Pontins Southport

Never again...chalet was ok,dated but clean,windows stuffed with paper.
As luck would have it the electric meter had £57 credit on it, so we were able to keep warm (with oven and heaters on)
As far as half board went, we only managed 2 evening meals, and a bit of brunch Sunday, queing became the norm, 1 hour and 10mins each time. No food Sunday night - ran out. The problem was the self catering people were queing at the same time. Should have been separate from the half board. Also too many people crammed into entertainment areas, not enough seating, tables etc. People on New Years Eve were queing at 7am (in pyjmas)to get a table for the evening!!! This resulted in this room not been cleaned up from the night before, chips, cartons, party poppas etc still all over the floor. Anyway I believe there was only one brush (with no bristles) to brush the floor the staff were fighting a losing battle. Not enough staff. The restuarant staff were great, tried to do the best of a bad deal, they were run of their feet, 17hr and 14hr shifts a few of them had done. Cant believe none of them had walked out....No manager
available to make complaints to (keeping a low profile) Say again never again. Thank you to Lisa, Debbie, Heather and the rest of the staff - lol

3 readers found this review helpful

We went here last new year and it was fantastic that good we booked last new year while there for this which was the worst experience of my life.We upgraded to half board when we got there we was allocated eating times ours was 845 breakfast and 615 tea so we stuck to this time we got there and ended up queuing for every meal for one and half hours to get our meal there wasnt enough seating areas that was the start of it once we had got our dinner we went in the hall and there was no tables so we sat near the door on chairs with our drinks on floor so we asked could we have a table and was told no because its a fire hazzard so near doors so we accepted it and just left drinks on floor.To be discusted when same man put table either side of us blocking the exit compleatly saying it was for an elderly lady to find out they wasnt and it was his family.That was the first night>new years eve was worst you have to queue up in morning to get a seat and not leave your seat all day otherwise u wont get one which we knew and did got at front where we wanted,to sit and watch people put tables infront of the exits blocking them completely.Then about 7ish when more people came in there was no seats so a member of staff started to put more tables on dance floor blocking the walkway and more infront of fire exits when we approached him he said he was going to move them when could knowing you cant block fire exits but never returned.People could get past to there kids that was on the what was left dance floor and the gap wasnt big enough for a pram to get through so how the hell would 4000 people get out if a fire broke out.We came home because we could see anything and was too scared of what could happen.The morning after we complained as soon as it opened to a manager to find out the member of staff that put the tables there was ther duty manager.She told us it shouldnt happen and to try the other bar so we did and 5 mins later they kicked us out saying it was closed so we had to go back into the other room as you can imagine no tables and tables where still obstructing the exits so we sat near speakers on dance floor near exits with no table but people at side of us with tables to be asked to move we told them it was worse last night how can rules be changed constantly.If managers cant abide by the laws of blocking exits and not following up complaints what can you do.The room was discusting rain coming through the bedroom window soaking the bed had to put duvet on window ledge to catch the water and place was dirty,damp and table not bog enough for 6.New years day there was sunday dinner on when we got to front of queue there was no juice with our dinner so i said what are we suppose to have with our dinner she said speak to manager and i said whats point coz they dont do anything anyway.She then came out with some and said she had some in back but was told not to put it out had to keep it for breakfast.The bars also should have been cleaned from new years eve and they where discusting.We are going to go farer with this because no amount of money is worth risking your life for and by law them fire exits cannot be blocked or obstructed.I even took pictures so they couldnt say they wasnt blocked.Never again.Oh and the swimming baths was discusting and freezing

2 readers found this review helpful

well just returned from here what a load of rubbish booked from 27 dec 2011 until 2 1 2012 but they phoned me and cancelled the break saying undersold (lucky escape) went on 30th and if it we didnt have the kids would have left on 30th as well room stunk damp and musty no toilet seat was on floor floorcovering in bathroom hanging off heater didnt work mould on ceiling carpets stink and dirty bedding dirty and stained seats filthy huge queues for meals half board a joke spent more out of camp staff overworked not enough of them you need to camp out to get a seat in the entertainment room all in all crap dont go or go at your peril but remember you were warned

1 reader found this review helpful

The room 144 was filthy the telly well the digital age has not reached the camp site,as for the dining table and chairs well not matching paint on one of them.settee was really uncomfortable the draft under doors and windows were like sitting in a wind tunnel,a dog barking for a age on two evenings,all in all the flat was a dump,and to top it all no power on monday morning for a brew.sent two letters to manager but as yet no response.

