Wales, Bluestone (Activity Holiday) Review

Overall Rating

Bluestone Park, Narbeth, Pembrokeshire.
Date of stay: Monday 31st Aug - Friday 4th Sept 2009.
(Discounted off peak price of £299 for 4 nights - midweek)

PLEASE NOTE: The water park is open to NON-residents of the park as well as residents!

Due to the above it gets very busy even during the quieter off peak times!

This was a big disappointment for us as we went there off peak specifically, hoping it would be quieter for our young daughter, but instead it was filled with teenagers and families from the local area and consequently...lots of long queues for the slides! The park itself was very quiet in comparison though, as this is only for residents.

Very clean looking place on the whole but the lodge we stayed in was not particulary clean inside, and also was not ready when we pulled up outside at check in time (3.30pm) We had to wait in the car in the rain for 25 minutes, whilst they finished cleaning it. We stayed in a 'Ramsey' lodge and I agree with previous reviews that the wetrooms (no bath) in the lodge were inconvenient as they just fill the small floor area with water, and also there is no seperate toilet.

We only dined in the one of the restaurants on one evening, and that was enough! An open kitchen area serving up steaks and fish etc. As we sat and waited for our food I observed the chefs handling raw meat and fish, then WITHOUT washing their hands, they were handling cooked food and plates...this forced me to leave without eating my meal as I couldn't stomach it after such poor hygiene standards, and cross contamination risks.

Activities for younger children were ok but expensive (As I expected though to be honest, having been to Center Parcs every year for the last 7 years and paying equally as expensive prices for this sort of thing)

On the plus side they have golf buggies for hire at £20 per day for a 4 seater, £25 for a 6 seater or £45/£50 for 3 day hire, but when you compare this to cycle hire for the same amount of people then I suppose it's not a bad deal and they were convenient and fun, especially as the water park is so far away from the lodges.

We took our own cycles and found the cycle track a sufficient distance for children but the ride to the water park has very steep hills for the younger/older ones and we were glad to have a golf buggy for one of the days.

The Well Spa was lovely and we had a nice afternoon in there for £10 each which was reasonable, but that price was discounted from £15 with a voucher they gave us on arrival.

The highlight of the week was the firework display at the lake which they have every Thursday evening, and luckily for us it was a clear and mild evening (the only day it didn't rain but I can't blame them for that;-)) and the children really enjoyed that, and for the ones who had made lanterns at the lantern making session, they got to light them and float them on the lake... which looked lovely at nightime.

If you compare the amount of things to do with Center Parcs, then you would be disappointed as it is nowhere near as action packed. However if you are looking for something quieter then it would be pleasant. If the water park was residents only then this would make a big difference. Unfortunately (And aside from the other issues) I wouldn't go back for that reason alone. I'm just glad we had the discounted off peak price, as it just wouldn't have been worth the money had we paid the £600-odd full price.