All in one place
For a hassle-free holiday, groups can head to one of the UK’s holiday centres or all-inclusive hotels where accommodation, food, entertainment and activities are all laid on for you. Carrie Drage explores some of the options available.
The traditional holiday camp has been around for more than 100 years; however, the concept really took off in the 1930s when Sir Billy Butlin opened his first camp in Skegness. Although the current popularity of these camps is in no way comparable to that of its 1950s heyday, the idea of having all amenities on-site is still an attractive option for many GTOs arranging a group holiday.
Nowadays, although holiday centres and all-inclusive hotels are still immensely popular with families, many are being exclusively targeted at adults and over 55s, often offering attractive group benefits and discounts. What’s more, for those wishing to venture beyond the boundaries of the resort, planning excursions couldn’t be easier as most are conveniently located near to popular visitor attractions and in areas of natural beauty.
An open invitation
Holiday centres are ideal for GTOs wishing to minimise the stress of booking a group holiday.
One of the UKs largest providers of holiday centres is Park Resorts, which owns 37 holiday parks at some of Britain’s most beautiful coastal destinations. This year, the company will be offering two new properties, following the recent purchase of Landguard Holidays on the Isle of Wight and Skipsea Sands Holiday Park in Yorkshire. All accommodation is self-catering and comes in the form of caravans, lodges and chalets, which are graded as Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum. To make the most of your stay, the parks offer daily leisure activities and sports, heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools and evening entertainment such as cabaret, party theme nights, competitions and dancing. GTOs booking more than three caravans, lodges or chalets qualify for a discount and for bookings in excess of 20, a free caravan, lodge or chalet is offered to the organiser. To make life easier, a dedicated reservation team is on hand for all group bookings.
Another leading provider of UK holiday centres is Bourne Leisure, which operates the well-known brands Haven and British Holidays, Butlins and Warner Breaks. With 35 holiday parks across the UK, Haven and British Holidays offers both self-catering in its graded caravan accommodation and half-board accommodation – comprising dinner, bed and breakfast – in graded apartments and chalets at two of its parks; Craig Tara in Ayrshire and Hafan y Mor in North Wales. Offering a range of daytime entertainment and activities – from live music, games and competitions through to golf, tennis, fishing, swimming and horse-riding – groups will have no shortage of things to do. Entertainment also carries on through to the evening with a packed programme of stage shows, discos and live bands. GTOs wishing to book a stay at one of the Haven and British Holidays parks will benefit from a dedicated groups team who are on hand to help provide a seamless service. There is also an exclusive groups website that provides all the information necessary to make a group booking. A discount is available for groups booking five or more caravans, apartments or chalets.
Another brand that many will be familiar with is Pontin’s, which operates seven sites in the UK. Half-board accommodation can be found at its sites in Blackpool and Pakefield, in Suffolk, whereas self-catering is offered at Brean Sands in Somerset, Camber Sands in Sussex, Hemsby in Norfolk, Prestatyn Sands in North Wales and Southport. Again, groups can choose the level of accommodation that best suits their budget with three different grades available. Activities range from salsa dancing to cribbage, croquet, indoor bowls and tea dances. The renowned Bluecoats are also on hand to liven up the atmosphere, offering a programme of all-singing, all-dancing entertainment. Discounts on accommodation are available for groups of 20 or more.
Richardson’s, meanwhile, has a portfolio of five holiday villages in Norfolk and Hampshire, including three aimed exclusively at adults and the over 50s. Offering holidays on the Norfolk coast, Hemsby Beach Holiday Village has a diverse range of chalet and bungalow-style accommodation, some sleeping up to eight people. Its Copacabana Club hosts nightly cabaret, bands and bingo and, for the competitive amongst you, the Village arranges regular competitions such as the ‘Grandest Gran’ talent evening or sports contests in pool and darts. Similar facilities can be enjoyed at another of its sites, Summerfields, which is situated close to Great Yarmouth, as well as its adults-only sites: the South Downs Holiday Village in Hampshire and Seacroft and Mundesley Holiday Villages in Norfolk. Group discounts are negotiable.
