Reviews of Pontins Southport, Merseyside, England

After reading some of the horror...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs K Forrester

Comments:

After reading some of the horror stories on review sites, we very nearly cancelled our holiday. We arrived at the site full of dread(scary security guards, filthy park, no facilities). However we were pleasantly surprised! the staff are very friendly, the park is clean and tidy and their Queen Victoria pub serves good pub food - prices reasonable too.

if i was to complain it would have to be about the chalet. Although we had been concerned about the cleanliness before arriving, there was no need to worry as it was more than acceptable for the money. My problem was the furniture. There was 7 in our group and there was only 1 bed settee to sit on. Also the seating at the table consisted of 6(not 7) hard plastic chairs, just like school. So there was a lot of swapping of seats as only 2 people could sit down comfartably at any one time. we stayed for 4 days and boy did my bones know about it when i got home!!!!

All in all Pontins was no where near as bad as i expected.

Park clean

Facilities good

Prices of food and drink Reasonable

Staff/bluecoats Amazing

Entertainments Very good

the bluecoats work tirelessly all day and night and deserve medals- WELL DONE.

HAVE TO SAY NEARLY DIDNT GO...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs L Hopper

Comments:

HAVE TO SAY NEARLY DIDNT GO AFTER READING SOME OF THE COMMENTS ON THIS SITE WE HAVE JUST GOT BACK FROM A LONG BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND ME AND MY HUBBY TOOK OUR TWO GRANDCHILDREN AGED 6 AND 5 AND STAYED IN BUDGET ACCOMADATION AND I HAD ARMED MYSELF WITH EVERY CLEANING PRODUCT AVAILABLE BUT WHAT A SURPRISE THE CHALET WAS NICE AND CLEAN THE KITCHEN AREA BEING IMMACULATE YES THERS WERE A FEW MINOR THINGS WRONG THE PAINT WAS SCUFFED THE HOOK ON THE BACK OF THE DOOR FELL OFF THE TOILET SEAT SLID TO THE LEFT BUT NOTHING MAJOR . WE ATE IN THE QUEEN VIC WHICH WAS VERY NICE WE HAD A FAMILY MEGA MEAL AT THE ON SITE BURGER PLACE FOR £9.99 THE KIDS LOVED THE ENTERTAINMENT CAPTAIN CROC AND THE GANG WITH PARTY DANCES ETC THE ADULTS ENTERTAINMENT WAS FINE I HAVE SEEN MUCH WORSE . TAKE A SHORT WALK TO THE BEACH AND A LONG WALK TO THE SEA AND THE KIDS PLAYED FOR HOURS IN THE SANDDUNES SOUTHPORT ITSELF WAS SMASHING WITH LOTS TO DO IN THE PARK AT THE FAIR AND PLENTY OF SHOPS OVERALL A FAB WEEKEND YES PARTS OF PONTINS COULD DO WITH A BIT TLC BUT WE HAD A GREAT TIME.

A rundown of what I think about...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr G Parr

Comments:

A rundown of what I think about Pontin's Southport.



In my experiences there (I've lost count of how many times I've stayed!), the accommodation hasn't been that bad. I've stayed in far worse hotels / B&Bs. I'm amazed that some of the reviewers here can even survive in the real world!



I've had the odd issue (faulty kettle, e.t.c.) but it has always been dealt with promptly. Perhaps if fellow guests could be a bit more responsible and not go out of their way to trash the place... but Pontin's seems to attract... well, I'll be frank... scum, especially on the really cheap weeks (Sun offers are a prime example). If the camp were in perfect condition, it wouldn't be after a couple of nights with some of the people I've seen staying there. I bet they couldn't even plant some nice new trees without some unruly brat with parents getting sloshed 24/7 from kicking them down. I guess you could blame the site for having 3 bars, and not encouraging responsible drinking (they actually advertise alco-pops by the pint, and beer is much better value in a 4 pint jug, what do they expect - polite level headed guests all sober as a judge?!)



The Bluecoat shows at night weren't really my cup of tea, but they passed the time, and I guess any live entertainment is better than nothing at all (well, not always, but this wasn't bad, just not what I'm used to. I prefer live bands, rock music, e.t.c.)

I hear the Bluecoats are great for kids but can't comment on that aspect, as I don't have any!



