Pontins Southport, Merseyside, England
Hotel Information
Hotel Description:
Southport Beach offers breath-taking views of the coastline, while Ainsdale Beach has recently been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Award. The Centre itself offers everything you need for a fun-packed family holiday, with a host of entertainment and activities for all ages. There's no end of games and supervised activities for the kids to enjoy, they can even learn circus skills! loading...
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Pontins Southport Reviews
" Another pontins complaint "
Submitted By: jane Llew
Just returned from Pontins in Southport after a friday to monday stay. Within 30 mins of arriving and after looking at the impressive looking menu i was about to order when the menu was taken off me and was told that as they were expecting 4 thousand visitors that weekend and the kitchen would not be able to cope so they replaced the menu with a typed up peice of paper with only 4 main meals to pick from for the whole weekend which were more expensive than what was on the original menu - i felt as though i was just being ripped off so when i complained to the catering manager she just kept saying it was going to be busy was very stroppy and didnt want to listen to me and just talked over me and i got nowhere. Our chalet was very cold as the windows and doors didnt seem to fit their frames and the sofa bed we had to sleep on was broken and dipped at one end. It was a very cold and uncomfortable stay. I have tried to complain to pontins online but they have told me i have to write a letter of complaint. This is the first and last time i will every be going to a Pontins site!
- Date of Holiday:Oct 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" What a let down "
Submitted By: 58829008
What a let down the pontins resort was in southport. I wanted a cheap break for the half term holidays so was prepared to go anywhere. I booked the holiday through the sun paper so wasn't expecting 4* ritz. We were ment to stay for 4 days but only lasted the 1 night and we only stayed for that night because it was too far to travel home. The apartment wasn't suitable for my dog to sleep in so i wasn't prepared for my 2 young children to sleep there, there were people hanging round outside the room and swearing till all hours so god knows what it would have been like to stay the full week. So all in all i'm very disappointed!!!!!!!
Advice: Never
Activities: we travelled to chester zoo and the kids loved it
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Oct 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" BIGGG let down. "
Submitted By: wadsleyowl
We stayed at Pontins Southport through Sun Holidays and wow what a let down. No wonder there are no photos online of this Pontins. It was a dump, the carpet in the room was minging (not a word I usually use) very mucky and thread bare and the pool looked like it had never been touched since it was built. The showers in the pool were freezing (I mean freezing not just cold) the first day and the staff didn't seem to know why. The sofa bed in the room was managable but my hubby hardly slept as his side was so lumpy.
To be honest the decorating in the room was basic but clean, looked like it had been painted recently so can't moan to much about that but did look as if the door had took a hammering at some point and luckily we had quite a mild weekend for october so wasn't too cold. The entertainment also wasn't too bad, although only went one night we did enjoy it as did the kids. The staff seemed to be really good it just seems a shame they have to work with such crap equipment etc, they must be soooo embarresed when people come to visit them at work.
Southport itself is lovely and a visit to Crosby beach is recommended to view Anthony Gormleys Another Place (the statues on the beach). All in all avoid Pontins but the rest of the area is great (we even went to Blackpool for the lights and enjoyed it more)!!!
To be honest the decorating in the room was basic but clean, looked like it had been painted recently so can't moan to much about that but did look as if the door had took a hammering at some point and luckily we had quite a mild weekend for october so wasn't too cold. The entertainment also wasn't too bad, although only went one night we did enjoy it as did the kids. The staff seemed to be really good it just seems a shame they have to work with such crap equipment etc, they must be soooo embarresed when people come to visit them at work.
Southport itself is lovely and a visit to Crosby beach is recommended to view Anthony Gormleys Another Place (the statues on the beach). All in all avoid Pontins but the rest of the area is great (we even went to Blackpool for the lights and enjoyed it more)!!!
Advice: Merseyside great, Pontins not.
Activities: Pizza Express in Southport was lovely, staff v friendly
- Date of Holiday:Oct 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Fantastic childrens entertainment. "
Submitted By: coolhandjoe
Having read the reviews on Pontins before our first holliday in 2004, we where a little concerned.
However, these concerns were ill-founded.
We have four young children who really enjoyed themselves with captain croc and the gang.
The Blue coats are outstanding and the entertainment is excellent.
In particular Mr Stix the magician, my children love him.
We even hired him for a birthday party which was fantastic!
The accomadation is the only let down but its bareable for a short break and at the price we paid it was worth it.
