Pontins Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Hotel Information
Hotel Description:
Roll up, roll up for the thrills of the famous Tower Circus! All aboard the magical rides of the Pleasure Beach! Gasp at the aquatic marvels of the Sea Life centre! The Golden Mile crackles with action night and day, while top bands and comedians parade for your pleasure at the Winter Gardens, the three piers and the Tower. loading...
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Pontins Blackpool Reviews
" DIRTY "
Submitted By: JOANNE.CORELESS
We went pontins 14th august 09, we was ment 2 b there for a week , we got to are chalet,it had not been cleaned , our feet stuck to the floor it was discusting, the kettle was full of stagnant milk, the carpet was full of iron marks, you could play twister on the carpet ,it was terrible and the room smelt very fusty. We went to the cabarets bar to see the blue coats that night they were very good, later that night we went back to the chalet it smelt even worse, all my family said we cant stay ere, we stayed that night, the next morning went to the bathroom no water at all. So then we went to reception asking for a full refund and we got it, there were no ifs or buts at all. we had saved up for this holiday since january, we paid £892 it was not worth that at all, you had to pay for mostly everything, me and my partner said we would never go to blackpool pontins ever again, ive three children 16, 9 and 5 and they all agreed with us. yours faithfully miss joanne corless, preston lancashire.
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Not so bad "
Submitted By: dinokart
After booking our holiday at Pontins Blackpool, I came accross this website and read the reviews written by others and tried to cancel my holiday. I was told that I should at least try it, which was a fair comment, so we did.
We arrived on Monday for our 4 night stay and I must say it was not as bad as I was expecting. Yes the chalets need new carpets and a lick of paint and the site is a bit run down. It reminds me of Butlins before they modernised all their sites. But please dont be put of by other peoples views and try it for yourself. The breakfasts and dinners on half board were tremendous and the choice was out of this world. The staff was very friendly all through the site. The hire charges for the go-karts and bikes was very reasonable. The main thing is that the kids loved it, kids are not worried about a bald carpet or some paint peeling off here and there. The location is superb and you can get a bus or tram into town every ten minutes, or even walk it.
I nearly cancelled after reading these reviews, but just try it and see what you think, you may be pleasantly surprised.
We arrived on Monday for our 4 night stay and I must say it was not as bad as I was expecting. Yes the chalets need new carpets and a lick of paint and the site is a bit run down. It reminds me of Butlins before they modernised all their sites. But please dont be put of by other peoples views and try it for yourself. The breakfasts and dinners on half board were tremendous and the choice was out of this world. The staff was very friendly all through the site. The hire charges for the go-karts and bikes was very reasonable. The main thing is that the kids loved it, kids are not worried about a bald carpet or some paint peeling off here and there. The location is superb and you can get a bus or tram into town every ten minutes, or even walk it.
I nearly cancelled after reading these reviews, but just try it and see what you think, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Why Not To Go To Pontins Blackpool "
Submitted By: Lyndsey Miller
Well where do I start. The chalet was completely dirty/untidy. The TV didn't work, out of a 4 drawer chest only one drawer opened. There were no towels or maid service for the full length of our stay (4 nights). Entertainment was a load of rubbish. The blue coats left a lot to be desired with their people skills and their children skills for the childrens entertainment on a night were non-existant. The beds in the chalet should come with a health warning - our double bed must have been the original one from when the site opened, there were more springs sticking out of the bed than underneath it, I have been back 2 weeks now and I am still suffering with back pains which I have been to the doctors about and it's just a bit of a coincidence that it was ok before I went. In the main bar on a night the there were ladies toilets situated at either side of the room, the ones to the left hand side of the room were out of order for the whole duration of our stay. The bar was really busy on a night and we only ever saw one person behind it who took about 15 mins to serve 1 person so most of the night was taken up with standing around in a que waiting to be served. This holiday cost us (myself, my husband, a 3 year old and 1 year old) £485 to stay for 4 nights half board which I think is totally and utterly disgraceful given the state of the chalet and the place on a whole. I wish I had looked at some reviews on it before I booked it. All I can say is DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY - THINK TWICE!!!!