The on-site food / drink is acceptably priced, and of reasonable quality. The fried chicken outlet is no more expensive than any high-street chain version (a chicken wrap, drink and fries was just over £4, no worse than KFC), and was surprisingly nice, although I didn't try any portions or reformed junk (uuggh... nuggets), I stuck to fillet based stuff. Pub meals also reasonably priced. The on-site chippy isn't worth bothering with though, to be quite honest I had a meal there and it was completely over greasy, to the point when I threw 90% of it away - and I never leave a clean plate if I can help it. Note to chippy staff : thick chips should not be transparent.



Staff were fine, security staff on at night seemed to keep things in order, and seemed cheerful with the guests - professional but welcoming, not intimidating. Bluecoats also seemed fine but they are more for the 'kids' than myself. The arcade area was fine, although it really could use a thorough clean. Put it this way, if you dropped something on the carpet, I think the carpet would eat it. Otherwise fine. A dodgy smell but maybe that was me?



** Useful advice for anyone considering it :



Southport is a lovely town, with an excellent range of shops (Chapel Street, and especially the famous Lord Street), and a huge array of food and drink on offer, including a Wetherspoons and a Lloyds No1. If you don't fancy the onsite pub, give them a shot! Also the usual McDonalds, KFC, Subway, Pizza Hut, Frankie & Benny's, plenty of fish and chip shops and even upmarket restaurants. If you don't mind walking the 5>10 minutes into Ainsdale for the train, Southport is a £1.95 return (as of April 2008) for adults, which is well worth it.



Ainsdale Village just down the road is a lovely picturesque village (at least as far as I walked into it!). Plenty of small family-run type businesses, paper shops, a supermarket (Somerfield), some more pubs, a Toby Carvery (it's been recommended but I didn't get a chance to try it!) and a nice safe, upmarket feel to the area.



There is a world outside Pontin's, and if you do as I do (use Pontin's as a base camp - a place to grab breakfast before heading out, then return to so you can wind down at night, and sleep), making sure to make the most of the local area during the day, you can't really go wrong.



If you intend to stay on camp 24/7 when there is so much to do in the local area, then more fool you, you deserve to notice small stains on the carpet and bits of dust for confining yourself to what is basically a shoebox by-the-sea.



There you have it, I think the site is 'generally good, not perfect and definate room for improvement, but NEVER worthy of 1/10'. People who compare the site to prison camps e.t.c. need to stand back and take a look at themselves.



Just someone PLEASE give the site a lick of paint, and generally 'modernise' it. Paint would be a good start, inside and out. Just generally tart it up a bit, so it doesn't look run down, otherwise guests will assume you just don't care about them, or the business.

FRIENDLY STAFF CHALET NOT TO BAD...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2007

Tour Operator:

pontins

Submitted By:

Mr S J NICHOLS

Comments:

FRIENDLY STAFF CHALET NOT TO BAD IN BUDGET CLUB NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY PLENTY TO DO BAR PRICES NOT TO BAD FOOD NOT BAD THE SERVICE ABIT SLOW IN THE SLOW FOOD SORRY FAST FOOD OUTLETS ABOUT 30 TO 60 MINS WAIT ENTERTAINMENT GOOD SITE NEEDS ABIT OF PAINT IN PLACES BUT STILL GOING NEXT YEAR LIKE THE PAST 8 OR 9 YEARS AN ALL AROUND CHEAP HOLIDAY U PAY FOR WONT U GET ITS NOT BUTLINS BUT STILL GOOD AT MORE WHEN HALF THE PRICE BETTER PRESTATYN

FRIENDLY STAFF CHALET NOT TO BAD...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2007

Tour Operator:

pontins

Submitted By:

Mr S J NICHOLS

Comments:

FRIENDLY STAFF CHALET NOT TO BAD IN BUDGET CLUB NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY PLENTY TO DO BAR PRICES NOT TO BAD FOOD NOT BAD THE SERVICE ABIT SLOW IN THE SLOW FOOD SORRY FAST FOOD OUTLETS ABOUT 30 TO 60 MINS WAIT ENTERTAINMENT GOOD SITE NEEDS ABIT OF PAINT IN PLACES BUT STILL GOING NEXT YEAR LIKE THE PAST 8 OR 9 YEARS AN ALL AROUND CHEAP HOLIDAY U PAY FOR WONT U GET ITS NOT BUTLINS BUT STILL GOOD AT MORE WHEN HALF THE PRICE

My husband myself and two...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs Dyke

Comments:

My husband myself and two friends have just returned from your camp at Southport. Before going I went on to your web site and read reports of people who had already been. |I went away with mixed feelings and expecting the worst. When we arrived we were greeted with a smile and directed with courtesy to where we had to book in. We were dealt with almost immediately and shown were our chalet was. The chalet was bigger than expected and spotlessly clean. The staff in the bars and restaurants were polite and friendly and the tables were bieng cleaned constantly. Although we did not eat in the restaurants the food we saw served up looked excellent.

