Pontins Camber Sands, East Sussex, England
Hotel Information
Hotel Description:
Camber Sands offers an abundance of fun-packed games, quizzes and sports to enjoy each and every day. So, whilst the kids take part in exciting activities you're free to take a dip in the indoor heated pool or relax in one of the Centre's lively bars. loading...
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Pontins Camber Sands Reviews
" great fun had by all "
Submitted By: smartc81
Wow just thought i should write a note to say what a fab holiday i had this feb half term. We always visit Camber as its a friendly place and a lovely beach, although not used at this time of year, its always good to have a look round. We had a great time we checked in on arrival and got into our apartment which had free electric which was good as it was freezing!!! We quickly went to the main building to see if our fav Bluecoats were still there and yes Carl and Jigs were still here yes, the kids were very happy!!!We then spent our free Pontins Pounds in the restaurant on some very nice hot meals...We had a great first night Emma G's party time always amuses me typical northern humour great fun...Missing the place already so have booked up for their 48 hour party weekend all the blues will be there stil and a great party cannot wait once again thanks to Carl for a great weekend and thanks to Pontins good luck with the refurb...
- Date of Holiday:Feb 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Holiday From Hell "
Submitted By: les_fullwood@o2.co.uk
Where can I start...the best part of the holiday was getting in the car and driving away. As soon as we opened the door to our accomodation we encountered an over powering smell of mould and damp. Condensation was dripping off the window on to the beds. The carpet was dirty and stained, something like a tramps drop in centre. The walls were stained and damp. The kitchen was basic. The bathroom was unusable, in fact even if I was pissed out of my mind and needed my stomach pumping, I would avoid it like the plague. The place was so dirty I had to clean it myself.
We put the heating on, left the accomodation and hoped to return to a warm, cosy appartment. We headed to the restaurant where the food was not fit for a pig! The suasages looked as though they had been cooked under an atomic bomb! The chilli con carne was in lumps of congealed meat. Needless to say we went to bed hungry. The only thing worth consuming was the bottle of win sitting in our fridge! I brought my own bedding but this was soaked by the dripping water from the window. We could only stay one day before giving up and going to the Premier Travel Inn which was heaven in comparison.
The only saving grace was that we got this so called holiday for £38 through the sun newspaper. I would have been very upset if I had paid full price for this prison sentence.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT GO THERE!!!
We put the heating on, left the accomodation and hoped to return to a warm, cosy appartment. We headed to the restaurant where the food was not fit for a pig! The suasages looked as though they had been cooked under an atomic bomb! The chilli con carne was in lumps of congealed meat. Needless to say we went to bed hungry. The only thing worth consuming was the bottle of win sitting in our fridge! I brought my own bedding but this was soaked by the dripping water from the window. We could only stay one day before giving up and going to the Premier Travel Inn which was heaven in comparison.
The only saving grace was that we got this so called holiday for £38 through the sun newspaper. I would have been very upset if I had paid full price for this prison sentence.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT GO THERE!!!
Advice: It is very nice
Activities: Anything outside of Pontins
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Feb 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Back Breaking Bed! "
Submitted By: Gasser
Mum, Dad and two teenagers on a half term break - a recipe for disaster? No! Wifey does not like caravans so a Pontins chalet was chosen. Check-in was long queues but moving quickly, a key and map with a smile and we were off. The chalets do look old (cos they are) they are also basic but from our experience clean and reasonable accomodation. Electricity is paid for by cards and not too pricey, the windows modern UPVC so no draughts and the electric heaters worked well. Some bad bits; condensation on all inside windows did not clear and the water heater needs a long time to heat enough for a decent bath. (Showers would be cheaper to run and use less water!) TOP MARKS for the security staff, always nice, happy and helpful. More top marks for general services; two extra pillows please? delivered same day. Can we have a second key? (teenagers want independance!) no hassle & no charge. The water heater element failed; the engineer fixed it same day, at a time convenient to us and put extra money in the electric meter! Minor whinge - evening entertainment sometimes started at 22:30 - a bit late? MAJOR WHINE! - the fold-out sofa bed was so uncomfortable that we slept on the floor!!! To summarise; definitely cheap 'n' cheerful, a no-frills family holiday that I would recommend for the budget-conscious!
