pontins, camber review

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Average Ratings

Value for Money	2.5/10
Overall rating	2.4/10

22% Recommended4 out of 18 Reviews

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By PixieOfDoom on 23rd May 2006

PixieOfDoom's Ratings

Value for money	3/10
Overall value	3/10
PixieOfDoom's recommendation

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General Comments

Before I get into my review proper, I am going to qualify what I have to say by pointing out that I was not at Pontins Camber Sands for a holiday, I was there out of season for a music festival, so many of the facilities were not open and I did not have the experience that a family would have there.

Having said that, I pity anyone who actually chooses to go to one of these places on holiday. It was like being in an institution, and I can't imagine there is much to do, as it is a tiny little place with only basic facilities, appalling catering, and not much on offer. There was a swimming pool, the tiniest go-karting track I'd ever seen which was closed all weekend due to appalling weather, a kids play area which was tiny, an arcade that you had to be 18 to enter, 2 function rooms and a pub. Not really much on offer to 2,500 people if they hadn't been there watching rock bands all day.

The facilities were not only basic, but sparse. It didn't feel warm and welcoming. The heating in our chalet barely worked and sucked electricity, which you pay for by buying cards at £1 a card, so we couldn't get the place warm enough. Everything was sterile and white, including the walls and the bedlinen, and I can't imagine trying to cook a family meal in the tiny kitchen. You had to bring everything yourself just about, including anything needed to clean or wash dishes. But it doesn't seem that anyone washes the dishes, as all the mugs and silverware were sticky when we arrived.

While things other than the dishes were clean enough (not as clean as I'd want really, but I didn't fear for my hygiene), it seems the place hasn't been spruced up in easily 30 - 40 years, as the windows leaked and were breezy, and everything was nearly falling to bits. Springs could be felt through the mattresses, and the TV was ancient and we were barely able to get a picture. This was not a place to spend much time in, except there wasn't much else to do.

If you didn't want to cook you were confronted with one cafeteria-style restaurant offering junk and food that had been so over-cooked that I'd be surprised if there were any nutrients left, at stupid prices dished up by the most surly, unpleasant and grisly staff I've experienced in a while. These were not the smiling faces that make holiday camps fun and welcoming, but rather people who looked like they'd been dragged into work and were there because they had to be. Granted they probably thought we were all a bunch of drunken weirdos as it was an unusual crowd, but a smile and some customer service would not have gone amiss.

On the whole, I don't think the place was nearly as unhygienic and awful as the other reviews have indicated, but it certainly is not a comfortable and welcoming fun location for a family holiday, as I can imagine you'd be completely bored within 24 hours, and have a sore back to boot from the beds.

Seriously, it's cheaper to camp, to get a B&B, or to go abroad these days, so spend your money on that!

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