Pontins Blackpool

Well what can I say? We have just returned from a four night stay in classic accommodation costing £400 for two adults / two children. Having been to Haven for many years prior to this holiday, I wanted to relive my childhood memories of Blackpool Pontins and give my daughter a special holiday for her 10th birthday. We were instructed we could check-in from 4pm so when we arrived at 4:30 we were instructed to go to the Prince’s theatre to check-in. After we trudged to the other side of the park to the theatre, we found it to be empty. We trudged back to reception where there were billboards and posters telling us to check in at the Prince’s theatre. However there was also a queue of people out the door of the reception area, so we decided that this must be check-in.
How wrong were we.....? This was the queue of complaints! Something in the back of my mind told me to turn around and go home, but I didn’t listen - more fool me!
After an hour of queuing we were given our accommodation key, with a map of the park, and off we trudged again. When we arrived at our accommodation the door was wide open, so we went in, only to find beds that looked like the previous occupants had got out of 5 minutes before we arrived. There were other people outside the rooms on the same block whose rooms were also not cleaned. So we trudged back to reception to re-join the queue which by this time was twice as long. When we got to the desk we were advised to go and have our evening meal and when we returned to our room it would be clean. When asked why no-one had told us that the room was not done, we were informed that Pontins have to make the key available at 4pm-not the room. What a joke. By this time it was 6pm, and when we returned to our room at 7:15pm it had still not been cleaned. We hung around outside the room (being swooped by commercial planes about 20 feet above our head landing at the airport directly behind the camp) for 40 minutes waiting for someone to clean our room before we could finally get our luggage and go in.
On entering, there was a revolting looking stain called a carpet and a worse stain on top of the rest! The windows were so dirty you couldn’t see out of them, and the bathroom light wasn’t working, we reported this to the cleaner, who radioed repairs who informed her that he finished at 7pm. Thanks very much! So off we went back to reception where I kindly requested for these jobs to carried out, and I was assured that first thing in the morning, the jobs would be done. These jobs were never done during our poor excuse for a holiday.
We decided not to let this experience get us down, and as Pontins was famous for great entertainment we would go to the club and start enjoying ourselves - it was 9pm by this time. When we walked into the Princes theatre people were stood up near the back it was so full, we decided to walk round the room to look for a couple of spare seats, only to find rottweiler children guarding tables of 6 or 8 with no adults around, forget this. So was decided the Stardust bar must be a better option - I remembered that being the best entertainment venue last time I visited Pontins.
We were greeted by 1 bluecoat, about 12 other people and a bingo machine. But at least we could sit down without being barked at 'someone’s sitting there!' So what can I say about the entertainment? well they must have been struggling to entertain the few people who wouldn’t tolerate standing at the back of an empty room while chav parents strolled in drunk at 10pm to the saved seats - and with the only piece of equipment they had (the bingo machine) we played bingo, stand up bingo, sit down bingo, bottle top bingo, higher or lower bingo - safe to say I’m all bingoed out now.
The entertainments manager 'goatie' or something like that was the worst - he was more occupied with clocking off so he could have a drink than managing the entertainment! His language got progressively worse throughout the evening.
We had a lovely day out in Blackpool Tower for my daughter’s birthday, and about 9pm in the evening I asked the bluecoat DJ if she could get my daughter on stage and present her with the 'having fun at pontins' photo frame I’d bought on their behalf (what a joke). By 1am they still had not done it and my daughter was repeatedly asking to go back to our room, so I repeated my request, which I was told they would do straight away - the announce went like this.....'Could Bethany come to the Dj Box - I got something for ya' so glad we waited all night for that- thanks Pontins for a perfect end to her birthday!
Safe to say we will NOT be returning to any Pontins establishment at any time, and I will be telling as many people as I can about this terrible 'holiday' (more like prison) camp. As well as the state of the place, we were forced to wear wristbands to ensure that no persons not staying at Pontins could enter the camp and use the luxury facilities - as if, people are more likely to try and break out of there!
What’s the difference between prison and Pontins Blackpool? You have to pay for snooker at P - Even though you've paid to stay there!
On a plus side, the canteen was of a good standard, and considering they were feeding so many people, the food was always hot, with good variety.
I remember Pontins when there was a blue coat round every corner, friendly helpful staff to ensure your holiday went smoothly. How times have changed, we did not see any bluecoats in the day time throughout our stay and only about 5 in total were there I think. We could have had a better holiday in a bed and breakfast. Haven Holidays next year I think......