Another popular chain of holiday villages is Center Parcs, a Dutch import developed in the 1960s. The main principle behind the company is to keep in harmony with nature so all villages are situated within 400 acres of natural woodland with lakes and waterways. Accommodation comes in villas and lodges of varying standards – the most luxurious being the four-berth Exclusive Lodge, which comes with a sauna and outdoor hot tub. As well as facilities such as indoor swimming complexes, one of the main draws for adults booking a Center Parcs holiday is the Balinese and Romanesque-style Aqua Sana spas, a pampering opportunity that can be enjoyed at all four Center Parcs sites; Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Elveden Forest in Suffolk, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire and Whinfell Forest in Cumbria. Internationally-inspired experiences include the Turkish Hammam, which is a Turkish-style steam room, and a Greek Herbal Bath, a sauna experience that infuses essences such as camomile. As Center Parcs’ primary concept is the benefit of outdoor living, groups visiting one of the villages will find a host of activities to do, ranging from windsurfing and raft building on the lakes to falconry, archery and horse riding. Guided nature walks can also be arranged with knowledgeable Conservation Rangers. With regards to entertainment, there are a number of possibilities. A trip to one of the on-site cinemas features free popcorn and soft drinks or alternatively, you have the option of enjoying a brunch buffet with live jazz accompaniment. Center Parcs has grand plans for the future, which include the development of a fifth site at Warren Wood, in Bedfordshire. The 200 million pound project is due to start construction next year; however completion is not expected until late 2010.
With three holiday parks in operation – in Lincolnshire’s Skegness, Somerset’s Minehead and West Sussex’s Bognor Regis – Butlins is still a leading name in the tourism industry. The company is best-known for its ‘Redcoats’, who have been entertaining audiences since the 1930s and, this year, there is an array of new shows on offer; ‘V-Variety’ is an evening of variety acts spanning song, dance, illusion and acrobatics, and ‘Altogether Now’ is packed with sing-along songs such as Madness’ Baggy Trousers. Famous names will also be taking to the stage, most notably some of the finalists from ITV1’s ‘X-Factor’, such as Chico. Groups lodging at Butlins have the option of self-catering or half-board accommodation, or for those visiting the Bognor Regis site, there is the added option of the Shoreline Hotel. The nautically-inspired 160-bed hotel offers sea views, as well as exclusive access times to some of the resort’s amenities, such as the Splash Waterworld swimming complex. Dedicated group advisors look after your booking from start to finish and each party is allocated a Groups Host to look after you during your stay. One free place is offered for every 20 paying guests. All parks also accept day visitors and admission is discounted for groups of 20 or more.
Situated on the Norfolk coast, Potters Leisure Resort promotes itself as the only five-star holiday village in the UK. Guests at the Resort are entertained nightly in the Atlas Theatre, which claims to have one of the largest stages outside London’s West End. Topping the bill this year is ITV1’s ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ winner Joe Pasquale. Groups interested in arranging a stay at the Resort can choose from a number of options, including several themed breaks such as a ‘Boogie Nights’ 70s and 80s themed weekend and a Simply Ballroom break featuring a special appearance by professional dancers Erin Boag and Anton du Beke, recognisable from BBC1’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Accommodation at the Resort comprises bungalows and a hotel, which have both been recently upgraded. The hotel now has a new 26-bedroom extension and new decor, furniture and flat screen TVs have been added to enhance the bungalow accommodation. Discounts are available for groups of 21 or more.
No kids allowed
Groups wishing to take a break from the more family-orientated parks can benefit from a number of adult-only options.
Warner Leisure Hotels is possibly Britain’s best-known hotel brand opertaing exclusively for adults. The company has a portfolio of four coastal resorts and nine hotels in the UK, which includes the grade I-listed Holme Lacy House in Herefordshire, the 17th century Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales and Thoresby Hall Hotel in Nottinghamshire, set within ‘Capability’ Brown-designed grounds and gardens. This year, the company has increased the number of themed breaks it offers from 250 to more than 600, with more unusual offerings ranging from ‘Belly Dancing for Beginners’ to ‘Beekeeping’ and ‘Fruit Carving’. The breaks are hosted by some of the UKs leading experts and offer groups the opportunity to develop new interests. Groups are offered discounts of up to 25 percent and free places are available for 15 or more people. Groups also benefit from a dedicated Group Sales Co-ordinator and a welcome host to greet you on arrival at the properties.