Southport has loads to offer for a family holiday, explore and enjoy.
We go to Pontins two or three times a year and recomend it!
However, these concerns were ill-founded.
We have four young children who really enjoyed themselves with captain croc and the gang.
The Blue coats are outstanding and the entertainment is excellent.
In particular Mr Stix the magician, my children love him.
We even hired him for a birthday party which was fantastic!
The accomadation is the only let down but its bareable for a short break and at the price we paid it was worth it.
Southport has loads to offer for a family holiday, explore and enjoy.
We go to Pontins two or three times a year and recomend it!
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" great holiday "
Submitted By: kirstyb20
Me and amy familiy go to pontins southport every year and have been doin since i was young we was there in july and we always enjoys ourselfs.
The bluecoats make everyone feel really welcome and do a fab job even though they are very poorly paid.
There are a few diffent options for eating out etc fish and chip shop , burger bar and queen vic restrant there is a arcade wich as in most places can be expensive theres a kids play area that i must say is a bit smelly to be honest
We have never had any problems with the chalets they have always been clean the sheets are always brilliant white as are the towles you get you basic needs met such as tv, fridge freezer and cooker i will be honest the floors are a little faded but that is only to be expeceted to the amount of people that use them evey year.
The swimming pool area has a good sized pool but it is freezing.
When we go there it always has good entertanment on the bluecoat shows are great there was also a amazing take that tribute band !!!
Parents need not worry about there childrens saftey as there is a good security system and they are very safe.
theres a park and football pitch there.
The only problem we have had this year is that there are a lot of angry teenagers that are just out for trouble as a young member of my family got attacked just for looking at a boy but staff were on the scene asap and the family who caused all the trouble were removed from the holiday camp but this is the 1st year we have had this problem.
The food from the queen vic even though you have to wait a while to get it its really nioce when you do and the kids meals are really good value.
If you are reading this now i would defently recomend booking pontins southport for a fun family holiday.
We were told by staff that its being knocked down and rebuilt but not as pontins as it has been bought out by centreparcs im gutted HOPE THEY KEEP THE SAME KIND OF THEME GOING
The bluecoats make everyone feel really welcome and do a fab job even though they are very poorly paid.
There are a few diffent options for eating out etc fish and chip shop , burger bar and queen vic restrant there is a arcade wich as in most places can be expensive theres a kids play area that i must say is a bit smelly to be honest
We have never had any problems with the chalets they have always been clean the sheets are always brilliant white as are the towles you get you basic needs met such as tv, fridge freezer and cooker i will be honest the floors are a little faded but that is only to be expeceted to the amount of people that use them evey year.
The swimming pool area has a good sized pool but it is freezing.
When we go there it always has good entertanment on the bluecoat shows are great there was also a amazing take that tribute band !!!
Parents need not worry about there childrens saftey as there is a good security system and they are very safe.
theres a park and football pitch there.
The only problem we have had this year is that there are a lot of angry teenagers that are just out for trouble as a young member of my family got attacked just for looking at a boy but staff were on the scene asap and the family who caused all the trouble were removed from the holiday camp but this is the 1st year we have had this problem.
The food from the queen vic even though you have to wait a while to get it its really nioce when you do and the kids meals are really good value.
If you are reading this now i would defently recomend booking pontins southport for a fun family holiday.
We were told by staff that its being knocked down and rebuilt but not as pontins as it has been bought out by centreparcs im gutted HOPE THEY KEEP THE SAME KIND OF THEME GOING
Advice: Carnt really say as we dont leave the holiday camp we only leave to go on the beach
Activities: beach
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Nightmare carers break "
Submitted By: poppett3
We were due to stay for four nights from 14th September 2009 as a carers break awarded to me by the Princess Royal Trust for carers. We struggled to get the petrol money and spending cash together, but managed and broke the long journey with a night in a Travelodge for £19 on the way south. Arrived at 4pm and were on the road home again by 5.30pm.
The accommodation was foul, door had been kicked in, windows opened and heating on to disguise the smell of urine from the bed settee mattress. The beds had been made up but the linen none too clean, and there were bottom marks on them where folks had been sitting down. On complaining the attitude was that the break had not been paid for but gifted to PRTC by Pontin`s therfore no refund would be available to us and no assistance was offered finding alternative accommodation. We had planned the break to visit relatives and had only intended to sleep on site, but couldn`t even do that, so left some very disappointed friends behind. OH was so angry with being conned by the brochure and the staff attitude he drove all the way home to the highlands, making himself quite ill in the process. He has had cancer surgery and this was our first holiday in seven years and we wanted to make the most of it as it will be our last in this lifetime.
