Haven -v- Butlins - no contest (Haven Holidays in general)

Member Name: grannywoo

Product:	Haven Holidays in general
Date:	28/10/01 (1269 review reads)
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Being regular visitirs to Butlins at Bognor Regis and having a family of wide age differences, we have never been disappointed when visiting.

Having tried to book a long weekend, last weekend, we were unable to get the accomodation we wanted.

So we decided to try Haven - first big mistake.

We hadn't visited Haven before, so I read some of the opinions on Dooyoo, made an assumption (wrongly it would now seem) and
booked.

We did not want to travel to far and also wanted what was called an Action Park, as my 11 year old son was taking a friend with him.

We should have caught on to the fact that it wouldn't be up to much when the price was 2/3rds cheaper than Butlins. But as we couldn't get in Butlins we didn't think about it.

On arrival at 11.15 a.m., although we knew we couldn't get the keys to our caravan until 2.30 p.m., we expected that all the facilities would be available. As they are at Butlins.

FACILITIES - WHAT FACILITIES

The boys went off to explore whilst we went for a coffee. We had only just ordered the coffee when they returned.

Could they have some money for the amusements. It had started the drain on my finances. The boys both had £30 of their own money and by the time we left on Monday morning they were both left with £3.00 and I was down £210.

There were a large number of caravans of various quality and size on the camp. Although the caravan we had was clean and comfortable the rest of the holiday was a great disappointment.

The swimming pool was just that, the flumes weren't open and there were no extras. The boys went once. Bearing in mind this is free and at Butlins they usually swim twice a day, it was again disappointing.

Although was an organised timetable of sporting events, due to the rather inclement weather these had to be cancelled and no fair weather alternatives were arranged. more money spent.


The evening entertainment at Butlins has always been first class, something for everyone. The boys were bored, we found it tacky and unexciting. The singers were to say the least amatuerish and there were only 2 venues, both of which were overcrowded.

I could go on and on but the tail of woe would continue.

To summarise we got what we paid for and were very disappointed. In future if we can't get booked into Butlins at Bognor Regis we will go to one of the others.

I am sure that many of you will have different stories to tell about Haven, this is our own personal opinion from a fmily of seven ranging from 8 months to 43 years old.

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