Advice: Fantastic beach, lovely countryside, quiet but also a bit remote.
Activities: Rye is a lovely historic town.
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Feb 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Awful "
Submitted By: arowe
We have just arrived back two days early from that hell hole [ camber sands ] don't go we had the club room we are so dissapointed. If you paid me £500 to go i would refuse.
Warning Warning Warning Warning Warning Warning Warning warning Warning Warning Warning
Don't Go
Warning Warning Warning Warning Warning Warning Warning warning Warning Warning Warning
Don't Go
Advice: Rye was lovely
Activities:
- Date of Holiday:Feb 2009
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Room for Improvement "
Submitted By: sarahpvine
Ok, well after reading all the reviews I braced myself when we arrived. The reception was empty so I checked in without any problems and was given a map of where to find the chalet. It was about 17.30 so quite dark, there is lighting around the chalets, but if they were too bright you would not be able to sleep - so it was ample for what it was needed for. But we found it with no problems. Opened the door and then had to locate the electric meter - which was in the kitchen cupboard, but had I have read the paper work I would have known this. The room seemed to be clean enough although very cold - but it is winter! There were a couple of electric heaters on the wall, one with a melted button, but heyho at least there was some form of heating. So off we went to the entertainment block to get food etc. Again I didn't know what to expect, the kids (3 & 4) had a roast which was pretty good actually! t#Then we went to see the Bluecoats. They were very good. The bars themselves were very dirty and smelt of stale beer and old cigarettes. THey needed a good clean and a lot of TLC. But quite good entertainment. So back to our room - the electric had ran out so I had to put some more tokens in. The kids room was quite cosy and quite clean actually. The sofa bed was awful, it was covered in dust and just disgusting, but I had come prepared with my own linen etc so just covered it up. (it was broken too). We left the heating off through the night and it was FREEZING - I COULDNT MOVE MY TOES AND MY NOSE WAS FROZEN!! In the morning when you could see the room properly, it was, well, exactly as the reviews had stated - dirty and need of a good clean, the toilet (although clean) was broken and the lino lifting off the floor. The front door did not close properly and it smelled dank and dreary. They were not small though. All in all I would not go back, I prefer Haven Holidays but for £94.00 for 3 nights for 4 what do you expect?? You get what you pay for! My advice - the entertainment is Fab and take a dyson - you will be fine!!
- Date of Holiday:Feb 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" I love it here!! "
Submitted By: Nukins
I absoulutley loved it. The bluecoats were awesome I liked bluecoat Nikki and James and of course jinkly.
I would reccomend Pontins do not pay attention to the others!
The rooms are clean and tidy and there is everything you need to cook.
Do not go to Butlins.
Love the characters Chuckles and Zena!
The near by shop Nissa is on the site and has cheap prices!!
I would reccomend Pontins do not pay attention to the others!
The rooms are clean and tidy and there is everything you need to cook.
Do not go to Butlins.
Love the characters Chuckles and Zena!
The near by shop Nissa is on the site and has cheap prices!!
Advice: Lovely!
Activities:
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Wasnt the Best "
Submitted By: Mark_Shep_1988
Well i Can Totally Understand why some people are really Givin this place some serious S**T.
But to me a holiday is what you make it, and yea i agree that the Rooms werent exactly what i and im sure alot of people were expecting, but if u let that get on your tits that much then your bound to think that everything else is as rubbish as the accomidation.
The Accomidation was poor for me and was extremely cold at first, and them stupid plastic chairs were a joke. and the kitchen was a mess as you didnt even get a toaster or a microwave. The shower was discusting but had no choice but to use it. But the Bedding was good enough, was clean and comfortable! The Television they provided was good enough as yo had a vareity of programmes to choose from!
