butlins, minehead reviews | Watch This Item.

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Reviewer Rating6.7/10
Overall Rating6.7/10 Based on 104 ratings

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68% Recommended63 out of 93 Reviews
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93 Review Centre Butlins, Minehead Reviews

  • Full review by
    welshcakes
    on 23rd Jun 2009


    User Rating : 8
    Respect : 0

    Good Points: self catering apartment more than adequate. Fantastic pool.

    Bad Points: The Redcoats are British because they have to communicate constantly with guests however almost all the catering, housekeeping and cleaning staff are Eastern European, many with extremely limited English.

    General comments: A family of four (children 10 & 11 yrs) We chose to go self catering and from the feedback of other week long guests, it was absolutely the right choice. If you opt for a Breakfast & dinner stay you are at the mercy of very cramped accommodation, Eastern European staff who don ' t understand simple requests for towels or toilet rolls, dubious housekeeping (one couple only had their room serviced twice instead of daily) and strict mealtimes offering poor quality, badly cooked food. Back to the self catering. If like us, you get allocated an apartment in Butlin ' s ' Plantation Quay ' section (and even better ground floor), you will not be disappointed. The apartments are reasonably spacious with good kitchen areas and a small lounge section that you will not use often as most of the time, there is something on around the camp. The electric shower is to die for, fantastic water pressure, instant hot water and an extractor strong yet quiet enough to stop the mirrors from misting. The accommodation The units are single glazed however the area is so quiet (probably noisy on ' Hot Weekends for 18+), that we slept undisturbed all night. My only gripe would be the actual beds. All, including the double, are metal camp beds with shockingly poor quality mattresses and wafer thin quilts. Unless you like slleping on the equivalent of a plank of wood, I would recommend taking your own quilt to soften the mattress. The kids didn ' t seem to mind though of course by bedtime, they were so exhausted I suspect they could have slept on a bed of nails! The mattress also had an odd covering a bit like hospital beds which crunched when you moved. Having said that, our beds all had fresh, immaculate linen and we were given fresh quilt covers mid week. Carpeted throughout except for bathroom and in decent, clean condition. Butlin ' s don ' t have tv remotes which is a good idea and does encourage switching off between use. Also you are provided with two key cards. Once you get in, one of them goes into a slot that operates all the lights " again, great energy saving. Our card keys failed on the first night and at eleven at night and Reception unmanned until 9 the next morning, it was frustrating having to locate a security guard who messed up and had to finally let us in using a Master entry card. Plenty of car parking close to all apartments and very little vehicle use means you can check on your car within 90 seconds walk. Self-Catering Like all sensible mums, I over packed. There is a grocery shop on site (opens 8 am) however prices are hugely inflated (a tin of Heinz ravioli is £1.25, Lambert & Butler cigarettes priced at £5.60). Don ' t panic and don ' t bother taking stocks for the week " there is a very good Tesco just 2 minutes drive away). It is in walking distance but pointless wasting your holiday lugging grocery bags around. There are fee charging cash machines onsite and the grocery store offers cashback however there is a free cashpoint at Tesco. I would recommend taking enough for the first 24 hours plus essentials like a tea towel, washing up liquid, scourer, kitchen roll etc. The fridge has a mini ice box at the top which was a bonus. The toaster is cheap rubbish but it was lovely to grill freshly cut bread hot from the Tesco bakery. We bought chips from Finnigan ' s but avoided the rest of their offerings after discovering that their fish/chicken is reconstituted mushy sort of paste heavily bread crumbed and deep fried to crematorium standards. Food outlets As I said, Finnigan ' s chips are okay but the rest of their food is vile (nothing like the Finnigan ' s quality we are used to). The Bake ' n Bite is fab opening very early and tempting you in with reasonably priced croissants, pastries, bacon butties, pasties etc plus great coffee. Burger King seemed extortionate (over £16 for 2 kids meals, 1 adult meal and a burger). The New York rollover hotdogs are okay at £2.75 but the pancake booth is definitely the winner " pig out (and you will) on savoury and sweet pancakes " huge choice, freshly cooked in front of you and a very large portion. We didn ' t try Pizzahut and neither did many others as it always looked empty. Perhaps again, the inflated Butlin prices put many guests off. Evening Entertainment There are two main entertainment venues during the evening, REDS and Centre Stage, the latter opening earlier and geared more for families with little kids. REDS is open til 11/11.30 pm and we enjoyed every night there. A word of advice, always get there early or send the kids to bagsy a table " it is always packed and latecomers will be left standing all night. There were some great acts and if it ' s on, do so the Redcoats V for Variety show " it is really worth it and Circus Hilarious was possibly the funniest, sharpest stage circus I have ever seen. My son loved the Wrestling Mania (he ' s 10 yr) and the Abba Tribute is believable. REDS always starts (approx 7pm) with interactive game shows inviting up kids to win prizes (get your kids to stand at the front and not be shy!). Beers offered include Tetley ' s and Carlsberg ( £2.90 a pint or 4 pints in a jug for £9.99). Large glass of wine is £3.95. Soft drinks quite costly similar to restaurant prices. A word of warning, the security staff on REDS doors randomly check handbags so sneaking in your own booze could result in confiscation or entry refusal! Daytime activities Butlins is traditionally a family venue and is very much geared towards 10 yrs and under. Having said that, my children enjoyed the fantastic pool, free archery and fencing every day, arts & crafts where little kids were not allowed and the free funfair (10 am " 5 pm) everyday. There is a 10 ft robot called Titan who performs everyday for about 6 sessions in the main Pavillion " don ' t be fooled, ' he 'is highly entertaining and performs a very clever audience interactive show. Slot machines and slot machines, they will drive you crazy! The Sports Arena offers pool table play at 30 minutes for a fiver " we booked an hour and with the overhead Sky Sport screen, hubby also got to watch the USGA. Staff At this sensitive time where there are so many Brits who would happily work for minimum wage, it was a sore point for many many guests that Butlins, a flagship Brit tradition does not support British jobs for British workers. We realised half way through our week that a lot of the foreign workers turned their name badges around " just an observation that stood out. There were plenty of Redcoats milling around and all of them with inexhaustible smiles and cheery dispositions. One told me they too work for minimum wage so hats off to them for their spirit and sheer stamina. Bar staff are very friendly and work at a decent pace. We didn ' t go off site however the beach is literally 100 steps away on the other side of the entry road and the sands looks lovely.
    welshcakes's review and ratings     | 1260 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 9th Jun 2009


