Reviews of Presthaven Sands Holiday Park, Flintshire

Treated ourselves to a 4 Night break (6-10 October - £278) in a "Platinum" Caravan, Arrived at check in at 2.30pm as notified, was delt with immediatley by very friendly staff, we were told that our caravan was not on the map as we were staying at the newly built "Harlech Court Development" right facing the reception....Brilliant !!, my wife and I couldn't belve it, 1 minuite's walk to Funworks, Swimming pool and Bars !! We booked a 2 Bedroom caravan, when we pulled up it was unbelivable, we were the first people to stay in this brand new caravan with 3 bedrooms and a pull out sofa bed (Incorporated into a 3 piece suite !) that could have slept 8 people, it was luxurious to tell you the least, spotlesly clean, beds fully made with comfy duvets and plenty of pillows, utensils and crockery all brand new, freestanding furniture, Dining table and chairs, and to top it off ....FULL CENTRAL HEATING !! that had been turned on so it was toasty warm when we went in.

We quickly unpacked our stuff and went off to the club, had a late lunch at the "Mash & Barrell" not too pricey only what you would pay in a normal Pub, Meals arrived within 10 minutes, Piping hot and delicious ! went there for the rest of the week....Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner...Never had a problem.

Our 2 year old son loved it as well, Plenty to do during the daytime, Kids club..Painting/arts & Crafts, Funtime, Exersise Time etc, Nightime entertainment also good, No pushy sell from staff to buy goods so not sure about this one ? Staff were great with him all the way ! (we even got a visit from Bradley Bear at our Caravan for our Sons 2nd Birthday).

Swimming pool was great went every day, Didn't venture into the Chippy or Chinese so can't say how they were to be honest.

Dunes bar was also ok, Little rough around the edges but hey ....Wer'e in England !!

I think we had a better experience than most as it was a bit towards the end of the season and not busy at all, So to sum up and I am going to be totally honest and I am no way a snob, You get what you pay for, if you buy a £9.00 Sun Newspaper Holiday what do you really expect....5 star at the Ritz ???

We had a fantastic time and have booked for the Fireworks Weekend In November !

Thanks Presthaven Sands !

we have just come back from the holiday from hell ,booked Presthaven sands ,we booked 2 caravans and asked for them together .they weren't even in the same row .we arrived at reception and were directed to the dunes bar .we had to queue for well over 20 minutes ,the place was so hot .everywhere was grubby ,we got our keys and asked the girl if we were together ,she said we were across from each other ,number 9 and 14 ,she showed it us on the map ,only she had read the 9 upside down ,it was actually a 6 .quite away from one another .we went to our daughters van first .the stench was horrendous ,the settee was wet and smelt of urine ,our son -in-law went back to reception and asked for a move ,they said they had no vans as they were full up .then we went to our van ,again the stench of urine met us ,the place was filthy .there was a big hole in the ceiling where someone had obviously punched it .there was no knob on the fire ,in desperation we used a knife to turn it on .the beds were damp and stained ,the duvets disgusting ,with stains and even human excrement on one .we couldn't sleep on the bed as it was broken ,so pulled out the bed in the lounge ,it was soaking .so we had to sleep on the settees .we could use non of the crockery or cutlery as it was filthy .the curtains were ripped and stained woth mould ,it was horendous ,we stuck it out for 2 nights ,then packed up and left for home ,all this was reported to staff ,but they couldn't care less .this site should be shut down ,it really is a health hazzard .and to top it all ,my husband and my self got bites ,from something in that filthy hovel .stay away .we wasted our money .never again .

Maybe I should learn to check the internet a bit more thoroughly before I commit my hard earned cash to spending a holiday in this country. Is it any wonder that the vast majority of British people now holiday abroad when there are places like this that supposedly cater for families in this country.



First impressions are always very important . . . If I could have just turned round and gone straight home, I probably would have. The site is in desperate need of a serious makeover. Peeling paint, decaying windows, litter, broken glass, dirty caravans, dog poo . . . . and that's before you actually get to reception!



Having queued for 40 minutes in the blazing hot Dunes Showbar (just like Vegas! . . more like Johnny Vegas!) . . We checked in and were given our keys. When we got to our van, the first thing that was noticeable was the smell of dogs, urine and sewage as you opened the door. The sofa was wet with urine and stunk. The cutlery, glassware and crockery were all dirty and had to be washed. The curtains had mildew on the back and there was a dirty nappy and broken glass udner our van.



