Craig Tara Holiday Park

4 readers found this review helpful

iv just got back from craig tara holiday park and the first day we got there i wanted to jump straight back in the car n go back home!!! we booked a comfort chalet and when we arrived i felt like id just walked in to a prison cell its was small, dark, basic room with 2 bedrooms and no sitting lounge it was basically a small dusty bedroom, we also asked if we could bring our dog and they said dogs arnt allowed in the rooms, personally i dont think my dog would of wanted to stay there even if she did come!! The kettle was still full with dirty water, the mugs were dirty n had stale milk at the bottom of them, the sink was still full of makeup marks they definatly didnt clean the room. The only good thing was the beds were very comfy they get a 9/10. The holiday park itself was ok the swimming pool is good but cold, the entertainers were boring n repetitive, it was also very expensive eg, £2 for 5 mins on the bouncy castle, i did take my little boy of 3 years who himself wanted to come home the first couple of days which tells a story in its self!! We went half board n we were satisfied with the food it was very basic, the breakfast's were nice but dinners not so good but still edible. My advice to whoever reads this and has booked a holiday to Craig Tara is to plan trips out before u go there are some fantastic parks around Ayr for kids, the beach is good if you are lucky enough to get the weather which is unpredictable!! and there is a fantastic farm just up the country road from craig tara which is a great day out we had a really good day there. overall i would not go back to this camp again i do wish we went to the wales one as that has good feedback from people i know who went, i also wish we booked a caravan as they were alot more homely. im sorry if u read this and you have already booked as we made that mistake to but everyone has there own opinions and that was mine. p.s take a coat because when it rains, it rains ha

5 readers found this review helpful

I came back last week from the Craig Tara haven site, previously read all the negative reviews and i was really worried about what i was taking my family to, i even called the site manager ahead of our visit. OK when we got there the receptionists were so helpful advising us where the chalets were, the shops returant opening times etc and also provided leaflets on local attractions. Got to the chalet - i sent my husband in first ref the bad reports we were on brigadoon. It was very clean, spacious and inside there were welcome packs with tea coffee etc, could not fault the room and my 10 and 2 year old loved it. Went for our evening meal - adequete - bear in mind there may be 200 people to one sitting we always eat and went back for more and my kids are picky, no probs with seating. The evening entertainment fantastic for all ages - recomend the teddy bears picninc for young ones 3.50 they get a lunch box and dinner with bradley bear. We never saw any trouble, everyone was more then helpful but i think that you get out what you put in and if you are rude and obnoxious to others they will be the same in turn!!! Please do not panick we had the best time and we have booked again also would advise trying some of the additional activities in the swimming pool what an experience.

I have just returned from a 4 day stay, The caravan was dirty with black bag of rubbish under the cupboard and bins full, carpets filthy and curtains hung on by a couple of hooks (superior plus). Apart from the caravan the park was clean and staff friendly, my 4year old had a great time and didnt want to leave, lots to do indoors/outdoors. The swimming pool was good fun-different levels (hot on top levels, much cooler at bottom) however the cubicles and lockers broken. My son had swimming lessons cheap and he realy loved them-instructor very good with kids

I have just returned from a 4 day break at Craig Tara staying in a superior plus caravan, The caravan was not ready on arrival, we had to take a number and return to the bar and wait for the number to be called, eventually our number was called- we got the keys but the cleaners were still in, so waited again.
The caravan was filthy, black bags full of rubbish in cupboards, curtains hanging on by a couple of hooks, carpet stinking
However my 4year old son loved the holiday, lots to do for children, he particulary liked the swimming pool, it was on several levels the water nice and hot especially on the top levels- he took swimming lessons there-staff were very good with the children
Overall the site was excellent but the caravan was below standard, so if you go just be prepared, this is far from hotel standards very basic and needs cleaning.

I am just back from staying at Craigtara for the weekend and i am very dissappointed with my time there.This was meant to be some time away for me and my kids, a time to relax and enjoy.But the overall state of the place is totally unacceptable.Our accomodation was disgusting and when we did complain to Hugh(the manager)nothing was done.This guy has plenty chat but very little action.
I would however like to mention a guy called Titch(security guy).He was extremly helpful and decent to us,and although he couldnt solve our issues,he did the best he could do.Hes a great guy.
I will not be returning to Craigtara again.

well just came back from a 4 day stay at this caravan site and we loved it , some people forget it is a caravan your going to be living in not a 5 star hotel !!!!! the staff dont get enough credit itheir they work bloody hard and are very nice guys thank you . they were the ones that made our holiday the entertainment was fab my 3 kids went to bradleys teddy bear picnic it cost 3.50 each but what they got for that was well worth the money and theyget there food in a little baskett that is to keep too, so people that has booked a holiday and then came on to this site dont dred it honestly its fab!!!!!1 and it is only what you make it !!!!!!!!!!!

I feel that a score of 1 is too high for this place.
We booked an apartment for the week and arrived at 4pm on the Monday. We lasted 2 & 1/2 hours - 10 mins was all I could stomach in the 'apartment'. The smell of booze and urine before I could even open the front door was overwhelming, the key didn't work in the door and when the maintenance chap let us in, I walked straight back out and told him to just lock the door again. Handles hanging off doors, stale and filthy, dishes on sink, dirty fridge and microwave and can not even guess what the stains where that were over the sofa.
They refused to give refund and offered a tiny caravan for 2 adults and 4 kids - 2 of which are babies. Told them in no uncertain terms that I would be having a FULL refund and only after over an hour of arguing - at which point another 3 families where in complaining about the state of their accomodation that I think they gave in and gave a note to say refund to be given - this takes 7 - 10 WORKING DAYS!!!!!
The place is a JOKE. The customer service is non-existent and quite frankly the accommodation would be turned down by a dog as its so disgusting. I only wish I had found this site before booking.

