Billy Butlin made no Blunder (Butlins (Skegness))

Member Name: pornstarx2

Product:	Butlins (Skegness)
Date:	29/10/06 (2759 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great entertainment for kids, free fair & good lesuire centre

Disadvantages: There are lots of children (for obvious reasons) & the shop is expensive .

Haven't had a break since July so really needed something to do to heighten my spirits. I saw the £9.50 holidays in the sun & thought well why not. I live near the seaside so put down for 4 anywhere near us & we ended up getting Butlins in Skegness, which was quite a surprise. Not a great one at that because we really wanted a nice little caravan somewhere but you cant moan at £9.50 each or can you ???
In the end after all the extras were put on the total came to £100 for 4 people staying in an economy self catering chalet for a Friday to Monday trip. After comparing it with the price on the website £151.80 I think we got quite a good price but it was still Butlins.

I have been to Butlins before but only when I was about 12 years old with my mum, her friend & sisters. The whole holiday turned out to be horrible the food was bad, the facilities were not as advertised & most cost extra money, the chalet was meant to be for 5 people but when we got there they had given us 2 chalets so one didn't get used & 3 of us had to sleep in a double bed! To make things worse I hired some roller skates out & fell down the stairs of the shop!! Some boy had to come & pick me up how embarrassing (if you are that boy make yourself known lol) I was screaming my head off & covered in blood.

Ok you are probably thinking yep past trip what about present but I am just trying to give you the full picture on how much the new Butlins has changed & improved,

THE EXPERIENCE BEGINS
Once we arrived we were flagged through the gates & advised where to park once we had parked we made our way to the big tent (or so it looked like) Once we were in we walked over to the check in desk, showed our confirmation & were given our keys & directions.
We went back to the car to fetch our million bags (yes I know it was only for a weekend but I wasn't sure what the weather was going to be like) & then made our way to the chalet. I was really surprised because it was right next to the big pavilion & all the facilities. My sister had also stayed at Butlins before in a silver grade chalet & she said they had been miles away, which was really horrible on dark nights.
I think maybe they put the economy at the front because it gets a little more busier & noisier but I can put up with that if I don't have to walk far.

LIFE IN STANDARD ACCOMMODATION
Once we arrived at out chalet opposite were the old standard chalets which looked awful should have been condemned about 10 years ago but they were still standing & the poor Butlins workers were actually living in them. I was glad we weren't heading over there or I would have just had to go straight back home again. Instead I was most certainly surprised. The chalet was clean, tidy, well-equipped & very holiday friendly.

After coming though the door there was a small bedroom to the left which had twin beds, a small wardrobe & a heater in which was quite sufficient as my sister & her boyfriend were only staying for 2 nights. The second bedroom was a little bigger with a double bed, double wardrobe, dressing table, chair & mirror in.

The living room was compact with two double settees in & a standard size television with the normal 5 channels.
There was no pictures up or silly decorative things which was good as I sure they would get sick of things being stolen & it just made the place look a lot more fresher & less cluttered.

The kitchen & living room were one room with no dinning room just a couple of chairs pushed up against a couple of cupboards. The kitchen was nothing amazing it consisted of a fridge, oven, grill, kettle & utensils. It probably wouldn't have been much good if we planned on eating in all the time but was quite sufficient for a weekend stay with no kids.

The bathroom was small & had no window so was quite dark but not a problem. There was a nice size shower, washbasin & toilet. No towels were provided which I though was a bit odd & not something I would agree with. I believe no matter how much you pay for accommodation towels should be provided. Especially as we had paid £12 for sheets!

The décor was simple, bright & airy no drab wallpapers or loud coloured paint just nice matching colours. The only thing I couldn't work out which could have been a problem if it had been really cold but none of the heaters seemed to work I pressed all the buttons & checked all plugs but still no heat. I was going to report it but it wasn't too cold so didn't bother as the guest services was about a 10 minute walk away.

As the accommodation was chalet based we understood no one would come in to clean & replenish etc but I think 1 toilet roll for a weekend between 4 is a little sparse. Butlins also advertise complimentary tea & coffee in all accommodation well that also left a lot to the imagination 2 tea bags 2 sachets of coffee & 2 sachets of sugar ok for one night especially of you like black tea & coffee because there was no milk not even powdered!

THE UPPER CLASS
If you are not on a sun special deal or fancy a little more in the way of chalet facilities or are planning on staying for a week you may like to look at upgrading to a higher standard chalet. Personally if I were you though I wouldn't bother. We had a look around the Butlins grounds & thought that the gold & deluxe accommodation were very well presented & could have almost past for non Butlins. The silver accommodation was also better presented with steps up to the entrances & posh windows which open out like flash apartments but this all comes at a pretty price. We noticed a few offer posters dotted around & the prices were ridiculously high I don't know how people can afford such holidays. Over £700 in the summer months for a week. I do feel you could get better value abroad.

I haven't stayed in any other class of accommodation so cannot give an exact opinion so I will just advise you of the facilities so you can get an idea for what you are paying extra for.

**Silver Accommodation**
The décor is a little bit nice from what I can see from the web cam, you get a larger TV & a microwave.

***Gold Accommodation***
The Gold accommodation can hold up to 6 people & has either 2 or 3 bedrooms depending on what you specify, widescreen TV, DVD player & DVDs, 2nd TV in master bedroom, microwave & toaster, personal safe, hairdryer, towels & a dedicated gold host who checks you in.
You can also check in earlier than other guests.
The décor is a lot nicer in these chalets. The furniture is modern & all matches. You also get a table & 4 chairs to eat your meals around & if you go for the catered option you get to eat in the Yacht Club & have waitered service & gourmet meals.