Public facilities were so awful they couldn`t be used for flooding and excrement. There were breakfast meals still on tables at 4.30pm. The environmental health have been informed of the conditions there.
The accommodation was foul, door had been kicked in, windows opened and heating on to disguise the smell of urine from the bed settee mattress. The beds had been made up but the linen none too clean, and there were bottom marks on them where folks had been sitting down. On complaining the attitude was that the break had not been paid for but gifted to PRTC by Pontin`s therfore no refund would be available to us and no assistance was offered finding alternative accommodation. We had planned the break to visit relatives and had only intended to sleep on site, but couldn`t even do that, so left some very disappointed friends behind. OH was so angry with being conned by the brochure and the staff attitude he drove all the way home to the highlands, making himself quite ill in the process. He has had cancer surgery and this was our first holiday in seven years and we wanted to make the most of it as it will be our last in this lifetime.
Public facilities were so awful they couldn`t be used for flooding and excrement. There were breakfast meals still on tables at 4.30pm. The environmental health have been informed of the conditions there.
Advice: Merseyside is a friendly area with lots to do if you can avoid Pontin`s at Southport
Activities: Not there long enough to see much, but have fond memories of Southport and Liverpool from my youth
- Date of Holiday:Sep 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" NEVER AGAIN "
Submitted By: narthen
Having waited all the summer hols to have our short break at Pontins our children (and myself) were extremely excited to be going on our short break.......We arrived to be met with what looked like a prison camp. I decided not to judge as I expected basic accommadation and thought that it was just a tired holiday camp.
We got our keys and went to our room. Oh My Goodness. I nearly cried...It was filthy with black mould growing up the walls the carpet was so dirty that you stuck to it..the kitchen and bathroom should be condemned and the smell..well All I can describe it as is really bad B.O mixed with very stale cig smell and ground in dirt oh and stale booze for good measure. It was a heavy smell which made my lungs hurt on each breath. The sofa bed was shocking dirty and stinky my dog wouldnt have slept on it it was so bad!
we obviously complained and was given 2 other sets of keys, the next room more or less the same but the top of the sofa bed was missing so there was no where to sit! The other room hadn't been cleaned since the last occupants!
I couldnt bring myself to prepare food there and I was so concerned about my kids touching things and I wouldnt let them sit on the floor (hard when you have a 2yr old!)Needless to say we left early with dissapointed children and a great need to have a bubble bath!!
These room should be reported to the health inspector they are not fit for human habitation.
On the other hand the staff were lovely how they can work in such conditions I do not know
Please please dont go there if you are a reasonable person, with reasonable cleanliness.
We got our keys and went to our room. Oh My Goodness. I nearly cried...It was filthy with black mould growing up the walls the carpet was so dirty that you stuck to it..the kitchen and bathroom should be condemned and the smell..well All I can describe it as is really bad B.O mixed with very stale cig smell and ground in dirt oh and stale booze for good measure. It was a heavy smell which made my lungs hurt on each breath. The sofa bed was shocking dirty and stinky my dog wouldnt have slept on it it was so bad!
we obviously complained and was given 2 other sets of keys, the next room more or less the same but the top of the sofa bed was missing so there was no where to sit! The other room hadn't been cleaned since the last occupants!
I couldnt bring myself to prepare food there and I was so concerned about my kids touching things and I wouldnt let them sit on the floor (hard when you have a 2yr old!)Needless to say we left early with dissapointed children and a great need to have a bubble bath!!
These room should be reported to the health inspector they are not fit for human habitation.
On the other hand the staff were lovely how they can work in such conditions I do not know
Please please dont go there if you are a reasonable person, with reasonable cleanliness.
- Date of Holiday:Sep 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" What a dump "
Submitted By: beverleyt
The "Classic" chalet is no more than a basic with linen. The wallpaper had big holes in it, the sofa was grubby and I had to share the sofa bed with my daughter as my mattress nearly touched the floor when I got in to bed and I arent a porker! The shower is like what you have at the swimming baths where you have to keep pressing the button when it turns off and speaking of swimming pools, it was disgusting with greeneys floating around in it!