Thank you Pontins for a very enjoyable weeks holiday.

The holiday was booked in the name of Mrs Shaw and we are all going to your camp at Prestatyn in October "Can't wait"

We have returned from a very...

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked IndependentlyFootball Tourament - Sports Tours

Submitted By:

Mrs S Moores

Comments:

We have returned from a very enjoyable weekend at Pontins, OK the Classic Chalet accommodation wasn't great but it was liveable.



The Queen Vic served excellent food and reasonably priced.



All in all had a good weekend.



Next time would upgrade to a Club Chalet.



Don't be put off with what you read, it's what you make of it that counts!

we stayed at southport pontins...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independentlydirect with pontins

Submitted By:

Mr Jwn Thomas

Comments:

we stayed at southport pontins in march 08 bank hols when we got their it started electric meter was not working even though it had been checked ????? we decided to have fish and chips from the on site chippy the wait was nearly 1 hour and their was only 10 or so people in front of me. then we had to scrub bathroom and kitchen areas befor use as they were FILTHY, at night was the best we hqad to wedge a towell in the window to try and stop the draft (freezing) like the food . during the day not much to do (boring for the kids) on the sunday night we had burger and chicken and chips from the fast food place what a mistake that was the food took for ever when it arrived it was cold and the chicken pieces were as hard as stone so i complained and they replaced the only thing was made my wife and son viontly sick ill which completly ruined our last night. so i made a formal complaint and to this day i have not heard anything back i have tried to contact a lady called susanne collier to no avail, so what am i to do now.

all i can say is this has been the worst weekend i and my family have had.

FINAL THOUGHT

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A LONG W/E OR ENGLISH HOLIDAY PLEASE PLEASE AVOID PONTINS AS I CAN ONLY ASSUME THEY ARE ALL THE SAME

NO CUSTOMER RELATIONS

NO STANDARD OF ACCOMADATION (ZERO STAR)

NO HEALTH OR HYGIENE KNOWLEDGE

NO ADDEQUATE TRAINING FOR STAFF IN IN ALL THE ABOVE AREAS



AFTER ALL THIS I WILL STILL TRY TO GET HOLD OF SOMEBODY TO EXPLAIN WHY IT IS SO BAD.

Spent one night at Pontins and...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Room Only

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Miss N H Sharp

Comments:

Spent one night at Pontins and that was to long. Discusting and filthy not fit for the fleas that were on the carpets or the beatles that ran from under the beds. The beds were dirty and damp.

Food also discusting. Wouldn't feed it to the local dogs.

I have given Pontins an overall rating of one but really this is to good. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone and never want to see it again. It needs knocking down.

We upgraded before we arrived to...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

Sun Newspaper offer

Submitted By:

Mrs D Beemish

Comments:

We upgraded before we arrived to the TOP OF THE RANGE!!!! what a disaster of a place.Met at the gate by a security guard that must of thought he was directing prisoners, abrupt and lacking in any manners or personality just plain rude, good start.The camp itself well it looks like a prison camp so uninviting .The apartment so freshly painted it really smelt, paint over the T.V ,had difficultly opening the curtains as the paint was on the curtain tracks. The floor was stained and dirty, the kitchen was dirty, big bits of toast in the toaster,bin was filthy,oven greasey and dirty,kettle disgusting (had to change it),cutlery and plates ,well sugar and coffee stuck to cups ,forks and spoons all needed soaked.Bathroom YUK!!.Can only assume they employ blind people or they think and except the Holiday makers will want to clean everything (that is what we did) .

We arrived at the weekend, as did lots of loud, older woman and men celebrating 40th birthdays,stag nights and other parties.Security guards were plenty (a feel of prison again) some woman said they were searching people for drink - nice!,we didn`t stay long.

