Pontins Camber Sands

3 readers found this review helpful

AWFUL.
The worst holiday me, my husband and two young children have ever had, and we have had many budget breaks in th UK with no problems.
The accomodation was so dated that as soon as I walked in I wanted to walk out ?
The Bathroom was mouldy, dirty and to top it all no curtain / blind at window so everybody walking by (as we backed onto road and parking bays) could see us having a bath !!!!!! All the flooring in the bathroom was lifting up and holding everybody who has stayed there - bodily hair. YUK ???
The carpet was dirty and looked about 50 years old.
At night our Kitchen floor was covered in slugs which were coming in under the cooker - absolutely disgusting.
At night I was woken by drunks shouting and even one night throwing up outside our door.
We didnt stay the full 4 nights we just wanted to get out of there, never been so happy to get home, we were really looking forward to going away together as a family, so disappointed - will never go again and would warn anyone else not to do so as well.

3 readers found this review helpful

This was our 2nd visit to Camber Sands, having been 2 years previously, due to the fact that the entertainment was so good that you could tolerate the poor standard of accommodation. However, as the park was not as full as last time, even though our last visit was mid-October, the downstairs Lunar bar was not open, which meant we had to go to the upstairs Fun Factory, which is more general family style entertainment, rather than geared up for adults/older teenagers which was what the Lunar bar provided last time. It was still ok though. At least they do have a "platform" lift, which meant we could get my 85 year old mum up there. One thing I like about it there, is that everything is under the one roof. All the bars, restaurant, takeaways, amusements, and you can buy a takeaway and take it into the club, they don't mind you doing this and you don't have to go outside at all. There is also a hotdog place in the upstairs clubroom. I wouldn't advise anyone to eat in the restaurant - it was good last time, but this time was appalling. The staff all seemed on another planet, compared to the rest of the staff there - the takeaway, bar, security and entertainment staff are all really helpful. While I was checking out where the lift was for my mum, someone actually came over and explained how it worked etc, without me having to ask. We didn't experience any fights, or particularly badly behaved children, but they really could do with updating the accommodation a bit. But it is cheap and cheerful, and I suppose you only get what you pay for. All in all, a good break.

7 readers found this review helpful

I expected Basic but defentley not dirty and so run down they should of closed down years ago. Thats not the half of it, We got awoken by a lot of drunks that then turned into a violent punch up in there apartment with a young child screaming and scared. I called the Police but Pontins security said they will deal with the matter, They came to the apartment and had a chat and went back to inform the police that they had sorted it when infact the problem just got worse with very loud shouting and violence the whole of pontins would of heard and they had knifes from the apartment threatening to kill each other. This went on from midnight to 4.00am, and had no battery left in our mobile to call for help again, we were stuck in our apartment scared to leave. I can not belive all that my family and i have just been subjected to. They took my right as a citizen to have Police presance.

3 readers found this review helpful

This was our fifth visit to Pontin's - yes, we keep coming back for more! As a family of two adults and two children we love Pontin's. It is cheap and cheerful and as long as you go with the right attitude (that you're going to find an iron mark on the carpet, the sofabed is going to be dreadully uncomfortable, the enamel will be chipped on the bath and the curtains will be coming off their runners) you will love it! I have to say though that our chalet was the nicest we've ever had at Pontin's - they must be doing some of them up.
Having said that, we use Pontin's as a base more than anything else so we do get to escape. On this visit we had a freebie day trip to France thrown in, which we took advantage of and had a really good day out.
We did have a problem with drunks at three in the morning but if this happens you can ring the number on your room key. Security sorted it out and we had no more trouble. The doors not being childproof is a problem and I wish Pontin's would add chains at the top of the doors (as Butlins do) where the children can't reach them.
We didn't think much of the restaurant at Camber Sands. The staff seemed confused over what the specials were and the food was almost cold when it was served. We wouldn't go in there again. Other than that, we had the usual great time!