In the Queen Victoria pub which is the only place that has a sit down place to eat I ordered a vegetable curry and they brought me chicken without even telling me (I'm veggie). I took it back and they said they had no veggie curry so I asked for a veggie chilli, they had none of that so I asked for a veggie lasasagne to which they told me would be 5 minutes. I waited 20 minutes, by this time my daughter and partner had finished eating, then asked for a refund only to be told I couldnt have one as there was no money in the till. I asked them to take it out of the bar till and was told they couldnt and had to go back tomorrow. I then asked to see the manager who gave us a refund in Pontins Pounds.
Everything is expensive too. The good points though are the entertainment was good and the beach was right outside and it is a lovely beach. Southport seems nice too as we went to eat out there on the first night at Mama Mias which was very nice.
In the Queen Victoria pub which is the only place that has a sit down place to eat I ordered a vegetable curry and they brought me chicken without even telling me (I'm veggie). I took it back and they said they had no veggie curry so I asked for a veggie chilli, they had none of that so I asked for a veggie lasasagne to which they told me would be 5 minutes. I waited 20 minutes, by this time my daughter and partner had finished eating, then asked for a refund only to be told I couldnt have one as there was no money in the till. I asked them to take it out of the bar till and was told they couldnt and had to go back tomorrow. I then asked to see the manager who gave us a refund in Pontins Pounds.
Everything is expensive too. The good points though are the entertainment was good and the beach was right outside and it is a lovely beach. Southport seems nice too as we went to eat out there on the first night at Mama Mias which was very nice.
Advice: Don't Go!
Activities: Mama Mias and the beach were the highlight
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" loved the holiday "
Submitted By: leeann rathbone
i have just returned from a weeks break with my partner amd 3 chidren we all loved the holiday , befor we went wr read the reviwes and it made me feel ill but we would loose our money if we cancelled . we traveled by coach fromm birminghan sraight to pontins southport , when we arrived the gate staff were very pleasent and welcoming YESis does look like it need a good lick of paint but thats all . we went to main reception to collecy=t our keys they were very welcoming explaing everythink to us . we stopped in a budget appartment we were upstairs and the view was lovely u vould see the sea from the living room window . there was no mould ane the carpet was clean all i was very pleased i loved southport town and liverpool everyone on site were lovely to us we had no trouble from anyone ,]. one night captin cods messed up our chip shop order so they gaveus our money back and a free meal and extras we will be goin back next year and me and my partner are on about returning for wa weekend break on our own . they are knocking sone of the chalets down soon and rebuilding some of the site up to meet the new age i think this will bre lovley . please don be put of by all the negative reviews im not posh but im not lower class either just go and see for your self :}
Advice: liverpool city is lovely and southport
Activities:
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Horrible "
Submitted By: bigstew
After waiting 12years for a family holiday we were really looking forward to this week away especially our 3children. On arrival our hearts sank first impression was looked like a prison camp paint pealing from buildings dingy looking grounds. We had 2hours to wait for booking in which they did in entertainment lounge checking in was late due to them playing bingo first. When we got the key we had to find our own way to appartment Staff not very helpful and looked miserable and fed up. A few hours in our appartment we noticed water leaking from fridge had to go look for someone to sort it out as reception had alresdy closed and appartment has no phone. We had fish and chips from captain cods which were over priced and inedible. Next day there,it was raining so decided to go swimming the changing rooms too small as was lockers also saw razor blade on floor the pool is small cold and no big slides that the children were expecting, only stayed in pool for 15mins couldn't take any more. We went to have something to eat in the Queen vic wished we hadn't I had Lasagnia which was horrible and left it my son had sausage chips and beans should have got 3 sausages but only got2 the others had burgers which were luke warm. Entertainment lounges were smelly and dirty that we didn't fancy sitting and watching any shows.
So all in all hated it never want to go back we were booked for a week stayed 2 nights so pleased to get back home. We were informed when getting key that they had been bought out by Centerparcs so we got the impression they no longer care about the site as is going to be pulled down in 3years.
So all in all hated it never want to go back we were booked for a week stayed 2 nights so pleased to get back home. We were informed when getting key that they had been bought out by Centerparcs so we got the impression they no longer care about the site as is going to be pulled down in 3years.
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Happy "
Submitted By: tomimorgan
We found nothing at all wrong with our holiday at Pontins,Southport.The chalet was a bit past it sell by date but it was clean and had everything we needed.The shop was amply stocked .prices a little steep but you expect it at these places.Our grandsons enjoyed themeselves in the swimming pool and especially the crazy golf. We loved seeing all the rabbits in the morning. We had a nice time in Southport and travelling the local countryside.We found every member of staff we dealt with polite and helpful,and we would go back there with no worries in the future.