I went back to complain and asked for another van as this was one was disgusting. I was told the site was full - yeah right! - and this couldn't be done. Instead, a chap was sent to clean the carpets. He must have been in there all of 5 minutes. I don't know what chemical he used in such an enclosed area but it gave my wife an asthma attack and made her ill for the duration of the stay. Incidentally, we had booked Monday to Friday but left as early as we could on the Wednesday morning. Thankfully!



We had booked what is loosely described as 'linen'. Nobody actually bothered to tell us at any time that we had to trek back to the far side of the camp near to the camp 'shop' to collect it. So, off we went. I've never seen thinner sheets or duvets ! They must have been expecting a heatwave as you could almost see through the duvet when you held it up to the light. The 'freshly laundered' sheets were ripped and had holes in them.



We put the duvets onto the bed and unpacked. Then it was off to explore the site. The swimming pool looks like it's in an old army Nissen Hut. The outside metal walls are all bent and the paint peeling. The window frames have rotted away and you could see bare wood. Not exactly appealing. So . . we didn't bother with that !!



Into the Funworks. Great if you have an unlimited supply of money and wanted to be roasted alive. It must have been about 40 degrees in there and full of low lifes and chavs (and believe me, I'm not a snob!)



The Mash and Barrel was the next port of call. We all had a drink in there. The prices charged didn't seem to correspond to the prices on the menus and we were told as much by one of the Bar Staff. I''m sure there's something in consumer legislation about that !!! However, no point in complaining to them as they clearly are on minimum wage and so aren't paid enough to give a toss or do anything about it.



Fish and chips for tea from the on site chippy. I thoroughly enjoyed mine and the prices weren't too bad at all . . the only plus point from the whole holiday. I'd already been warned to stay away from the chinese take away on site by a colleague who went in August with her family. How right they were. There were only 4 things available on the whole main course menu - some take away !! - and the staff just sat around looking bored, playing games on their mobile phones.



On the second night, we ate in the Mash and Barrel. Big Mistake! I agree with another of the reviews that the food is obviously re heated frozen rubbish. We placed an order for 5 meals. Thinking they'd be a while, my wife and step son went to play air hockey. Within 2 minutes, the food was delivered to the table so I had to go and let them know.



The chips were grey, cold and unappetising at best. The burgers were the worst kind of economy rubbish I've ever eaten and my garnish was a long black pubic hair !!! This went straight back to the kitchen. The chef kindly offered me a freshly microwaved, sorry cooked, meal as a replacement but the quality of this was no better despite waiting almost 15 minutes for it. Whoppee doo !



Luckily we went out all day on Tuesday as there is nothing to see or do on the site. Everything is in such a poor state or closed down . . which I find strange because the Reception staff insisted the site was full. I would have thought, if this WERE the case, then more things should have at least been open.



We left on Wednesday morning after detailing our complaints to the Reception manageress. I don't believe for one second that anything will come of this so we have also complained to Head Office. All I can say is, it's a pity we can't put photos of the place on here if only to serve as a proper warning to others how bad it is. How people on this site can give it 8 out of 10 is beyond me! I'm only scoring it a 1 because I can't go any lower. The place is digusting . . PLEASE stay well away.

Booked 2 vans, both Superior and was told when booking they would be next to each other. Went with son aged 13, husband and parents. They WEREN'T together.

Don't really know where to start as there is NOTHING positive to say. Our van stunk of sewarage and dogs, and the sofa was wet through with urine. The sheets and duvet were so thin we were freezing. The bed was wonky and we got no sleep. There was glass all around the van. The cleaners and maintenance guys drove round the site like boy racers. The utensils were filthy. Curtains had mould on. Curtains hanging off the track. Parents linen was covered in stains which looked like urine and excrement. Fire didn't work.

We complained and asked to be moved but told the site was full! Nothing open. pool looked disgusting from outside so didn't risk going inside. Funworks boiling hot and no air con. Mash and Barrel over charged every night. Menus had incorrect prices on. Food was cold and husband's meal had a hair on it.

Absolutely disgusting around the vans. Open pipes and broken glass, dirty nappies under vans. Beach was miles away and had to climb over filthy sand dunes to reach it.

We have complained formally and are now waiting to hear back from Haven.



Save your money and go abroad. At least you get treated with respect there.



By the way.......if I could I would've given this park a 0 rating........but it only lets you give 1-10!!!!

