A weekend is not enough for us (Butlins (Skegness))

Member Name: yorkshire-lass

Product:	Butlins (Skegness)
Date:	16/02/09 (250 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: next to beach, plenty to do

Disadvantages: have to pay in full when using clubcard deals, some things cost extra and could add up

We have visited butlins skegness for the last two years. Both visits have been during the february half term.

*The booking process*

We paid for the holiday using tesco clubcard deals. This meant we had to book by phone and pay for the full brochure price. However the vouchers were treated as cash and we had no problem using them. The staff over the phone were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We managed to get the accomadition which we wanted.

*On arrival*

When we arrived we were greated by two redcoats and friendly security staff. These directed us to our check in area. As we were staying in gold this was located at the back of the site. There was a small queue when we arrived but this went down quickly. We were given a map, an entertainment guide and our key cards. There was a helpful member of the reception staff who showed us where was best to park for our accomodation.

*The accomodation*

Once the car is parked up it can take a while to find your apparment as they all look the same. We managed to do a complete circle of the gold accomodation before we found the right block! Trying to get in can be quite a challenge too as not every key card works, you will notice everyone else struggling with these at the same time too.

The first we had a ground floor appartment and ths year we a top floor one. On both occasions we were upgraded from a two bedroom to a three bedroom. This meant we had plenty of space for the three of us. For some reason the living room in the ground floor apparment seemed bigger although I'm sure they are probably the same size. Beware in the top floor appartments as the stairs up to them are steep. The place was clean and well equiped. Our beds were made up when we arrived and there was plenty of towles in the bathroom to use. Also provided was two welcome packs one containing tea/coffee/sugar/milk and the other containing shower gel/soap/body lotion/shampoo.

Housekeeping comes in everyday except sundays and wednesdays. We had a problem with the toaster during our stay. I used the text service to alert maintence of the problem and it was fixed straight away.

*The facilities*

We used the splashworld on the friday we arrived. This place is brilliant! We spent ages in here just looking what was round the next corner. Mum especially loved the rapids and we really enjoyed the master blaster ride. There are plenty of lockers here but they do require 20p. Beware the floor in the toilets in freezing.

Green blaize is a hall containing anout 20 snooker tables, 3 dartboards and 3 table tennis tables. These are free to use all that is required is a key card deposit. If you are as bad as us at snooker you can spend ages in here.

There is a crazy golf on site. This is a bit onthe dearer side at £2.50 and could be longer. There is normally a queue for each hole despite the price it costs to go on.

Another extra is the go-karts this is £4 which is going rate and I really enjoyed racing these. The course is quite good and the karts are well maintained. There are two seaters and single karts available.

Next to the go-karts is the funfair. This could be bigger and contains a few rides. We were disspointed to find it closed at 5.30 we felt this was two early.

There are three play areas on site. One outdoors next to the funfair, another outside the sun and moon pub and another inside the amusments.

We also sampled the spa and really enjoyed the spa experience which normally costs £15 but we managed to get a 2 for 1 deal. Our only complaint was about the changing rooms. It was small and could have done with more privacy.

*food and drink*

There are a number of food and drink outlets on the site. The ones we used were finnagens, the sun and moon pub and the front room bar. The fish and chip prices were normal and were of good standard. Although the service was slow and everyone seemed confused about what they were doing.

We had a meal and a couple of drinks in the sun and moon. The drink prices seemed to be the same anywhere on site and are a little higher than normal but we expected this. The meal we had came quick and we would eat there again. It was nothing exceptional but was ok to eat.

We had a couple of drinks in the front room. The staff here are friendly and we loved to be able to sit in the comfy booths. The downside to this bar is it is always really hot inside.

*shops*

There are a number of shops on site but we only used the everydays supermarket. The prices in here were reasonable and it was well stocked with a good range of products. Cashback is also available here which is handy because the cash machines on site charge a fee for withdrawing cash.

*Entertainment*

We can't really comment on entertainment as we didn't sample it.

*Overall*

We have now had two good holidays here and both times a weekend wasn't long enough. The staff seem friendly and happy and it is a place we would return to again.

Summary: lots to do for all the family