Reviews of Pontins Brean Sands, Somerset

I accidentally found this review page about three days before we were due to go to this hell hole. We were obviously concerned but still made the four hour journey as we were hopeful it couldn't be all that bad. How wrong!!



I joined the queue to check-in at 4pm (everyone is told to check in at this time) which was already coming out of the Reception area door. I figured that Reception must be just inside the door, however, the queue wrapped all the way round the arcade/amusement area. One very rude and bossy member of staff was having a go at us for obstructing Reception with the way the queue was wrapping round. There were no clear signs on where to queue. This awful system could have easily been solved if they had a staggered check-in system rather than having a whole camp of people checking in at the same time. One lady in the queue was telling me that she arrived early at 2pm and when she tried to check-in she was turned away and told to come back at 4pm. They also had a separate queue for the Club/Classic people who seemed to go in and straight back out with their keys. Just because we were Budget we were made to feel like the unimportant ones. By the time I got to the top of the queue - 1.5 hours later, I was stood at Reception with a disgusting, dirty, sticky mess on the floor. I had no choice but to stand in it and when I told the lady at Reception she said 'oh, right' and did nothing.



We finally got to our chalet - by now my heart was going because I had a feeling what we were in for. The rooms were run down, smelly and unfit to sleep in. You are obviously allowed to smoke in these rooms (we are all non-smokers) as there was an ashtray on the table and it stank of old smoke. The only area that looked clean was the bathroom. I was half tempted to sleep in the bath which would have been more comfortable than the sofa bed. There were plastic school type chairs to sit at round the tiny table. I know that we only paid Budget so some people may think why complain, however there are certain standards. Even though we paid cheaply through the Sun newspaper offer, some people pay over £100 for this which is totally unacceptable.



We decided to eat out accross the road and had to take a card from Security to leave the site and hand it back once back in the holiday park. The restaurant we went to is up a flight of stairs and looks out over the park and it just reminded me of Ford Open Prison which is near to where I live. After dinner we went into the Entertainment lounge which was packed out and so dark that you could hardly see where to walk. The site has obviously not been made to accommodate so many people. We promptly left and begrudgingly decided to return to our chalet.



I'd had enough by the next day and we all decided enough was enough. While packing our bags to leave my husband took my children to the swimming pool. He came back telling me how disgusting and dirty the changing areas were. This backed up our decision to leave and I couldn't wait to hand the keys back in to Reception. When we gave our reasons she said they could send a cleaner back into our room missing my point that the whole site was disgustingly dirty. When we handed our car pass back into the security guard he looked amazed that we were leaving. When I gave our reasons he looked shocked - he obviously had not moved beyond his little hut and ventured into the site or chalets.



I will be writing to Pontins head office to complain and the Sun newspaper advising them that they remove this park from their choice of holidays.



How other holiday makers can give this park anything more than 1 our of 10 is beyond me!!

we stayed in the budget chalets. 2 adults 3 children. £75 for four nights, sun holidays.

the chalet was ok, clean linen etc. liked the fact that cars were well away and it was safe to let the kids play outside. swimming pool was great,we went four times which at our local baths would have been £40. the indoor play area was great and we went there every day. we used the pub several times for food and while not brilliant value (tip--wetherspoons burnham) it is ok and better value than haven holiday sites. there was a big queue for keys on arrival. simple solution ? give the kids some money for the arcade and have a couple of drinks in the bar. sixty minutes later and instead of getting stressed out in a queue youve had a nice drink and hey presto no more queue. the on site shop, nisa, was not too expensive either. try the arcade,pub,cake shop opposite as well . overall a good holiday

AT FIRST WHEN WE ARIVED THERE WAS PEOPLE QUEING UP FOR EVER EVERYONE COMPLAINING ABOUT ANTS AND SPIDERS IN THERE APARTMENTS. HOWEVER WE BOOKED A CLUB APARTMENT AND INSTED RECIVED A CLASSIC. ELECTRIZITY WAS NOT TOO BAD. WE WAS DREDDING GOING TO SEE WHAT OUR APARTMENT WOULD BE LIKE WHEN WE GOT THERE IT WAS VERY TIDY AND CLEAN. WE WAS VERY PLEASED. THE FACILITYS WAS NOT TO BAD, WEATHER WAS NOT TO GOOD BUT WE ENJOYED OUR STAY. ENTERTIANMENT IN THE EVEING WAS GOOD AND THE STAFF WAS VERY PLEASENT. WE WOULD VISIT AGAIN GOING TO BOOK WITH SUN HOLIDAYS FOR JULY. I WOULD RECOMMENT CAMBER SANDS EXCPESIALLY WHEN HOT BEAUTIFUL BEACHES.