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    Stayed in Gold apartments at Butlins, Minehead for 3 days. Very clean. Very nice.Site is excellent, friendly staff. Great for kids.Minehead is a lovely place.3 days was plenty, very hard work as there is so much to do.On-Site shop prices are fine.Pool is very busy, allow time to wait for changing rooms if you are a family. And the chlorine content is excessive - but well lifeguarded and safe for kids, also very clean.Overall, 10/10 - for the money, you cant complain one bit.Oh, and disregard the ...
    Guest's full review     | 139 words

  • Review by
    Sammyjo777
    on 5th Jun 2009


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    I have just got back from my first ever trip to Butlins, we went 2 minehead and it was amazing, the Kids loved it and cant wait to go back next year :)
    Sammyjo777's full review     | 48 words

  • Review by
    Numpers
    on 28th May 2009


    User Rating : 0
    Respect : 0

    I went to Minehead Butlins in 1996 (!) with my wife and 3 kids and it still haunts me 13 years later. On arrival at the Value accommodation, checked the loo, to find someone had left a lovely welcome present (think Vince the LibDem) The pool was vile - full of sticking plasters, fagends(yes it was 1996 I suppose) Food was vile - kids were gagging. We stayed one night, and joined the queue for full cash refund from the manager on Day 2. It sounds like not a lot has changed in 13 years !!!!! ...
    Numpers's full review     | 117 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 23rd Feb 2009


    User Rating : 9
    Respect : 0

    I have visited Butlins Minehead before but did not see the real deal until I took my son, we now go twice a year. You can grab the breaks on the "sun holidays" promotion which although they add extra charges still tot's up to fantastic value at less than £100 for a short break. Non stop entertainment throughout the day and night, fantastic with children. Always fun to be found whatever the weather.
    Guest's full review     | 73 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 21st Feb 2009


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    i had a week hoilday with my family i could have stayed a month it wasnt boring at all and the kids loved it.Great entertainment,lovely place to stay ,great for the family,thats butlins for you
    Guest's full review     | 38 words

  • Review by
    funfeb
    on 17th Feb 2009


    User Rating : 8
    Respect : 0

    After reading reviews was a bit worried but we had a fab time. If you don't like lots of people and are expecting luxury - don't go but if you want a good value fun time then Butlins Minehead is for you. We had a self catering silver apartment - it was fine , clean and even had Cbeebies -which we weren't expecting !! requested ground floor - got this and only had people above us so no problem with noise. may be different if you are in the 3 storey blocks but request and ring up week before and p ...
    funfeb's full review     | 246 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 19th Nov 2008


    User Rating : 8
    Respect : 0

    The quality of the entertainment was very high and we will be going back to Butlins for another Arena break next November. I wish that the standard of accomodation was consistent. Ditch all those different levels like silver, silver plus and gold etc. Just get one good standard (like a travel lodge room) and demolish all those old apartments !! Spend some money on this and it will return its investment.
    Guest's full review     | 307 words

  • Review by
    happy crew
    on 17th Nov 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    Just returned from Sugar Babes break 17 Nov, place packed, no rubbish around, lovely clean silver plus room, fantastic food, friendly helpful staff can't fault it, pool lovely and warm.
    happy crew's full review     | 31 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 24th Sep 2008


