We have just returned from a four-day break at 'Planet Butlins', Skegness.
To say we were disappointed is an understatement. We paid over £800 for 2 OAP's, 2 Adults and 2 children (13 and 8), in Silver accommodation on a half board basis for 4 nights. This has got to be the worst value holiday we have ever had. We were so disappointed that we left a day early.

Accommodation
Far below our expectation. The beds had very thin uncomfortable mattresses. I had the worst nights sleep that I can remember. An average Travel Lodge in my opinion is of a far higher standard than the Butlins Silver rooms. We had no electricity on the day we arrived and none for the last night of our stay.

Food
The half board meal package was poor to say the least. On entering the dining hall; you first had to scour the massive packed room for a table preferably one, which had been cleaned to sit all of the family together. Having secured a table, you then had to wait in long queues for the very poor quality food. However, we realise that this was mass catering on a grand scale, but I have had far better food in an average works canteen.

Facilities
These can only be described as poor.
There is very little outside seating space - mostly indoor bars and the very smoky Sky Line Pavilion which to me is no more than a large tacky amusement arcade with a number of junk food outlets.
The snooker hall was dirty with litter and bottles lying around and was very badly lit. We had trouble seeing the dartboard and table tennis table, as the light was so bad.
The free fun fair consisted of about 6 rides one of which was out of order, and you had to queue for over 20 minutes to get on the rides.
The Swimming Pool - queues to gain entry were long, with further queues for locker tokens and changing rooms. Once in the pool, there was barely room to swing the proverbial cat, and our children were told there was a wait of over 1 hour to use the slides.

I was appalled at what you had to pay for once inside the park.
Cinema - £14 for a family ticket
Bike Hire - £5 for 30 minutes
Kids play area and trampolines - £1.50 for 10 minutes
Spar - £20 for a swim and the use of the gym.
Go Karts - £4 for 5 minutes.


Night Time Entertainment
Most of this took place in 'Centre Stage' which people were queuing for one hour before it opened ! (Why we don't know), as I thought it was little more than an oversized working men's club with acts to match. However the drink prices (at £3 a bottle for beer) did not match the surroundings. Thoroughly disappointed, and I would not recommend.

Butlins is the best place to go on a holiday !!!!!
if you want some entertainment or get rid of your kids for a bit or family holiday or just an amazing holiday, to never forget BUTLINS IS THE PLACE

We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Skeggy Butlins. It was our for Butlins experience and will certainly go back. We have done Haven, Park Resorts, British Holidays and Pontins in the past and Butlins is far superior. The staff are very friendly and the resort was very clean.

We love Butlins, and there is plenty of entertainment for the whole family, but Skegness is by FAR the worst Butlins resort. We would never go back, even though it is the closest. We would rather drive the six hours to Minehead. It is dirty, the accommodation was average, and not very well cleaned. The cups were dirty, and there was hot chocolate stains on the spoons from the last guests. Mould was on the shop windows, and the Red Coats were more interested in checking out the male talent on holiday, rather than playing with the kids. I saw a handicapped child run up to a Red Coat to cuddle her, and she put her hands in the air and said "eewww". I was horrified. The staff on the trampoline ride were swearing heavily, including using 'w' and 'c' words, which I did not expect my children to hear.

I complained to the manager who seem to just shrug her shoulders, and she didn't really care. It was a dreadful resort. My nine year old asked if she could stay at home if I ever went again as she disliked it so much. Considering we have been to all three resorts six times within the last year, Skegness is by far the worst, and a waste of money.

I felt that we would be having a cheap weekend away at Butlins in Skegness, but unless you take your own things to do and your own food to cook, you will be paying out a lot of money each day. A couple of kids can go through literally 10's of pounds a day in the arcades, and activities and the food, though not unreasonable, really adds up.

We had a wonderful time at Butlins in Skegness! The shows that we saw were very well put together, and my daughter loved the Character Explosion and Milkshake - the Chanel 5 show. There are some great adult shows too, although it would be nice if some shows were adult only, because some parents think it's OK to have babies and toddlers out until all hours, and the little ones are crying because they are tired. Maybe Butlins should offer an evening babysitting service!

I go to Butlins in Skegness every year, and I still enjoy it. There is lots to do for adults and children, and it is definitely good value for money, as all the activities are free!

I love Butlins in Skegness! I go every year. It is full of the cream of Britain. The language in the air is a little blue, as are the black tights and white stiletto's, but if you want a reasonably priced holiday, a good laugh, and time with your family, then you can't beat it!

I have been going to Butlins in Skegness for many years now, and they have always been the best. The red coats and the centre stage cast were really good. I couldn't ask for anything better, and I will be going back next year.