I don't mind basic bit I do object to filthy basic! Camber Sands is filthy, dirty, disgusting. The duvets were covered in blood and wee and not by the previous tenants. I think the blood and dirt had been on there some time. I was given a new quilt by a woman. My grandson asked her if she was a cleaner and she rudely told him that no she was a housekeeper. When I asked at reception what is a housekeeper they told me a cleaner! Whatever her title she is getting paid for doing NOTHING! The place is squalid and filthy! I spent the 1st day cleaning! I complained and complained again. And was asked did I want a total clean! YES PLEASE! It never happened.

VERY DISAPPOINTED. This was Classic accommodation.

This has to be the filthiest, most run down, squalid hell hole that Pontins could sell as a holiday. The place is covered in a layer of dirt and grime that Kim and Aggie could not even remove. There is nothing positive to say about this establishment.

The accomadation was filthy with uncleaned loos, dirty bed linen and cutlery so ingrained in stains that you could almost call it modern art. The chalets are glorified gold fish bowls with 2 consalations ;1 you cant see out and 2 no one can see in.

The facilities are tired and aged with no sign of any capitol investment. Any poor soul who considers this establishment you will need to take the following; bleach, scrubbing brushes, caustic soda, chemical warfare suits, wellington boots and disinfectant, also a tent or caravan will come in handy when you depart the day you arrive.

One final suggestion would be to convert the whole site to a community waste disposal tip, it will not take a great deal of changes to acheive this.

What an absolute carsie. I arrived on a football tour with other famillies. I thought that I had taken a wrong turn and arrived in Beirut. I was concerned at contracting some sort of disease from this run down dump. One fammily found blood on the bed sheets, there was bird crap on mattresses, there were ants in others 'accomodation'. Do not eat anything on the Pontins site. On the first night we were awoken by fire engines putting out a fire in 2 of the chalets. I am not sure if this was a suicide attempt or an accident. Day 2 there was no water on the camp site. This lasted for hours. I would recommend Pontins to be bombed.

WE STAYED IN A CLASSIC SHED OPPS I MEAN CHALET.THEY ARE JUST ROWS AND ROWS OF TERRACED ROOMS THAT LOOK ABSOLUTLY AWFUL.OBVIOUSLY THIS WHY YOU CAN NEVER FIND A PICTURE OF THE COMPLEX.(WELL YOU CAN NOT EVEN CALL A COMPLEX)



ROOMS: OURS WAS A 4 BIRTH,WHICH CONSISTED OF 1 BEDROOM,1 BATHROOM AND KITCHEN AREA WHICH INCLUDED OUR SOFA BED. THE TWIN ROOM HAD ANTS CRAWLING UP THE WALLS AND I FOUND A DUMMY IN THE BED.

THE SOFABED WAS THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE YOU COULD IMAGINE.



THERE WAS OLD TOMATO SAUCE ON THE TABLE AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CHAIR OUTSIDE AND TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN TO REMOVE THE OLD CAKE CRUMBS.



ENTERTAINMENT: POOR, CONSIDERING IT WAS A FAMILY PARK.EVERY SINGLE THING NEEDS UPGRADING.



KIDS FACILITIES: NOT TOO BAD,PROBABLY BEST SUITED FOR UNDER 10'S.THAT ARE EASILY PLEASED.



OUR FRIENDS SPENT 1 NIGHT IN A 8 BIRTH AND GOT COVERED IN FLEA BITES.

ON OUR 2ND DAY WE HAD NO WATER FOR NEARLY 6 HOURS,THIS WAS THE WHOLE PARK ,NOT JUST US.

ANOTHER FRIENDS ELECTRICITY METER CAUGHT FIRE.