About 2 o`clock that`s when the disco finished and the noise began,screaming,shouting,banging of doors---not a place for a family or anybody who wants a proper holiday.STAY AWAY DON`T RISK IT ,IT WILL HAVE TO BE KNOCKED DOWN BEFORE IT GETS ANY BETTER

We a great time at pontins in...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr T McFarlane

Comments:

We a great time at pontins in Ainsdale/Southport. We paid very little considering the cost of hotels these days, we had a great weekend there in room 601 and couldn’t fault it. Spotless, lovely kitchen, clean beds, good shower, central heating and a TV.

The breakfasts were top notch, ie the full english. The burger bar on a night was very

popular and tasty. They put plenty of night time entertainment for your family and even

put match of the day on a large screen for everyone in the bar, prices are average too £2-50/pint. All the smokers have to go outside now which is great.

The facilities are great and the swiming pools are fantastic too.

We will definately be going back soon. cheers Tony.

Very disappointed. The camp at...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independentlyon line .internet

Submitted By:

Mrs B.A RAGAN

Comments:

Very disappointed. The camp at Southport was old and tired. My grandson aged 12 loved the climbing tower, but after that there was nothing for him to do. We played one game of bingo one evening, the prize money was £77 and Pontins kept £65 participation fee, which I found very excessive. We were given some free vouchers to spend on the site, but when we went to spend them at the shop we were told they could only be redeemed in the bar, nothing at all was printed to this effect on the vouchers. After 6pm no manager could be found on the site. Needless to say we will not be returning to pontins.

We arrived for a friends...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr G Wheeler

Comments:

We arrived for a friends birthday weekend on Sat the 29th March, they had arrived a day earlier. OH MY GOD, alarm bells rang at the gate, met by a security gaurd with body odour, none of the staff knew what was hapening about the booking however after a couple of phone calls to our friend we got in. By the way unless you are on 3 network you will find it hard to get a mobile phone signal. We met our friends in the smelly cold and damp concert room to watch the Man Utd match after which we went to the room we were sharing, well the paint was peeling off the single glazed front windows, no smoke alarm, basic and poorly maintained furniture, a tiny bath, if you had been on a package holiday abroad you would have asked to be moved however unless you pay a lot more and upgrade all rooms are the same, we were only there to have a few beers and celebrate our friends birthday so off to the bar to get some food only to be told service finished at 8pm and the alternative was the fast food bars in the complex, with all the children the noise in the games room was deafening and there were kids running everywhere, security gaurds walked round in two. I had had enough we got our overnight bag from the room and drove back home to Manchester got a takeaway and had a few tins at home. My advice, for the price of this awful place book a package holiday abroad.

been going to pontins now for 35...

Overall Rating:

3/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr P Dyer

Comments:

been going to pontins now for 35 years on and off and just came back

it needs updating like now

Just arrived back from an easter...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr L Alanos

Comments:

Just arrived back from an easter weekend break booked by my partner. She had not read any reviews and was really excited but I didn't have the heart to let her know what I had read.



Went with my partner and 2 young children... 6 & 3.



Booked into budget accommodation as it was just really meant to be a cheap weekend away.



Arrived @ about 4.30 on the Friday afternoon and checked in nice and quickly. Good directions to the room and parked on the big car park for the small walk to the room. Walked through the door and was met by a room matching the very worst comments on here. The carpet was horribly horribly dirty. The cleanest part was probably where the door mat used to be until it was moved a couple of years ago. The sofa bed was ripped, the fridge was dirty and smelly and the kids beds were also ripped. The room had not been cleaned since it was last used... crumbs everywhere and the windows were also filthy and the rubber was falling out of the window. Couldn't stop in there so went to complain. Was offered a move to another room by the helpful information/check in team. We went to check if the new room was any better.



Got into the room and was relieved that at least the floor was clean. The room was not perfect, the windows were still very dirty, the door had big gaps all around it and did not have a catch.. you had to lock it to keep it closed. The kids beds were ripped a bit, the sofa bed creaked and kind of looked like a mountain from the sides.. it was a lot higher in the middle than the ends. Still at least the floor and fridge were clean. It did not have a carpet but some hard floor tiles which must be easier to keep clean. the bathroom had its lino coming away from the side and curling up a bit and the toilet seat was broken on 1 side but liveable. Oh.. and the curtains did not quite cover all of the window with a gap of a few inches down one side.