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2007
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Disaster "
Submitted By: Joyce Davis
8th August - Geared up, Single Pensioner,3 children in tow, ready for a fun filled exciting holiday at Pontins, Blackpool. Room was 'musty' and flies everywhere. Outside fascias were rotten and back wall was cracked and black with mold. Activities for all 3 children to join in at once - NIL. Too young, too old, too short or too tall. Crazy golf was hazardous to young children most of it rotted away. Tennis courts flooded after rain. Grounds were like giant ashtrays. We left after 3 days it was apalling.
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" What The [--]!?! "
Submitted By: magssy15
Upon arrival in my Delorean time machine, our family found ourselves back in the 1950's. Which turned out to be Pontin's Blackpool.
Our first reactions were 'It can't be as bad as it looks' - Oh how we were wrong. After finally collecting our keys from reception, we set off to find our Chalet, sorry cell. Upon opening the broken door, we were greeted by the sweet smell of foist. As we walked in, the carpet tried to walk out. There was damp on the walls, the bathroom was nothing short of complete filth and the beds made us feel sick. We decided that we couldn't stay in that room and went back to reception to see if they could give us an alternative room. However, we were told that they were fully booked which we found hard to believe as there could not be as many stupid people as us! We decided on a refund and left the park after a 30 minute stay, may I add, it was 30 minutes too long. Just waiting for our money to be credited back in order to pay for my children's counselling. The following day, after staying overnight in a nearby hotel which can only be described as the Ritz by comparison, we discovered that the park is under investigation following an alleged Legionnaires outbreak the previous week which explains why they were closed, sorry fully booked.
An experience never to be repeated, I would not send my worst enemy to this place. How they get away with this substandard excuse for a holiday camp is beyond me.
Our first reactions were 'It can't be as bad as it looks' - Oh how we were wrong. After finally collecting our keys from reception, we set off to find our Chalet, sorry cell. Upon opening the broken door, we were greeted by the sweet smell of foist. As we walked in, the carpet tried to walk out. There was damp on the walls, the bathroom was nothing short of complete filth and the beds made us feel sick. We decided that we couldn't stay in that room and went back to reception to see if they could give us an alternative room. However, we were told that they were fully booked which we found hard to believe as there could not be as many stupid people as us! We decided on a refund and left the park after a 30 minute stay, may I add, it was 30 minutes too long. Just waiting for our money to be credited back in order to pay for my children's counselling. The following day, after staying overnight in a nearby hotel which can only be described as the Ritz by comparison, we discovered that the park is under investigation following an alleged Legionnaires outbreak the previous week which explains why they were closed, sorry fully booked.
An experience never to be repeated, I would not send my worst enemy to this place. How they get away with this substandard excuse for a holiday camp is beyond me.
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" My Review "
Submitted By: georgeous
I am 13 and i absoulutly love pontins blackpool. I wen't last year it was just me and my mum together. It was the first time we went. I have read reviews about pontins I am shocked,when we went we arrived about 12pm and was told we had to wait till 4pm to get our key but they stored our cases for us. We disided to have a look round the camp as we were tired from the journey we decided to hire a bike. The camp is a reasonable size and we enjoyed looking around. We found all the blue coats to be polite and helpfull. Instead of waithing 4 hours for our chalet we got the key with in 2 hours we were happy to see that the chalet was cleaned with care to our standers. We went half board and our chalet was a lovely size for just the two of us. We enjoyed the entertainment all through the day, The entertainment was for all ages and we had a smashing time. We loved the fact that we were only minuites away from the sea and we went a coupple of times while we stayed. i am a very fussy eater and there were loads to choose from we were spoilt for choice i didn't want to leave. The only reason i gave pontins a 9 out of 10 is because the golf course needed a bit of work. I enjoyed the arcades and the swimming pool we went nearly every day swimming and went to the arcades every night.I am going to pontins again this year and hopefully the next N love the place and can't get enough N
Advice: It is my favourite place and i am definatly going back
Activities: i love the sea veiw it was beautiful
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:MyTravel
" Much Better Than Expected "
Submitted By: Rosie P
My husband, two sons and I recently stayed at Pontins for a football tournament over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. After having read recent reviews, we were very apprehensive as to what to expect and had decided that we would have to stay at a hotel if the chalet was really bad.
We didn't arrive until 8.30 pm on the Friday evening and on first sight, it did look rather like a concentration camp, but I think that is because there are a lot of single storey buildings set out in rows. We were pleased to find that the dining room was kept open until 9 pm to cater for late arrivals and we all had a very good evening meal. We had booked a Club chalet, which was in a very good position close to the bars and swimming pool. The accommodation was very clean and tidy, the bedding was nice and we had plenty of clean towels each day. When we got a plug stuck in the sink someone came out to fix it straightaway. All our meals were very good, there was plenty of choice in both hot and cold meals - the salads were excellent.