Advice: Love Merseyside
Activities: Places of interest locally
Good for: Beach City Breaks
- Date of Holiday:Jun 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" pontins is good "
Submitted By: oldham1961
2 football teams went to pontins for three day tournement,from oldham. we were dreading going because of all the bad reviews about pontings. we was pleasently suprised, the accomidation was very clean shower very good and the food at the queen vic very good, the people who worked there were very helpfull to,we will all be going back next may bank-holiday. come on write some good reviews and give credit were its due
- Date of Holiday:May 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Experience never to be repeated "
Submitted By: 36
Booked a 3 night break through the Sun newspaper. We have always had at least one holiday a year this way and never had any problems.
Had read some terrible reviews before we went but wanted to keep an open mind. Upon arrival the site looks like a prison camp but thought the chalet itself would probably be fine. Got keys to chalet no problem which was a good start. We arrived at our first floor chalet. When we opened the door the smell was horrendous (thankfully I had taken air fresheners). The carpet was so filthy I have no idea what colour it should originally have been. There was food still on the cooker, hairs in the bath and sink and bedding. Yuk, it was awful. The children went to play on the grassed area outside of the chalet (under Dad's supervision) whilst I got to cleaning the chalet. There were about 30 children and 28 footballs (nobody seemed to play together). Within 30 minutes of our arrival a window on one of the downstairs chalets had been smashed. I did think about coming straight home but the children had so looked forward to coming.
After lots of cleaning we got ready to go out to the club. There again you find your school dinner chairs so even there you cannot find a comfortable place to sit. The entertainment was OK but nothing like the quality we had seen in other holiday camps. We returned to our chalet at around 9.30pm (the way back was not very well lit) and the noise was horrendous. There were still lots of unsupervised children playing and lots of people in other blocks shouting and screaming. This continued well into the night.
The following morning (after not very much sleep) we got up and decided to venture to the swimming pool. Again this was filthy and the water freezing. There are no communal changing rooms so if going together as a family make sure you pack your seperate bags.
We decided to go and watch the pirate show in the afternoon with our 2 boys (age 4 and 6). When we arrived in the club it was in darkness with loud music. The stage had been set for the show and suddenly from behind the stage ran 2 blue coats dressed up as pirates (where's the problem I hear you cry) with scary masks on. One of them preceded to run right up to my youngest and shout in his face. This terrified my boys so we left. This is suppose to be a family show!!
On the positive side the crazy golf was free and the beach was lovely but just glad the weather was nice and we were able to get off the camp.
Never again. Pontins you really disappointed us!!
Had read some terrible reviews before we went but wanted to keep an open mind. Upon arrival the site looks like a prison camp but thought the chalet itself would probably be fine. Got keys to chalet no problem which was a good start. We arrived at our first floor chalet. When we opened the door the smell was horrendous (thankfully I had taken air fresheners). The carpet was so filthy I have no idea what colour it should originally have been. There was food still on the cooker, hairs in the bath and sink and bedding. Yuk, it was awful. The children went to play on the grassed area outside of the chalet (under Dad's supervision) whilst I got to cleaning the chalet. There were about 30 children and 28 footballs (nobody seemed to play together). Within 30 minutes of our arrival a window on one of the downstairs chalets had been smashed. I did think about coming straight home but the children had so looked forward to coming.
After lots of cleaning we got ready to go out to the club. There again you find your school dinner chairs so even there you cannot find a comfortable place to sit. The entertainment was OK but nothing like the quality we had seen in other holiday camps. We returned to our chalet at around 9.30pm (the way back was not very well lit) and the noise was horrendous. There were still lots of unsupervised children playing and lots of people in other blocks shouting and screaming. This continued well into the night.
The following morning (after not very much sleep) we got up and decided to venture to the swimming pool. Again this was filthy and the water freezing. There are no communal changing rooms so if going together as a family make sure you pack your seperate bags.
We decided to go and watch the pirate show in the afternoon with our 2 boys (age 4 and 6). When we arrived in the club it was in darkness with loud music. The stage had been set for the show and suddenly from behind the stage ran 2 blue coats dressed up as pirates (where's the problem I hear you cry) with scary masks on. One of them preceded to run right up to my youngest and shout in his face. This terrified my boys so we left. This is suppose to be a family show!!