    User Rating : 1
    Respect : 0

    Lakeside lodge number 25 very disappointed, dirty and bedding old worn and mattress stained. Would not recommend to anyone. Oven did not work properly nor did fire. Could not wait to leave.
    Guest's full review     | 50 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 23rd Sep 2008


    User Rating : 2
    Respect : 0

    The swimming pool was great and lots for little ones, good shows, free fairground, Bob's world...Good entertainment, but I won't be going back. Smelly accommodation and AWFUL food hall - yuk!
    Guest's full review     | 32 words

  • Review by
    bmouthpeople
    on 16th Sep 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    After booking we decided to read some reviews about Minehead, was worried as we read loads of bad one's, but when we arrived we were very surprise that our silver plus apartment was very clean, had cleaners came in twice in the week. Entertainment was very, very good, could not really fault any bad point's apart from flooding, staff were very friendly and helpful
    bmouthpeople's full review     | 124 words

  • Review by
    Urbane
    on 16th Sep 2008


    User Rating : 8
    Respect : 0

    The accommodation (Silver) was perfectly fine and clean, the bathroom was spotless. The food selection on our Bed/Dinner/Breakfast pass to Ocean Drive was wide, hot, tasty and you could have as much or as little (or strange combinations) as you wanted. The Sky Line shows for the kids are great if a little too loud. Titan the robot scared the living daylights out of my daughter but she can't stop talking about him now. Buy food for lunch on site was a little pricey but there is always the opt ...
    Urbane's full review     | 244 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 14th Sep 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    I love the swimming pool, the staff, the entertainers, the fair ground rides and everything else. It was a great break. I cry when I have to go back home. The bad points are that their are only goods points, and no bad points.
    Guest's full review     | 44 words

  • Review by
    Angelcake71 Rank: Lance Corporal
    expert review Expert Review
    on 7th Sep 2008


    User Rating : 7
    Respect : 0

    We have just got back from Butlins Minehead, I was in a party of 8 so we had to have 2 chalets, luckily they did put us next door to each other. The accommodation was of a good standard (silver plus) and quite spacious with heaters in all of the rooms and a nice bath with a power shower. The beds were a little hard. The downside was passers by would walk right close to your chalet and look in the window. The swimming pool was great, with plenty of lifeguards who did their job well, but the black ...
    Angelcake71's full review     | 699 words

  • Review by
    gubean Rank: Corporal
    on 6th Sep 2008


    User Rating : 4
    Respect : 0

    On arrival and finally finding the book in desk, we had to lug all our luggage right across the site. Then we arrived to this ancient building where we had to climb some filthy ancient fire escape stairs to the third floor of what looked and smelt like council flats. The apartment was supposed to be silver we paid £477 for the week. What a dive. It was filthy and tiny. I never complain but I did, they were fully booked until the Monday which they did move us to silver+ which was a lot bett ...
    gubean's full review     | 275 words

  • Review by
    scrumptiousbum
    on 5th Sep 2008


    User Rating : 10
    Respect : 0

    I have just returned from a week in Butlins and I loved every minute of it. The staff were very friendly and so were the people in the shows. There was a lot of food choice and no limit as to how much you could have. The weather was not very good but there were still loads of stuff to do i.e bowling, swimming, pool/snooker and the arcade and there is something on stage all throughout the day. Circolumbia was absolutely fantastic and we are going again on Sunday.
    scrumptiousbum's full review     | 95 words

  • Review by
    Guest.
    on 5th Sep 2008


    User Rating : 9
    Respect : +1

    My family have been coming to Butlins Minehead since 1997. I have been sitting here reading some good and bad reviews and can agree with most points. Yes you do have to pay for some extra attractions but you do still have the funfair and Bob the Builder land which are all free. Where else can you get this? There are plenty of free shows throughout the day and evening. As for the accommodation I must admit it is in need of some serious updating and there have been occasions where I have had to as ...
    Guest's full review     | 241 words | 1 comment added.

  • Review by
    cdean
    on 3rd Sep 2008


    User Rating : 3
    Respect : 0

    If Butlins wish to attract families to the resort they need to spend more money on improving accommodation eg. when it rained all the guttering overflowed. It was growing its own lawn on the roofs of some blocks of accommodation.
    cdean's full review     | 94 words

  • Review by
    hugh1405
    on 30th Aug 2008


    User Rating : 7
    Respect : 0

    On the whole excellent holiday - plenty to do - 5 days was enough but still didn't get round everything. Will be returning but wish they would CLEAN the accommodation with bleach. A tip if you have not been before take plenty of cleaning materials and one of your party go to the chalet first to give it a clean before the children arrive.
    hugh1405's full review     | 163 words


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