Butlins Minehead

4 readers found this review helpful

There are times when I despair at some people and their expectations.We returned from Butlins Minehead on 11th July after a one week stay in a private caravan and all I can say is,if you want 5 star accomadation then pay for it.
We were more than happy with what we got for the money we paid.The sheer amount of things to do that were included in the price kept my 9 year old son happy and entertained for the whole week.Yes,you had to be in the venues early if you wanted a seat for the shows and sometimes the queues for the bars were a bit long but when the site holds close to 10,000 people in high season then those queues are to be expected.
I found the public areas to be clean and tidy,there were locks on all the toilet doors and loo roll a plenty.The staff that we spoke to were all polite and friendly and the prices were what you'd expect to pay on a holiday park.The swimming pool was great fun and the changing areas were clean.All in all,we would definately go again and are planning our next trip as I write this.
One bit of advice I would give is if you or any of your family are ill whilst on a Butlins site keep it to yourselves unless it's life threatening of course because they will ask you to leave,whether it's their fault or not.They don't want any bad publicity regarding outbreaks of food poisoning and they are ruthless about asking people to leave.
Lighten up a bit,a holiday is what you make it.

10 readers found this review helpful

I am a teenager and went to Butlins last October for 5 days during half-term with my Dad. I have been to Butlins a couple of times before and had good experiences. When we got there, we could check in immediatly which was good. We stayed in a silver room for the first night and it was clean and tidy. Unfortunately, the people in the room next to us were shouting and swearing in the early hours of the morning. The next day we complained to customer services and were moved to a standard room. Again the room was tidy and had all of the basics that we needed. Thankfully, there was no noise at night and we were able to sleep properly.The pavillion was good and had play areas and shows for the kids, while there was plenty of arcades, bowling and pool tables for the older kids and adults. The funfair was great and there was a seperate bob the builder mini funfair for the smaller kids. For some reason you're not allowed to bump into each other on the bumber cars, which was strange and no fun.The swimming pool was brilliant. There was a range of flumes and slides which were great and there was also a wave pool and rapids.The food court was very busy, but while the food wasn't great there was a good range of choice. There was a tesco's which was only a 5 min walk away and was alot cheaper than the shops inside Butlins. The beach was great and was only across the road. The shows were good but there was huge queues for the main shows so we went in later and stood at the back. The redcoats that we met were nice and friendly.The only main downsides were the food, the noise levels and the kids running riot around the place and some of them were agressive in the play areas. Overall a nice break and I would want to come back again.

13 readers found this review helpful

I'm not new to Butlins but how they treat us this time was terrible. First day, lots of blood stains on beddings and they changed it quickly so we think it's ok you can't expect like hotel here. We never expected would be very good but as long as our little one enjoy it that's most important. Second day, our toilet was blocked so all dirty water with toilet papers flood toilet floor. (you can see attached pictures) They came to unblock it while we out. So, we thought it's all better now. Third day, my husband got food poison from their best restaurant ''The Yacht Club''. We finish dinner around 6:30pm, he became vomiting and diarrhoea around 9pm til the next morning 8:30am I called the medical assistance helpline, around 9am someone came and filled in a form for what he has been eaten the last 3 days, we only stayed within the site and ate in the same restaurant during our holiday. Then, guest service called at 9:45am asked us to leave as we had a sick member. But I asked her my husband is the driver how can we leave while he was sick? Then I said can I go and buy some medicine for him before we leave, her answer is NO because me and my little one may highly contagious so we have to stay in our room. I said it was NOT possible if he doesn't have any medicine and he has to drive 5 hrs from Minehead to East Sussex. She replied will call me back, so an hours later she called again from the guest service and asked if we decided to leave yet? I said he still very sick and if you don't let me out to buy medicine NO chance we can go. Then, she sent a Safety team people came and took money and bought the medicine. Remind you, me and my 2years old didn't have any food during the whole morning, they said stay in your room they will bring us some foods but nothing has been given me and my little one to eat. Keep calling them they said the same things stay in your room. So, we really had enough so after my husband took the medicine we go get trolley to put luggage then we check out ourselves in the guest service. They gave us 1 night refunded. God bless, we made home last night after 8hrs as we have to stop for toilets and little rest for my husband.