Just returned from a 3 night break at Pontins Blackpool with my two young grand daughters, aged 2 and 4, also my daughter, their Aunt. We go abroad all the time - not been to a holiday camp since my daughter was small and as I wanted a short break we thought why not Blackpool. We arrived quite late as my daughter had to drive up from Folkestone, Kent.
The gate security Gregg could not be more helpful directing us to the chalet which I had asked to be near the amenities, sorted out the car parking and ordered us a taxi into Blackpool Centre for the World Championship Fire work display that was on. Explaining the tram services back and where to get off near the camp for our return journey, he could not have been more helpful. £1.50 each no charge for children – brilliant. No problem with the buggy; lovely chap on the tram door helped us on and off at every stop he shouted all the hotel names so everyone knew where to get off - smashing service.
The chalet though basic was spotless , plenty of very large bath towels, very clean bedding and when we asked for more towels and more pillows they were provided by the excellent Chalet Lady Angie who was lovely nothing was to much trouble.
The big breakfast - help yourself - all you can eat and varied choice of evening meals plus lovely sweets and plenty of salads was enough for any varied appetites. After staying in 5* hotels in Las Vegas in April there is no comparison but on friendliness hospitality and lovely smiles on the two young European waitresses in the restaurant it is a thumbs up from all of us.
The girls were transfixed by the antics of the entertainers in the Princess Ballroom. The beach opposite compares to many good European beaches and as for the noise of the airport it was the Southport Air Show all weekend and the planes - Old War Planes, Red Arrows Display teams were taking off all weekend and from the Dunes it was a fantastic sight and people had come from all over the country as they said the view from Squires Gate Dunes was fantastic and my grand daughters enjoyed it immensely.

My 5 year old daughter and I went to a Pontins Holiday Centre for the first time in July 2007 and we really enjoyed it, the food was good, the apartments clean and the Blue Coats were excellent. We enjoyed our stay so much that we booked another visit in August 2007 back at Blackpool which was just as good.
The accommodation is comfortable and the entertainment is good. For a reasonably priced holiday in a good location I would recommend Blackpool Pontins to all families with children.

We went to Pontins for the first time in years after always going to Butlins. We Loved it. I went with my partner, my mum and 2 children. Ok the chalet needed a complete redecoration but I only slept in there.
My son who is 11 joined in with everything from archery to kmx karting. He loved it much more than Butlins. My daughter who is 3 loved the ballpark and all the colouring etc, so there is plenty for both.
The only down side is they shut the ball park on Wed afternoon so there is not much for her to do, but we managed. The food was lovely and I would recommend this holiday as you don't have to spend any money on the activities like at Butlins.
I liked it so much I am hoping to go away again in October. The entertainment on the night was also enjoyable with two venues to chose from. Something for everyone.

We all had a great time at Pontins, the kids loved it , the food were great. I think the staff could look like they are enjoying there self a little moor, the reception lady were really miserable. The camp could do with a face lift as it looks like army barroks, our room were really nice just had a new carpet laid. There is a bus stop on camp so you can get a bus to the center about every 5/10 mins - if there is a couple of you, you may as well get a taxi and the shop doesnt have alot to offer either.

Pontins Blackpool is a shabby, run-down, filthy excuse for a holiday camp. It should have been bulldozed years ago.
On arriving we wanted to turn around and go home. After standing in a long queue to check in we realised that the camp was situated on Blackpool Airport's runway.
When we got to our "chalet" we were shocked to find it wasn't cleaned since the last person had stayed in it. After a 10 minute wait the room had a quick clean. The smell was that bad we had to leave the windows open all the time. You need boots to walk on the carpet. Food was all right. Staff need to smile more.
We left 3 days early because of the dreadful entertainment and facilities.
If you a planning to go to Pontins, DON'T!!!
Take my word for it.

I thought that Pontins Blackpool is a great place to visit. My family has visited Pontins Blackpool for over 30 years and we still go about 4 times a year! We went at Christmas 06 and really enjoyed it so we have booked to go back this Christmas and New Year!

