The Center Parcs Experience

Yes. Sorry to be blunt but I would say leave it at least another couple of years.

yes I’d love to go again too. It is a great spot.

It's actually very good at those ages - the 3 year old will be happy with the beach, the playgrounds and the pool I.e. the free things to do. But you can book some other cheap things like arts and crafts, kids soccer etc. to punch in a few hours.

They will be too young for the expensive stuff like the zip lining etc. You can also book in the off season (outside school holidays) which is a lot cheaper.

A lot here thinking if it's any good to go too. But I think a lot are thinking about it from their point of view. It's for the kids really and kids don't care if they eat out or in. I'd say go and book it. The 3 year old will have a great time and will eat whatever is given, wherever it is. Food is average and a bit pricey. Shop is standard enough prices as any shop in any town bar supermarkets. But you're not going there for the food or the shop. It's all about the kids

the article is obviously a humorous take on it. Surprised at the reaction here tbh. He’s not wrong in his observations. He also explicitly stated everyone had a brilliant time.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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

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.

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.