TO FINISH, THIS WAS OUR FIRST AND VERY LAST PONTINS HOLIDAY.IT REALLY WAS POOR.

We upgrded to club accomodation we found the bed sette very uncomfortable the thing needed replacing a lack of cutlery and plates and the chalet looked a bit jaded the staff were friendly and helpful the Queen vic was ok but the toilets need some serious attention they were smelly and often water on floor this was our 2nd or 3rd stay and our last

HAVING DECIDED TO TO TAKE MY THREE SONS AWAY FOR A EARLY HOL WE DECIDED TO GO TO PONTINS BREAN , AND NEVER AGAIN AFTER WAITING FOR THE SHED KEY , SORRY CHALLET .

HALF AN HOUR BY WHICH TIMES THE KIDS ARE PLAYING UP AFTER THE JOURNEY AND WERE TIRED AND HUNGURY WE WHERE GIVEN A MAP BY A RUDE PERSON WHO CAME ACROSS AS IF SHE WAS VERY FED UP IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, WE THEN WENT TO THE CHALET (SHED) WHAT A LET DOWN WE HAD TO TAKE POT LUCK AS OURS HAD NO NUMBER ON IT , DIRTY WINDOWS, WRONG BEDDING SO BACK TO RECPTION TO MOAN OK A GOOD POINT THE BEDDING WAS SORTED OUT SMARTLEY AND VERY QUICK.

ITS WAS THEN OUT FOR TEA AND ENTERTAINMENT LATER THAT NIGHT MY 4 YEAR OLD SON WENT TO CLIMB UP THE LADDER TO HIS BUNK AND THE LADDER WAS NOT SAFE OR SECURED TO THE BED SO BACK TO RECPTION IN THE MORNING TO COMPLIAN AGAIN AND 24 HOURS LATER STILL NOT FIXED (WHATS GOING ON) SO BACK TO MOAN AGAIN THIS TIME TO A MANERGER ALL THAT THEY COULD SAY WAS THEY HAD THE WRONG CHALLET NUMBER HOW COULD THY HAVE DONE THAT (BY NOT LISTENING TO YOU THE GUEST) AND TOO TOP IT ALL OF ON THE LAST NIGHT WE HAD A MEAL IN THE RESTURANT ( WE HAD MANY IN THERE) ONLY TO FIND PLASTIC IN MY SALAD SO ITS OFF TO MOAN YET AGAIN ONLY TO BE TOLD WOULD LIKE A NEW MEAL AND WHEN THAT ONE ARRIVED ALL THAT WAS SAID TO ME WAS THAT THE CHEF SENDS HIS APOLAGES . HOW GOODS THAT FOR CUSTOMER SERVICES THIS WAS ALSO MOAN ABOUT AT RECPTION ON THE LAST DAY WHEN RETURNING KEY AS I WAS EXPECTING SOME KIND OF APPOLAGE NO CHANCE SO THIS IS ON GOING AND WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED.

i have 4 children and we have been to brean each year for the last 8 year all the staff are very friendly and helpful. my children allways have a wonderful time and never want to come home. there is allways brilliant evening entertainment for both adults and children . the facilitys are all close by so no long hikes to get places

I would like to say that my family had a wonderful time at Pontins.

We arrived late having took in the sights at Cheddar, found all the staff very friendly.

My grandson who is 3 loved the club in the evening and we all enjoyed the acts as well.

plenty to do for us all.

My only negative comment is that the sofa bed was abit uncomfortable and the sight prices are a bit steep apart from that keep up the good work and thankyou for an enjoyable holiday.

Hope we will be back in the near future.

