The Center Parcs Experience

Mango Joe

This is one of the funniest things you'll ever read.....

https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1385104-Center-Parcs-Anal-sex

pwurple

Quick question for anyone who's been... does the pool need the pointless swimming caps like hotel pools?

I always get a chuckle from seeing the gorilla-like men coated in a veritable pelt of body hair, with a fabric swimming hat perched on the only bald part of his body.

Plopsu

pwurple wrote: »

Quick question for anyone who's been... does the pool need the pointless swimming caps like hotel pools?

I always get a chuckle from seeing the gorilla-like men coated in a veritable pelt of body hair, with a fabric swimming hat perched on the only bald part of his body.

Didn't seem to be compulsory (as in there were lots of people without them).

Supertoucher

pwurple wrote: »

Quick question for anyone who's been... does the pool need the pointless swimming caps like hotel pools?

Nope - not at all.

pwurple

Large bottle small glass wrote: »

As a comparison, currently on a 20 night stay in a 5 star French campsite, beside ocean and staying in a nice lodge.

Family of 3 for 950. Ferry was 480.

It has rained once, well ground was wet one morning!

We are giving up another two days travelling at either end but I'll take that for the 29C until Friday!

In no way is that a comparison.

How are you missing the whole month of September in France with school kids? Or have you a toddler? Most parents can't take that time off-peak. Our trip to France this year during the school holidays, the ferry was 1200, and was a trip I never in my whole life I want to repeat. I will never step foot on that stinking ferry again. 26 hours it took to cross the sea, kids clung to the carpet crying and puking their guts out the whole way. It was hellish to say the least, took us another few days to recover from it and they still get nightmares. I could have gone to australia in that time as well.

Cienciano

BuboBubo wrote: »

Of all the places to go for a pissup, a children's hoilday camp wouldn't be on my list!

I did one in England for a píssup and it was actually great crack. We had 2 tree houses (basically, the biggest fanciest chalets they have) beside each other, so 4 bedrooms each with a group of 16. They had games rooms for pool and music. My mate had a kegs, pumps and coolers set up for draft beer. Tree houses had a BBQ for food. Was actually a brilliant weekend!

Now, I 100% agree with you that it would be a terrible place to go if your plan was to visit the Centre Parcs bars for a píssup weekend.

Plumbthedepths

Mr.S wrote: »

Not sure why you are comparing a city break over run with tourists, to a children focused holiday resort / camp

But yes of course, some people will see a bargain holiday to a cheap city as a much better option.

Personally, there's a lot to be said to go someone 1 hour away that takes all the hassle away.

I compared value.

Sofiztikated

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

I compared value.

To be fair, you're comparing cost, not value.

But hey, you do you.

Plumbthedepths

Sofiztikated wrote: »

To be fair, you're comparing cost, not value.

But hey, you do you.

No in my opinion I compared value. A break in a cosmopolitan European city versus a weekend in a forest in Longford at 2 . 5 times the cost.
"But hey, you do you" no idea what type of nonsense this is.

Allinall

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

No in my opinion I compared value. A break in a cosmopolitan European city versus a weekend in a forest in Longford at 2 . 5 times the cost.
"But hey, you do you" no idea what type of nonsense this is.

You’ve no idea of the value in Centre Parks, so how can you compare it to anything?

PhoenixParker

There wasn't even a comparison since the cost of Centerparcs for the same time period wasn't mentioned.

5 days in Prague costs E320 for the Christmas markets for a couple.
4 nights (5 days) in Centerparcs in early December costs E399. There isn't a vast difference.
Find another couple to share with in centerparcs and the cost for all 4 is E479 or E240 per couple.

For all the complaints about the price of the place it's not as crazy as people seem to believe.

Were I going as one half of a childless couple I'd choose Prague every time.
As the heavily pregnant parent of a nearly 3 year old, it'll be centerparcs this time.

NIMAN

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Centre Parcs are getting nailed with insurance premiums apparently, which won't help costs.

Have they a pile of claims in already!

Plumbthedepths

Allinall wrote: »

You’ve no idea of the value in Centre Parks, so how can you compare it to anything?

