Fairway Holiday Park, Sandown, Isle of Wight

I can't judge the park facilities so have given it three stars. the Lodge itself was immaculate.

Received in an e-mail from a Fairways Park representative

It was a pleasure meeting you too and thank you for sending over you ID.

I can confirm that our park is open for 12 months of the year and owners are free to come and go as they please, with no restrictions. Yes you can stay on the park all year round.

As your lodge is 16ft wide, you can have post delivered to the park and this is collected from our main reception.

What a lot of our owners find beneficial is adding an additional postal address for backup purposes, just in case. You mentioned someone in Ryde might be able to assist with this and that could be a good option for peace of mind.

Also, when you have a chance, could you please send me a copy of your driving license ?

If it would be helpful, I’d be happy to pass your details over to some of our owners that are here throughout the year. They’d be happy to share their experiences and offer some reassurance about the park.

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out

Regards

Sent to Fairways Holiday Park

A copy of my driving licence is attached.

I have just one other question regarding council tax.

Do I notify the Isle of Wight Council to register for council tax when I move in?

Since council tax is included in the service charge payable to Fairways, how exactly is this operated. Does the council send me the bill for the council tax, and I then pass it on to you, or do they send my council tax bill directly to "Fairways" after you have notified them of the date I move on to the site?

Thank you.

Below is the response to my question above from a Fairways Park representative. Unanswered as you can see.

Hi

We take care to ensure that everything is ready for you when you move in. The lodge will be deep cleaned, gas tested and jet washed outside, so its in perfect condition for your arrival. You don’t need to do anything other than enjoy the park community.

Did you say that you’ll be making the deposit transfer tomorrow? If so, please let me know via email once it’s completed so I can confirm with our accounts team. Unfortunately, I’ll be away from the office tomorrow until Tuesday, but I’ll still have access to my emails

Regards

Sent to Isle of Wight Council

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am considering buying a Lodge on the Fairways Holiday Park in Sandown.

I have been told by a representative there when I visited the site recently, that I can stay in the Lodge all year round and use it as my permanent residence.

I was also told that post can be delivered to the reception desk on the site, as it is a Lodge and not a Caravan. The size of the Lodge is 40 x 16 which I am told makes a difference.

Furthermore, I was told that Council Tax is included in the Service Charge. It all sounds too good to be true, so it probably isn't.

I would therefore be grateful if you could confirm the above as being true?

Please respond as soon as possible as I am being pushed in to making a 1k deposit. Maybe there is a reason for that being the case!

Your sincerely,

Received from Isle of Wight Council

Good Morning,

Further to your enquiry, after checking the planning history we cannot locate any applications referring to any of the site being used for anything other than holiday use as such we would advise going back to the site to provide you with evidence that this site can be used as they are claiming. If the property is a main residence, we will bill you for council tax as you will be liable.

If a property is a permanent residence, whether the property is listed as a holiday home or not, will be rated for council tax. If under the terms of the planning consent that the property must legally be unoccupied for a certain time period in the year, during that time period an exemption to council tax would be applied, e.g. site closed 1st November to 28th February a 100% exemption would apply between those dates but council would be payable for the rest of year.

If you have any further details relating to council tax please use.

Regards

Good morning,

Thank you for your enquiry.

From a Licensing perspective the site isn’t defined as a protective site which would indicate permissions for permanent residency. Therefore, I am copying Planning and Council Tax so they can advise from their perspective.

SENT TO ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am considering buying a Lodge on the Fairways Holiday Park in Sandown.

I have been told by their representative when I visited the site recently, that I can stay in the Lodge all year round and use it as my permanent residence.

I was also told that post can be delivered to the reception desk on the site, as it is a Lodge and not a Caravan. The size of the Lodge is 40 x 16 which I am told makes a difference.

Furthermore, I was told that Council Tax is included in the Service Charge. It all sounds too good to be true, so it probably isn't.

I would therefore be grateful if you could confirm the above as being true?

I am being pushed in to making a deposit. Maybe there is a reason for that being the case!

Thank you.

Bought on here 2 years ago. It’s a great park, lots of facilities for us. We enjoy the atmosphere as we can use all year round & have a drink in the bar after a day on the beach with the kids. I would recommend this park to couples and small families.

Bought a caravan in July 2021 as a holiday home and holiday let paid £65000 and found faults with a supposedly new van faults never repaired only bodged when further complained they concocted a supposedly breach of park rules (never happened) to issue me with a removal order a 70 year old disabled pensioner they offered to buy it back December for £40000 which I reluctantly accepted which they then dropped to £30000 which I refused they offered to advertise on there website and promised at least a £40000 clear return funds to me they did not advertise it when challenged then inserted a picture of my van on an old advert and advertised it at £55000 two days later I see a sold dinner on the advert when I txt the sales manager asking if it was indeed sold he replied with a removal order …lBEWARE

