Pontins Hemsby

4 readers found this review helpful

Had a totally unpleasant holiday here which resulted in a full refund. Had the potential to be a lovely site as it is in a beautiful area and on the door step of lovely countryside and attractions. Obviously sorry to see 50 people lose their employment, but as one member of staff said to us as we left after 2 days "You are doing the right thing going home, I wouldn't want to stay here". Lets hope they invest heavily in the remaining sites creating a holiday experience that people remember for good reasons, not bad.

5 readers found this review helpful

Reviews for BOTH of these Pontins sites are really bad and I am sure they certainly helped to the Chain closing both camps at Hemsby & Brixham leaving many un-employed and ruining familys chances of a CHEAP get away in 2009 onwards....
Yes I agree, both sites were very dated and Pontins have been honest in admitting they were overdue refurbishment, but the sites did not make enough money to pay for this expense, soy uo can not really blame them for that....
With the credit cruch being on - These sites would have been brilliant for people with young families, now where are they to go.......Have you seen the cost of going to a Haven or Butlins for a week during the holidays????? Most people can not afford that, and that does not mean they are low lifes & rough....
I have '4' kids and over the Years we have been to most of Pontins sites in the UK. Yes they are shabbie, but our chalets were mostly always clean although very old and shabbie and I think that was the main problem.....besides if you complained, they always moved you (but yes,you should not have to complain really...I can see that point)
In the end of the day it was just a base to sleep and so long as the sheets and matress was clean who really cares about the rest as you go out and have fun in the area - who goes on holiday to be stuck in a chalet all the time??...For the price, no-one should knock Pontins, if you want something posher, then rob a bank and pay nearly a grand for a family at Butlins for a week....
I just wanted to say you WILL BE MISSED and I thank you PONTINS for serveral cheap and chearful holidays over the Years !!!!!
Well it Wall Park, Brixham going 1st in 2008, Now Hemsby in early 2009 - Which site will be next ???? My money is on Camber Sands....
Come on guys, give Pontins a break, they are clearly struggling like like hell and they need your support really to stay in business.

2 readers found this review helpful

Im so sad the Pontins has closed at Hemsby. My family had many happy years there, and the weather was usually kind to us. Shame on Pontins for not doing more to improve the standards. Hemsby is a wonderful place for families don't be put off by the bad reviews. Hopefully someone will see the site potential and invest some money into the area.

2 readers found this review helpful

we took out a car on finance and were given a free weekend at hemsby.
they were very accomodating towards my autistic son and moved us to a closer appartment free of charge so we could be closer to the attractions.
i found the staff very polite and the entertainment was of a good standard.
we pay up to £400 to go to butlins each year yet this was by far our most enjoyable and relaxing holiday.

i went for the new yr and upgraded to club. i was very dissapointed when myself and the kids walked in as 1 of the children replied its the same as a classic. i was amazed to see the outlay of the chalet was very identical of which the only difference was it had a microwave and digital tv about 6 channels . i was dissapointed to say the least but nevertheless i couldnt let the kids down but if it had of been just myself i would have left immediatley thank god its gone bring on haven instead .

1 reader found this review helpful

AS a visitor recently who had a terrible time i thought this would be of interest to fellow vistors i do however feel sorry for the staff.
Pontins to close Hemsby holiday centre
Wednesday, 07 Jan 2009 12:25
End of an era at Hemsby
Pontins has announced it is to close its site at Hemsby on the Norfolk coast.
According to the holiday camp owner the site is need of "significant investment" and is faced with "escalating costs" and a decline in bookings.
As a result the site is scheduled to close later this month, bringing a presence of more than 70 years to an end at the site.
Over 50 jobs will be lost as a result of the closure.
A spokesperson for the organisation confirmed the six remaining centres – located at Pakefield, Southport, Blackpool, Prestatyn Sands, Brean Sands and Camber Sands - would remain open.
Pontins, which was founded in 1946 by Fred Pontin, specialises in half-board and self-catering breaks for British and international holidaymakers.
However, the organisation has faced a tough time in recent years, with Ocean Parcs buying the chain of seven resorts for £46 million in March last year.
By Chris O'Toole

We had the misfortune to spend new years eve at Hemsby. Never never never again. The chalet was filthy. Bearing in mind that we had upgraded to Club, I dread to think what the basic ones were like. I couldnt believe my eyes when going for an early morning paper on new years eve I found the club full and no tables available. I was told that people start arriving at about 6. What fools. Needless to say as soon as the bar is open they are downing drinks as fast as they could. We managed to get some chairs and then spend the whole of the day waiting for midnight. It was the longest day of my life. People obviously come each year as they knew what to do. How people can go back there beggers belief. Mind you seeing the state of them, probably Pontins was luxury to what they are used to. I suffered beer being thrown down my pack about four times during the evening, and on speaking to the mother of the so called little darling I was told to mind my own f.... business. We left at about five minutes past midnight. Once day break arrived the bags were packed and we were on our way, foresaking the other night we had paid for.

2 readers found this review helpful

i had the best ever tym here at xmas weve come nearly every year and our family have a great time every year.
the bluecoats are fantastic they put everything they have into it and are absolutley amazing.
im so sad to see it go but i wish all the bluecoats all the best for the future. i will miss it so so much but you are only gone and not forgotton.

2 readers found this review helpful

Do not go to Pontins if you want high quality. The price tells it all, its half the price of Butlins and usually under £100 for a 3/4night break. It is not Disneyworld.
Of course the rooms could do with new carpets to get rid of the 20year old smell(i'm not exagerating- I've been coming here since I was 9 and am now 34 and the main hall has the same carpet!)
It's basic but has all you need.
The entertainment staff put their heart and souls into the performances tho are not around in the day as much as when I was young.
I started coming to Hemsby with my family when I was 9. we go every couple of years and over the past 5 yeears have been 1 or 2 times a year as a memory holiday with parents and grandchildren or myself husband and kids.
The local beach at hemsby has a great beach and play area, giant slide rides, shops etc and is quieter than Great Yarmouth.
I have just heard it is no longer under Pontins, I love it my kids love it and so do all my family and it will be greatly missed.

we just returned from the break from hell.the first apartment we entered we were hit by the most awful smell and filth, the second apartment was filthy but didnt smell . we had to keep shoes on all the time and after having a shower you felt dirtier than when you got in. the mould around the windows and behind the beds was discusting. had it not been for the children we would have left. the entertainment, well, you had to get at the door from "5am" yes "am" on new years eve to get a table, by 7am they had all been taken. the managment said " oh well you should have got up earlier" at 2pm they opened the other venue but not the bar and they put on a christmas cd until 7pm when 2 people tried their best to entertain 500 people who were not best pleased as in the other venue from 9am they had party games, disco, quizes, all that you would expect from a family Pontins Holiday "the best value a family can buy" HA HA . at 8pm the beer ran out and you had to buy bottles untill they recieved a delivery from Pakefield.A band was also robbed from Pakefield who were ok which made a change. at 12 15 we were told to all go to the other venue as this one was closing however ther was no room so they reopened our bar again. dont go unprepared like we did. better still dont go