My family and I have just come home from a fantastic October break in Butlins, Skegness. I have been 5 times now as my children love it. I have stayed in half board Silver, which were clean and comfortable but very small. I have also stayed in standard half board in the past which were also small and right in the centre of all the noise. However the Silver self catering are at the far end away from all the noise but near enough to walk to the attractions. Although my elderly relatives, who stayed in Gold apartments just around the corner from us, hired a wheelchair and a scooter for the week from the hire shop as Butlins is a big area to get around if you're not so good on your feet. Our Silver self catering apartment in Palm Court was spotless, spacious and tastefully furnished, in fact the only difference I could see between ours and the Gold was the fact that my relatives had a wide screen tv and a dvd player. My 14 year old son and his friend had a great time with plenty of activities like football, basket ball, quasar, bowling,go-karts. Bear in mind that not many activities are free though. My 8 year old daughter enjoyed the Halloween shows and the trampolines and bike hire. Be ready for a bun fight if you go half board. The food is lovely when you've actually fought your way through to get it! Splash swimming pool is another place you have to fight to survive. It's a fantastic pool but they let too many people in at once and I did wonder about infection especially when I saw the state of the changing rooms, filthy and all the cubicals were blocked off so it was communal changing.
The toilets were filthy to and not an attendant in sight. Despite this we all had a lovely time as we always have at Butlins. The spa looks lovely but we didn't venture in as you can see every thing through the windows! I didn't like the idea of being on show to everyone and expected it to be like the Aquasauna at Centre Parcs. The evening venues are all buzzing and if you like lively places you will like Reds and Centre stage.

Had a really good time at Butlins Skegness, shows were excellant, the Redcoats work really hard and are friendly and polite. The food is good - We recommend Papa Johns pizza place and the Sun and Moon Pub. Overall I would recommend Butlins. Just dont go expecting the Hilton.

I worked at Butlins during this year's season and haven't picked up any faults with ANY staff. I worked in the Coral Beach restaurant and 99% of guests were the nicest, laidback people I have ever met and they are on holiday to relax. Although we are short staffed, people do have to realise that not everything is the staffs' fault. you have to take into consideration that we do feed an enormous amount of guests in the space of 2 hours. I think the most people we fed whilst I was there was 2100. You can imagine the chaos at times. Overall, I would recommend anyone who wants to be entertained and relaxed a holiday at Butlins, Skegness.

Butlins Skegness - First of al,l the redcoats were very funny, my daughter loved them. The entertainment at night was great, there was so much going on it was just hilarious! The accomodation that we stayed in was lovely and very comfortable! We had such a good time that we are going back next year with the family!

My 11yr old and I just got back yesterday from what was going to be a 7 day holiday to Butlins Skegness; we came back a day early as I'd had enough. We stayed half board in a twin silver room, it was clean but had paper thin walls and was very small. Meals taken at Coral Beach which was hot, tables were not cleared; they ran out of forks every mealtime. The food was repetitive, boring and uninspiring to say the least. Soup available each day, one type of meat or fish, boiled potato, roast potato, peas, carrots, salad (tomato, cucumber cold potato salad, celery) pudding were ice-cream or hot pudding. For children there was always some kind of fish or chicken shapes, chips and beans. If you get fed up of this uninspiring, tasteless food - there are eating places around skyline. Be prepared to pay high prices. Burger King Kids Meals are 60p dearer than in a normal BK, Jacket Spuds are approx £4. We ate at Papa Johns pizza place. It is staffed by foreign students which would be ok if they could take orders correctly - in our case they didn't. I paid £22.99 for 2 medium pizza (plain no extra topping) 2 cokes.
Facilities, you need to know that not everything is free, the fairground is free, tennis, ping pong and snooker is free as is darts but bring your own. Bowling is expensive as is pool. the racing cars are £4 per person and the trampolines are £3 per 5 minutes. Bungee trampolines are £4 but the kids can go to trampoline coaching for free at the sports site. There are clubs for the kids but if they want to do any sport they need to book a place - be prepared to start queuing from 9.oo to get a place. Mega zone is good fun or all ages you get 15 - 20 minutes in there depending how busy they are and it costs £3 each.
crazy golf is £1.25 each
Splash - -what can I say a fantastic pool but allowed to get too busy, not managed very well, babies and young children, obviously non swimmers allowed into areas stating strong swimmers only even when lifeguards are around. babies allowed in the volcano Jacuzzi and on 2 occasions they were sick in it! The changing facilities are the worst
I have ever seen - filthy floors, broken lockers. They should have someone on changing room duty all the time. I do have concerns over health and safety in the pool because so many people are allowed in you can't swim - there's not enough room all you can do is walk around. It is so noisy the lifeguards are always blowing their whistles but nobody takes any notice how they could deal with a problem I do not know.
Evening entertainment in centre stage - I've got one word -brilliant. If you want a decent table start queuing 2hours before the doors open and is ready to run through the doors to keep your place. Bar service is slow but not too expensive.
We didn't watch anything in Reds.
My 11year old son had a really great time at Butlins.
The only bits I enjoyed were the evenings in centre stage and the megazone.
We were lucky as Bite Size were visiting for a day a week and we were able to do a clay sculpture together, I had my nails done and I made a hand tied bouquet. everyone was enjoying these taster courses and we were allowed to keep what we made. This ends 14/8 and is a great shame as it was the only constructive thing available for adults and was very busy. to me this proves more adult activities are needed.
A new Spa facility has opened in the last 2 weeks. It is adults only and not owned or operated by Butlins. I used the facilities and they were great. They have a special discount for this month £16.99 reduced to £9.99 gets you 3 hours in a pool; crystal wet sauna, tropical showers, regular dry sauna and hydro therapy pool.
it wasn't busy and was an oasis. It is a great deal even at full price as last year the same treatment at Thorsby Hall cost £40 approx.
I came away from my time at Butlins thinking
"I've done it but don't want to do it again thank you very much" my other thoughts are "where the heck did that £150 go? I've got nothing to show for it" The holiday booking price was £489 for one adult and one 11yr old in a twin silver room, staying half board

