The Center Parcs Experience

Dano650

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122387128#Comment_122387128

Centre Parcs is a great spot. Would highly recommend it. Brought the kids last summer and they loved it. Always something to do even if the weather is bad. Yes the food is overpriced in the restaurants but you can always bring your own food. And with it being an expensive spot it keeps the riff raff out 😁

I see sheep

AH is gone to the dogs 🙄 How can something as boring as Center Parcs be generating this many posts?

StupidLikeAFox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122391634#Comment_122391634

I personally do not see the point in taking an infant under the age of 2 on holiday - they will not remember nor enjoy it and only serve to act as an additional stressor for their parents.

They may not be able to recall it when they are older but a change of scenery and lots of activities are only a good thing. They will certainly enjoy it.

They won't be any more or less of a stressor than they would be at home or anywhere else. I've brought toddlers abroad twice and to centerparcs twice and I can assure you they (and we) had a ball

roosterman71

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122391903#Comment_122391903

I can assure you, it doesn't. Especially around the Christmas week timeframe. Plenty of riffraff there

touts

Reading through this debate over the past couple of pages I'd bear in mind that different people want different things from a holiday. Some people love Centre Parcs with all the activities and resturants. Some people hate it and want something different. That's life. I know people who go on holidays each year and their priority is historical landmarks or famous sites that they can tour around and visit. I know other people who want to go to a beach and sit in the sun all day and then hit the bars/clubs at night. And I'm sure the different types of holiday go on and on. If you put someone who likes a boozy sun holiday on a history tour they will hate it and vice versa.

So if you like Centre Parcs that's OK. I'm in that camp. But if you read the description of the holiday and think it's not for you that's OK also. But really I think this "It's great. No it's awful" debate is going no where.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122394652#Comment_122394652

Absolutely. Different folks, different strokes.

I love to get away from Ireland and do a sun holiday with a bit of site seeing also. (Rome, Northern Spain, Southern France, Algarve etc). But that doesn't mean I think Centre Parcs is poor. I liked it. Just it's let down in a few areas and the restaurants and their poor food / prices is a big one. I don't think that can be argued with too much.

mariaalice

We have just been on a short Irish holiday, center parks is influencing holiday we stayed in a luxer studio over looking a lake it had ever thing, coffee pods rain forest shower with low lights double bath, full kitchen. a outdoor patio. They also had woodland lodges with Private outdoor hot tubs and lodges on the lake.

We ate in the attached hotel one of the days, rest of the time we got M&S food, bottle of champagne and a cheese and chatuter plate.

The freedom of not having a room is fantastic, while still having the facilities of a hotel.

Center parks are a mad price but I can see why parents choose it.

enricoh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122395007#Comment_122395007

Just looked up October this year mon- fri 3 bed chalet sleeps 6 - e750. I think that's good value tbh n will probably book it. Any Airbnb will cost that here, n don't think 6 people will go far going abroad for it.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122395267#Comment_122395267

Is that during the mid term or during normal school term? That's key.

enricoh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122395384#Comment_122395384

Monday 21st October. That's not key, nowhere here or foreign will touch it for value n no airport bulls#$t with kids in tow imo.

tohaltuwi

I went by myself the Covid Christmas where we were not to spend the time with other households where somebody would be vulnerable, or something like that. They were giving half price, went for an Executive Lodge, private hot tub, sauna, steam room, absolutely amazing at Christmas. Very quiet, atmospheric. My own log fire, games room, had an absolute ball!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122391154#Comment_122391154

Strange, I didn't as much as smirk while reading it. I can't see him doing stand up comedy any time soon.

markpb

Like holidays, people can have differing opinions about what they find funny.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122395430#Comment_122395430

Plenty of destinations abroad will meet it or beat it for value. Yeah I get the airport hassle though.

mariaalice

I don't think people are getting the fact that it's not about value for money.

Pwindedd

It looks and sounds like somewhere I would have loved to go as a child. My parents always took us to Wales or North Yorkshire. Both lovely places of course, but staring out of a rainy caravan window or taking a tour of another ruined castle or abbey wasn't my idea of fun. Looking back of course I appreciated the time with family and the memories. We did Butlins/Pontins a couple of times I think. Nowhere near the level of facilities that CP has though.

If you can afford it and think your kids will enjoy it, then go for it I say. The idea of throwing everything in the car and being "on holiday" in under 2 hours sounds incredibly appealing and I don't even have young kids anymore. I'd definitely think about going with grandkids when they arrive !

salmocab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122396480#Comment_122396480

Funnily I was only saying the other day to someone that it’s basically a modern day holiday in mosney. They are miles apart in so many ways but ultimately it’s a family holiday with lots to do and ease of getting there for most. It doesn’t have the nighttime culture that mosney had, most of the drinking seems to be done back in the lodge but that’s no bad thing really.

enricoh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122395811#Comment_122395811

If you can get me flights and accommodation abroad for 6 people for 4 nights for e750 I'll give ya e100 finder fee!

I booked that earlier as I don't think that offer will be around too long.

893bet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122396629#Comment_122396629

off season is always good value. We have 4 bed executive booked for Jan already. I like the post Xmas month.

Cheap (relative)

Quiet (relative).

Xmas lights are still up.

Something to beat the post Xmas blues.

markpb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122395989#Comment_122395989

I’ve been to Centre Parcs once and we’re going back again this year because the kids loved it. I think it can be good value for money compared to flying abroad (especially for bigger families) but the food is the exception - eating out was a wallet draining activity. The service and to a lesser extent the food don’t live up to the prices they charge.

Pwindedd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122396662#Comment_122396662

This sounds like a relatively easy problem to fix if everything else is decent. Either the price comes down or improve the quality. I'd hazard a guess it's one of their main profit lines though. And they'll only mess with it when absolutely necessary. It seems like it's the only bad thing people have to say about the place. And there are alternatives like bbqs or self catering*

*like get a load of M&S meals and "picky bits" to go in the oven. I am not advocating that anyone cooks a full roast on their effing holidays like.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122396629#Comment_122396629

But thats ok. I agree to an extent. Anything is good value off season but i wouldnt take my kids out of school.

salmocab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122396739#Comment_122396739

None of the restaurants were particularly busy last week so I wonder if people are voting with their feet with regards to food.

Pwindedd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122397374#Comment_122397374

Best thing folks can do IMO. Don't pay for something that's mediocre. You can do quick food just as good as the restaurant fayre. And at a time that suits you and the kids. I get some people don't want to cook though while away. But if you know going in what you're getting (or not getting) then at least you're not disappointed.