More Traveller Reviews of Craig Tara Holiday Park
avoid
from toffo1
stayed at Craig Tara with our 2 young children (or should that be c**p tara)? its the first time we have tried one of these "holiday parks" we had a chalet, which looked like it was part of a rundown council estate! first thing that hit you when you walked in was the smell of dirt! it was so bad we went into Ayr and bought air freshners, everything in the chalet looked like it had'nt been decorated for about 20 years.(painted woodchip abound), shower door kept falling off. Carpets were dirty and needed a good hoover! Staff were miserable and did'nt interact with anyone. as per other reviews the only decent food was BK, money was another issue, everything cost's, even though we paid extra for "entertainment passes", we are still trying to figure out what we could use them for? entertainment was'nt upto much and we thought that some of jokes told to the kids were innapropriate. The only thing to do on an evening really is to spend time in the arcades. We spent so much in a weekend, we could have had a city break in europe for the same money. to top it all the beach was dirty, with no facilities other than back inside the "camp".! In my opinion they should demolish the place and start afresh! when we left we vowed we would never book another "holiday park" again Avoid at all cost's
bit of a dive
from bettyboo1Newcastle
The caravans are a mess the pink blind in the bathroom was black with mould, dirty carpets so you could not let kids on them. The seating area sunk in the middle. Smelt of damp. The food on site is crap except BK, fish and chips, chinesse and hot dogs all was of money, dont even bother. Bar ran out of glasses were searving wine in pint glasses!!!!!!!! And soft drinks in paper coffee cups. The boiler made a noise constantly which made me afraid to sleep incase I didnt wake up. Seen no security or cleaning staff. The toilets in the bar area were minging, seats falling off mould on walls cracked tiles. Dont go unless its free!!!
Disgusting!!
from croc_botherer
I stayed at Craig Tara for 4 nights with my husband and 8 year old daughter and we hated every minute. We were there for the last week in October which I was told was the final week the park was open so the staff weren’t bothered about complaints. The chalet was filthy, it had a double bed in the front room and bunk beds and a single in the back. The heating didn’t work in the back room so we all had to sleep in the double bed. Everything in the chalet was damp, stained and smelt awful, the bathroom was tiny and was covered in suspicious stains! Meal times were an absolute joke, slop served by people who think they’re doing you a favour, old women literally pushing children out of the way so they can get to the front of the queue first and kids running wild everywhere (not good when there’s people walking round with hot slop on trays) .The restaurant is an absolute free for all, no organisation whatsoever. The entertainment rooms were absolutely awful, it’s difficult to get a table but the one time we did manage to get one, the table was so dirty and sticky the elbows of our clothes went black! The glasses were filthy and looked like they’d never been washed. The only people who seemed to enjoy this place were a large family of chavs who we were unfortunate enough to sit behind. They spent all evening swearing and encouraging their very young children to fist fight, the children were extremely distressed but the ‘parents’ made them continue. The surrounding area of the pool was filthy too and for some unknown reason the staff had decided to open the fire doors which made it absolutely freezing. The only reason we didn’t turn round and come straight back home was that we thought my daughter was actually enjoying herself, she confessed when we got into the car to come home that it was the worst place she’d even been to. The best thing about the holiday was getting back home so I could have a good wash!
Disgusting!! Do Not Go!!
from Katieo47
We have just returned from the dirty smelly Craig Tara. This was the worst holiday we've ever been on. The Chalet we stayed in was dirty and smelly. Our children had to sleep in our bed as there bed sheets were all stained. The Chalet we stayed in hadn't been cleaned properly as there was litter left in the wardrobe and under the beds and smelt of urine, damp and cigarettes. The cleaners were cleaning Chalets with cigarettes in their mouths which children have to sleep in. I would NOT recommend Haven to anybody at all. The hygiene of the whole park was disgusting.
Had a fantastic time
from jazzypinkpuppet
I felt I had to write this after reading all the negative reviews of Craig Tara, my husband and I and our two children 8 and 3 have just come back from a seven night break and we loved all loved it. We stayed half board and the service was excellent , a good choice of food was on offer although not fantastic quality it was still good and there was plenty of variety. The complex itself was perfect for kiddies, there was morning, afternoon and evening entertainment with kids clubs, character shows and fun and games. There is a great multi level swimming pool, soft play area, big outdoor playground and sports courts all included in the price. There is direct access to the beach which even though it was cold Scotland in October we had great fun splashing in the rock pools and collecting shells for Grandad. There is a funfair which is a little dated and only really suitable for the younger kids tea cups, car merry go rounds etc and it is a little expensive at £1.50 a ride or 8 rides for £10, there is also outdoor golf, £1.50 each and adventure indoor golf which cost £2.00 Adults and £1.00 for children. There is also go karts, a climbing wall and big bungee trampolines, I am not sure how much the go karts were but the trampolines and Wall were £4.00 each or both for £6.00. There was ten pin bowling, pool tables and air hockey tables and many many fruit machines and games where the children collect tickets so money for these can add up but it is what you expect at a holiday camp. There were two clubs for the evenings atlantic bar and bonga wonga, the atlantic bar is more geared for adults and families with older children and the bonga wonga is for families with small children with character shows, family bingo and funstar entertainment, we only stayed until about nine o clock when children were tired. All the staff were friendly and helpful. We don't drive and there is no town within easy walking distance although there is a bus that comes right into the park and takes you into Ayr town centre every hour and on a Sunday to the Sunday market at Ayr racecourse. In the complex itself there is once big shop with toys, sweets etc, a little supermarket, burger King, a cafe, fish and chip shop and in the bonga wonga there is a shop selling sweets and flashing lights etc. We stayed in a basic chalet and it was exactly what it said on the tin, Basic. It wasn't very big and poorly decorated but it was exactly as we had expected for the price . This holiday is perfect for families who like fun and don't mind getting involved. Don't go if you want luxury food and rooms, don't go if you don't want to watch Rory the tiger and join in with family games. great for families with young children probably not that great for adult groups or families with teens.