But as far as the entertainment went i think i was great for kids and adults, Some of the Blue Coats really did put on a great show, and the kids were allways involved! tBlue Coats were always happy and enthuastic, music was good and so were the game they got the children involved in, and when it got to a certain time they stopped playing games and put on music that the adults can enjoy and dance to and if the children are stil awake can have a dance with there family, i know the children did with mine! The Amusements were great fun for the kids and knew they were safe because there was security on every door! The swimming pool was nice and clean and had at least 4 lifeguards so your children were always watched and safe!
The Food i thought was by far not great didnt eat in the resturant once as i got warned not to, but probly shld have tried it for myself! One night i went to get a pizza but saw the selection and thought better of it, Meat Feast i thought was meant to have quite a few selections of meat on, but this one only had 2, Strange! The chicken was not great at ll but it wasnt the worst ive tasted, same goes for the Burgers! The service was awful as at one point me and a m8 waited an hour for our food! But i lived with it and it didnt damper my Feelings about the place! If your guna moan and sulk then u have to options, dont eat or go to the supermarket thats just 10mins up the road and cook inside your Room!
The prices werent that bad, but did think that the price for beer at all bars was a bit of a joke, but what do you expect when u go 2 a place like that? if your that much of a tight A**E then again go to the supermarket and get beers there and put them in your room and have a drink before you leave to go out. simple as!
All in all i enjoyed my times at Camber Sands Pontins, ok it was far from the best but the room or prices or anything didnt get my Spirits down as me an my family made it the holiday that it could be, and we all enjoyed ourselves!
But to me a holiday is what you make it, and yea i agree that the Rooms werent exactly what i and im sure alot of people were expecting, but if u let that get on your tits that much then your bound to think that everything else is as rubbish as the accomidation.
The Accomidation was poor for me and was extremely cold at first, and them stupid plastic chairs were a joke. and the kitchen was a mess as you didnt even get a toaster or a microwave. The shower was discusting but had no choice but to use it. But the Bedding was good enough, was clean and comfortable! The Television they provided was good enough as yo had a vareity of programmes to choose from!
But as far as the entertainment went i think i was great for kids and adults, Some of the Blue Coats really did put on a great show, and the kids were allways involved! tBlue Coats were always happy and enthuastic, music was good and so were the game they got the children involved in, and when it got to a certain time they stopped playing games and put on music that the adults can enjoy and dance to and if the children are stil awake can have a dance with there family, i know the children did with mine! The Amusements were great fun for the kids and knew they were safe because there was security on every door! The swimming pool was nice and clean and had at least 4 lifeguards so your children were always watched and safe!
The Food i thought was by far not great didnt eat in the resturant once as i got warned not to, but probly shld have tried it for myself! One night i went to get a pizza but saw the selection and thought better of it, Meat Feast i thought was meant to have quite a few selections of meat on, but this one only had 2, Strange! The chicken was not great at ll but it wasnt the worst ive tasted, same goes for the Burgers! The service was awful as at one point me and a m8 waited an hour for our food! But i lived with it and it didnt damper my Feelings about the place! If your guna moan and sulk then u have to options, dont eat or go to the supermarket thats just 10mins up the road and cook inside your Room!
The prices werent that bad, but did think that the price for beer at all bars was a bit of a joke, but what do you expect when u go 2 a place like that? if your that much of a tight A**E then again go to the supermarket and get beers there and put them in your room and have a drink before you leave to go out. simple as!
All in all i enjoyed my times at Camber Sands Pontins, ok it was far from the best but the room or prices or anything didnt get my Spirits down as me an my family made it the holiday that it could be, and we all enjoyed ourselves!
Advice: Dont expect the best, But Its far the worst
Activities: The Bar
Good for: City Breaks
- Date of Holiday:Dec 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" it was ok "
Submitted By: tracynolan
after reading the reviews i thought oh no what have i done but when we got there it wasnt that bad the rooms are basic but have everything u need.the only bad thing was the electric u have to buy tokens and they run out very quick so u have to buy more.the entertaintment was good especially andy and bobby jo the bluecoats there is loads for the kids to do and we had a nice xmas there i will say try it for yourself but we enjoyed it and will go back again
Advice: very nice
Activities:
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Dec 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" wheatley family "
Submitted By: mothergoose75
we went in 1998, it appears nothing has changed, it was that bad we took a trip to the dungeness nuclear power station! and a day trip to france just to get out of there
there was a queue of 20-25 people waiting to complain every day.
complaints were made by appointment only, complaints ranged from- dirty cockroach infested rooms, bitten by fleas, food that was dry and over cooked, and had been on the hotplate for hours!
the 1 rating we have given it is very generous, left
in 1998 never to return!
pontins were reluctant to return our money in full but did so under the threat of legal action
there was a queue of 20-25 people waiting to complain every day.
complaints were made by appointment only, complaints ranged from- dirty cockroach infested rooms, bitten by fleas, food that was dry and over cooked, and had been on the hotplate for hours!
the 1 rating we have given it is very generous, left
in 1998 never to return!
pontins were reluctant to return our money in full but did so under the threat of legal action
- Date of Holiday:Apr 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Hell Hole "
Submitted By: masona1
Just got back fom our 'holiday' at Pontins Camber Sands. On arrival I left my family in the arcade in the 'entertainment centre' and headed off upstairs to the fun factory to book in and collect my keys. When i got up there i was suprised to find I had to queue up according to my surname as if i was in a school playground. When I finally got to the front (40 mins with a bluecoat announcing over the PA system that we had to pay to use electricity!), I was told by a smelly sweaty man that we had been double booked but we had been upgraded for the inconvenience and been given £5 of electricity. Great I thought! Free upgrade!
So after 20 minutes of looking at the badly drawn non-scale map we were given we finally found our upgraded 6 berth apartment. Well, if this was a damn upgrade then we must have originally been going to stay in a small hole dug in to one of the sand dunes. Seriously, how there could have been a worse chalet than our one i could not imagine. As part of our upgrade we recieved free dried vomit on the ceiling, free white stains on the sofa bed, free dirty sheets, free duvets with skidmarks on them and free broken wardrobes with sharp nails poking out (which my 18month old thought was great fun!). After settling in, we decided to explore the site. We enjoyed the car parks and the mini supermarket, and we enjoyed looking at the shed which apparently housed the swimming pool. It seemed that apart from the main 'entertainment centre' where we had booked in there was naff all to do! In the evening we ventured into one of the 2 family bars where we found the bluecoats were actually telling people that they should have gone to butlins!
The food i think deserves a section entirely of its own. There was a pizza bar which charged £9 a pizza and tasted like a teco value £1.99 jobbie, and I had to wait 30minutes for it. The burgers were ok at 1 in the morning when your tastebuds were frazzled by alcohol! The southern fried chicken was the worst chicken i have eaten anywhere in my life (and i've eaten at glastonbury!).
All in all the place was awful and no one should ever go there. let the place rot!
So after 20 minutes of looking at the badly drawn non-scale map we were given we finally found our upgraded 6 berth apartment. Well, if this was a damn upgrade then we must have originally been going to stay in a small hole dug in to one of the sand dunes. Seriously, how there could have been a worse chalet than our one i could not imagine. As part of our upgrade we recieved free dried vomit on the ceiling, free white stains on the sofa bed, free dirty sheets, free duvets with skidmarks on them and free broken wardrobes with sharp nails poking out (which my 18month old thought was great fun!). After settling in, we decided to explore the site. We enjoyed the car parks and the mini supermarket, and we enjoyed looking at the shed which apparently housed the swimming pool. It seemed that apart from the main 'entertainment centre' where we had booked in there was naff all to do! In the evening we ventured into one of the 2 family bars where we found the bluecoats were actually telling people that they should have gone to butlins!
The food i think deserves a section entirely of its own. There was a pizza bar which charged £9 a pizza and tasted like a teco value £1.99 jobbie, and I had to wait 30minutes for it. The burgers were ok at 1 in the morning when your tastebuds were frazzled by alcohol! The southern fried chicken was the worst chicken i have eaten anywhere in my life (and i've eaten at glastonbury!).
All in all the place was awful and no one should ever go there. let the place rot!
- Date of Holiday:Oct 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Great "
Submitted By: peter218
What a great time!!!! We have just arrived back from a great half term holiday and we have had the best time ever. The bluecoats were amazing especially Emma G and Carl who we still cannot believe ate the out of date beans...The halloween ball they did was great and everyone enjoyed it...The evenings were full of games and fun and the cabs were amazing...The swimming pool was also great as its free and the kids could just go in there whenever they wanted to, the lifeguards also very friendly...Everything so resonabilly priced cannot believe that even over a half term holiday you still get a voucher book filled with discounts..The accommodation really clean and could tell had just been painted and done up..checked in really quickly also and really cannot believe how good it was for what i paid..Already booked up for new year so do hope that all the blues are still there...Sending a letter to head office as i really still am thrilled with the service and holiday i recieved THANK YOU Camber..
- Date of Holiday:Oct 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" I cannot comprehend how anyone can... "
Submitted By: Mr S Fuller
I cannot comprehend how anyone can give this resort anything other than a score of 1.
My family stuck it out for around 3 hours before packing and leaving.
Wrote a complaint to Pontins (despite them publishing an out of date address for their head office in the current brochure) but are still waiting for any reply two months on.
Camber sands is quite simply the worst place imaginable.
Dirty, poorly maintained etc.
I cried with despair.
You work all year and save hard to enjoy your holiday.
The thing that really gets me is the way the images and descriptions in the brochure bear no resemblance at all to what the place is like.
I would not send my worst enemy.
Take my advice go to BUTLINS.
My family stuck it out for around 3 hours before packing and leaving.
Wrote a complaint to Pontins (despite them publishing an out of date address for their head office in the current brochure) but are still waiting for any reply two months on.
Camber sands is quite simply the worst place imaginable.
Dirty, poorly maintained etc.
I cried with despair.
You work all year and save hard to enjoy your holiday.
The thing that really gets me is the way the images and descriptions in the brochure bear no resemblance at all to what the place is like.
I would not send my worst enemy.
Take my advice go to BUTLINS.
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Pontins website
" PLEASE BELIEVE THE BAD REVEIWS, THIS... "
Submitted By: Mr D Murphy
PLEASE BELIEVE THE BAD REVEIWS, THIS PLACE IS TRULY AWFUL, DON'T WASTE YOUR HARD EARN'T MONEY BY PAYING OVER WHAT THIS PLACE IS TRULY WORTH, I WOULDN'T PAY 50p TO GO BACK TO THAT PLACE.
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO STAY AT CAMBER SANDS AS THE BEACH IS BEAUTIFUL AS IS THE COUNTRYSIDE, JUST DO NOT GO TO PONTINS CAMBER SANDS.
YES THE LINEN WAS CLEAN, THATS THE ONLY THING.
YOU'D PROBABLY BE BETTER OFF STAYING AT THE MOD CAMP NOT FAR OUT FROM PONTINS ON THE ROAD TO DYMCHURCH.
WE WILL BE GOING BACK TO CAMBER BUT TO STAY AT PARK RESORTS AS I PERSONALLY KNOW PEOPLE WHO STAY THERE ERVERY YEAR AND HAVE NO COMPLAINTS.
THANK GOD FOR THE BUSES THAT GET YOU AWAY FROM PONTINS FOR THE DAY, FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW THE BUS STOP IS JUST OUTSIDE THE CAMP, CHECK TO SEE IF THE RETURN FARE IS CHEAPER THAN BUYING THE DAY TICKET WHICH IS £5.00.