This year I took my daughter, son and 2 of my daughters friends and they are already wanting to go back even though they are not little kids - they are 16 and one of them is 14!
The rooms are clean and the food is excellent for variety and they also cater very well for vegetarians.
We found the entertainment good but the Bluecoats even better as the children got on well with the Bluecoats and didn't want to leave so we are going back in august and in Christmas and they can't wait.
So thank you and well done to (Sophie, Jak, Baby Ben, Sandie, Jade, Frenchie, Rebecca, little Sophie, Sarah B, Sarah,Kerry,DJ, Adam, Daniel, Calvin, Alison, Tracey, and all the Bluecoats you all are amazing!
The Bluecoat shows are something you must see, they're great! The pleasure beach and the promenade is not very far away and there are regular buses from the front of Pontins.
There is plenty for the young children to do and you don't have to worry about them as much as you would if you went abroad as there is a security team always on hand to help keeping an eye on the main gate..
The Bluecoats will do any thing to help nothing is too much? I would recommend this place to anyone of any age so book up and don't miss out on the fun!

I took my two sons to Pontins Blackpool. My husband could not come with us and we had never been to a holiday camp before.
I need not have worried there was something for both the boys and I had time for myself.
The food could have been a little better, but it was all done for us, no slaving over a hot oven.
The redcoats were fantastic and there was plenty of entertainment all day and night.
I would definitely recommend it.

If it was possible I would have given this hell hole a big fat "0". I have never been to a place like this, and the only thing I could liken it to would be a prisoner of war camp.
The whole place just looks like it has been left to rot from the 60's and badly needs some money spending on it. From the first impression of the reception my wife and I thought it couldn't get any worse, sadly we were very much mistaken.
Our accommodation a club chalet was small, hardly enough room for the travel cot, but smelt of a combination of damp and stale cigarette smoke, and the supposed shower is like those you find at the swimming pool which you press a button and some water trickles out for about 20 seconds. In addition the runway from the airport must have been next door to us as the planes nearly touch the roof on their way past.
Before unpacking our bags we decided to have a walk around the site and none of it was any better, we found an amusement arcade with out of date machines, a big like working mens club where the entertainment would probably be with the most filthy carpet on the floor I have ever seen, and a big open pub which was just more of the same.
Next we took our 1 year old to the play area, and we wouldn't allow him to touch anything in there it was absolutely disgusting.
At dinner time we made our way to the dining room, a big open plan area filled with tables and chairs with rusty metal legs and plastic table cloths. The food wasn't edible and could only be described as slop. After this we went out for dinner and found a wacky warehouse pub near the airport which at least let the baby have a good crawl around to burn some of his pent up energy off.
Needless to say we left first thing in the morning, but at least we had a good day out in Blackpool before returning home.
If I ever see Pontins again it will be too soon.

I wouldn’t even say it should get a 1 out of 10 but that is the lowest, firstly we paid £600 for the week to stay me my husband and my 3 year old child.
When we arrived the place looked so run down and quite disgusting, but we put that aside and hoped the entertainment would be good.
We were given our accom which was dirty, the carpet was suppose to be red but was black with dirt, there were massive cobwebs and spiders everywhere and the bathroom smelt disgusting, all mouldy as though it had never been properly cleaned.
On the first night my partner was desperate to go home but because we paid so much we stuck it during the night, however half way through the first dreadful evening found that the window was broken and was letting freezing cold air in, so they moved us at 3 am with our young children.
The apartment they gave us was cramped but least it was warm, the shower was crap you had to hold the button down or the dribble, called shower, would stop and it was freezing, after the first night I started to feel extremely unwell and was in bed by 8pm with flu like symptoms because it had been so cold.
We then the next day braved there swimming pool, which is the worst pool and changing facilities that I ever used, the changing rooms were drenched in water and smelt of urine, it was disgusting, as I was trying to put the clothes in the locker my daughter slipped on all the water and hurt her knee.
That was it for us we had had enough we went to the evening entertainment which was crap. We went so our daughter could be entertained and most of the blue coats barely paid attention to the kids and most of the entertainment didn’t start till 8pm.
I spoke to the duty manager and told how disgusting the place was he told me if I could get my stuff packed in 40mins he would give me a part refund, so that was it for us we took the opportunity and we will never ever go back. It’s disgusting.