Martyn Leisure Breaks, formerly known as Hollybush Hotels, also markets itself at adults with many full- and half-board breaks exclusively available for the over 50s. The company has six sites in operation; Lyme Bay Leisure Resort in Devon, Sand Bay Leisure Resort in Somerset, The Ship Hotel in London and the Russell Hotel, Hotel Prince Regent and The Sherborne Hotel, all in Dorset. Themed breaks are especially popular with groups and many offer extra benefits such as a discounted bar. Facilities vary between sites, however, usually include swimming pools, saunas and steam rooms. One of the most popular packages for groups is the ‘Big Band Break’. These are themed around a particular musical decade, for instance, ‘Memories’ is a 50s and 60s themed break and ‘Rat Pack Special’ is a tribute to Sammy Davis Jnr, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. This year, Martyn Leisure Breaks is introducing a new themed break at its Lyme Bay Leisure Resort, known as ‘A Victorian Christmas’. This will recreate the Victorian era through traditional period decorations and costumed staff. A dedicated group sales team guides you through your booking and one free place is offered for every 20 paying guests.
Also offering adult-only breaks is Butlins, with ‘Big Weekends’ catering solely for over 18s. Groups have more than 50 ‘Big Weekends’ to choose from including ‘Soul and Motown’, ‘Disco Inferno’ and ‘90s Reloaded’. Each themed weekend features performances from well-known pop acts from the era – for instance, Alvin Stardust, Jimmy James and Brotherhood of Man. Star DJs, such as BBC Radio 1’s Scott Mills, are also on hand to keep you on the dancefloor.
Pontin’s, meanwhile, is another brand that offers adults-only breaks; however these are only available at two of its parks, Blackpool and Pakefield in Suffolk. Known as ‘Pontin’s Gold Breaks’, the holidays are exclusively available for over 50s. Groups on a Gold Break at the Blackpool site receive a free day trip to Blackpool Tower, which includes entry to the Tower and tea and biscuits on arrival. Meanwhile, at the Pakefield resort, some of the Gold Breaks on offer include ‘A Good Old Knees Up’, featuring cabaret from ‘The American Four Tops’ and 60s legends ‘Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch’, as well as ‘Pakefield Proms’, featuring tunes from the 42-piece Symphonia Viva Orchestra, a firework display and a Sunday Gala Buffet. ‘Turkey and Tinsel’ breaks are also offered at both locations in November.
Another company that has parks exclusively targeting adults is Richardson’s. Two of its parks – Seacroft and Mundesley Holiday Villages, both in Norfolk – are adult-only villages, whereas its South Downs Holiday Village, in Hampshire, is purely for over 50s. The parks specialise in themed weekends such as ‘Beatlemania’, ‘Ultimate Line Dance’ and ‘Turkey and Tinsel’.
On Hampshire’s Hayling Island, groups can arrange a stay at the Mill Rythe Holiday Resort. The Resort primarily caters for the adult market, except in the school holidays when families are also welcomed. Popular themed breaks for adults include the ‘Remember When?’ holidays, a musical celebration from the 40s to the present day that features live bands and cabaret acts. A discounted bar is also available on these breaks. This year, the Resort has also introduced a selection of new breaks, ranging from the adults-only ‘Country Roads’, with its line dancing and John Denver tribute act, to the family-friendly ‘Fear and Fire’, comprising fireworks and a performance by Doctor Gore, famous for his macabre magic act on ITV1’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Group discounts are negotiable.
An action adventure
For the more adventurous among you, the UK also has a selection of all-inclusive activity centres.
The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) – a charity organisation operating more than 200 youth hostels across England and Wales – also offers activity breaks for groups at its six designated YHA activity centres; YHA Edale in the Peak District, YHA Mount Batten and YHA Okehampton in Devon, and YHA Anglesey Outdoors, YHA Rhossili Bunkhouse and YHA Gower Bunkhouse, all in Wales. The all-inclusive prices cover activities, specialist equipment, food and accommodation; however group rates vary depending on the chosen location, time of year and selected programme. Activities on offer range from climbing, kayaking and surfing to sailing and pony trekking.
Operating from a converted farmhouse in North Devon, Skern Lodge is situated within an hour’s drive of the Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks, making it ideal for groups planning an extended stay in the area. Prices include a full activities programme complete with use of equipment, as well as accommodation and all meals. Itineraries are tailor-made to suit the interests of your group and can incorporate activities such as abseiling, surfing, climbing, kayaking, snorkelling and tunnelling in the Lodge’s man-made underground cave system. Group rates are avilable for six or more people.