My eldest son and his friends used the swimming pool twice, so it must have been OK, although I actually didn't get round to looking at it. The crazy golf course and go kart track didn't appear to be open at all whilst we were there, which seemed strange as it was a Bank Holiday.
We had a really good time and would definitely return to the same accommodation.
We didn't arrive until 8.30 pm on the Friday evening and on first sight, it did look rather like a concentration camp, but I think that is because there are a lot of single storey buildings set out in rows. We were pleased to find that the dining room was kept open until 9 pm to cater for late arrivals and we all had a very good evening meal. We had booked a Club chalet, which was in a very good position close to the bars and swimming pool. The accommodation was very clean and tidy, the bedding was nice and we had plenty of clean towels each day. When we got a plug stuck in the sink someone came out to fix it straightaway. All our meals were very good, there was plenty of choice in both hot and cold meals - the salads were excellent.
My eldest son and his friends used the swimming pool twice, so it must have been OK, although I actually didn't get round to looking at it. The crazy golf course and go kart track didn't appear to be open at all whilst we were there, which seemed strange as it was a Bank Holiday.
We had a really good time and would definitely return to the same accommodation.
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:May 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" dont go barefoot "
Submitted By: suzywong63
my work colleague and i have just come back from a 4 night over 50s break where we took a lady with learning difficulties,when we first arrived at it looked like any other holiday (or concentration)camp.However once you step into the chalet your world comes crashing down.We had a 3 bedroom one,but although 1 of the bedrooms was fairly spacious the other 2 were like cupboards,there were a couple of dead flies on the window sills,the bathroom was full of mould and there was only 1 plug socket for the whole of the chalet,if your thinking of going barefoot round the chalet,be afraid,you don't know what may be lurking there.the lady on reception told us our chalet had been prepared for us so god knows what it was like before.the daytime activities were none existent,the hire shop to hire bikes was closed most of the time, the web site shows all sorts of stuff going on in the day,well take no notice,there was nothing,there was entertainment in the evening,although i found some of the blue coats lacking in people skills,though in a place like this i would have thought that was important,obviously not.the one redeeming feature was the food,although the dinning room was like something out of the ark with checked plastic tablecloths the food was lovely,my advice is to head to town every day if you don't want to be sitting twiddling your thumbs,it seems unfair though to have to shell out bus fairs when you are led to believe that there would be activities on site.Pontins has had a good reputation and its a shame that basic cleanliness and upkeep has gone,poor old fred pontin must be spinning in his grave.
Advice: blackpool great,pontins awful.
Activities: walk of faith in blackpool tower and pleasure beach.
- Date of Holiday:Jun 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Families BEWARE!! "
Submitted By: Family of five
How awful. Massively miss-represented by Pontins on their website and their brochure. 'Trading Standards' need to visit! If you've booked it, CANCEL! The place is completely run down, dirty and washed out. The chalet, (if you can call it that) was cramped, dirty, smelly and just uninhabitable. We stayed just long enough to get a full refund. The staff were very pleasant (about the only thing that is) but what a shocker! The acccomodation that we booked was a three-bed 'Classic'. The only thing 'Classic' about it was it's age! The bedding was heavily stained and I dread to think of the age of the mattresses if their smell is anything to go by. Funny thing though.. a refund was really easy to get! They were actually expecting people to want their money back!! I just asked. All you have to do is sign a 'Disclaimer' agreeing that you accept the refund (which is offered as a 'Goodwill Gesture') in full and final settlement! They had these forms all ready printed up and ready!! (I wonder why?) Pull your socks up Pontins! You were once as famous as Butlins for offering a good family holiday.. Pontins Blackpool is a disgrace! Spend money on it or demolish it. For the same money, we manged to check-in to the 'Cala Gran' in Fleetwood run by Haven. What difference! Fantastic! Here right now enjoying the rest of our holiday.
Advice: Lancashire great. Pontins Blackpool a disgrace!
Activities:
- Date of Holiday:May 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" dump "
Submitted By: melias
take a sleeping bag and sleep on the sand dunes amoungst the dirt and broken bottles you will find it cleaner!poky sh*tholes they call them chalet are a disgrace and not fit for human habitation, only stayed because son was in football tournement left as soon as presentation was over and drove in the night rather the stay the last night which was paid for. please dont book this holiday park its a disgrace.
