Butlins, Skegness Review

Overall Rating

Went to Butlins Skegness start of August 09. Stayed in Gold self catering.

Gold check in is excellent we were only ones there although arrived what we thought would be busy time, very friendly. Apartment oh dear. The pretty pictures of the lit up gold apartment was not what we got. Outside was tired and windows filthy. Inside worse with tired decor, cigarette burns in furniture and carpets, not well cleaned. The wife politely complained and eventually got moved, to what I can only describe as a show apartment, which I think it actaully was. If we had stayed in original apartment think it would have really ruined the experience. Round of applause for Check in staff and 'the wife'. We payed a lot for gold, so little things mattered.

Looking around they spent a lot on doing accomodation up especially in the section we got moved to and the half board area, silver, looked very nice. I think our orginal accomodation is waiting for its turn.

Likes:
Funfair - rarely gets a mention in reviews. Rides dont blow you away but kids 8 and 11 loved them. must have spent a couple of hours a day there. It was well run and queues not so bad if you time it right.

Splash pool place: Queues can get really bad some times dont know why. Times we went, we got in straight away. Lots of things in there though itcan get a bit crowded.Changeing rooms ok. When its sunny and outdoor pool open and you can get in through side doors. Spent hours running between the indoor and outdoor (unheated) pool.

Cheggars: appeared VERY early Friday morning. the mans a legand. Shame about weather.

Redcoats/some staff: Very friendly and seem sincere. Didn't see too many red coats

Food: All you can eat buffet, 'nice' at the pasta/piza place

Pavillion: Some good entertainment. Titan mainly. Can get very busy. See below. Good atmosphere.

Site: the site looks good, and well presented. Apart from the toilets.

Fantasy island: I know not in Butlins but a brillent plave. Doesnt ;look much. But very cheap and rides are excellent and everything is well priced including food.

DISLIKES:
Night Entertainment: We saw one show in reds (Cartoon Network)never went centre stage. To get a seat I stood in a queue over an hour before it started. Got a good seat only for idiots to stand in front of you. No security or red coats to ask them to sit down and I could imagine the trouble if you took things into your own hands. Apart from the CN show which was OK nothing really appealed and was fortunate enough to miss the stars of X factor and Britains got talent. Evening seesm to mainly be for parents to get drunk while kids play the machines.

The issue was that there was no security or control People were left to do what they wished. RE previous review on car alarm, I think that started just before we left.

Slot Machines/Arcades. Looked very tired and nothing worked properly and I mean nothing. Staff were very helpful, free games and stuff when you could find them. Got fed up in the end. really think they are running arcades down on purpose.

Queues: If you plan right these can be avoided. But for entertainment queses were long. Main reason is to get a seat rather than see the shows, although red coats gave 100% as usual. GET MOE SEATS, you know how many peolple are coming.

Repetative: After a few days kids got a bit bored. Done everything and you can only play slot machines for so long. Went to Skegness, on alovely day which was nice and went to fantasy island. NOTE: Road outside Butlins is VERY busy. travel midweek fairly early.

Cost: Price of Holiday is too much even taking into account our show apartment. You will spend a fortune on site and the free stuff gets tiresome. The bars are expensive and so is food. Apart from the all you can eat buffet. (go dinner/tea time its quieter)

Some Staff: Just like to point out most staff were excellent, a few however were very rude. they really let the rest of the staff down.

OVERALL:
Glad we went. Kids really enjoyed it. Although they weren't too sad to leave. We were glad to leave at the end although we did have a good time. For the price would have expected a bit more. Next year probably spend less on holiday and find our own things to do. I think everyone should go to Butlins at least once, we have, job done.