Pontins Camber Sands

1 reader found this review helpful

This holliday was the most lucrative break any one could want, it gave me satisfaction and happieness, it ment a lot for the children, they loved it. The accomendation was comfortable, the entertainment was out of this world the blue coats can half dance and the singing was great. I certainly would go back.

1 reader found this review helpful

The place is a dump and needs to be completely gutted and started again!! Staff were not very friendly and made no effort to make us feel welcome, almost like they were doing us the favour by being there. Apartment stank and the double bed was unsleepable, thankfully we had two spare mattresses to use.
The beach was lovely, properly the only good thing about the holiday. We will never be returning to Pontins again!!!!!

3 readers found this review helpful

I went to Pontins many years ago and I was expecting the same or better. I was shocked at the run down state, when we checked in at the main hall the first thing that hit me was the smell of old damp carpets. So I thought lets get into out chalets and hope its better! An effort had been made with the wooden look flooring which is better than carpet as it can at least be washed down?! The bathroom/toilet, the mould in the shower was absolutely yukky, it would only take a small amount of refurb to put that right, have to say the shower worked. The toilet seat was new but the flushing system was broken and soon corrected. The basin was cracked and the plug hole made me feel sick.The beds were too short and not at all comfortable.We were half board and the food was basic, breakfast was too greasy! Not enough staff to clean the tables.
Entertainment staff worked hard, but could they have some new uniforms as they were splitting at the seams (not a good look)My Granddaughter had a great time, thankfully, as it was the first time I had taken her away.If it hadn't been for my Granddaughter being with us,on her only holiday this year, I would have gone home. Sorry can never go there again, its down to you, do something about it,refurbishing the whole place is where you can start or perhaps the main buildings are just too old and need to be knocked down and start all over again.

Please do not waste your time in going there. It is a complete shambles. Went in April and the place is just rotton, dirty, old, rundown. Did not stay to unpack as the accomodation was terrible. Stained carpets, cheap plastic stack-up chairs. Sofa-bed dirty and very worn. I had upgraded to Classic so was expecting a bit of comfort. Nothing at all like the video they show on their web-site. I only booked holiday because I had seen web-site and they promised all accomodation is like home from home and they show you this beautiful apartment. Well that is not Pontins Camber Sands. I am still waiting now for a full refund of my money. They have paid some back but not all of it. It is now over 4 months and whenever I ring to speak to managers they are never available and never return my calls.
Will certainly not be going to Pontins ever again.

I read the reviews just before arriving and thought it cant really be that bad. To my shock everything was true the classic accomadation was filthy i have seen cleaner carpets in a pub.The curtains were hanging off and covered in mould, the matresses were black with dirt as was the duvets. The shower and bathroom had not been cleaned for years and the total cutlery provided was three cups one breakafast bowl and no drinking glasses. The entertainment area was just as bad every thing you touched was sticky and the whole place dark and outdated.Furniture in the clubs was plastic school chairs and dirty tables and the carpets were rank , i dread to think what the toddlers crawling around on the floor were catching. There was even live electric wires hanging out of the sockets where any one of the chilkdren could have touched.
In the canteen it was dimly lit propbably to hide the dirt and cockroaches that live their, their was food all over the floor and every table was dirty and with most of the meals left without barely touching it.
After seeing all this ther was no way i was going to allow my family to sleep in any of the so called acomadation ( ithink even my dog would have turned his nose up) and i decided to check back out after three hours there even though i paid £380 and spent another £100 on traveling.
Beleive the reviews the place is a as bad as they all say.

4 readers found this review helpful

Ok the appartments are basic yes but firstly there is too much to do to spend much time in it anyway and secondly whilst speaking to staff we were told that there are many improvements underway at other pontins sites and they will soon be at Camber sands too.
On arrival we checked into budget and found we had some missing cutlery,pots and pans and the toilet handle was very loose,i politely explained these minor issues and that we had paid a lot of money and they immediately went to see if they could upgrade us to club accomodation free,that was full so we were offered a lovely big classic again no extra charge,in the end the only reason i didn't take it was because it was a long way from the main function rooms so they sorted everything out quickly and we stayed in budget,they are so helpful and we had everything we needed,the rooms were very clean.
We had so much to do that we were not bored for a minute,the bluecoats work so hard and go out of their way to be friendly and entertaining,they are so good with the children,i have a very shy 6 year old and they made so much time for her to make her happy and encourage her to join in which she did.
Pontins are going all out to provide entertainment and it is working! We had shows on,competitions for young and old,so many free activities and a few games you pay a little for like bingo for kids or cinnie racing etc.
The bluecoats are constantly arranging games where all the family can get involved,fun contests and sports,karaoke,free bouncy castle,it was non stop fun.
The kids can have breakfast with captain croc for £5 each,it is a full cooked breakfast and they get a gift too,they also had a party time with character florence for £3 each,cake,fruit a drink and a 2 hour party which is just brilliant.
So all day you have things to do and in the evening it really gets going,with two entertainment rooms each hosting cabaret acts and discos it really is great.
Upstairs is where the younger children will find fun with bluecoats and characters before it goes to cabaret time and sometimes competitions then disco time until late, adult guests can choose to play bingo if they wish.
There were visits from scooy doo,the rainbow show,ABBA and MJ tributes were fantastic and in the afternoon they even had a teadance for older guests.
Downstairs is great for adults and teens,the acts are more mature in theme as are the competitions and then the disco goes on until late.
The queen vic is adult only from 6pm onwards giving the child free people some space to enjoy a drink in a complete adult environment,during the day kids are welcome for all the quizzes and games they have in there and the atmosphere is good and friendly.
The cafe was good quality food at good prices,an all you can eat breakfast with drink for £5.95 for example,the whistlestop is also very nice,it is a fast food KFC style place,you can have chicken,burgers,fries etc and it is good value,a kids meal is £2.75 and all food outlets cater to vegetarians well,most of my family are and we never went without.
Just outside the camp there is a noodle bar,lovely chinese takeaway there and honestly the best chip shop i have ever eaten from and the shops are well stocked too,we took a lot of our own food but anything extra we needed was easy to get.
The pool was good,very clean and they have a shallow one for babies and toddlers,the play areas outside are safe and well kept and the indoor play area is clean,organized and has lots to do.
After 7 days we really did not want to leave so we enquired about an extension,bear in mind we were a party of 9 so we had two appartments and we paid just £70 for two extra nights,that is £35 per appartment,excellent value!
In the future there are plans to make the downstairs function room bigger and move the pub to the front of the camp where it will then be open to the public along with a bookies and an arcade,they do have an arcade already and if you are sensible about gambling it is fun,the kids won prizes from the grabber machines and i won cash in the over 18's section.
We completely threw ourselves into the place,we joined in with everything we could and that is what i advise because i promise if you let go and get involved you will have so much fun here,the whole family joined in with everything and were hugely encouraged by the bluecoats to do so,not once did i feel silly for getting my face painted,dancing like crazy to the party time songs that the bluecoats come out and do with you or running around playing silly games with the kids.
I honestly cannot praise this place enough,give it a try,it has improved greatly and this is our 5th visit so i have seen it over the years and it is really getting better than ever now.
Also there is a lovely beach just across the road,we didn't visit because we have been to it several times this year already but i highly recommend it.
All in all Pontins is on the up,it is fun filled,entertaining,staff are helpful and it was a wonderful 9 days,i am still unpacking but wanted to write this review just to get it out there that avoiding pontins is a big mistake!
If you have a problem politely explain and they will resolve it,go there,relax,have fun and get into the place,if i could afford it i would go back next week!

