Pontins Hemsby, Norfolk, England
Hotel Information
Hotel Description:
Just a short drive from the peaceful waterways of the Norfolk Broads, the charming little seaside village of Hemsby offers quiet golden beaches, a host of attractive buildings, a funfair, bingo, swimming pools, children's play areas*, supermarkets, gift shops, restaurants and a wide choice of top class evening entertainment.Nearby Hotels Viewed by Other Travellers
Pontins Hemsby Reviews
" Me and my family went to Pontins... "
Submitted By: Mrs M Abraham- Date of Holiday:Sep 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Me and my family ventured to Pontins... "
Submitted By: Miss D BradleyI never usually write on these boards but I felt I had to in regards to the bluecoats being called 'rejects.'
Like many people say here I believe they work so very hard and I work in a travel agents so I get to visit a lot of places.
One irish chap I spoke to had just come off a an american cruise ship, so they must employ decent blue coats.
The accomodation is not top notch but my kids love going there and they love going to see some of their favourite bluecoats.
I don't think this forum is to publically slander staff from anywhere.. The bluecoats were decent, hardworking and did their job well.
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Select
" After reading the reviews on here, I... "
Submitted By: Mr M Bandy- Date of Holiday:Sep 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" I am writing to complain about the... "
Submitted By: Mr J McElvainethe 22nd to 29th August 2008.
My family and I were so looking forward to our holiday, but when we arrived at our holiday destination we were appalled at the condition we found our accommodation. We arrived at approx 20.00 hrs on Friday the 22nd of August, we received our accommodation key and instructions from the gate guard (to see reception in the morning).
- Accommodation - Finding our accommodation turned out to be difficult. the
accommodation and number was not visible from the road because they were
obstructed by trees.
Upon locating our accommodation we were met by peeling paint, cobwebs and
mildew up the stairs and landing, our first impression was that we were booked into
Budget accommodation instead of what we had booked. (Classic Accommodation)
- Living Room - Once inside our accommodation we discovered that it was not
properly cleaned. The carpet needed hoovering, there was wasps inside, settee
cushion did not match sofa and it was stained and soiled. Ther was only one single three drawer chest for a family of six.
Bathoom - had spiders. cobwebs throughout, a big hole under the towel rail,
loo roll holder was missing a part. (Nothing to hold the paper on)
- Kitchen - fridge missing rails and shelves in the door making it difficult to put all our
food away. Had to leave some out overnight.
- Bedroom - no hangers to store our clothes.
- The following morning my wife immediately pointed out the discrepancies to the
reception and was told that someone would come to see us. When a member of staff
arrived she said that alot of the discrepancies were out of her hands, but she would
see what she could do.
When the maintenance men arrived we were told that all the sofas in stock were the same or worse. So we had to settle for what we had. There was no budget or resources
to replace anything.
We immediately brought this to the attention of the duty manger (Shelley) and she
said if the maintenance men said there were no more sofas in stock she could not
do anymore.
My family and I have been doing these holidays for over 20 years and I must say
this accommodation was the worst.
We are aware that these holidays are not expensive, but we do expect our
accommodation to meet certain standards.
The fact that we paid extra to upgrade from Budget to Classic we expected better accommodation. If we were in classic accommodation, I hate to see
what budget would look like. We heard similar complaints from other guests.
- Convenience store - My son was given a five pound note that had been defaced (part
missing) We took it back to the store and the manager refused to take it back. She
checked to see if the part missing had been turned in before passing this matter on to
the duty manager (Briony). After explaining the matter the duty manager said
that we could not prove that we had received the five pound note from there and that
all
staff were trained to inspect every note. She refused to ask the cashier on duty
(Steph) at the time if she had given my son the de-faced five pound note. She
repeated her earlier statement that
we could not prove that the cashier had given us the five pound note (which made us feel that she was accusing us of lying).
Maybe we as customers should apply their training when receiving our change and not take it for granted that we are being
given the correct change and no defaced notes. What happened to the customer is
always right?
The standard of accommodation which we were forced to accept detracted
considerably from our enjoyment of the holiday.
NOTE: Could not re-locate due to the long Bank holiday weekend.
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Sun Newspaper
" I was actually pleasantly surprised... "
Submitted By: Miss C CullumThe food in the restaurant there is very over priced! But you do get vouchers on a whole range of things from food to drinks to activities to help with the costs. The food is ok, It's not terrible in anyway, but not great either. Thankfully we bought some food before we came so we didn’t eat in there all the time. Some things in the shop are overpriced, others are pretty cheap. The Trick or Treats toy shop toys are about the price you'd expect, but not too bad and the restaurant and shop staff were very friendly and chatty.