Although we opted for the basic caravan it seemed we were given the oldest on the site. There were 6 in our party but the van was only equipped for 4 so had to eat at different times and request extra bedding. It was dirty and very uncomfortable. The mattresses were lumpy and need throwing out. The van was parked on a slope so we were constantly going downhill. We went in the October half term so it was quite cold and the fire was a mare to turn on. Out of 4 gas rings only 2 worked. The shower was the best thing in the van, the water was hot at least. Only used the on site entertainment once which was enough as the entertainer constantly walked round with a pint in his hand, telling us over the mic that he's just nipping out for a fag. Asked for three drinks which they never had (Tia Maria, Cider and Guinness). The reception staff on arrival didn't seem bothered and when I handed the keys back after our stay didn't even acknowledge me as she was busy talking to a friend. Not a good stay and would not recommend this park.

site was very relaxed plenty of space and very enjoyable great atmosphere pool was just right not to crowded brilliant fun and kids faces were a treat.the club house was lovely and very welcomeing and friendly the bar staff were great especially bar maid she was very helpful and great company bar manager was nice very funny and all easy to talk to the entertainer great at his job absolutely 100% made me and my family laugh every night and kept kids amused every time. on site arcades were ok however could do with up dateing as were bit basic and temperamental and could be better if had more room and more choice that would be my only if anything one complaint you were all great thank you for making our holiday brilliant funny and one of if not best family holiday ever will be back and definatly recommend you thanks again see you very soon great location close to family attractions i.e sandown pier beach shops and other family ammusements all with in walking distance bus stop right outside park entrance so easy to see other attractions that are that bit further away.

First time guest at Fairway but sadly I wont be returning. The caravan was very old and worn but for £26 per night that is fair enough, especially as you get a fridge, gas cooker, cutlery, and crockery etc. Clubhouse was closed while I was staying so can't comment about entertainment. However what disappointed and worried me was the fact the window latches were rusty or broken and could be opened easily from the outside, plus the people in the caravan next to me were up drinking outside and talking very loudly till 3am each night - there were no security patrols to clamp down on this and any other problems. A decent sleep and feeling secure at night are the two main points for me in any holiday accommodation and I got neither here. If that doesn't bother you however then this would be an ideal budget site for you. BTW, they can't look after your luggage when you check out and want to wander around for a few hours which was very frustrating.

We arrived at around 16:00 hours Saturday 25th May the receptionist was pleasant & friendly, we were given keys to our caravan, inside was very outdated, in need of upgrading, curtains not covering windows entirely, coming off rails. The single beds were tiny, not fit for adults anyway. we unpacked & hung up our clothes in tiny wardrobes. The caravan was cold & damp, we opened the windows to let in fresh air. To find we had noisy neighbour dogs barking, one in particular at 2-3 am! We went to the bar/café for the children's entertainment, which consisted of a white board with a woman giving out crayons & pieces of paper. (We could have done that ourselves at home!)The place was full of children let to run riot all over the place, running, screaming, skidding all over the dance floor, one very small boy fell from the stage landing on his head with a loud bang, this was an accident waiting to happen, with no parental control being exercised whatsoever, needless to say for the next two hours screaming continued, the injuries were noted by a member of staff, the parents chose not to seek medical advice. We then went back to the caravan which was even colder & felt even more damp. We put the gas fire on, which threw out enough heat only if you stood half a meter from it. The end double room was so damp & cold it could not be slept in. the children's room was so cold they slept in their pyjamas & dressing gowns, the youngest coughing throughout the night. I slept in the lounge or tried to sleep, it was so cold I did not sleep at all with my pyjamas, dressing gown plus quilted coat, the air was too damp to sleep. At 3 am I got up & packed my suitcase, waiting for the children to get up & pack theirs, they were crying with the cold, the youngest by this time was streaming with cold. I have never been so cold or felt so damp. The entertainment was poor, the accommodation was poor, the park was inadequate for a park that size, the pool was quite small. We were very disappointed we paid so much for the week plus triple price for the ferry, after only one night we headed for home £500 down & all feeling tired/cold. I now have a nasty cold & chest infection only 3 days after our experience, In her favour the receptionist offered us an alternative caravan & was very apologetic.

the children by this time just wanted to go home

Area is lovely zoo great park is ok if u have very small children but the staff are very rude sell drinks to young teenagers

Having visited this park last year we decided to return this October half term. It was like entering a different world!

Last year we had a shabby but clean caravan. This year there was mould and a very strange stale smell that no amount of Febreeze could disuise.

Last year there was a range of themed nights, quizzes and childrens entertainment organised by a couple of lovely women (mother and daughter, I think), who dressed up and made everything fun for the kids. This year there was bingo and a bloke who looked so bored, he'd rather be somewhere else, in fact all the staff seemed to have the same attitude!

I can't wait to go hime. This will be my last stay at the Fairway.

Just got home from a 4 day break here and after reading the slating it got on trip advisor I really didn't want to go but had already booked it... Well what a lovely surprise awaited me. Arrived at reception 4 hours early for our van!! My mistake for misreading timings!! Staff were so helpful.. Our caravan wasn't ready but was done within the hour. Staff came to find us to let us know... Was so happy to see how lovely and clean it was. We had a caravan that was 10 years old and was in excellent condition and great value for money. The park itself is small which I prefer. Outdoor swimming pool was lovely. Yes there wasn't much children's entertainment but at the price we paid I didn't expect any. Staff was constantly friendly and helpful. In fact we had a FANTASTIC time and will definitely be coming back next year. A BIG THANK YOU TO ALP THE STAFF!! Would recommend to anyone