Booked independently as I couldn't afford haven prices. When we got there the caravan was clean but the kettle and toaster didn't work. Many holiday makers already hitting the booze at midday. I had to purchase the passes as the ones that was left in the caravan was no good. Dont like the curry nights at the barrel and mash so we went to the Anchorage pub only to found out that it was very limited on the food. We found a nice cafe reasonable priced as well and the food was great and it was just up the road at the other caravan site. We ended up going to Rhyl and Landudano for days out which became expensive as well not having transport. Entertainment the funstars are talented and good too watch but I have to agree waiting ages to get a drink and there was a smell of stale urine and the tables not washed down. Funstars trying to sell everything at you from caravans to bingo and raffle tickets. There was trouble outside the complex and the police were brought in as well. The staff and sercurity in the place was good especially lost children. It was too hot in the dunes and yes girls did dress in the fashion clothes and yes blokes walked around in football shirts in the day.

Funstars I give them credit for their hard work trying the upmost best to entertain everyone.

I have to agree with Mrs K Smith about Cleethorpes I love the park it is well kept and clean. Booking there next year hopefully. I 've been to a few haven sites and only one has disappointed me totally last year on the Yorkshire Coast

Just Returned from the worst 6 days of our lives, relieved to find that I wasn't actually melting but infact Presthaven sands was sticking to me on every possible occasion via tables and floors.



Upon arrival we soon realised we had made the wrong choice, we drove past a metal hut with dirty windows which we later found out was the swimming pool, up towards the reception which at best was a filthy run down building.



We stayed in a Superior caravan which was quite modern and clean but we were surrounded by potholes which we later found out were the creation of children digging in the sand. This may sound petty but with a pushchair, any attempt to navigate across the grassed area's was an ordeal.



The caravan's were at best strangely positioned and we found ourselves on numerous occasions in the middle of football and frisbee games from our rude loud neighbours.



We have been to many Haven sites around the U.K and had some very good holidays, so we wrongly assumed that all Haven sites were of a high standard, Presthaven Sands however was old, run down, poorly located and in desperate need of refurbishment. The Dunes & carousel bar were too small and over crowded, the outdoor astroturf play area's were covered in sand and therefore extremely dangerous, the beach was strange as you had to walk for 20 minutes to the sea.



Overall this was the worst holiday we have ever been on, the only positive was the Chinese Restaurant was very nice.

Just got back from Haven today, had a really good time! Me, my partner and our 2 year old when for 3 nights and paid just £239 for a superior plus caravan, you could smell the 'new' smell of it as soon as you stepped through the door. Loads of space, seperate kitchen which looked hardly used, got 3 bedrooms, which were a little small, but cant complain as we only paid for a 2 bedroom caravan!



Weather was a let down, however when it was nice we made the most of it, even travelled to the flint sunday market which is about 10 miles away.



Only bad points are that there is no way near enough room in either the dunes or carousel bars, Only on our last night did we manage to get a seat, and thats only because we got there very early so we could sit down for the night!



'Mix it up', I think thats what they were called were really good, and the shows for the kids were excellent. The breakfasts in the mash and barrel were lovely, we went everyday, our lttle one got cereal and we had full english breakfasts and including tea and pure orange juice it came to around £11 which I thought was reasonable.



I think overall Haven is best enjoyed for the younger families who are happy to get away from it all and just have fun, without moaning about the price of things and minor problems etc. (you should try another major holiday place similar to Haven, not naming names but they were a disgrace!! we walked straight out of there last week after paying £300 for 3 nights and ended up booking haven for less money and total luxery!)



So overall, yes the prices are expensive but isnt everything these days, no matter if your on holidy or not!! But was a great family holiday and we cant wait to go back!

Oh dear, where to start.... Paid over £600 for a week in a "Prestige" caravan for myself, husband and 3 children. When we arrived at the caravan there was absolutely nothing "Prestigious" about it! It was adequate and a fairly new caravan but very tatty round the edges. It was sited in a nice area at the far end of the site, but outside was full of litter, cigarette ends really dirty. When I queried with the staff on reception whether we had been given the right caravan, I was told very defensively that it was! The clubs are overpriced, unbearably hot and overcrowded, too noisy and although the children enjoyed the shows everything is aimed at selling you the next bit of tat they can offer. Once they've got the childrens attention out comes one of the "Funstars" with a tray of Rory & Bradley teddy bears for £10 each! The swimming pool was probably the worst experience, while we were there someone was sick in both swimming pools and while it was being cleaned everyone had to cram into one pool. A lady had a fit at the side of the pool and the staff didn't know what to do, one just screamed "everyone get out NOW!" and it descended into utter chaos, it was like a scene from Jaws! When we complained about how badly managed the pool was the park management were really disinterested. The shop is ridiculously expensive, the take aways are overpriced and the food is pretty disgusting. All in all the best thing about Presthaven Sands is the road out. The only saving grace for us was visiting Llandudno every day. There is nothing for children to do here during the day. The fair is expensive and run by miserable young lads. Save your money don't go!!!!