Advice: lancashire nice just stay away from pontins!
Activities:
- Date of Holiday:Apr 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" PontinsMad! "
Submitted By: Becky.S
Ok i may only be 16 but im fed up of reading bad reports about pontins blackpool so thought i should share my experinces!! Me and my family just cant get enough of pontins! Our family consists of my mother who is a single parent, myself and my three year old sister so as you can imagine its hard to get a holiday that pleases us all! We first went to pontins July 07 for a week and when we first arrived we cringed at what we had chosen as a family holiday...how wrong were we! The exterior may be shabby but it is made up tremendously by the fabulous entertainment and work of the bluecoats. I am a very fussy eater but the selection of 'normal' food left me with a choice! Its just like school, you get a tray and help yourself but there is also a salad bar with cold meat and an omlette station where you can have your own omlette made. The enetrtainment every night is amazing and the bluecoat shows are first class! We have since visited Oct 07, July 08, Sept 08 and April 09 and are intend to spend our third summer break here in the coming July. Usually taking a friend with me, my mum trusts to leave us at the enetertainment at night when my little sister gets tired and knows we will be safe withtin the park. The entertainment at night begins with bingo but an additional kids club called 'Croc Gang' in another venue is a saviour to parents and kids alike, no kids want to sit through bingo! Croc gang is also run by bluecoats, games are played and Uncle Russ the magaician puts on a small magic show in which the kids are involved and can win balloon prizes. After bingo there is a kids party time in which some of the pontins characters come out and play games and do party dances. Sometimes there are two cabaret acts, the first being mainly for the kids. I have seen a gameshow type cabaret in which the kids are involved, a kind of circus act and most recently a new bluecoat kids show, 100% Kids, which was first class (as usual!) Then later there is a cabaret which is usually a singer/s, comedy acts, dancers, magaicians, or a bluecoat show, all of which are amazing and incredibly entertaining. Then its time for Boogie With The Blues, another session of Party Dances with the bluacoats for the kids who made it this late or the adults who want a bit of a laugh. Yes, many of the bluecoats are still here here at this time and there is always at least 2 present on the dancefloor during the little disco breaks between the entertainment which is unlike my experience at many Haven holiday camps which i have visited. Lastly one of the bluecoats stays in the box for the late night disco which runs until about 2 in the morning or until it gets really quiet. During the day, if your not out at the many attractions a bus ride away in Blackpool (or you can walk which we have done before!)there are many activities run by the bluecoats all day. The chalets are basic, but what do you expect? Your not spending your day in there! They are clean and comfortable to sleep in. The bluecoats are definately the angels in disguise at this centre their dedication and hard work is clear, they are very talented and iv seen some work till 2 in the morning and be out at 9 or 10 the next day with the guests. Thats what i call dedicated! They must be so worn out but they never let it show, they are always all smiles and ready to go! :) We really love it there and one day i hope to spend some time as a bluecoat as it looks amazing fun! I would be PROUD to work for pontins and am excited about my summer holiday already and im just back! :D x
Good for: Beach
- Date of Holiday:Apr 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Easter Madness "
Submitted By: Dougy
What a big mistake, staying in an outside toilet with windows, thinking that it was a holiday chalet, well the holiday blurb called it a chalet. We thought that we would be charged for over occupancy as we shared the room with several hundred ants, fortunately the staff turned a blind eye to this, as it could have cost us a fortune.
I honestly believe the people who gave this place a score of more than one are employees, or else hit the wrong button. When my son went to bed he thought the bedding had been deep-fried as it smelt of chips. The carpets were absolutely disgusting, with a covering of goodness knows what that had not been disturbed by a vacuum cleaner in a long time. It was so dirty that we had to wipe our feet on the way out. As for the food if you were very selective in what you chose it was pleasant and edible, the drinks bar was a joke, as was the breakfast "juice", 1 part juice 100 parts water. It is high time that Pontins Blackpool was totally reburbished ,no, demolished and rebuilt. It is in an ideal position, it is just a pity that it is of such a low standard.
THIS PLACE IS NOT A HOLIDAY PARK IT IS A TOILET.
