Isle of Wight, Whitecliff Bay Caravan Bembridge

outside decking was terrible, the wood was rotton, front door was not safe and could of been broken in to, windows had peeling paint inside and out and were very drafty, toilet door was a folding one and was dangerous, you can hear the people next door talking!, the chalet was very old fashioned throughout.

We booked this site as we had noticed that many of the mainland campsites had increased their prices this year, capitalising on the fact that more people were holidaying in the UK this year, while Whitecliff Bay was offering two weeks for 6 people for £399 including the ferry crossing, which we felt was very reasonable.

The ferry was great, and the kids really felt like we were going abroad, and the view as you go in to Cowes is spectacular! The campsite itself is only ½ hour from the docks, which means no bored kids on long car rides once you dock. As stated in other reviews, the touring section is on one side of a fairly busy road, and the statics and chalets are on the other side, along with the swimming pools, the Culver Club and the Nab Bar.

We were pitched right at the bottom of the second field, close to the toilet blocks. This was fine, until a couple of days later when others started to arrive, and it then became apparent that the legal 3m between units was not going to be adhered. The tent next to us was so close that his guy ropes were touching our awning.

Fortunately, he too realised that this was unacceptable and arranged to be moved. I appreciate that this is a busy time of year, but the 3m mimimun is there for a reason (fire prevention) but this did not seem to bother the staff on site.

On a bright note, the toilet blocks were never closed for cleaning, very handy when you have small children who cannot hold on! On the downside, this did mean that they were filthy.

A quick wipe with a dirty mop is not sufficient for that number of people using them. There were used tampons and nappies on the floor, spider webs everywhere, toilet roll everywhere and was generally disgusting. The toilet block nearer Reception was better but too far to walk if you are in the bottom field.

The entertainment was all based at the Culver Club, over a busy road and up a steep hill. The entertainment was very average, although the kids enjoyed it. The Nab Bar (restaurant and bar area) is even further up another steep hill and is definitely for the able bodied only!

This is also where the indoor and outdoor swimming pools are based. The indoor pool is very small, outdated (peeling paint and rust everywhere), but has a good indoor slide which anyone over 1m can use. The outdoor pool is much bigger, but again was very tired and the water was suspiciously murky, and while we did not use this one I was told that it was freezing!

Outside the Nab Bar is the crazy golf. This is free – you just had over your pass and you are given clubs and balls. This is also where the path down to the beach leaves the campsite. Again, this is very steep, but worth it when you get to the bottom as the beach is beautiful, with great rock pools at one end.

On a definite up side, the Isle of Wight is amazing. There is so much to do, and all of the attractions we visited were exceptionally well staffed and thought out. Carisbrook Castle was a particular favourite for the kids as they really get them involved, acting out plays and dressing up.

Would we go back to the Isle of Wight – definitely! Would we go back to Whitecliff Bay – definitely not!

Stayed here for a week end of august 2011 on a serviced pitch with my partner, 8 year old and 1 year old daughter. On arrival we were waiting for atleast half an hour before being given our pitch,which was just showed to us on a map and off we were sent. The pitch was very small with only a small trailors width between us and our neighbours, who luckily were very pleasent and understanding. Before we had even fully unpacked our tent we was rudely told to move our are tent more towards the road! The pitches I didnt feel were very safe as directly behind us was a steep downhill bank and directly in front was a road and another steep bank going up. So not very child friendly! We only just had enough space to park the car.

The toilets were ok but the showers were quite grubby and could have done with a good clean and updating. All of the facilities like the Nab Bar, Culver Club and swimming pools were on the otherside of the main road.

The noise was quite load way past midnight some nights which is not good when you have young children who are woken easily.

Im so glad that this was just the base of our holiday and that we didnt have to stay on site all day as this could have been very depressing.

Whitecliff Holiday Park

Value Chalet

Like many on here we read the reviews and were a bit concerned about what we were letting ourselves in for! Especially with having a 4 month old and a 4 year old in pur party.

Booked as a sun break Chalet was dated but comfartable and clean and it is obvious that they are renovating them. We did have a problem with the kettle and fridge went to guest services and it was dealt with within the hour (If you dont ask you dont get)

Used the Nab Bar food was reasonably priced and delicious.Good choice of food for children also. Also used the Culver Bar have to say entertainment was fantastic and kept 4 year old entertained as well as us grown ups. Drinks were more than reasonable for a round.