On the positive side the crazy golf was free and the beach was lovely but just glad the weather was nice and we were able to get off the camp.
Never again. Pontins you really disappointed us!!
Advice: Southport and Ainsdale beach are lovely
Activities:
- Date of Holiday:Apr 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Weekend from Hell "
Submitted By: izzy-claire
We recently returned from our weekend from hell, as a family of 5 we joined my son's football team on a much anticipated tour to Southport. While Southport itself is lovely and the football tournament was enjoyed by all 46 of us including the 13 pre teens, 3 teenagers and 7 younger children, all I can say is how can Pontins advertise itself as a holiday centre? My first impressions of the holiday camp were poor, however I thought perhaps I was being a little pretentious and snobby! The camp is surrounded by a dirty, high concrete wall topped with a lovely roll of barbed wire (I later discovered this was not to keep people out, but clearly to keep them in). Our room was extremely basic, however it was filthy, mouldy, smelly, damp and with a carpet that you stuck to when you walked in. I only removed my timberlands to get into bed and that was only because my husband was complaining that I was giving him bruised shins wearing them in bed. However to be fair I can not really complain as our room was "the ritz" compared to others in our party. We went for a meal on camp the first night, I am fussy with my food and ordered a curry as I decided you can not really get that too wrong. Well let me tell you, if there are any rodents, cats or dogs missing in the Southport area, I may know where they are!!! It was rancid and I took one mouthful and spat it into the nearest tissue. I removed the food off my daughter and took her to the very expensive onsite shop and purchased lots of prepared processed foods such as crisps and biscuits (which are usually limited). On our first night we returned to our room to discover a group of six older teenagers kicking the door in. I reported this to security and after being ignored by one security guard (not sure if he spoke English) I eventually found one who told me to go back to my room (I was a lone female, hubby still in room with kids) and wait for security. When they eventually appeared the two guys were lovely and offered to swap rooms as there was no way we could stay there with no door. We were forced to carry all our luggage along with small child 4 boys in the rain around the holiday camp looking for spare room. The second room was in a slightly worse condition than the first but again better than other rooms in our party. Then the fun really starts, large groups of teenage boys with no supervision (parents / guardians / coaches / team managers too busy getting drunk in rooms or club) were left to run amok causing havoc and mayhem unsupervised. My five year old daughter was so scared she nearly hyperventilated, they were swearing, screaming, banging/kicking on doors/windows, smashing glass, urinating, fighting, jumping off balconies, damaging cars. I work with young people and have never ever felt so intimidated. There was also no way to contact security unless you took your life in your hands and left your room and walked to the security hut at the entrance to the camp. I can honestly say i got home absolutely shattered as it was impossible to sleep before 5.30am and we had to be at tournament venue for 8.30am. There were no Pontins staff about apart from in the club, and I saw staff in the shop selling big bottles of cider and cheap alcohol to youngsters clearly underage. The facilities in the room are basic but to be honest I was not too bothered as we like to eat out when we are away, however the beds were appalling, filthy mattresses and the double bed is a sofa-bed come instrument of torture. Imagine a semi inflated air bed containing iron bars and springs. Our daughter was so scared she had to sleep with her dad and I and we were terrified we were going to suffocate her as the bed sunk in the middle making it impossible not to roll on her. She only managed to get any sleep through sheer exhaustion as the continuos rioting outside terrified her. I was convinced someone was going to put our window through and padded behind our windows out so that if it happened no glass could fall on the children. The Pool was filthy, the go carts badly supervised and the arcades over priced, over populated and full of violent teenagers wanting a rumble. If it was not for the group of people we were with and the fact we all shared transport we would have turned around and left after the break in incident. Please do not book to go on holiday here if you have a young family and reasonable standards the entertainment is poor the club house filthy and over priced. However Southport itself is lovely and I would return there in a heartbeat, however will be booking into a well know chain of hotels next time.
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:May 2009
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Sports Tours
" Easter Error!!! "
Submitted By: Health Hazard
Just returned from Pontin’s Southport, a day early as we couldn’t stand the place any longer! The only reason we stayed that long was because of our little girl who had counted down this ‘holiday’ for 10 weeks before. We had booked it through The Sun holidays as a short Easter break…BIG MISTAKE. We booked Budget accommodation from Easter Monday for 4 nights.
First Impressions – Like so many other reviewers…it is akin to a prison camp. The barbed wire and concrete fencing tells you all you need to know.
