Haven holidays 4U? (Attractions in Hastings)

Member Name: tan

Product:	Attractions in Hastings
Date:	12/08/01 (911 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pleasant accomodation

Disadvantages: Lack of entertainment facilities

In desperate need of a getaway,my partner and I booked a week away at the Haven resort in Hastings.I am unable to provide a reason why we chose that particular location,other than it looked good in the brochure and we had never been before!

There are plenty of Haven holiday parks situated all around Britain,with accomodation ranging between economy caravans and home from home chalets.Being heavily pregnant at the time we opted for a two bedroomed chalet option at an off-peak cost of £160 for a Monday to Friday break.

I say off-peak,as any sane person wouldn't have ventured near the site in mid April,as the country was recovering from major flooding and it was still raining!The campsite was wet to say the least!

Although we had taken great care not to go during any type of school holiday the resort was still fairly busy,and the evening entertainment was very popular(mostly I suspect because there did'nt seem to be an awful lot to do in the rain at night in Hastings!?).I found it hard to imagine how a full campsite of holidaymakers would have fitted into the venue allocated for the childrens 'Rory the tiger'club or the adults evening drinking session and guest caberets.

The indoor swimming pool was only open between specific daytime hours,a big dissapointment to younger children (and their parents!),and the outdoor pool was closed whilst we were there,but was very small.

On-site there was a convenience store,a small gift shop,and a small arcade centre.Other than the afore-mentioned pools,there was an indoor venue for entertainment and the kids club,(which was badly advertised and not very well attended therfor until later on in the week),with four kiosk options for takaway food.In addition was a mini bowling lane and small bar/restaurant and a launderette.

The accomodation was clean,with a lovely fire,and everything we might need for our stay,with a television radio and microwave.The carravans wer
e also spacious,and we did not see a hint of condensation!

Hastings itself seemed to be a quiet,coastal town,clean,historic and scenic-we spent three days exploring,but also ventured to Eastbourne(even quieter-but lovely!)and Brighton-(lots more to do and we'd go back there!)as Hastings is quite small really.The tourist centre provided us with all the maps and local sites and was a helpful first point of call.

In conclusion I felt that Haven holiday Park needed to seriously invest in it's Hastings(and possibly other)resorts.We were very disappointed with the facilities,which were very basic,such as the swimming pool changing areas,and you would need a car to visit this particular park,which I feel is unfair,especially as the brochure indicates the exact opposite.
Personally,I will not be returning.If in need of a holiday park I would choose Butlins or Centre Parc-lots more to do and lots better cared for.If in need of accomodation whilst visiting a town or city then perhaps consider this option-but take a car.

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