We decided that we would stay in this room after enquiring about upgrading rooms and being told that it would double the price of the holiday.



On the first night we eat at the downtown diner.. we weren't too hungry and so some fast food was sufficient. After queuing for about 20 minutes(well there were 7 people in front of us) we got our food and it wasn't too bad... things were looking up.



We then went into lunars and caught the end of the resident magician Mr Stix. My son loves magic and was happy that he was back on on Sunday night and so could catch his show. After a couple of party dances we then went to catch captain croc and his buddies in the fun factory. There were no seats left in there but we stood at the back and watched Chuckes, Croc and Florence do their dances. To be fair the kids really enjoy things like this and so had a good time. We then sent some time in the arcade.. found a couple of machines that weren't broke and then retired to our beds. The kids slept well and we did the best that we could in a creaky sofa bed. There was some noise from the neighbours but you get that anywhere when people are on holiday so cannot complain about that.



On the Saturday we went to the fun factory about 10 ish and the kids joined in some of the games and dances with the blue coats and Chuckles also made an appearance. Then we decided to go for a swim. The pool is ok.. basic and could possibly do with a coat of paint but generally ok. The kids enjoyed the slides and the small pool. The changing rooms and lockers however leave a lot to be desired. The lockers are not in the tiny changing rooms but outside and so when you come in and shower you have to either leave your stuff on the wet floor or keep going back and forward to the lockers to get your stuff. There is a lack of cubicles... queuing for 15 mins getting cold and then they are too small if you have to get your kids changed too.



Saturday night was "pub tea night" at the Queen Vic. We walked in and there were no empty clean tables. There were quite a few tables with plates/glasses etc on them so we picked one of the cleaner ones and moved the dirty things to the nearest table. We then cleaned the table and waited 20 mins to get served @ the bar. Then it was time to order the food. The guy taking orders was obviously new and did not have a clue what he was doing. This delayed the process and also quite a few people did not get their drinks with the kids meal. Oh well at least he had had great pleasure in announcing that there was only a 20 min wait for food... I think that he did not realise that this was his doing as it took 20 mins to order and so the kitchen were always waiting for the orders to come through. While waiting we saw a few meals go back as they were wrong. When ours came we had a chicken dinner for our youngest. It was one of the cheap £2.99 meals and so we were suprised that she was served with the biggest portion. She had 2 chicken breasts, chips (different on a chicken dinner I Know but could not be bothered to question) and veg. The dirty plates were still on the next table when we left after moving them an hour earlier.



Saturday night in the fun factory again to see the same show as Friday with Chuckles and Croc out dancing again. Another trip around the arcade, dodging a couple of fights and back to bed.



Sunday morning was a trip again to the fun factory for the hunt for Safari Sam. This was one of the highlights of the holiday for my son who enjoyed following the clues and seeing Safari Sam thrown in the pool.



After lunch back to the fun factory for the panto... Cinderella. I am not sure if this was the first weekend for the panto as the sound was dodgy at times and the guys forgot their lines a bit but all in all a good show. A little bizarre having Annie songs and high school musical songs in Cinderella but each to their own.



Then night time was "chippy" tea. This was probably the worst food that we had there. The portions were tiny and the quality was poor. The curry sauce was like water and the chips were hard.



Night time saw a trip back to see magician Mr Stix. Mr Stix is a disabled guy who does make a few jokes about this but also jokes about double ended Ann Summers paint brushes to year old girls, does jokes about paedophiles and other completely non suitable material. My son soon got bored and out came his psp. Then a trip to the fun factory for a different show... some illusionists who weren't bad.



That was then the end of the holiday as we came home on Sunday night. I feel that I achieved something by lasting that long!!.



It dis not help that the weather was freezing all weekend. As a result every place that we went to was cold... all of the venues, and the pool but this would not be a problem in warmer weather. It was too cold to play outside for long which meant that everybody was inside which made it all look busier. The outside play area was reasonable apart from the big drop off the end of the slide which all of the kids fell off.



Overall the kids loved it... and that was the reason for going. Luckily for them they dont have to worry about the filthy place or the noise, or the uncomfortable beds or the noise or the gaps around the doors or the tiny changing rooms or the wobbly chairs. The blue coats do a good job trying to entertain.



Wont be returning, wanted to leave Friday but stopped for the kids. I appreciate that you get what you pay for in this life but it cannot cost much to pay a few more cleaners to clear the place.