Well what an amazing week me and my sons have just had. The Blue coats made my sons holiday extra special. Plus Daz Chealsea Carl and Shirly in the Queen Vic restaurant went that extra mile to make this week away even more special. With their own personal touch they made me feel at HOME. Thankyou guys hope to see you again sometime soon.

Have just returned from this hellhole after just 1 day I would never even think that trading laws would allow it to keep operating.
Although the entertainment seems well organised the rest of this place is utterly minging!!!
The checkin is a farce with huge queues for keys and staff seeming most unorganised. We were told our room may not be ready as some were not yet cleaned even after 4pm. You then have to go and collect your bedsheets and make your own beds so by the time you do get in you have wasted the first day of your holiday! The rooms are a health hazard with leftover food on the floor, dirty cutlery and other people's bodily hair still present - it looks like the poor cleaners are given 10mins to clean each room. We kept our shoes/slippers on at all times in the non-carpeted living area. The beds are crammed in we had 3 people sleeping in a single bedroom on 2 bunks and 1 single bed with no room to put your clothes/belongings so we left them in bags which was a good thing as the next morning we left with some haste and heaved a sigh of relief as we had no sleep as there were some strange rustling noises (like faulty plumbing) all night and people returning to their accom late/early hours
The only respite was going to the entertainment areas (entertainmentgood but strange smells and carpet and tables sticky.
I would advise anybody who still wants to go here after all the reviews to take hand sanitisers and dettol wipes in copious amounts in order to clean up an keep healthy. There are lots of kids and babies here and its such a shame that the management of the place seem to fail to take their welfare seriously.

1 reader found this review helpful

Just got back with my two children and what a dreadful place, there was nothing to do most days until 2pm the pool didnt open until 4pm the water slides and waterballs (as advertised on the site) are only available on Wednesdays. The room was absolutly filthy, our feet were sticking to the carpet it was that bad, upon opening the sofa bed we found it was filthy and was unable to sleep on it I went out and bought a sleeping bag. The food was awful infact came back early yesterday as my son was very poorly took him to the hospital last night to be told he had a bad case food poisening. Never again will I go there it is the worse place I have ever been and the dirtiest place ever. My son is very poorly after the first meal constantly being sick and on the toilet, which is why we cut short out holiday.
If you value your kids health do not go.

When you walk into your accommodation & your 9 year old bursts into tears you know something's wrong. The chalet was grubby and out dated - very 70s style! We spent as little time as possible at the camp, leaving the chalet at 9am and not returning until night time. Night times can get noisy as neighbours return to their accommodation past your windows. Oh and your neighbours windows are less than 12 foot from yours so if your nosey this is the place for you!
I know Pontins are intending to renovate the camp but they'd be better pulling the whole thing down and starting again! The facilities are very poor and are often closed. The whole place looks very uninviting with the chalet blocks placed far too close to each other and in a way that wouldnt be unual on a prisoner of war camp.
On a plus side the kitchen was new but didnt have many utensils or appliances eg toaster, microwave or anything remotely modern. There wasnt many draughts either thanks to the paper stuffed into the window frames and any other holes around the chalet.
We got this holiday through the Sun holiday & paid very little for it so I suppose the saying "you get what you pay for" is most certainly true in this case!!