How stupid were we??? Not to check the ratings or comments from previous guests at prethaven!



We (partner,myself, son 6 and daughter 9) have just got back 2 hours ago from Presthaven (presthell morelike!) and it was the worst holiday site I have ever been to.



Reading some of the reviews I can clearly agree with all points. Firstly we arrived at 11 driving past the swimming pool, which instantly looked nothing like the promotional video, and is in fact in some beated up old tin shed with dirty stained windows. Actually the entite complex exterior is a tired beaten corrogated metal and looks awful. So within 2 minutes of arriving we felt slightly conned. The reception advised come back at 1pm to pickup keys when in fact this was 4pm. We went into the Mash and Barrell and sat at the first table we found which was dirty and sticky as was the floor. This pattern lasted the entire week, every table we sat at was dirty and sticky and the floors were littered with food, even the bar was filthy and sticky.



We had breakfast at the Mash and Barrell first morning and the food was at best luke warm, some of it cold. As it was later in the week when we tried again for breakfast. We didnt eat there in the week as we could see at almost every opportunity people complaining about their foods!



We booked a last minute economy caravan, still cost £500, and were clearly a million of miles away from the promotional pictorial showing beautiful caravans with tarmac drives and cars parked next to them. We were in was is best described as a field with potholes and crammed in with dozens of other similar caravans. No leafy flower borders or trees as shown on the promotional website (which incidentally has recently added "...this is not a full representation of the park..."!!!!!), not to mention the railway track 500 yards away!! which woke me up several time each night. The area with dodgems and crazy golf, if you can call it that, is incredibly run down, similar to that of an innercity precinct that hasnt been tended to or modernised in 20 years! Very poor, I had to remind myself we actually paid to be there!! The shop was acceptable, prices reduculous as expected.



We booked an aqua jet session in the pool, as per promotional video, my daughter enjoyed this even though it was a half hour session and the 2 aquajets were shared amongst 8 people. The toilets in the pool area smelt like an open sewer and incredibly we never saw the outdoor pool open all week!! What a con! We never visted the pool for swimming as it just looked horrible and there are far better pools where we live.



As for the beach....where do I start?? Nowhere does it state that the sea is about a mile from the beach, even at high tide its a 20min walk to the water! It's not since the 1970's where dog mess was accepted everywhere, that i have seen such dog mess on a beach, there are no restrictions or signs such as there are on all other coastlines in North Wales. In addition litter and all manner of broken glass was evident. We didnt walk more than 10 paces without seeing litter or dog mess. There are about 5 beach entry points from the site, the nearest to us led you straight to dirty still water lagoon which needed a 20 minute walk just to get around to head to the sea, again 1 mile out!!.



Not wishing to sound snobby but after locating this website and finding out this is one of the "Sun" newspapers cheap holiday sites then the penny has well and truly dropped!! It clearly explaines why site is 99% populated by some of the lowest calibre of people I have ever met! It seemed compulsory that their lads wore football shirts at all time or gangsta clothers and the girls dressed like "ladies of the night!" I wast's sure if we were at a football match or a brothel! Every night we were subjected to drunken banter as these people made their way back to their caravans with no regard for anyone else, sometimes keeping their conversations going way into the small hours.



This our first and last visit to anything with the word "Haven" in it, infact we will probably give up on the Great British holiday resorts altogether and go abroad or at least to a hotel in future. In addition if it wasnt for the fantastic scenery of Wales we would have come home day 1 - I have copied this form and will send it in letter form the Haven - not entirly sure as I'm not interested in any improvements that might be made to Presthaven and certainly dont care for the quality of holiday enjoyed by the majority of low calibre holiday makers there! Hopefully if you value your health and respect your family you will stay well away!!!!

haven holidays is a big flop now. We used haven a lot but now we will never use haven again.We went to presthaven sands wales it is such a unclean place . Toilet's were a very poor hygene sink and taps full of limescale .Toilets were full of human feaces not been cleaned at all.The worst part was when i went for a shower and a man was cleaning the toilet area well if u call that cleaning .I left the shower area i will not shower with a man cleaning . On the first day there my daughter went swimming .She wnt in wrong changing rooms by mistake she went in pool.When she came back to changing rooms to get her clothes and mobile phone.A life guard came into locker room shouted at her for being in there she tried to explain but he would not listen to her .He then took her clothes out of locker and threw them at her then took her phone out and slammed door on her foot when she was leaving .Her towel was wet from him throwing it on floor .I was shocked went to find life guard but could not find him.I was going to book green acres but now i will never ue haven again. we was going to buy a static but now we will still buy one but not on a haven site.. so so disapointed with haven