Be entertained
In addition to holiday and activity centres, many hotels also offer all-inclusive breaks.
Britannia and Grand Entertainment Hotels operates six entertainment hotels in the UK; The Grand Hotel in Scarborough, the Metropole Hotel, the Norbreck Castle Hotel and the Savoy Hotel in Blackpool, the Grand Hotel in North Wales and the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone. In addition to a varied programme of daytime and evening entertainment, prices include dinner, bed and breakfast. Alternatively, all-inclusive packages can be booked during the low season, which also include lunch and alcoholic beverages. Popular group packages include ‘Murder Mystery Breaks’ and ‘Entertainment Breaks’, featuring shows such as ‘Let’s Hoedown’, a wild west-themed performance and ‘West End to Broadway’, a tribute to the world’s classic musicals. Discounts are offered for groups of 20 or more.
Situated in the heart of Torquay, TLH Leisure Resort is ideally located for groups wishing to visit popular Devonshire visitor attractions such as RHS Garden Rosemoor and The National Trust’s Compton Castle and Cornwall’s Eden Project. The site has four hotels – the Derwent, Victoria, Carlton and Toorak – as well as a range of indoor and outdoor leisure facilities including an Aztec-themed swimming pool, ten-pin bowling and a spa. Popular themed breaks for groups include the ‘Great British House Party’, which features entertainment and menus based around the four countries of the British Isles, ‘Drinks Inclusive’ breaks, which prove good value for money, and dance holidays – such as the ‘Party and Social Dance Houseparty’ and the ‘English Riviera Dance Festival’ – where groups can practice their ballroom and latin in the Resort’s four ballrooms. A dedicated Group Sales Team deals with all group enquiries and free places are available on bookings of 30 or more people.
Moving eastwards to Dorset, The Riviera Hotel overlooks the idyllic Bowleaze Cove, which offers views of nearby Weymouth. Facilities at the grade II-listed hotel include indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, a crazy golf course and a large ballroom. Entertainment varies daily; however, includes afternoon tea dances, bingo and live cabaret. One of the benefits of booking a holiday at The Riviera Hotel is that for most of the year it is an adults-only venue, with family bookings only taken for the school summer holidays. The Hotel offers a range of themed breaks, which are mostly on a half-board basis, including a ‘Country and Western’ break and a ‘1940s Shelter Party’ where guests are entertained by a swing band. This has been organised for the first time this year to coincide with Weymouth and Portland’s Veterans Festival, in June, to celebrate VE Day. Discounts are offered for groups of 20 or more.
Another hotel offering a broad entertainment programme is The Park Hall Hotel, a lakeside hotel in Lancashire set in 400 acres of woodland. A stay at the Hotel includes access to the Vitalia Health Club and Spa, a facility comprising an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gymnasium. A popular package for groups is the ‘Camelot Short Break’, which includes dinner, bed and breakfast, as well as entry to Camelot Theme Park, situated within the grounds. A highlight on a visit to the Park is its new rollercoaster, ‘Knightmare’, opened last summer at a cost of three million pounds. Groups can also arrange an entertainment package, which includes bed, breakfast and a themed dinner at one of the Hotel’s restaurants. The ‘Medieval Banquet’ comprises a five-course feast and entertainment performed by minstrels, jesters, fire-eaters and magicians. The ‘Star-studded Cabaret’, meanwhile, includes a three-course meal accompanied by live tribute bands, then followed by a disco. Group rates are negotiable.
In Scotland, the Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club, in Dumfries, is famed for its ‘Tribute Nights’ and ‘Sunday Night Ceilidhs’. ‘Tribute Nights’ are hosted every Saturday night and include a four-course meal, an hour’s cabaret and a disco to end the evening. Acts lined up for this year include tributes to the Blues Brothers, Elvis Presley and Kylie Minogue. Sunday Night Ceilidhs comprise a Scottish-themed meal followed by performances from Scottish country dancers and traditional pipers. Consequently, the Hotel is popular for weekend breaks; however, for groups wishing to extend their stay, further entertainment can be arranged for additional nights – depending on the group’s interests – such as dinner dances or casino nights. Guests also benefit from use of the Hotel’s Barracuda Club, which features an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gymnasium. Groups booking 20 or more rooms are eligible for discounts.