7 readers found this review helpful

This was the first time that I have visited butlins and I was pleasantly surprised with how such a nice holiday it was. we went standard half board and the accommodation was clean and tidy and you could see that they had been well looked after, they were even cleaned whilst we were staying there of a morning. The food was very nice with a wide range of choice which could be had. Also the entertainment was outstanding. There was so much for both the adults to see in the evening as well as the children during the day. The pantomime was fun to watch and the cast and crew were very good. There were so many things to do that we didn't have time to do in our 4 night stay so I have already booked to come back again whilst I was on resort and I am looking forward to returning later on this year. I would recommend this holiday to everyone as I feel you will enjoy it as much as we did.

6 readers found this review helpful

Just returned from a 4 day break at Butlins Minehead, was very worried after booking a standard apartment and then reading lots of reviews,also had a very bad experience staying at another large family site last year so we upgraded to Gold apartment and was very pleasantly surprised.
We were on ground floor so did have everyone walking past the windows but as we didnt intend walking around half naked this wasnt a problem.
Apartment had everything in you could need,housekeeping came in everyday, beds were comfy,linen clean, generally all good.
We were with our 3 year old who was absolutley thrilled with all the things to do,she met angelina ballerina,fireman sam to name a few.Parks fab, kiddies rides, pool, donkey rides she loved them all.
We didnt really see much of the evening entertainment as our little girl was usually exhausted after a really busy day but there was plenty on catering for all ages.All in all was a great mini break would def return and our little one has decided she wants to stay for ever and ever.
Would def recommend Butlins for anyone with toddlers.

5 readers found this review helpful

After reading some of the comments made on this review page i really found myself having to write a review to all the cynics out there..I have been going to Butlins for as long as i can remember and i also believe that Butlins hasn't got the same homely feel it had years ago but to be completely honest what has these days??..I went back to Butlins just after they put up the skyline pavilion(as we had a couple of years in other resorts)with my now husband and to be honest was not overly impressed as the pavilion seemed bare and un-inviting,but not to be put off last year we went back with my 5year old son and my mother and i have to say it was "AMAZING"it was as if the skyline pavilion had come to life with so many things to do we needed more time than the 4 days we booked for our holiday and my son absolutely loved the pool,we couldn't get him out and as for some people saying the food is awful i can't believe that as we had the dining in the Yacht Club and the food is first class and so much choice.We loved it that much that we actually bought into one of the Blueskies apartments and can't wait to go back now middle of May and again in August...What people really need to think about is where else will you get all the entertainment all the fun for the kids old and young and everything literally under one roof for the money you pay....

2 readers found this review helpful

our party was 24 strong aged between 4 and 65.we had 6 separate rooms all were clean and tidy on arrival and well equipped.i found that there were no sign posts directing you to your accommodation.the car park was a long way from our accommodation and there were only a few trollies available.the entertainment was superb but you had to get there a couple of hours before the shows started if you wanted a table.the swimming pool was very good indeed and watched over by an abundance of lifeguards so it was very safe for all.the outside areas were very clean and tidy as there was a constant team of cleaners taking care of them.i would recommend this resort apart from the arrival and departure times.

2 readers found this review helpful

Had to wait to get in our room same as other reviews, the room was ok, a few stains on the sofa and kitchen cabinets from previous, attention to detail should be included on training! We were disappointed that you had to pay for some activities although led to believe it was free once there. The fun fair was good more of a retro fun fair rather than a modern one like the site boasts. We ate at the yacht club one night it was good. My son enjoyed the holiday mainly because of the million of arcades they had there. I would go back again but will try to find a room with a bed that does not dip in the middle and stock up on bed bug repelant Before we go!

3 readers found this review helpful

4th morning or being there with my girlfriend and her 2 daughters at 7am in the morning was rudley awoken and told that i had been seen selling drugs on cctv, im still shocked and asked to see the video tape but they gave us half an hour to pack everything up and leave or they were going to phone the police, im disgusted and wont being going back again.

6 readers found this review helpful

I have just got back from a weekend break at Minehead with my Partner and 3 year old Grandson.
On arrival even though I ask for a ground floor room, I had been allocated a upstairs one took a hour to change for a ground floor one.
Tv had know signal most of the time, so it was boring when grandson was in bed.
Fod in the Yatch club was cold and the food that was suppose to be hot was left out for at least an hour
Security at the gate was non exsitant we were only ask to show room key once my son in law was allowed in to off load his son but was not given a pass to hand back on departure.
and my partner got food posioning rang head office who really did not seem to care.
Have been to Butlins lots of time in the pass but since Borne Holding took over it has decline will I go again NO