Been to Presthaven Sands about 5 times - always had a good time. A holiday is what you make it, some people go away determined not to have a good time and moan and whinge about everything. Just stay at home in future cos the one thing I don't want when I'm on my hols is hearing people moaning on the next table. Put it this way, it sure beats another week in the office Presthaven rocks and I'll be back.

went to haven presthaven sands was a much needed holiday for me an my children arrived on the 18th july 2008 , was supposed to be a 4 night break in a superior plus caravan started off nice lovely caravan just when we went out into the bar by 11pm there were lots of young men fightingg which scared my children after that we went outside deciding that we'd be better off in the caravan and there were lots of glass on the floor and young toddlers walking through it, nobody cleaned it up and somebody could have been seriously hurt. When we returned to the caravan we wanted to go to bed but the linen we were provided with (which we paid extra for, so that we didn't have to our own) was really thin, none of us could sleep as it was severely cold and after that and the fighting my children wanted to leave in fear of being hurt. We left in under 24 hours of being there and was shocked to find the security asleep in their office. I don't think that that is very secure. All in all I found that this holiday was a bad one and do not know if I wil be returning there at all, let alone another haven site.

When we arrived for our hoilday on Saturday we were very excited and couldn't wait for the fun to start with four children in our group to entertain. We booked independently direct with haven headquaters in January because we had a member of our group wtih walking difficulties and requested accommodation close to ammenties, however that was when our problems started. We collected our welcome pack to be told that our caravan area was the fourth area from the complex with only one area that was further away. After some pleading we had to settle with the original caravans. On entering our prestige caravans both ourselves and our friends were faced with 2 separate caravans that still needed to be cleaned and freshened up and so we spent the rest of the evening doing so. Within our group we had 3 boys aged 6,7,9 and the space between caravans or open spaces were not at all suitable for any type of outdoor games and with nothing but two filthy caravans we were depending on the inhouse entertainment. There were 3 amusement rides , crazy golf of sorts , 1electric go cart and petrol gocart all of which were EXPENSIVE eg 3 children 2 adults 6laps of the petrol go carts 11.50 TOTAL RIPP OFF . Then there was the recreation area of 1 large astro turf pitch in good condition and four other smaller pitches that were full off sand and whatever else you could imagine. The evening entertainment in both bars was good if you didn't mind the smell of stale urine,sticky tables,chairs and carpets and also had an endless supply of pound coins for funworks. We ate once at mash and barrel and really could't rate it highly at all with cold expensive food. Unfortunatly we thought the chinese on complex would've been worth a visist but we had to throw the food out so that ended us eating anywhere else on site. Planned for our group to visit the swimming pool SMELL OF STALE URINE-------DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY !!!!!!!!

Ok where to start not impressed at ALL. This was my third time here. I went once and loved it about 6 years ago. Went back 3 years ago and was not happy. But due to all the parks having an upgrade I thought i would give it another go as location was so good. I paid via the sun and paid in total about £120. Now I usually do it online and get a last minute deal for £50-80 so it wasnt that cheap. The sun offers give you a basic totally disgusting caravan. 3 times we were moved. The carpets you would not have put an animal on. I didnt move from the last caravan only because it was after 5 and we just finished a 5 hour journey.

The toilets in the bar were totally appauling, the bar and park did not seem big enough to cater for all the vans on the park.

Swimming pool, well 2 woman or kids could use the shower than they were dribbling. There was more than 20-30 ladies and kids waiting. Appauling..

When in amusements there was never anybody to help if machine broke. also had kids running riot and bashing all the machines to try obtain money out them. (Parents just dont care).



Sorry wont be returning here. Although I would recommend the Thorpe Park to anyone in Cleethorpes its a fabulous park..

Just got back from presthaven sands and i can say it was the worst holiday i've had the caravan was dirty and the fire did not work proper therefore all the rooms was cold, The entertainment was shocking the kids was just running all over the place didn't really take much notice and you had to go early to get a seat everything was overpriced the place is just money mad



We went to the pool twice and they have two pools one was warm and the other was freezing the kids all got colds due to the pool being cold and them leaving the doors open when it was cold, There was nothing to do in the day most things wasn't open and times on the booklet where wrong



I can say i will not be going again