooms with two single beds for the children.

The beds all had clean linen, a shower which also was nice and clean, and we also had a kitchen with all the utensils you would find in any normal kitchen.

The silver and gold apartments cost more, and in some cases quite a bit more. I have been in these types of apartments during my time when I was working there.
These types of apartments do have sky TV, they are a lot more spacious, and generally look more luxurious.
However, our holiday wasn't about watching TV or spending lots of time in our apartments, so for us, this was and unneeded luxury. Although, I would not put anyone of these apartments if they choose to take this option.

It might also be useful for potential customers to know that they do allow special requests, like ordering more towels, mats and other essentials, but they may charge sometimes, so best to get all you need off campus. Also, if you have visited before, and liked your room, you can request the same one that you have stayed in on your last visit and they will endeavour to put you in it.
.

THE SHOWS:

This obviously depends on the actual week you visit. Your brochure which you will have on or before your arrival will give you the various times and listing of all shows which are on during your stay.

In the daytime, you will most probably find that all shows are very much aimed towards very young children, for example the puppet shows. However, there are various kids clubs also, run by the Red Coats, who will entertain your children for you. You can also feel safe about leaving your children with certain activity groups whilst the adults can go off and enjoy some peace from them for a bit. They operate a strict policy, and you can be sure your children are very safe with the staff.

Also there is entertainment on the nigh time as I have mentioned before. These sometimes consist of comedians or tribute shows, but all very entertaining on my visit. Again, kids are aloud in.




THE FUNFAIR:

Unfortunately this isn't really much of a funfair at all. It is quite basic with rides older than my grandmother. All the rides have height restrictions, so be warned. You have your normal dodgems which have a no-bumping policy (unusual I know), a simulator, a spinning plate, a dragon roller coaster which is child friendly, and also a ride which swings you from side to side. They also have a large Go-Kart track, but this is at extra cost around the £5.00 mark.

I don't think Butlins concentrate so much on the funfair because of the rather large fun fair which is fifteen minutes walk away outside the campus.
Although this is a basic funfair it does give you a welcome rest-bite from all the activities that will no doubt have tired you out from time to time.

THE FUN SPLASH:

This was our main attraction as we spent everyday of our holiday in it. The swimming pool is free, boasting three large flumes all themed differently. Children are allowed on providing they can swim well, or that you accompany them down the slides, however some of them are aimed at the older children. You have two large swimming pools, one of which has rapids that are very much fun to go around. You also have a shallow pool for the really little ones, roughly about 10 inches of water in it.
They also have a volcano waterfall feature, underneath the volcano you can sit and relax in a cave-like section with water cascading down on the outer side. On top of the volcano is a Jacuzzi which is lovely and warm with great views of the swimming complex.

Although always very busy, we loved this attraction. There are many lifeguards, and we always felt our kids were safe and secure. It was definitely the children's favourite playtime.
Note: There is a small charge for the lockers in the changing rooms.

NODDYLAND:

This children's attraction is situated just opposite the fun splash. Inside your children will get to meet Noddy himself, plus ride in his cars, on the teacups, a mini roller-coaster, planes which spin and go up and down. Also they hold noddy shows most afternoons. The younger children really love it.


THE SKYLINER:

This is a big pavilion, which is kind of inside a circus looking style tent. Inside you will find lots of eating venues including Burger King, Harry Ramsdans, and a coffee house. Also you will find a reasonably priced Odeon cinema with quite a few showings on at different times throughout the afternoon and evening. And also you have Centre Stage where many of the main shows are held.
This is obviously a great place with lots going on, whatever the weather.
Shows run on throughout the day in the stage area at the front of the coffee bar, with shows like professional wrestling. Many of the Red Coat staff are always on hand in the Skyline.


Additional Information:

Although Butlins is really catered for children and families, Butlins do hold themed breaks, for example 80's weekends or 18-30's weekends, or even that of a rock and roll themed break.
If this takes your fancy, all the information is easily obtainable on their website (listed below).


THE PRICE:

Depending on what time of year you go and how many people in your group you may be able to book early or search for bargain offers. For a full price holiday you can expect to pay around £350-£450 per person, so my advise would be to book early and grab the bargains, I have known families pay as little as £170 total for a family of 5. They normally do the discounts if you book well in advance, however, promotional offers are always available both on their website and through various well known newspapers like The Sun.

They also do a Premier Member scheme, where if you go three times within a three year period you will be able to check in earlier, avoid queues and get longer on the resort, also more offers are open to premier members like vouchers and cheep rates.

My Conclusion:

Fantastic for children, who will definitely enjoy what Butlins have to offer. It is a nice family break, where your children can join in many activity clubs to give parents a break. Although Butlins have resorts in Minehead and Boner Regis, I have visited them all and I do feel the Skegness resort is the best one. Butlins is very easy to get to if you stay on the A52 road once you enter Boston and Skegness. In peak times it can get very busy, so if you do not like the busyness of a popular seaside town I would advise you go off-peak times.
I don't think it is a decent enough holiday for adults without any children thinking of a holiday here, as you may find that you will become bored quickly due to the fact the entertainment and venues are largely directed towards the children.

It is not the lowest priced of holiday destinations in the UK, but like I have stated, offers are available, and if you have a family and don't want to travel abroad, I think Butlins is very much for you.
Their website is definitely worth checking out even if you're slightly interested in this sort of holiday, it is easy to navigate and has a lot of helpful information, and a brochure you can order online for free.

Below are the contact details for the Butlins Skegness resort, thanks for reading. Dempsey.

Butlins
Ingoldmells
Skegness
Lincolnshire

Booking line: 01623 720 200

Website (Recommended) : www.butlinsonline.co.uk

Summary: Enjoyable family entertainment