Pontins

[Hgrove]

Can anybody please tell me what Pontins is like, is it any good for a 6 year old girl.  Is it a bit like Centerparks?

[andy hughes]

Not really - Centerparcs is an activity-based holiday, and you pay for extra activities apart from the pool.

Pontins have loads of staff and activities, and it will suit your six year old if she likes joining in games and activities with other children. It's similar to Butlins, if that gives you an idea.

http://www.pontins.com/centres/index.php will give you al the information you need.

[Hgrove]

Thanks Andy - we have been to Centerparks and did not enjoy it.  I had, in fact, had a look at the Pontins website, but was looking for comments from someone who has been there, such as your comments.  On that basis, Pontins sounds promising.

[andy hughes]

You are welcome. I can't speak from personal experience, but I know that Pontins camps are aimed at people who like plenty of entertainment provided for themslves and their lively children, so if that is your kind of holiday, you should have a great time. Hope you enjoy it.

[corganiser]

Pontins camps can vary in standard of accomodation - worth asking them when the rooms were last refurbished.

[dosset]

went to pontins many years ago...hated it

[trionam]

Just to let you know one of the branches featured in a recent holidays from hell programme and the accomdation in question was very shabby so It would be definately worth asking when they were last refurbished, I remember going as a kid and really enjoyed it but they could have let it go down hill in recent years.

[corganiser]

the one featured on TV as being shabby was Southport - and trust me it is poor

[Hgrove]

Many thanks for the replies. The one I was considering is Camber Sands, near Rye (East Sussex) which has a choice of accommodation, one of which is "club" with digital tv and other facilities, which leads me to think the accommodation has been refurbished.  I did not like Centerparks because it is huge and it was miles between places.  I found it a bit impersonal, even. I was wondering if Pontins was more intimate and friendlier (?)

[Compostella]

Do you remember Hi-De-Hi?

When we went (about 3 yrs ago) it reminded me of that.

Something a bit depressing about places in England which were once nice but now need a bit of TLC

[Hgrove]

Yes I remember Hi-De-Hi!  When I think of Pontins (or even Butlins) I usually think two things:  The Who's Tommy and Hi-De-Hi.  Well, there is no harm in trying it for a short break, we could always come home earlier if it's awful I suppose!