DON'T GO HERE!!!!!We booked a £9.50 holiday with the sun (which we have done, and thoroughly enjoyed on numerous occasions in different parks) for pontin's at brean sands. I thought it would be good for my 5 year old daughter. When we arrived the guys on the gate were very nice. We had to queue for booking in which we expected. When we arrived at our hole, sorry chalet, my stomach turned. We couldn't see in it properly because the windows were so filthy, later that evening my daughter thought it was raining outside but i explained that it was just dirty streaks all over the windows! We opened the patio door and we were took aback by the damp musty filthy smell. The entrance mat had food stuck into it and there was some on the carpet too. The table and chairs set consisted of brown plastic adults school chairs and they were filthy and a table that I can't even think of how to describe it because I have never seen anything like it in my life. Cillit Bang used 5 times on all of it still did not get the dirt off!!! The plus point was the linen was clean and smelt clean. We then cleaned the bathroom and kitchen and crocks!!! The sofa bed was so uncomfortable, it dipped in the middle and it really smelt musty. Both my mom and I suffer with asthma. That night we couldn't sleep because of the smell and our inhalers were used a couple of times. I even had to stand outside about 2am to catch my breath, it was awful. We decided to go home the next day. My daughter was distraught but we couldn't stay there a moment longer. I gave in the keys and told the receptionist the reason why we were leaving so early. She said oh ok bye!!!!! I wasn't impressed with the 'entertainment' for children either, half of the place was shut and the pool which was supposed to open at 10am didnt decide to open til 2.20pm. A few doors up from us had 2 guys round on bikes and we noticed they had ant and bug killer with them! In the end we left early morning and took my daughter into weston and spent the day there before coming home. I have just looked on the internet and Pontin's ask £119 for these budget apartments usually, I was fuming at having spent £48!!! As a few others have said in future i will definately be reading the reviews!!

I was, like many people seem to be, worried about what we were going to walk into when we arrived at Pontins, Brean Sands. The first time we went, we hadn't upgraded, so I went and queued for our keys on arrival (for quite awhile, but all part of the experience!) and then proceeded to the chalet, which, unfortunately, confirmed my worst fears...The door was unlocked when I got there, which I thought was odd, then inside, it was really grubby, there was abit of dirty looking loo paper on the bathroom floor and the bins weren't emptied properly. I was not impressed, so swiftly returned to the desk, where I politely raised my concerns with staff and made my displeasure known. Within minutes, my family was offered an apology and a free upgrade to club accomodation. Happy with the outcome of my complaint, off I toddled to my new chalet.



What a difference!! The room was still quite basic, but it was spotless and comfortable. The surrounding area and car park was also well kept. We werent planning on spending much time indoors anyway, but at least it was pleasant!



The staff were friendly and helpful, the kids and adult entertainment were great, the pool was brilliant and overall, my family had a fab time.



I have since returned on another sun break, which was great again, although, I did pay for the upgrade before we arrived that time, and have booked independantly now, to go in June.



I think that there are improvements that could be made to the accomodation, but the staff seem aware of this and were very happy to try and resolve my problem. I dont doubt that some people have been dismayed by their first impressions if they were anything like mine, but my advice would be, go and speak to somebody. Its never going to be 5 star accomodation, but if you want your family to have a fun time doing family things out and about around Brean, then want to relax with aquick drink before bed, in a safe and exciting environment for your children, then you cant go far wrong in this resort!!

awful queued about an hour for keys, rundown ancient chalet dirty mattresses pillows duvets kettle on little tabletop within easy reach of toddler. old tv hardly any utensils couple of milk saucepans tiny cups dirty windows. glad we only paid 77 quid, expensive for the shed we stayed in. only plus of the whole holiday was the weather and the swimming pool. never again, looks like a concentation camp. need i say more

We went to this resort (if you can it that) at the beginning of April 2008. We have been on two other sun holiday deals, which were great, so we arrived expecting this one to be the same! How wrong! The whole place is run down! This accommodation is disgusting! When we entered our chalet there was this dreadful smell, which no amount of air fresheners would fix, the place looked and smelt like it needed to be cleaned and the carpets were truly filthy, I'm sure not what colour they were originally!



We immediately went out to buy cleaning products and air fresheners, which made it no better. It was my son's birthday and he was in tears as he was so looking forward to it, the last two breaks we have had with the sun were really nice, so this was such a shock.



Even though it was only £66.00 you still expect the place to be of a certain standard! As Pontins is a large company I expected the accommodation to at least be clean.



We were booked for 3 nights and only managed to stay one night, having the left the resort coming back late at night to sleep!



If anyone is considering going I wouldn't bother, the only decent part of the whole place was the swimming pool, which my son enjoyed but that did not make up for the beastly accommodation! Makes you realise you really should read the reviews before you go!