I'm aware of the cost to stay both peak and off peak , I'm aware of the base cost of activities and lastly I'm aware of the dining costs. So don't persume to tell me I do and don't know. I base my opinion on what I perceive to be value based on my knowledge.

Allinall

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

I'm aware of the cost to stay both peak and off peak , I'm aware of the base cost of activities and lastly I'm aware of the dining costs. So don't persume to tell me I do and don't know. I base my opinion on what I perceive to be value based on my knowledge.

Cost isn’t value.

How do you know what value you would get in “a forest in Longford” versus “ a dodgy rip off city in Eastern Europe “?

Darc19

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

No in my opinion I compared value. A break in a cosmopolitan European city versus a weekend in a forest in Longford at 2 . 5 times the cost.
"But hey, you do you" no idea what type of nonsense this is.

4 nights in center parcs in Nov is available for €329

No airport parking costs, not two hour Airport waits, no three hours squashed in a small airline seat, no additional journey after arrival to get to lodge.

See, we can all find negatives to every holiday.

November in a freezing (and it can get bloody cold there) Prague is not my idea of a holiday.

But it seems to be yours, so enjoy it.

Sofiztikated

NIMAN wrote: »

Have they a pile of claims in already!

No, cost of insurance compared to their UK sites is supposed to be 50% more.

jam_mac_jam

The spa looks amazing. I think I will go for a day in January to cheer myself up. Strange that you can't book accommodation for one night. I would have no interest in more then one day. But they have loads of things in the spa area, looks lovely and good reviews.

pwurple

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

The spa looks amazing. I think I will go for a day in January to cheer myself up. Strange that you can't book accommodation for one night. I would have no interest in more then one day. But they have loads of things in the spa area, looks lovely and good reviews.

I think it's because of the housekeeping involved. To turn over a whole house for one night is a bit much. It's similar on any of those imagine Ireland holiday homes, it's a 7 night minimum with them.

jam_mac_jam

pwurple wrote: »

I think it's because of the housekeeping involved. To turn over a whole house for one night is a bit much. It's similar on any of those imagine Ireland holiday homes, it's a 7 night minimum with them.

Ah ok, makes sense. They have apartments so was hoping that you could one of them for the night. I wouldn't be going with kids so I don't think I would like three nights, I would be bored by then. The spa does look amazing though, you can get a day pass so I think I will do that.

Supertoucher

pwurple wrote: »

I think it's because of the housekeeping involved. To turn over a whole house for one night is a bit much. It's similar on any of those imagine Ireland holiday homes, it's a 7 night minimum with them.

It's also to do with traffic. If you could check in and out on any day, imagine all the cars in and around the place. It would be horrible and less safe for the cyclists/pedestrians. Part of the charm is being in a quiet, gated precinct for the majority of the week.

Plopsu

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

Ah ok, makes sense. They have apartments so was hoping that you could one of them for the night. I wouldn't be going with kids so I don't think I would like three nights, I would be bored by then. The spa does look amazing though, you can get a day pass so I think I will do that.

You can only get a day pass from somebody who's staying there.

jam_mac_jam

Plopsu wrote: »

You can only get a day pass from somebody who's staying there.

No you don't. You can go to the spa as a day guest.

Plopsu

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

No you don't. You can go to the spa as a day guest.

You can buy a spa day but you would still have to be a guest at the park or a visitor on a day pass from somebody who is. That's my reading of it anyway.

jam_mac_jam

Plopsu wrote: »

You can buy a spa day but you would still have to be a guest at the park or a visitor on a day pass from somebody who is. That's my reading of it anyway.

I don't think so. They have a completely different website and there is no mention of center parcs or having to be staying there to book anywhere on the website.

Supertoucher

Plopsu wrote: »

You can buy a spa day but you would still have to be a guest at the park or a visitor on a day pass from somebody who is. That's my reading of it anyway.

No, i'm reasonably sure the Spa is open to the public, not just guests. It's near the exit area and car park, so you'd just park up and use it's facilities and obviously leave when you're done.

