St Ives Holiday Village

Went here in September 2009 for 5 nights (Mon-Fri), booked through the Sun newspaper and granted we only paid £39.50 + so we always expect cheap & cheerful but we've been on about six of these holidays and they've all been lovely & standards have been high but this holiday. It was disgusting!!!!! The microwave was rusty & it looked too dangerous to use, there was a musty smell on entry to the wooden chalet, the dining room table (which was just a picnic-type table with two benches) was sticky, the settee had stains on it, the cupboards, wardrobes & drawers needed cleaning before using, there was damp patches on the walls, the bathroom had bits peeling off the walls. They all needed pulling down & rebuilding. We always say, "you're only sleeping there", but whenever we've been on the holidays before it's been nice to relax after a day out with a beer and watch a bit of telly or play a game, where as this holiday we just didn't want to go back each night. We asked on the first night if we could move but they couldn't accomodate us either at that park or one of their others down the road, so it was either 280 mile trip back home or grin & bear it, which when we'd been & fetched cleaning items from the local Tesco's and spent 3 hours cleaning, we did the latter, but unusually for us we couldn't wait to get home on the Friday and have a good shower. The reason I am writing this now nearly two years later, is that we, today, have received the John Fowler brochure for 2012 & the chalets are still there & it still says 'due for refurbishment'. So no improvement!!!!!!!!!!!

1 reader found this review helpful

My husband and I have just returned from four days at this camp site an Oakleigh chalet number 278 and it was dire, it stank of smoke and we foun 8 air freshners in the chalet. We complained about it and was told that the cant stop people smoking why not just make it non smoking. The furniture in the living arer was awful and old bed settee and and old pine table, no rails in the bathroom the hang any towels no hooks on the back of any of the doors and no mirror in the bedroom. The chefs corner looked like a works canteen and the beer garden well where was it? Would we stay again NO.

I just came back from st ives village we stayed for a week in 229 woodside lodge, it was really clean and comfy the swimming pool was great and the club house was great fun after 9pm when the kids went to bed lol meet some really cool friends great entertainment every night. I would def recommend this lodge.my only one disappointment was the food in the club house was basic and not a big menu. helen 22

2 readers found this review helpful

We paid just over £845 for a oakleigh bungalow as we arrived at the bungalow and opened the door the smell off damp hit us after complaining we were told to leave the windows open for a bit and it should be ok. then spend the first day cleaning(like cobwebs in the oven and dirt everywhere ) and the whole place just to try and make it liveable. If you have booked to stay here seriously thing about cancelling and book somewhere else.

2 readers found this review helpful

Having booked a Woodland Gold Lodge for the week at £870 we thought that the accomodation would be quite nice. However, the 'shack' looked like a garden shed! It had a foul musty smell and felt dirty,(my son found an old toenail in the eating area)the beds also felt damp when you got in them at night. The bathroom was appalling with the smallest shower cubicle we have ever seen! If a person was on the big side or elderley you would not be able to use it.
We did not see any staff (apart from at the clubhouse) throughout the whole week and nobody asked how our stay was going.
St Ives and the surrounding areas is beautiful but don't stay here, next time we'll be hiring a cottage!

4 readers found this review helpful

This park was just plain m***ing. When we arrived we opened the door and were almost knocked out by the smell of damp dog! There was a huge stain on the sofa, the windows were damp and the pipes in the bathroom were green, as was the carpet in the lounge - but on closer inspection we discovered that this was originally red but had just faded really badly. The kitchen was infested with ants and we didn't dare eat anything in there the whole week. We even went out and bought some glasses so that we didn't have to use theirs. There was also no electric when we arrived, but fair play they did sort this quickly. When we went to complain they said they were fully booked so we couldn't be moved, even though there did not seem to be anyone else staying in our block. You will need an up to date tetnus before you can go in the pool! When we went the sauna and slide were both closed. The club house smelt like sweat. The whole place needs updating. We only spent £15 each to stay in the 'Hell hole in the woods' (this is a pretty accurate description), but apparently they charge £500 a week to stay there!! If you have booked to go there - don't bother - just get a refund now!!

1 reader found this review helpful

stayed in the woodland gold chalet, payed nearly £700 for a week. very basic very small bathroom/toilet,wasnt suitable for the young let alone the elderly which we stated on booking.light bulbs kept blowing.dont think i will be booking again.i thought at least with gold you cant go wrong but i was wrong!!plus the club house and facilities were absolutly basic and iv seen better!!!!

1 reader found this review helpful

The accomodation was old fashioned uncomfortable not clean the swimming pool was cold and dirty the club house smelt of urine not at all happy with accomodation but st ives is such a beautiful place i dont understand how some people rated this park with higher than a 2 as all the chalets are the same

2 readers found this review helpful

We stayed from 10-17th April in a Silver Chalet and had a fantastic holiday. The chalet was tidy and clean (although a spring clean would be nice if i am to be picky!)and the bedding was crisp, clean and looked & felt new. Kitchen was usable however a baking tray would have been nice. Bathroom was nice for kids as had bath and shower was powerful and hot. There was no damp smell and the heating was powerful with 2 heaters.. Overall the accommodation was suitable and usable for 1 week for a family of 5. As you walk around the park it is clear some accommodation are being updated and the grounds were looking lovely with flower beds being planted whilst we were there. The park was clean with no rubbish laying around. We used the swimming pool most days and found it clean and tidy although a little cold with the doors open. The slide was good for little ones however a height restriction was imposed on our last day so no one below 132cm could use it. Pool open 10am-12 noon and 2-6pm. Changing rooms basic but usable. The shop was good for basics although a little pricey and had strange opening times. The amusements we did not use but they seemed very popular. Childrens outside play area was lovely. Bar food was basic but ok and the free games with kids meals were a nice touch. The club house was large, clean and full most nights. The ladies toilets need renovating ASAP. Baby changing was through the restaurant which must be annoying for diners and was set very high on the wall. Foxy club for kids was FANTASTIC, Games 6-7PM then adult and kids bingo combined 7-8pm followed by another hour of Foxy show time and party dances. The 4 entertainers were great with the kids and no two nights were the same. We did not stay for t he adult entertainment so cannot comment. The staff were friendly and helpful - my daughter fell over and cut her knee and a passing staff member came over to offer his assistance and check she was ok. My two older children age 4 and 7 in their words \"HAD THE BEST HOLIDAY EVER\" We booked through Hoeseasons and their brochure lists the accommodation as it is - Gold, Silver or Bronze Chalets, however check the John Fowler website and they are honest with regard to the accommodation state, they give more detail for you to know what to expect and their prices reflect this. Overall we had a fantastic holiday at a great park in a lovely setting and location for a bargain price. We will be going back and would recommend. This park has had a lot of negative reviews and I was very worried before we arrived as we booked and paid before reading the reviews, from our stay it is clear they are listening as they were working on updating the park and accomodations. Give it ago, just dont expect the ritz when you pay peanuts. Thanks for a great holiday.

5 readers found this review helpful

When we first saw the outside of the lodge that we were staying in we were horrified, it was in serious need of makeover! Once we walked in it just got worse, the smell was disgusting it was damp and dinghy we had a silver lodge so heaven knows what the bronze ones would have looked like.
We tried to convince ourselves that this was just a place to put down our heads at night as we love cornwall so much we like to go out and explore the surrounding areas. Although we did take the children to the swimmimg pool one day and that was just as bad when you walked through to get to pool the floor was dirty and the water we had to walk through to get in pool was filthy.
But please don't let this put you off going to St Ives as it is a gorgeous place and would definately go back. But will find somewhere else to stay.