Although it would be nice to stay in the gold accommodation I don't really think it is worth it. From the pictures I have seen there is not much difference in the size of rooms & the better the accommodation the more further away you are from all the action.

WHAT DO YOU EAT?
We went for the Self Catering option eat out & about in one of the restaurants. There was the option of upgrading to catered for £6 for breakfast & £12 for evening meal. You have the option for when you book your holiday if you have half board or you can go self-catering & purchase your meals when you get there.
The Standard & Silver accommodation all eat in one big cafeteria which I wouldn't like as it is just like one work or school cafeteria. For breakfast you can help yourself to a selection of cereals, a cooked breakfast i.e. a fry up, boiled egg & soldiers, kippers & then some toast, fruit or yoghurt.

The evening meal is 3 courses & a selection of things for each course daily. You also get a free salad bar & drinks station where you can refill your drinks whenever you need to (alcoholic not included of course!)

The Gold accommodation guests get to eat in the Yacht Club where the selection of food is a little better you have waiters & waitresses on hand to fetch your drinks. A nice touch I am sure but not an extra worth all the extra money you pay.

For all those self-caterers there are plenty of places to eat on site including

*Papa Johns - Which is huge it used to be only a tiny take away outlet but now a huge take-away & eat in restaurant, which sells a huge selection of pizzas, dippers & garlic bread. The pries are on average what any pizza place would charge pizzas from around £6 upwards & side orders £3 upwards. The best value is the all you can eat buffet with pizza & salad bar. Papa Johns dominates most of the outside area.

*Sun & Moon Bar- This is a bit like your usual brewers fayre or wether spoons it is a nice relaxed pub with your usual pub menu i.e. steak, Sunday dinner, combos, hunters chicken, cooked breakfasts & jacket potatoes.

*Skyline Café - This place is quite expensive they sell cakes, jacket potatoes, sandwiches & soups. Anything you can put in a plastic dish they serve. They even put the cookie is a plastic dish.

*Burger King- No introduction needed I am sure. Normal prices & the normal menu.

*Finnigans- This is the Skegness tradition a fish & chip shop. They sell fish & chips all day then at 8pm they switch to a kebab shop & sell everything you crave on a late night out.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE DAY?
I can imagine why people take their kids to Butlins everything is there for them. You maybe skint at the end of the weekend but the kids will have a good time. They have entertainment throughout the day in the Skyline Pavilion, a small fair with around 10 rides the usual merry go rounds, dodgems, magic carpet, top spin & umbrella ride. It may not be amazing but it is free & not that busy. You don't have to queue for more than 5 minutes so you can go on as many times as you want. It isn't great for older ones but its fun to act like a kid & go on them anyway it is free after all. There are also sport courts where you can participate in sports & organised events. You can have a look what these are on your TV or on the weekly programme provided in your welcome pack.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE KIDS
Like us there is still plenty to keep you amused. In the Skyline Pavilion there is a cinema, bowling alley with pool tables & a big arcade. Outside of the Skyline you have a laser quest, crazy gold & a big leisure centre called splash world. This is a large pool with lots of different slides & shoots great fun & all for free. There is also an outdoor pool but it would have to be really warm to get me in there.

There is now a spa at Butlins now as well which looks great fun. I would have loved to visit but I just didn't have the time. It is the sort of place you would like to donate a weekend to. There are numerous different pools, a gym, tanning facilities, treatment areas & a juice bar. You can pay an admission fee of about £20 & then all your treatments are extra, or if you only want to use the gym you can do for £5, which is quite good.

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
Most attractions are open till at least 10pm with the arcade & bowling alley & pool open till midnight. If you fancy an evening of entertainment you can pop into Reds where there is an array of performances by the famous red coats early on then there is a big dance floor & some good djs to get everyone in the dancing mood. Centre stage is similar you get pantomimes, shows & different theme evenings. There is also a big dance floor for after the entertainment. These are great venues if you have kids but I feel a bit boring. I think an adult break would be better as they have better entertainment for adults well a little less cheese anyway. They have impersonators in & sometimes even famous bands.

AFTER LIGHTS OUT
Adults can enjoy a relaxing drink or cocktail in Bar Rosso or at the bar in hotshots, which are, both based in the Skyline pavilion. If you prefer to keep away from there a how about a nice drink in the sun & moon bar or the trendy new pub bar opposite the pavilion (which I cant remember the name & it is really bugging me if anyone knows please tell me). You also have the adults only nightclub Jaks but please do not be fooled this is also very cheesy & quite crowded. When I went in there a live country & western band were playing. (Not really my cup of tea) & if I remember correctly the whole place was done out in wood & a sort of wild western theme. Not really a good luck & very cheap & nasty. If you are looking for a half decent night out probably better to venture into Skegness where you will get more choice & no cheesy live entertainment.

OVERALL
If I had children I would certainly take them to Butlins but a weekend once a year would certainly be enough. The accommodation although basic was adequate & comfortable. The only thing I would suggest is that if you are going self-catering to bring your own food or get it from an off site supermarket. I know this sounds tight but you will thank me for it. There are two shops on the Butlins site a spa type, which sells everything you, will need for double the price of supermarket price & the 2nd shop only really sells newspapers, magazines & confectionary. Other than that I think Butlins is quite good value for money as the pubs & food outlets are mainly usual prices. I will probably visit Butlins again but not for a while because although we found there was lots to do in a weekend we probably did it all so didn't feel like we would have to go back.

Summary: Somewhere everyone has to visit at least once in their lives.