I have visited Butlins at Skegness and Minehead several times now, and we always have a good time. However, there are a few points that people should be aware of...

Firstly, I have found the accommodation to be of a generally poor standard. On one occasion, my duvet was covered in blood, there were crisp and cigarette packets behind the bedside table and urine in the toilet. On another occasion, the matteress was actually damp.

Placing complaints about these did fix the problem, but it took ages, and was done with poor grace. Whenever a complaint was made (up to and including the accommodation manager), their response was either 'thats not my job' or 'we are short-staffed'.

Food can be variable. The self-service is pretty good, but we have had problems with rude and stressed waiters when going half-board.

Finally, and through no fault of Butlins, certain areas can be dangerous at night. The kebab shop in particular had a very threatening atmosphere amongst the clientelle. On average we have witnessed one major fight per trip (on one occasion, one of our group was actually set upon by someone who took a dislike to them for some reason), and there is always plenty of drunken shouting (usually from people who look a couple of years too young to drink alcohol, and who have major chips on their shoulders). Not a place for a quiet family break!

Still, that's the bad points out of the way. The entertainment, as mentioned elsewhere, is consistently first-rate, with big names. There is a wide variety of activities for both kids and adults from bowling to karaoke, all in one place.

Finally, the Redcoats. The have to be the soundest bunch of people I have ever met. They genuinely seem to love their work, and have a smile and friendly word for everyone.

All in all, I have had some great times at Butlins over the last few years, but won't be going back now I have a family.

I recently came back from my 4 holiday to Butlins and once again I enjoyed every minute of it. With the help of the redcoats I was able to find information about being a redcoat. They were always willing to help me and talk me through anything I was unsure about.

Have been coming to Butlins for about 6 years, having recently spent 14 days here during September, and can honestly say I will never forget my time here. The skyline shows were that impresive that we watched them twice, excellent job Candi,Pip,Bud,Sprout,Mimi,Oj, and not forgetting Mr Conjurer. The afternoon pantomime was also excellent fun for the adults and the kids. The red coats were always smiling.....What else can I say...14 days in 2004 I Think.

We have 3 children and would not go anywhere else as we think it is great entertainment and value for money. All the performers are a credit to butlins as they put so much work in to make enjoyable unforgettable entertainment. My daughter was picked to have a part in the butlins story at skegness and it really made her holiday...well done and keep up the good work.

The redcoats at this resort are really nice had good conversations with redcoats Greg, Jonny, Amanda, Debs and Suzanne. We are goin back again next year. All workers are nice. I didn't want to leave. The beds in basic self catering are uncomfortable. Entertainment is class and i did the junior redcoat academy and passed

Arrived at 3pm, told to check in after 3.30pm, gave just enough time to park car and get bearings.
Check in was painless and quick, chalet was easy to find.
Half board challet was basic but clean. (t.v. and kettle included)
Allocated restaurant was very nice, even if the order in which you got your tray and drinks etc. needed some sorting out. Food was very good, although towards the end of our stay it was getting harder to find all the cutlery, I think someone must have been eating it or collecting it for scrap.
Went for look about, found the fort, which the bairn was most impressed with. Noddy land, although small held his intrest for long enough to get some good photos.
Second day we visited Splashworld, very impressed, changing rooms slightley crowded but the pool intself was excellant. Anyone deciding to choose one of the three slides in the middle, should in my experiance not choose the one on the left. I still haven't recovered fully.
We went to 'Reds' on the Saturday night, very good entertainment but if you are carrying a pint you have to avoid hundreds of stampeding kids.
The irish bar, was the biggest let down. From a family that enjoys a good singsong and has Irish roots, listening to MTV while trying to explain to a french barman that yes you do want blackcurrent in the lager, isn't my idea of an irish theme pub.
'Jaks' is the nightclub, this is where I seen the only trouble of the week, it was teenagers trying to get past the doorman, by any means possible, which I must add the doorman handled very proffesionally. This wasn't my sort of place, the floor was sticky, the beer was no better than any where else, although they did serve alchoholic icecream.
There is regular bus services running from in the camp, to various places.
We went to the banger racing on the Thursday night, which was worth every penny of the £9 entrance fee, but don't expect any comforts like seating, and don't wear anything white.
All in all, I found Butlins a really good holiday, which I would definetly consider re-visiting in the future. If I was asked of any improvements that could be made, then it would be to put a smile on the faces of the bar staff, and get them slightly more intrested.