7 readers found this review helpful

Just returned from a two night break to Pontins at Camber sands and I'm very disappointed to think that places like this still exist! I wasn't expecting luxury, just basic and clean and child friendly and it wasn't. Our shower was full of black mould which bits of it came off when the shower was in use (a bit of elbow grease by the cleaners would have sorted this). We were also given a 1st floor room – my two year old daughter nearly went over the balcony outside of the apartment) and there was no way of securing our front door from the inside so the kids couldn't escape (the latch was broken and the kids could open the door easily).
The kids didn't mind the evening entertainment, but It was repetitive. The blue coats do try their hardest so hats off to them. On our last night, a drunken brawl broke out between a load of chavs and tarts in the middle of the hall, and they were surrounded by families with young children. There was a distinct lack of security and the fight carried on down the stairs and outside. I was disgusted by this and feared for our safety. unfortunately, I would expect this behavior on an adults only weekend, but not a family holiday.
The gift shop in the main entertainment hall sells toy guns and plastic knifes – why??? This is terrible, but there were plenty of kids with these toys so obviously the parents couldn't give a toss.
Access to the main hall is up a flight of stairs. Not good for parents with kids in pushchairs or the disabled. After struggling up the stairs with the buggy, we did manage to find a small platform lift, but this wasn't advertised and really they need a proper lift installed.
Back to the apartments: you have to buy electricity! We were "lucky" in the fact our holiday was a newspaper deal so we were given ours for free, otherwise you have to pay! When we checked in, we were given the chance to upgrade in exchange for extra cash, and that would have given us our sheets, and a TV. A friend who has been to pontins before said that they never pay for sheets but always get them, so we decided to take the chance. When we got to the room, our sheets were all there and so was a TV!
Plus points:
• quite good activities for the older kids (quad bikes etc) and the younger kids enjoyed the kids entertainment in the evening
• A lovely sandy beach a short walk across the road
• A good fish and chip shop on the main road outside pontins
• the resort is full of rabbits in the evening – that's quite sweet I suppose
Advice: The caravan park next door is much nicer and has a nice swimming pool!

2 readers found this review helpful

arrival disheartened noone said there is a lift to fun factory and had to walk the stairs not being able to breath at the top.
check in like queueing up for your dinner card at school.
impression of the site...horrible
chalet omg where to start kitchen no kitchen cooking equitment,so called lounge broken chairs sofa bed with a big dip,big hole in the unit cobwebs in most corners. dirt under the units
bedroom 1 graffiti all over the beds
bedroom 2 broken windows,smashed wardrobe no hanging bar,graffitti in the draws and big nail sticking out of matrees that could pierce my daughter.
bathroom mold over the ceiling and thick black mold over the shower unit
bedding quilt spelt of vinegar not mild but strong
outside chalet high step and cracked pavement,not disabled friendly
nighttime to dark to see steps tripped many of times.
bluecoats didnt see many in the day if we did kds would say hi and bluecoats ignored them.
at night they did shows and couldnt sing.
grass areas full of pot holes and dirtys cigarette butts everywhere
bar area i actually saw children buying booze
food area was over charge for chicken meal by eight pounds.
hotdogs had offer 2.99 for hotdog with drink,daughter asked for it just got the hotdog,guy says you have to buy drinks seperately had t stand for 30 mins to argue finally got drink then we saw him take the offer down.
3rd night daughter had break down she felt like a prisoner she 16 and couldnt get of site
notheing for her to do fiver for each pgl activity which is a rip of for how long you get.
the only thing that kept us there was we were with friends and we made our own entertainement.
the only good thing was night time was the manager who kept this rowdy family under control he kept going to chalet to make sure they were all in bed.
im use to hemsby where i been going for 15 years it saddens me that it shut and they kept camber open.
also if you look in brochure says club and classic free electric what a joke we were in classic and paid or was my chalet budget???? for the state it was in makes me wonder now

2 readers found this review helpful

we weant to pontins camber sans in june 2009 for 4 days we had all reddy been to pontins prestayin sands larst year and hembeys larst year and blackpool for christmas larst year but when we got to canmbers sans it does not look that greate on the out side b ut when we got in are 2 bedroom apment clasic it was niciley cleaned the beds wear all made and it was just the right stander for whoat i would exspet on holiday as its just a place to sleep and wash in the shop is quite a resuble price for a holiday shop the parks are grate all my kids love them the bluecoats are all good at whoat thery do and my 3 year olid loves party time seeing all the carters and evevn my 6 ounths olid was boogeing away we all had a great 4 nights away and we weant back 31 juliy 2009 and had 4 nights of good fun and plan to come back in october