EDIT: From the Center parcs website: "Not staying at Center Parcs? You can relax at Aqua Sana anytime, visit www.aquasana.ie to find out more. "

Plopsu

Supertoucher wrote: »

No, i'm reasonably sure the Spa is open to the public, not just guests. It's near the exit area and car park, so you'd just park up and use it's facilities and obviously leave when you're done.

EDIT: From the Center parcs website: "Not staying at Center Parcs? You can relax at Aqua Sana anytime, visit www.aquasana.ie to find out more. "

Reckon that settles it :pac:

KaneToad

Large bottle small glass wrote: »

As a comparison, currently on a 20 night stay in a 5 star French campsite, beside ocean and staying in a nice lodge.

Family of 3 for 950. Ferry was 480.

It has rained once, well ground was wet one morning!

We are giving up another two days travelling at either end but I'll take that for the 29C until Friday!

Not everyone is a fan of hot weather. More than 20C and I go into hiding!

FFVII

Supertoucher wrote: »

No, i'm reasonably sure the Spa is open to the public, not just guests. It's near the exit area and car park, so you'd just park up and use it's facilities and obviously leave when you're done.

EDIT: From the Center parcs website: "Not staying at Center Parcs? You can relax at Aqua Sana anytime, visit www.aquasana.ie to find out more. "

I'd love a massage! Never had one, thoughts of exposing myself and the detrimental affects on the other poor individual. That bamboo one maybe might be good enough. I've a muscle problem thing and am sick to death of foam rolling/ball rolling myself and the pain.

pwurple

Sorry, more pool-based annoying questions!

I had a look at the map, and it looks like there is a cafe at the pool, for coffee, icecreams etc. What is the story with paying? Do you need to bring money into the pool area, or is it a system you can load up a plastic band with some credit and use that at the cafe?

Also, pool towels. Bring our own along, or do they supply?

salmocab

pwurple wrote: »

Sorry, more pool-based annoying questions!

I had a look at the map, and it looks like there is a cafe at the pool, for coffee, icecreams etc. What is the story with paying? Do you need to bring money into the pool area, or is it a system you can load up a plastic band with some credit and use that at the cafe?

Also, pool towels. Bring our own along, or do they supply?

There was someone a while back saying you can rent towels for 2 euro or just bring your own

Supertoucher

pwurple wrote: »

I had a look at the map, and it looks like there is a cafe at the pool, for coffee, icecreams etc. What is the story with paying? Do you need to bring money into the pool area, or is it a system you can load up a plastic band with some credit and use that at the cafe?

Also, pool towels. Bring our own along, or do they supply?

Not much use in this one, as I only used the pool cafe/bar thing once and had my phone on me and used Android Pay. Did appear that they expected cash/card though, however there might be other options.


We brought towels with us but I stopped doing that because by the time I had the kids dressed I was dry

ionapaul

Booked three nights from Oct 18, we (two adults and 20 month old toddler) are going for a 'test' break, if we enjoy it as much as we hope to, will be going back for a full week next year hopefully. Went to Portugal this summer, stayed in a really lovely (but expensive) resort and while it was great, it was probably 1) too warm/sunny for pale Irish skin and 2) the whole process of travelling to and from a different country by air is just such hassle. Couldn't really face a long ferry journey either, which rules a lot of places out. Just hope that we enjoy it next month!

ToddyDoody

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Centre Parcs are getting nailed with insurance premiums apparently, which won't help costs.

Are companies allowed self-insure i.e. keep a pot of money aside for claims?

As far as I recall, Supermacs did or used to do this.

CramCycle

ToddyDoody wrote: »

Are companies allowed self-insure i.e. keep a pot of money aside for claims?

As far as I recall, Supermacs did or used to do this.

I thought Dublin Bus do or did but I am not certain

griffin100

ToddyDoody wrote: »

Are companies allowed self-insure i.e. keep a pot of money aside for claims?

As far as I recall, Supermacs did or used to do this.

Other than some very specific types of insurance (e.g. motor, some professional covers) there’s no legal obligation to have any insurance. You can operate a business without any insurance if you want. Proper self insurance usually means putting money aside to pay claims up to a certain cost, after which you have in place high level insurance policies which only pay out when claims get to a certain level.