The accomdation dusty, dirty, dirty bedding no working tv beds broke, single bed for a sofa just awfull.
the park dirty no activiies open when stated.
the shop closing at 6-7 when stated 9.30
the staff unfriendly and unwelcoming.
broken park for the kids not situable for under 4s in my eyes as the drop from the slide was about a 1.5ft no joke.
just the worst holiday in my life and the families need a holiday to get over this 1.
when you complain nothing is done still waiting to hear from them now and its been 3 weeks.
the kids entertainment was ballroomj daning when does a 2 yr old wont to do that.
the only good thing was the beach
JUST AWFULL

2 readers found this review helpful

My wife and I decided to take our four grandchildren aged between 5yrs and 13yrs away for a short break. We were looking for good basic CLEAN accommodation with plenty of activities for the kids. We booked for a Monday – Friday break.
After our experience at Pontins Southport I do not feel that the brochure gives a true representation of the Holiday Park!
On our arrival at the Park (Monday 29/08/11) our first impressions were that it was a rundown dilapidated shabby place. We arrived mid morning intending to use the facilities until we were allowed to book in at 4pm. However, the place appeared to be in total chaos with very little happening.
One of the first things I noticed was the large number of Rodent bait boxes around the buildings and having since read another review from holiday makers who reported seeing vermin running around outside the apartments it would appear that there is a problem with a vermin infestation at this Park.
The overall condition of the apartment was dated, tatty and filthy. In the bathroom the shower head was disgusting and the sealant around the bath was black and mouldy. Several of the window frames had ingrained dirt and mould on them and the glass had sticky finger marks on it. In the kitchen area the cutlery and crockery were disgusting and needed scolding with boiling water. The kitchen surfaces were hacky
The bedrooms were very basic with no drawer space and a small wardrobe with no doors. The pillows had disgusting stains on them. The pull out sofa bed needed food debris and dirt cleaning off it before it could be used. Overall the cleanliness of the apartment left a lot to be desired.
The back of the apartment over looked another block of run down apartments, an ugly looking perimeter fence and a row of derelict boarded up terrace houses. Lovely view!
As we had booked half board we ventured across to the dining area which is also the main bar/entertainment area. Food was placed on a hot plate trolley with very little choice and of a poor quality. There was no supervision of the food trolley and children were manhandling food and placing it back on the hot plate. The deserts looked good. You can’t do much to spoil defrosted cheesecake and gateaux. It was interesting to see some children placing squirty cream canisters into their mouths to see who could get the most cream into their mouths! Then placing them back on the table for unsuspecting guests to use!
In the evening we went into the entertainment. The tables were dirty and you stuck to the floor. The slush puppy drinks machine was not working and they had run out of other drinks. The bar staff displayed a couldn’t care less attitude.
After we retired for the night the fun began. The neighbours played loud music until 2am and allowed the kids to run up and down along the balcony banging on doors. The language was appalling. Several times during the night somebody tried the door handle. The burly security guards who were standing around in the entertainment room earlier were nowhere to be seen. It was so frightening that I propped a chair up against the door.
After a sleepless night we decided to give breakfast a miss!
The swimming pool was a good size and could have been an excellent facility. However, the changing rooms were of a poor standard. There were only a few cubicles with ill fitting curtains. The floor was awash from the toilet/shower areas. Most people seemed to be getting changed on the pool side. The spectator seating area was yet again lacking. It was dirty with only a few plastic tables and chairs.
We were expecting to pay extra for the adventure activities like the climbing wall, zip wire and all terrain Quad bikes but were shocked to find it was £5 for thirty minutes hire of a pedal powered go carts. Fifteen minutes of which were spent taking it back to have the chain put back on. The staff were disinterested and offered no apology. The go carts were past their best. £2.50 for 5 mins. on a small battery operated Childs car and £2.50 for the bouncy castle. What a rip off. To be honest there was a very small bouncy castle which was free. Not very exciting and not many people on it.
Enough was enough so we decided to check out and leave the Park (Tuesday 30/08/11) . I returned the keys to reception and explained that we had arrived the previous day and decided enough was enough. The young girl on reception didn’t even ask if there was a problem. Totally disinterested.
The best thing that could happen to Pontins Southport is for bulldozers to move in and flatten the place.