2 readers found this review helpful

We spent last at Pontis Camber sands after reading review I thought what have I done
But a holiday is what you make of it I spent 300 on 4 night in the classic 1 bedroom for 4 of us
The accomdation is very clean apart from a little mould in the shower
nothing to worry about the linen was white and clean ( every one was moaning about the sofa beds take a blow up matress)and where we were was very quiet apart from kids playing football during the day which my children joined in.
Elecrticty was cheap we managed to get through about 2.50 for the 5 days, kitchen was fully equiped and clean
My son was very bored not much for a 16 year old to do had go home anyway to collect exam results.
the book of vouchers came in handy 3for2 on beer and VK etc and we bought the Zens and flo cups refills were only 69p for pepsi
we partipated in a few activties ballet school and family tresure hunt etc they were fun
PGL activties were brillant the go-karting was 2.50 ago.
The swimming pool was packed well organised the life guards were very strict no splashing and diving, my kid didn't like the pool much they said it was a bit cold
The sercuity was very strict yes but the man was doing his job my 13 daughter wanted to nip to the shop but they would'nt let her out, but i suppose its for her own safety but the kids could wander around the camp at there own leasure the arcade , crazy golf,
Entertainment those blue coats are brillant they do a incrediable job the blue coat show was amazing, quizzes bingo,
we didn't eat on the camp it looked over priced there is cafes on the seafront that are reasonable priced. The supermarket is expensive we went to Hastings for the day bus every hour outside the camp and stocked up in Iceland
The girls and i had a lovely time it was clean and quiet apart from the seagulls. its not for the over 14's but a a cheap family holiday its all right

3 readers found this review helpful

Like everyone else - we read the reviews before we went but decided we would be positive and try and make the most of it. We were appalled!
1. Whole entertainment complex is run down and dated. Dirty and depressing. Needs knocking down and rebuilding.
2. No evening entertainment to speak of - the blue coats try their best but it is very low budget entertainment - quizzes, bingo, competitions.
3. Chalets!! Don't even go there! Filthy, dated - I am so glad we did not have to cook in there! The sofa 'bed' was just so uncomfortable - we slept on the floor instead!
4. Amusement arcade - open most of the day to encourage you to spend your hard earned cash.
5. Kids entertainment - okay if you want to spend extra on PGL activities - otherwise the soft play area is a joke so are the slides into the pool. The only thing the kids really wanted to watch - the Scooby Doo show - was cancelled.
6. Restaurant - like a run down school canteen - breakfast was okay but evening meals were a bit of 'pot luck'.
Overall - don't go there! We had a very cheap 'Sun Holiday deal' - I feel very sorry for people who paid full price! We will not be going to Pontin's again!

5 readers found this review helpful

myself ,partner and 14yr old son ,returned yesterday a day early from so called holiday camp,a experience i will never forget (not in a good way).
after driving 3hrs and 30mins ,we finally reach our destination ,with what one can only describe as shock and horror!!!
if the drive was shorter we would of drove round and gone straight back out the gate.
the buildings can only be discribed as something from times past (1950s)and the smell in the room was muskey,the bedsheets that we paid for were clean but the rest of the room was not (dirty window sills and windows so dirty u could barely see through them).
after putting our bags down and without unpacking we decided to give it ago and look round,it was about 8.30pm when we arrived ,which was such a blessing,glad it wasnt 8.30am.
the restarant was closed at 8.30 so we queued for a burger,the staff were somewhat slow and gave you the impression they did not want to be there ,(i somewhat felt for them,prob on min wage and not treated too good.)overpriced and overcooked burger.
anyway lucky for us we went back to our room early to watch a film ,just like being at home(but without the comforts).next day thought this will be better as joe pasquale was too entertain us tonight ,we went too the beach which was lovely,well just before the sandstorm started (which i cant blame on pontins)we had a really lovely meal in the pub near the beach and then headed back to see good ole joe.
i asked the barstaff what time he would be performing and he said it was thursday just gone,GREAT!!!! website showed he was performing sat 29th,LIARS.
we then decided too have a few drinks too numb the pain!!! which was really expensive,went to bed got up at 7.30am and ran out of the place as fast as are little legs would take us a day early!!!!,read this and be warned ,wish we had read reviews.i will be writing a letter to pontins,but prob put there complaints all in 1 bag never too be read,why would they when idiots like us go and make them a fortune.(very large bag).