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO STAY AT CAMBER SANDS AS THE BEACH IS BEAUTIFUL AS IS THE COUNTRYSIDE, JUST DO NOT GO TO PONTINS CAMBER SANDS.
YES THE LINEN WAS CLEAN, THATS THE ONLY THING.
YOU'D PROBABLY BE BETTER OFF STAYING AT THE MOD CAMP NOT FAR OUT FROM PONTINS ON THE ROAD TO DYMCHURCH.
WE WILL BE GOING BACK TO CAMBER BUT TO STAY AT PARK RESORTS AS I PERSONALLY KNOW PEOPLE WHO STAY THERE ERVERY YEAR AND HAVE NO COMPLAINTS.
THANK GOD FOR THE BUSES THAT GET YOU AWAY FROM PONTINS FOR THE DAY, FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW THE BUS STOP IS JUST OUTSIDE THE CAMP, CHECK TO SEE IF THE RETURN FARE IS CHEAPER THAN BUYING THE DAY TICKET WHICH IS £5.00.
- Date of Holiday:Sep 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Ok Here goes this review,
Ok Here goes this review,
I really wouldnt pay much attention to the above reviews as you really have to appreciate what Camber Sands has. I appreciate that evryone has their own opinions but to describe it as a prison camp is far away from the truth.
I got my Holiday to Pontins through a deal with the MOD and booked up for a Mon - Fri at Camber Sands. I arrived and was directed to reception and was checked in quickly and given my welcome pack and made my way to my Classic Accommodation and was able to park easily. The room on arrival was extremely clean and did not smell damp or dirty. On the contrary I was apprehensive of what to expect having seen these reviews but was very pleasently surprised. The kitchen was well equiped, clean and I was able to cook meals each day and not have to rely on the Sands Restaurant which was equally clean and well equiped.
The bedding supplied was clean and recently changed and overall I had no problems with the accom. The bathroom had everything I needed and was clean and of a high standard.
During the holiday I visited the Nisa shop by the gate and it has everthing needed for self catering and not at rip off prices. The Queen Vic pub was clean and homely and very pleasant. The enterainment in the evenings was excellent and all the Lunars bar staff were happy and efficient. The Blue coats kept the evenings running smoothly and full of family entertainment which included everyone of all ages. The evening caberet was varied and of a high standard. The best Blue coats by far were Andi, Donna, Jiggly and many more. I would say the bar prices are not overly cheap so you may well decided to go to a local supermarket to stock up.
Overall I was impressed by Pontins Camber Sands and the team there, people please remeber that although it might not be as big as Butlins it has a very organised team and they are always there to run some entertainment. A holiday is just as much what you make it as what they do to make it fun and camber sands was a good holiday and I would go back again.
- Date of Holiday:Sep 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
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I will start with what i think of each aria after reading some of these revews i was a little worried of what i may encounter....
BARS- Clean and Friendly Staff Allways Ready to help.
RESTRAUNT- Tidy and Clean. Yet again staff ready to help with everything.
FOOD (RESTRAUNT)- A good selection of food tasty sanwiches for when you feel like a light snack.
FAST FOOD- Didnt really use but the staff seemed helpfull when asking questions about the center.
RECEPTION- Checking in was very easy as there wasnt any cues i just got my keys and the directions and i was off! The staff on reception look very tidy and are very helpfull and there always happy!
BLUE COATS- WOW!!!! TOP TEAM THIS YEAR GUYS!!!!! The kids absolubtley loved Calvin and his Magic tricks! And what girl wouldnot like to be friends with joe she was super and made my kids holiday for them hopefully they will be there next year...
APPARTMENTS- I have no trouble with my appartment appart from that it wasnt as close to the venues as i would have liked allthough a brisk walk to the main center never hurt anyone.
All in all the holiday was top and i would recomend it to anyone to go to pontins take some blankets if you are going in the winter and some exta money for electic.
Advice: beach at camber is beautifull
Activities: Castle pub
Good for: Beach City Breaks