Used the camp shop for a couple of top ups and was reasonably priced did our main shop at the local supermarket.

Beach was astounding ideal for families. Used the indoor pool which was ok but much prefered the outdoor pool

Our 4 year old joined in with the activities on park and really enjoyed them.

Staff were all really helpful couldnt do enough for you a credit to the park

Overall would say that the park is ideal for families we booked an extra three nights none of us wanted to come

we booked a Sun holiday @ Whitecliff Bay and after reading the reviews on here, I really didn't want to go!

The chalet was a bit dated but it was clean and all the bedding provided was clean and smelt clean. All the crockery/cutlery was clean and my only gripe was that we were quite close to where the evening disco was and it kept us awake. We only used the park as a base as we spent the entire holiday out and about so can't comment on the park resources. We did try the bar/restaurant and ordered homemade cottage pie and when it arrived the meat was raw. When the meal was sent back we were told that 'beef mince is supposed to be pink'!!! So we didn't eat there again for our entire stay. The beach is lovely but as it was october we couldn't really make use of it.

The park is a little dated but if all you want is a base for your trip then I would stay there again.

after visiting wightcliff for about 20 years we have now found that it is just to expensive to visit.

quality,entertainment and quality of accomodation have gone downhill since the takover of the new company.

we found over £1000 for a top range caravan for a week just ludicres.and staff attitudes have gone downhill,used to be the customer is paramount.

we only use our parks for a base as we are out and about for most of the day when we visit the isle(which is beautiful in its self)so with the quality of everything on the park outprices itself for just such usage,

bar prices up,restraunt gone,no we have found a better priced park for our needs at a 20th of their prices,ok basic park but suits us for what we want.

went for oct half term 2010 with sun holiday was worried after reading reviews but had a great time. furniture in chalet was a bit dated but was clean warm and comfortable and we had a chalet to accomodate the dog so probably not one of the better ones. lovely location with beach on site and lovely views. my 8 yr old son enjoyed the games in evening and the amusements which were small enough for me to let him go into alone while i played bingo. i would go here again would like to go in summer to go in outside pool.

Having booked a short break and then reading reviews I was concerned about going to Whitecliff bay.We decided to pay for an upgrade and were very pleased with the whole holiday. The staff were friendly and helpful we had a broken bulb in bathroom which was replaced immediately.The site was spotless accomadation clean lovely linen comfortable beds and all in all a great experience.If we had boked basic accomadation maybe it would have been different but hey you get what you pay for. Well done to all staff you are doing a great job.

whitecliff bay isle of wight bembridge

i stayed at whitecliff bay last year and really enjoy myself the Chalet was lovely this year the holiday was poor the chalet was small the swiming pool was really dirty the Entertainment was rubbish the bar was too much and they put the prices up and night the only thing i did like was the camp site a pretty places to stay. why i pay so much money to stay in a poor chalet

I've just got back from my second holiday at Whitecliff Bay and wanted to add my review as I was warned by a family member that there were loads of negative reviews on here.

Last year we stayed in a value chalet on a Sun weekend break and I would agree that the accomodation could have been improved. If you are just looking for a base and aren't too fussy then it's fine, and the space available in the chalets is great if, like us, you've got young children. The interior is dated and the carpets weren't in a great state but my only real complaint was that there were only three teaspoons!

This year we went with family and stayed in one of the 8-berth comfort caravans - it was great inside and I would totally recommend it. I've stayed in many caravans in recent years and this was without doubt the most luxurious and well equipped.

The only negative things I found about the park on this occasion are that the Nab bar dinner menu seems to be reduced from what I remember last year and not all of the advertised meals were available.

Also, the entertainment in the Culver Club is a bit lacking. We didn't make it in there last year due to having a baby with us - we only went there once this year and weren't impressed. They advertise bingo as being every night between 7 and 8 so we went down there at 8 only to find they were running behind and we had to keep a 2 and 3 year old quiet while they finished. I'd pefer to see some child-friendly entertainment in the early evening as anything later is useless if your kids are young.

The soft play area has a height limit that would probably make it only for under fives but it's perfectly good for toddlers and young children and we had it all to ourselves when we went there.

I've stayed in another park on the Isle of Wight but will continue to return to Whitecliff Bay as their location is wonderful. The beach is perfect and there's hardly anyone on it even in good weather.