great for the kids
from lorni
Hi just got back from a great long weekend at Craig Tara holiday park. I travelled with my partner and my 2 year old son. The entertainment was fantastic all the kids and some adults were at the front of the stage enjoying the entertainment. My son especially enjoyed the the summer fete panto. During the day we went to the fun fair it was expensive for each ride (£1.50) well worth it to see the enjoyment in the kids faces. We also went to the near by farm for a day very expensive and not worth the price, dont go. Our chalet was not that nice we never spent much time in the chalet enjoyed being out and about even if it was just for a walk along the beach. Overall it is more for the kids than adults
had a great time
from tammycat
Just got back from craig tara on friday,we had absolutely nothing to complain about this was a cheap holiday,the food was very good lots of choice believe me my family are very fussy eaters we ate everything and more,the chalet was basic and the beds were clean,the bus service was excellent to go into Ayr ,go-karts were great fun a bit expensive if you have a big family,my grandson loved the pool,didnt go to the night time entertainment cannot comment on this. all in all had a wonderful break we booked before we left for next year well done craig tara.
Terrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from JIK83
Booked a weekend away at Craig Tara in Ayr. After all four of us having a stressful week at work we were looking forward to a weekend away in a CARAVAN! This however didn't happen. On arrival we were given an APARTMENT, well if you could call it that. I have seen cleaner houses on 'How Clean Is Your House', Absolutely disgusting!! The sofa had unidentified white stains, the wallpaper was dripping with grease, I can't comment on the view as I couldn't see out of the dirty window!!! I wouldn't let my dog stay there. We complained and offered to pay to upgrade but were told the whole site was fully booked and we were offered another apartment....it was worth a look. This however was just as awful and smelled of urine! The manager informed us this was silver accommodation, what was their bronze....a tent! After complaining again we were told no refund would be given!!! We decided it was still a better option to drive the two hours home to a clean house. STAY CLEAR ITS DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awful Place !!!
from BUD825124
We arrived on Friday afternoon , picked up our laundry & keys, went to the caravan and started to unpack. We then started to make the beds, I found a badly stained pillow on one of the beds. The laundry was dirty and threadbare. We went down to the small park at the bottom of the site at 6.45 and we were told that they were closing due to lack of people. When we challenged the operators they told us to go away and come back tomorrow. We went to the pool on saturday morning the toilets at the front of the pool were disgusting , this was at 10.30 in the morning, looks like they had not been cleaned for days. On sat afternoon we went to the Crystal Keys bar with the kids. There was a group of 60 year olds having some kind of karoke contest, one was wearing a hat with stickers one of which read [--] I am having a bad day, So much for a family place. We had a holiday in Craig Tara 4 years ago and it was super., Looks like the place has not been cleaned since then.,,,,, Awful place . never be back..... Get your act together craig tara.............
Save your money .... sleep in a ditch
from TC299
I have never caravaned before. I never will again. Haven at Craig Tara is responsible for my feeling this way. I suspect there are nice caravan parks. This was not one of them. This one would not make it into a 'Carry On' film. The caravan we stayed in, in "Ayr Park" (I think), was terribly dirty and unhygienic. The carpet, inside window frames, under beds, cooking utensils etc hadn't been cleaned thoroughly in years. The main fitted seat was broken and there were no light bulbs in the living area. The eating selection on site was very poor and limited in variety. The amusements were wildy overpriced and closed at 6.30pm on Friday 31st August - despite being advertised as open until 7pm. The attendant made it clear he wanted us to leave as it had been "dead all day", (is that my fault?) but we could come back tomorrow as it was his day off. Charming. The bar area was a whole other story. Confusingly named "Crystal Quays" to give you a sense of being somewhere exotic, in another land perhaps. A very strange land, another dimension or a 1970's inner city working mans pub would be more like it. The drapes hanging from the roof ,and the glass beyond were absolutely filthy - does anyone in charge have a neck that tilts backwards by 45 degrees so that they can LOOK UP?!!! The atmosphere was surreal. Saturday afternoon was wet, we went along for a quiet drink and to watch the football. Big mistake. The entire cast of Little Britain were assembled for their afternoon boozing session. Including the Karaoke organiser guy with a badge on his hat that read "F*** off I'm having a bad day". Tell me about it. My son cut his toe on a slide in the indoor pool area and the attendant asked me to sign the accident sheet before he had completed it! The toilets in the reception area of the pool complex were totally disgusting, amongst the worst I have experienced. Ever. The only semi-decent facility was the football courts, but these too were neglected and needing some basic maintainance. Does this place care at all about their customers? I challenge management to come onto this site and defend the "experience" they charge their customers good money for. Haven, this is a total rip off and as a company you should be thoroughly ashamed. Three nights of my life that I'll never get back, and was I glad to see Monday morning and release from Strangeways.....
Me my wife and two kids went,and my sister and her family in another caravan,got to check in and everything seemed fine helpful staff etc got to caravan which was basic but clean and comfy. So went up to the halls to see what was there with the kids,it was just row after... more