2 readers found this review helpful

Our review is a mixed bag. From the outset I should say our two older children (he's 6, she's 3) had a whale of a time and if it were up to them our overall rating would probably be 10/10. However behind that was an awful lot of hard work and make-do on the part of myself, my wife and even our youngest (she's 11 months) that made the whole thing a bit of a trial for the rest of us.
Our expectations of Craig Tara were not sky high. We booked the most basic caravan, bought the 'diners choice' half board package, and were pleased it was so reasonably priced considering it was the first week of Easter. However we were aware that Craig Tara used to be a Butlins site so we went in hope that there would be no shortage of things to do even though it's no longer sold as such.
First, the 'fun' pool. Considering it's the showpiece attraction, I can't get my head round why it doesn't open until 10am (or whenever the staff can be bothered to unlock the door, whichever is the later), why it closes at 6pm, and why on earth it closes for an hour at lunchtime - especially when, at all other times, it's so busy there's a queue out the door. One day midweek, my wife and a number of other mums and young children were booted out by an extremely rude lifeguard after they - understandably, I think - failed to grasp that the pool really was going to shut for lunch. I mean, why would you?
The pool is also not much fun for babies or very young children, as unlike most pools of this type the temperature is very low, more like what you would expect in a regular 25 metre pool designed for swimming lengths than a place to splash about. Our youngest was very unhappy and had to be taken out after about 10 minutes, and she wasn't the only baby we saw who was shivering and unhappy. Our older children were blue-lipped but rushing about too quick to notice. It was the parents that were doing the worrying.
The thing we all agreed was fantastic was the Turnberry Gardens Restaurant, where we had breakfast and dinner each day. It was efficient, the staff were extremely helpful, friendly and conscientious, and the grub was good, tasty, basic, solid stuff. Just what we needed to stoke us up against the rotten weather.
Ah, the weather - we're no strangers to holidays in Ayrshire so we knew what to expect. However we had never stayed in a caravan in Ayrshire, so it was a rude awakening to just how cold things can get at night. Strangely the 'welcome' pack forbids you to bring additional heating, then when you get there the hire centre will rent you a fan heater for £5 a week.
Apart from being cold, the caravan stank of stale cigarette smoke, something we were reminded of when we got home and unpacked our bedlinen, which stank. Judging by the gas inspection report the unit was about 5 years old and has been well used, however there was evidence that maintenance is carried out (walls patched, lounge carpet replaced). The gas fire inspection was up to date but I was unhappy with the way it was burning.
Now, the entertainment, if that's what it was. Frankly I have seen people in the early stages of Britain's Got Talent with more sparkle. It was downright awful in every possible way, from the lacklustre dance routines to the shoddy, lackadaisical scripting. We honestly weren't expecting Shakespeare, but some effort to put together an enjoyable family show would have been nice. We were embarrassed on behalf of the poor 'Funstars' on stage when they plodded their way to the end of a particularly awful number in the middle of "Professor Schloops and the Sherbet Blast Machine" only to get a resounding silence from the audience, followed by a few sympathy claps from somewhere near the back of the room.
Other people have commented about the state of the soft play area in main reception. Happily, I think they've put a new carpet down as it, as well as all the play equipment, was absolutely spotless. I spent an hour on the floor in there with my two daughters on the final morning while our son had his swimming lesson so I'd have noticed any dirt. Trust me, there wasn't. If there had been, I'd have been constantly removing it from our 11-month-old's mouth. She loves finding bits and pieces on the ground and is extremely good at picking it up!
I think I've said enough. Make what you want of the above, assuming you're still reading. Our overall impression was that the staff and management (with the notable exception of the Turnberry Gardens Restaurant) are running the place with the bare minimum of effort. Everything is arranged for the convenience of the staff rather than the guests. I think in all honesty we will never go back to Craig Tara, not because the kids didn't enjoy it - they did - but because there are other places they will enjoy just as much, if not more so, that are also relaxing for the parents.

I dont usually write reviews but i felt that Craig Tara has far to many negative comments for the great holiday that we had.
Our family (range of different ages, 5 adults 3 teenagers and 3 children) arrived 9th August , we left our bags in an area which the reception provided until our caravan was ready and in the mean time went and had a nosey around , when we arrived back at the time allocated for check in by the staff (this time was allocated initially when we booked our holiday so there were no delays we were simply early)
Our Caravans was excellent for a standard caravan, we had a TV and Dvd player which we weren't expecting to be there.. there was enough heat inside even though if was freezing outside. beds were comfortable for everyone...
Entertainment... was amazing.. my daughter fell madly in love with ginger phil the entertainer who she still never shuts up about haha Entertainers were all really pleasent , they made our holiday! Bingo .. well what can i say we won over 800 pound in it (with my daughter winning the majority of it...drinks were on her haha)
Swimming pool was great all the kids went enjoyed it and i must say i went myself and had a great time with them!!
Burger king and chip shop were great however mash and barrells food took far too long too arrive and was freezn when it eventully arrived but again staff were good and replaced the food and gave us all free drinks.
Overall we really enjoyed our stay and will def be back ...

I have booked short breaks at Craig Tara several times over the years and obviously been satisfied enough to go back, however this year we booked a chalet because they we cheap and heated and we had a baby with us so wanted to avoid a cold caravan.
However, the heating was rubbish electric heaters that barely worked, chalet was very basic and bare looking, and there was a lot of noise from drunks in other chalets every night!
The softplay area was very dirty and is obviously in need of a revamp, and during the course of the break we became aware of several hooligans roaming around causing trouble and shouting abuse at staff, there never seemed to be anything done about this when quite clearly they should have been made to leave te park by security!
Craig Tara has definately gone down hill recently !!!