I honestly believe the people who gave this place a score of more than one are employees, or else hit the wrong button. When my son went to bed he thought the bedding had been deep-fried as it smelt of chips. The carpets were absolutely disgusting, with a covering of goodness knows what that had not been disturbed by a vacuum cleaner in a long time. It was so dirty that we had to wipe our feet on the way out. As for the food if you were very selective in what you chose it was pleasant and edible, the drinks bar was a joke, as was the breakfast "juice", 1 part juice 100 parts water. It is high time that Pontins Blackpool was totally reburbished ,no, demolished and rebuilt. It is in an ideal position, it is just a pity that it is of such a low standard.
THIS PLACE IS NOT A HOLIDAY PARK IT IS A TOILET.
- Date of Holiday:Apr 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:M + L
" Review "
Submitted By: dkelly
We went to Pontins recently having never tried these sorts of holidays before and all i can say is that its not all bad. The worse things are the chalets which are very very basic but if you dont expect much then you wont be dissapointed and to be honest you are out most of the time so its just somewhere to sleep. The chalet had clean bedding and clean bathroom but everything else about the rooms needed updating. Take an extension socket as there are not enough power points in the rooms.Take teabags/coffee etc as these are not provided unless you are in Club accom. The food was good and there was a wide choice on offer each day. Plenty of entertainment for kids and the evening entertainment was cheesy but ok. Staff were friendly and dealt with our queries promptly.
The only other thing i would say is checking in is chaos as loads of people try and check in for 4.00pm. My advice is either get there in the queue really early or arrive for 5.00 when most people have been dealt with.
The only other thing i would say is checking in is chaos as loads of people try and check in for 4.00pm. My advice is either get there in the queue really early or arrive for 5.00 when most people have been dealt with.
- Date of Holiday:Mar 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" no way "
Submitted By: miss urban
How can you possably want to goto pontis, the place is visabley run down, and in bad state of repair.
No wonder they anounsed a big refurblishment to come in 2009 and the closeure of one of their parks. It looks tolaty tatty, no flower beds just worn away patchy grass, and very out dated sheds that are so small you cant swing a cat.
They now have a price checker comparing other camps
http://www.pontins.com/pricechecker.
And to me it is totaly wish wash
They are saying you can stay at pontins for far less than butlins.
Well excuse me but no you cant, and Butlins parks are far nicer with well layed out chalettes nice gardens and yes plenty of flower beds with no patchy going dead grass
Pontins doesnt have any day time entertaiment at all.
you have to pay for all they extras, plus the lec unless to go top notch gold ( club )
Well at Butlins all ents is in the price plus you get the fun fair and day time ents kids clubs soft play areas trampolines and yes you also get the lec icluded, you can aslo park your car on site.
If you ask me, or any one i know who has had expiriense of both, i know which resort they would choose hands down, and it wouldnt be pontins
No wonder they anounsed a big refurblishment to come in 2009 and the closeure of one of their parks. It looks tolaty tatty, no flower beds just worn away patchy grass, and very out dated sheds that are so small you cant swing a cat.
They now have a price checker comparing other camps
http://www.pontins.com/pricechecker.
And to me it is totaly wish wash
They are saying you can stay at pontins for far less than butlins.
Well excuse me but no you cant, and Butlins parks are far nicer with well layed out chalettes nice gardens and yes plenty of flower beds with no patchy going dead grass
Pontins doesnt have any day time entertaiment at all.
you have to pay for all they extras, plus the lec unless to go top notch gold ( club )
Well at Butlins all ents is in the price plus you get the fun fair and day time ents kids clubs soft play areas trampolines and yes you also get the lec icluded, you can aslo park your car on site.
If you ask me, or any one i know who has had expiriense of both, i know which resort they would choose hands down, and it wouldnt be pontins
Advice: Filthy Dirty Scruffy
Activities: The only good thing was the tower
- Date of Holiday:Apr 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
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we got our room keys but was surprised when there was someone already staying in our room and my nanna and grandad where suppost to be in the next dump of a room next to us but when we asked for two rooms next to each other for 5 of us the gave me and my brother a room attached to my mums room and placed my nanna and grandad in a room at the other side of the complex
the next morning we were woken up by a ryan air PLAIN landing at the AIRPORT next door to the complex
breakfast made me ill for 3 days because of nuts that i'm allergic to being in the scrambled egg
we had to pay for everything despite it being an all exclusive holiday that we paid £750 fo the 5 of us for 2 weeks