1 reader found this review helpful

DO NOT be put off by moaners ! We go every year to treat our 2 granddaughters, they love it there ! We went again this year 4th time, for a midweek break, accommodation - Classic, was adequate and clean, therefore cannot comment on Budget. Food - Breakfast ok, evenings ate out elsewhere, entertainment as per our granddaughters during the day and evening was excellent, lots to do. The beach is a short walk away and one of the best around. Staff - friendly, bluecoats know their job, and performed it well ! This cost us less than £25 each per day !!! NO it is not the Dubai 7-star and never was meant to be, it is was it is - Pontins. Did notice that many people moaned whilst there but our impression was they came to moan ? Will go again ... If you go there to enjoy yourself - you will ...

5 readers found this review helpful

went to camber sands 12th august with whole family all 19 of us, upon entering the camp it was like driving through a rough council estate, we knew then what we were letting ourselves into. The accommodation was awful with mildew throughout, the silicon in the shower tray, tried to clean it but to no avail. The rooms were damp and we were greeted one morning by an ugly looking slug on the kitchen floor. The beds were rock hard and the sofa bed was dirty and very uncomfortable. We stayed 2 nights couldn't bear to stay for the 3 nights that we paid for and both the nights domestic fights broke out.
This place is only fit for people who are used to living in those conditions and believe me there were a lot of families like that. Those that go on the jeremy kyle show!! The entertainment was nice and really the bluecoats work very hard.
Pontins management knock the place down and start again, it is a very depressing place.

3 readers found this review helpful

at arrival i had to que up as if in school waitng for you dinner. i was handed our welcome pack from rude staff. no hello enjoy your stay and explanation as to whereabot we will find the chalet, i had to figure this out with two small children. after about 30min looking we eventualy found it. dirty and smelly. curtains are mouldy, doorframes coverd in dirt. bath has dirt rings around it etc. concidering we are a party of five i was supplied with four chairs, 2plates, 2cups,and two bowls also two of each of the cutlery. gon to complain and all i get is rude staff. the chil;drens play area was dirty and smell of damp, mini golf well lets just say itr hardly existed. the outdoor play areas were coverd in cigarette buds etc. when some eventualy brought us more cutlery and crockery it still was not enough for five, i told the attending staff and the reply was its not my problem. fortanuely we had some of our own stuff as we had a picknick lunch earlier that day so made do with what we had. booked swimming lesson for my four year old which was due to start at 7pm got there and water walkers was on instead, asked the staff about the lesson and they rudely answered that it was at six pm. told them that the program said 7 and when i booked her on for the lesson at the leisure zone the staff there assured me it was at 7pm when i wanted to confirm times. I had more than enough of the dirt, rude and abruptness of the staff that i packed up and left a day earlier.

Camber has a lovely beach and will return to it any time. However i would even reccomend pontins to my worst enemy.

1 reader found this review helpful

I cannot comment on the other resort within the Pontins chain, but I expect them to be the same. I went with realistic expectations and believe in 'you get what you pay for' and lets face it Pontins like butlins is cheap and cheerful. But the problem with pontins Camber Sands is not the accomodation, even though the chalets are very basic and has been repainted and been repaired beyond reason, nor is it the staff, who all appeared friendly and willing to help. It is the clientele. If you want a holiday where the majority of the people you share your holiday with will abandon their children whilst they get drunk and then scream and swear at their kids, then this is the holiday for you. The brochure does not paint a true picture of camber sands, but then I doubt many people would book, if it showed grubby chalets, litter everywhere, people walking around with beer cans and kids running feral everywhere. Do not have any expectations of this place, because if you have you will be very disappointed. Overall if it was not for the staff there I would rate this holiday 0/10. Only book if you are conducting a social experiment in to how the poor families of britain behave when on holiday. My guess its pretty much the same as when they are home. Pay the extra and go to Butlins.