Entertainment Complex – If you like horrid carpets (there’s a theme here) and blue school chairs, then this is the place for you. The place stinks too. Can’t comment on the quality of entertainment as we didn’t see any shows.
Check In – This took place in the entertainment complex and it was quick and painless. The cynic in me thinks they planned this to coincide with the bar opening times!
Go Karts – Fancy pitting your driving skills against your family. Well don’t bother as there are only 2 working go karts. You’ll be queuing for a while!
Swimming Pool – Bizarrely UPSTAIRS in one of the buildings. Took one look during our tour of the site which was enough to convince us to go swimming elsewhere.
Accommodation – I could write a whole article on just this alone. Briefly, these were our experiences: The carpet was so filthy that no amount of vacuum cleaning would improve its appearance. There were so many rips and stains all over it. Shoes were a must at all times. We’ve returned and washed our slippers and shoes!
The bed settee mattress was that bad that we decided to push the 2 single beds together and squeeze into bed with our daughter. After sleeping, we took the duvet off the bed to use as a ‘throw’ over the bed settee so we didn’t have to sit on it.
The walls had missing paper from where the bunk beds used to be. The curtains in the bedroom also had large areas of mould on them…nice.
The shower, when the water was eventually warm, was like those in public baths where you press a button and it sprays water for 20 seconds.
On the outside, the paint is peeling off the wooden window frames and the ‘apartment’ looks so uninviting.
In Conclusion – As you can imagine, we didn’t spend much time at Pontin’s. We spent as little time there as possible. We had a good time visiting Southport, Blackpool and Dunes Water World. Pontin’s has serious issues and the Environmental Health officers at Sefton council should have a good look at this place. In fact I’m convinced that inmates detained at Her Majesty’s pleasure enjoy superior facilities than those we experienced. Regardless of how much is paid, there are certain standards and expectations which should be upheld and if what we witnessed was their BEST then this is very worrying indeed. We have holidayed all around the UK at Center Parcs, Butlins, Haven and other caravan sites, all of which bare no comparison to this place! Needless to say, we won’t be returning to this or any other Pontin’s camp.
First Impressions – Like so many other reviewers…it is akin to a prison camp. The barbed wire and concrete fencing tells you all you need to know.
Entertainment Complex – If you like horrid carpets (there’s a theme here) and blue school chairs, then this is the place for you. The place stinks too. Can’t comment on the quality of entertainment as we didn’t see any shows.
Check In – This took place in the entertainment complex and it was quick and painless. The cynic in me thinks they planned this to coincide with the bar opening times!
Go Karts – Fancy pitting your driving skills against your family. Well don’t bother as there are only 2 working go karts. You’ll be queuing for a while!
Swimming Pool – Bizarrely UPSTAIRS in one of the buildings. Took one look during our tour of the site which was enough to convince us to go swimming elsewhere.
Accommodation – I could write a whole article on just this alone. Briefly, these were our experiences: The carpet was so filthy that no amount of vacuum cleaning would improve its appearance. There were so many rips and stains all over it. Shoes were a must at all times. We’ve returned and washed our slippers and shoes!
The bed settee mattress was that bad that we decided to push the 2 single beds together and squeeze into bed with our daughter. After sleeping, we took the duvet off the bed to use as a ‘throw’ over the bed settee so we didn’t have to sit on it.
The walls had missing paper from where the bunk beds used to be. The curtains in the bedroom also had large areas of mould on them…nice.
The shower, when the water was eventually warm, was like those in public baths where you press a button and it sprays water for 20 seconds.
On the outside, the paint is peeling off the wooden window frames and the ‘apartment’ looks so uninviting.
In Conclusion – As you can imagine, we didn’t spend much time at Pontin’s. We spent as little time there as possible. We had a good time visiting Southport, Blackpool and Dunes Water World. Pontin’s has serious issues and the Environmental Health officers at Sefton council should have a good look at this place. In fact I’m convinced that inmates detained at Her Majesty’s pleasure enjoy superior facilities than those we experienced. Regardless of how much is paid, there are certain standards and expectations which should be upheld and if what we witnessed was their BEST then this is very worrying indeed. We have holidayed all around the UK at Center Parcs, Butlins, Haven and other caravan sites, all of which bare no comparison to this place! Needless to say, we won’t be returning to this or any other Pontin’s camp.
- Date of Holiday:Apr 2009
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
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