ToddyDoody

griffin100 wrote: »

Other than some very specific types of insurance (e.g. motor, some professional covers) there’s no legal obligation to have any insurance. You can operate a business without any insurance if you want. Proper self insurance usually means putting money aside to pay claims up to a certain cost, after which you have in place high level insurance policies which only pay out when claims get to a certain level.

I believe public liability insurance is mandatory in the (soon to be former) UK. I wonder are Centre Parks aware that its not mandatory here?

Correction: its not mandatory there, just much cheaper.

griffin100

ToddyDoody wrote: »

I believe public liability insurance is mandatory in the (soon to be former) UK. I wonder are Centre Parks aware that its not mandatory here?

Correction: its not mandatory there, just much cheaper.

Employers liability is mandatory in the UK.

wildrover444

Hi. Is there shop to buy beer in like a fine wines or a centra . Heading there tomorrow. Maybe il bring up my own just in case.

Supertoucher

Yes there is a shop with a reasonable selection of beers and wines - expect petrol station pricing however.

amber69

wildrover444 wrote: »

Hi. Is there shop to buy beer in like a fine wines or a centra . Heading there tomorrow. Maybe il bring up my own just in case.

15 euros for 8 cans of Heineken. Not overly priced.

wally79

Did last Monday to Friday with a 1 and 3 year old and have to say it was great. We were very lucky with the weather but even with rain it would have been great.

Rented the bike trailer which was great for the kids and they loved being chauffeured around

Pool was very popular and spent a lot of time there

Ate out 2 nights. food was good and staff very accommodating

Would definitely return

One weird thing was the amount of school age kids there. We expected it would be all kids similar age to our own. Was there a mid term or something?

salmocab

wally79 wrote: »

Did last Monday to Friday with a 1 and 3 year old and have to say it was great. We were very lucky with the weather but even with rain it would have been great.

Rented the bike trailer which was great for the kids and they loved being chauffeured around

Pool was very popular and spent a lot of time there

Ate out 2 nights. food was good and staff very accommodating

Would definitely return

One weird thing was the amount of school age kids there. We expected it would be all kids similar age to our own. Was there a mid term or something?

No no mid term it’s just the norm for a lot of people to take kids out for a few days to go away.

wally79

salmocab wrote: »

No no mid term it’s just the norm for a lot of people to take kids out for a few days to go away.

That is it then. Should probably be a rule saying places like center parks can’t accept school age children during term time

Foweva Awone

wally79 wrote: »

That is it then. Should probably be a rule saying places like center parks can’t accept school age children during term time

Can't see a blanket rule like that working. What about home-schooled kids, or kids out of school due to long term illness etc.

salmocab

wally79 wrote: »

That is it then. Should probably be a rule saying places like center parks can’t accept school age children during term time

I would think the onus should be on parents and schools to do something if it was needed not a service provider.

Sofiztikated

wally79 wrote: »

That is it then. Should probably be a rule saying places like center parks can’t accept school age children during term time

To be honest, that's the daftest thing I've ever read.

wally79

Sofiztikated wrote: »

To be honest, that's the daftest thing I've ever read.

Why? When you register for your stay they take the ages of all kids involved so it would be simple for them to implement

I’m not saying the onus is on them now I’m saying it should be put on them and other service providers. Serious numbers of school kids there missing out on their education

my3cents

In the UK they make it simple. If you take your kids out of school to go on a family holiday they fine you much simpler.

salmocab

wally79 wrote: »

Why? When you register for your stay they take the ages of all kids involved so it would be simple for them to implement

I’m not saying the onus is on them now I’m saying it should be put on them and other service providers. Serious numbers of school kids there missing out on their education

I don’t think he was saying the mechanics of it were daft just the suggestion that hotels should police peoples school attendance.

Sofiztikated

salmocab wrote: »

I don’t think he was saying the mechanics of it were daft just the suggestion that hotels should police peoples school attendance.

Exactly this.

Center parks target market is those people. They don't give a fiddlers if the kids miss school, they want heads in beds.