The Bluecoats were all really friendly and helpful even when they had finished their shift and really helped keep me sane! The entertainment was what i expected it to be, cheesy and child orientated but that's to be expected of Pontins whose slogan is "the party for children" and is bearable. My 7 year old cousin loved it, as it seemed all the other children did too. The entertainment acts aren’t anything amazing, but watchable and even funny. Like Britain’s Got Talent act Visage and some really great singers. What with the swimming pool, go carts, golf, hire carts, quad bikes and other things there’s always other things to do if you don’t fancy people dressed in big animal costumes dancing around.
Overall we had a good time and I’d go back again. The place does need a bit of TLC but from what we saw nothing too terrible. We had a laugh, our 7 year old loved it! And we had lots of fun.
- Date of Holiday:Sep 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" The Room Was Discusting And Smelt of... "
Submitted By: Miss H Beard- Date of Holiday:Sep 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" Agree with everything everyone has... "
Submitted By: Mrs N Wheeler- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked IndependentlyPONTINS
" Just arrived back from Pontins Hemsby... "
Submitted By: Miss S StoddartThe food was terrible from the fast food outlets and the restuarant not much better. No healthy food at all on offer for us or the kids.
As for them giving you passes when you left the site (which we did every day) who would want to smuggle anyone in.
It's about time they took a step back and looked at the place with fresh eyes.
Going back to Butlins next year (Hooray). Poor Fred Pontin would be turning in his grave at this squallor.
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Pontins direct
" I can honestly say my heart sank as... "
Submitted By: Mrs LR WattingerThe pool was freezing with non attentive life guards, cold showers, broken tiles, I could go on.
The main hall had a pungent smell. The music was deafening and the entertainment was of very poor quality.
In short, only go there if you are desperate to get away from your normal surroundings and it really is all you can afford.
I myself actually felt depressed there and degraded. In my opinion it should be flattened.
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Select
" Having read the reviews on this site... "
Submitted By: Mrs SewellWe got our selves £5 worth of electric but used no more than £2 worth. This was used for lighting, heat and cooking as well as the tv hair straightners etc.
Overall i would say that this holiday was good value at £89.50 from pontins direct for two people and 4 nights 5 days.
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Pontins Online Direct
" We have just arrived home from this... "
Submitted By: Mr P Smith- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" on arrival staff were pleasant.
the chalet was away from the recepton
the room was not very tidy or clean
but staff were polite
children entertainment not as good as used to be
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:pontins
" Pontins in Hemsby is a dreadful,... "
Submitted By: Mrs A Norris- Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Accommodation was very basic & in... "
Submitted By: Mr U R BROWNI would like to comment on the senior management of Pontins Hemsby in particular the so called general manager,catering manager & life guard.
Myself & my family witnessed the said 3 engaging in all sorts of unsavoury fowl mouthed antics at the bar in the fun factory.
When i made some discreet enquiries was astonished to find out who these drunken foul mouthed idiots were.
If thats the sort of example set by the general manager its no wonder Hemsby Pontins has got such a bad reputation.
As well as the centre needing an update how about revamping the so called management?
An absolute disgrace!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Ok, i know some of the people that... "
Submitted By: Miss V IrvingYes the club apartment we stayed in was a bit dirty and very dated but i thought the entertainment and the staff were fantastic!
Ther is PLENTY of things for the children to do, listing some things:
Go-karts
Zip wire
H20 zone
Abseiling
Rockcliming
Quad bikes
Arcades
Crazy golf
Tennis
Fun bikes
and LOADS more that if i carry on i it'll take up too much room!
There is also a playarea for children aged 8 and below!
The evening entertainment was brilliant the bluecoats are amazing and VERY friendly like the staff!!
I will admit the restraunt is a bit dirty and the service is slow but you cannot tell me that that is the only restraunt like it that you have visited!! I agree with most people that it does need a makeover but apart from all that it is a REALLY GOOD place to go!!!!
Very friendly towards kids and adults! I must also say that we have been going for over 10 years and have had no problems what so ever this is the only time it has been like this (only a bit drty). I also need to say that the new year breaks are the best ones to go for!! Well planned and really entertaining on new years eve/early hours of new years day you get entertainment all the way through it and it is well worth the money!!!
I really enjoyed my stay at pontins, hemsby and would certainly go again!!
AND for the people that hate the place : not everywhere is perfect and at least you have tried it and not want to go again BUT please dont ruin it for others by saying 'dont go' or 'i would recommend you not to go' just because you dont like it , it doesnt mean to say you can spoil it for others that may be looking forward to going but their hopes spoilt because of the rveiws!
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently






