Holiday centre heaven
At all-inclusive holiday venues across the UK, accommodation, food, entertainment and activities are laid on, making them a great choice for a hassle-free group holiday as Naomi Robinson discovers.
The first holiday camp, the Cunningham Camp for men, on the Isle of Man, opened in 1894. Following the Second World War, many camps used by the forces were converted into large scale holiday camps with chalets and communal buildings for eating and entertainment. This idea has evolved since then and today there are many and varied all-inclusive venues, several targeted exclusively at adults and offering attractive group benefits. Many holiday camps are also situated close to visitor attractions, making it easy to plan trips and excursions.
Fun included
Situated in some of the UK’s most popular coastal locations, Park Resorts has 37 parks, each offering shows, cabarets, discos, karaoke and party theme nights. Many visitors use the parks as a base to sleep and relax, visiting local attractions such as gardens, historic houses and racecourses during the day. 2009 will see thousands of pounds invested in improvements to the accommodation, which includes caravans from Economy to Platinum, chalets or lodges with luxury interiors and landscaped gardens. GTOs booking more than three caravans, lodges or chalets qualify for a discount and for bookings in excess of 20, free accommodation is offered to the organiser.
With a similar number of sites, Bourne Leisure owns Haven’s portfolio of 35 holiday parks, offering caravans, lodges, supertents, yurts, chalets or apartments. All parks have heated pools and some also boast a multi-level indoor pool complex. Recently, 15 of the parks have had their ShowBars transformed into state of the art performance venues, where stage shows, discos and live bands provide nightly entertainment. Each park has other features to keep guests entertained, for example, an 18-hole golf course at Berwick and horse riding and boating at Haggerston Castle; additionally there are other ‘pay as you go’ activities such as coached sports sessions and spa treatments. This year, Haven is introducing climbing facilities at several parks and new adventure golf courses are being constructed at Cala Gran in Blackpool and Greenacres in North Wales, whilst Lakeland, near Lake Windermere, will benefit from a brand new swimming pool. In addition, Haven is investing in improvements to its food and restaurant outlets, including the introduction of Papa John’s pizzas at a number of parks. A 20% discount is available to GTOs booking a minimum of five units of accommodation.
Also offering discounts for bookings of five or more holiday homes, Parkdean Holidays has 24 holiday parks in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Norfolk, Wales and Scotland. Accommodation comes in the form of self catering caravans, lodges, bungalows, chalets, apartments and cottages. All parks have pools, multi-sports courts, bars, takeaways and restaurants as well as a main entertainment venue hosting regular cabaret, competitions and discos. At seven of the parks, guests are entertained by specially choreographed performances from the Parkdean Troupers.
Over 750,000 guests visit one of Pontin’s six resorts each year. Visitors choose between Club, Classic and Budget apartments, with Brean Sands in Somerset, Camber Sands in East Sussex, Prestatyn Sands in North Wales and Ainsdale Beach in Southport offering self catering, and Blackpool and Pakefield, in Suffolk offering half board. As well as live music, cabaret and shows, karaoke and quizzes, entertainment for 2009 includes Joe Pasquale, Duncan James from boy band Blue and Strictly Dance Fever, as well as the famous Bluecoats livening up the atmosphere with their own performances. For an additional fee, adventure seekers can enjoy go-karting, mountain biking, abseiling, climbing, snorkeling and archery. All resorts have swimming zones, amusement arcades, convenience stores, restaurants and take-aways. Themed breaks incorporate local events such as the Grand National at Southport, Lowestoft Air Festival in Suffolk and Bodelwyddan Mediaeval Festival at Prestatyn. Special weekends feature salsa, ballroom, jazz, big bands and retro music. Ocean Parcs leisure group took over Pontins in 2008 and have £50 million refurbishment plans: Brean Sands and Prestatyn Sands will be refurbished, whilst Camber Sands and Southport will be re-built and Pakefield will double in size. Discounts are available on accommodation for groups of 20 or more.
On the Norfolk coast are four of Richardson’s five holiday villages, two of which are aimed at all ages: Hemsby and Summerfields Holiday Village, in Scratby. Group discounts are negotiable.
Aiming to bring visitors close to nature, each of Center Parcs’ four UK villages is set in 400 acres of woodland, lakes and waterways. Guests stay in apartments, lodges or villas that house up to eight people each with patios and a barbeque (the most luxurious also have a sauna and outdoor hot tub). Each park has a Village Square and Plaza with cafes, shops and restaurants, as well as a ‘subtropical swimming paradise’ and Aqua Sana Spas with Turkish-style steam rooms, Greek herbal baths and saunas. Outdoor activities available for a fee include windsurfing, falconry, archery, tennis, horse riding, mountain biking and nature walks. On-site cinemas provide free popcorn and soft drinks and groups can also enjoy a brunch buffet with live jazz. There are four villages in the UK; Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Elveden Forest in Suffolk, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire and Whinfell Forest in Cumbria. Plans for a fifth site at Warren Wood, in Bedfordshire are underway and this £200 million project is due for completion in late 2010.
At Billy Butlin’s first camp at Skegness, entertainment was laid on and holiday-makers could buy a week’s holiday for a week’s pay. Today, the sites offer much more, although guests are still looked after by the famous Red Coats. All have pitch and putt courses, indoor swimming pools, funfairs, pubs, restaurants and plentiful entertainment including acrobatics shows, pantomime, live music, karaoke, archery, fencing and, at Skegness, a health spa. Owned by Bourne Leisure, Butlins’ three sites have had a £10 million makeover in the past year, with the main entertainment venue, Centre Stage, being refurbished at Minehead and Bognor Regis and a complete make-over of the Sun and Moon pub at Skegness. Apartments from Standard to Gold grades are available for self-catering or full board. At Minehead, there’s also the Blue Skies hotel and at Bognor Regis, The Shoreline hotel, which will be joined in autumn 2009 by The Ocean Hotel. At Skegness, there is also a Caravan Village. There is a free place for every group of 20 and discounted prices may be available depending on the date of your visit. Sites accept day visitors with admission discounted for groups of 20 or more.
On the coastal border of Norfolk & Suffolk, Potters Leisure Resort offers one night special, weekend and four-day midweek breaks. The ‘five star’ experience includes accommodation in bungalows or balconied hotel rooms and penthouses with sea views. In 65 acres of grounds overlooking the sea, there’s tennis, golf, clay pigeon shooting, archery, air-rifle shooting and go-karting all included in the price, as well as a private beach. Guests can relax in the pools, saunas and steam rooms at Palms health and fitness club or indulge in pampering at the beauty studio, Aphrodite. Indoor sports include short tennis, table tennis, a climbing wall, ten pin bowling (for an additional fee) and snooker. Potters is also home to The World Indoor Bowls Championships and offers Bowling Breaks to experienced bowlers and beginners alike. Over £1 million was invested in entertainments facilities in 2008, with a new bar and an extension to the auditorium, where the in-house theatre company perform throughout the year, alongside famous names, which for 2009 include comedian Paul Merton, singer Jane McDonald, Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, Ronnie Corbett, Billy Ocean and Ken Dodd. Entertainment continues into the early hours in the Terrace Bar and Gallery Lounge. Discounts are available for groups of 21 or more, with free places on selected breaks.
At the foot of the Quantock hills, on the Somerset coast, St Audries Bay has been a resort for over 70 years, with luxury self-catering caravans and full-board chalets providing accommodation. With a bar, restaurant, cafe and shop, everything is on hand to make your group comfortable. Entertainment and use of many leisure facilities are included in prices, although there is a small charge for the indoor swimming pool and sauna. During early and late summer entertainments are designed for guests seeking a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle of young families. Special events include Line Dancing weekends, Accordion week and Folk Musicians week and local attractions Wookey Hole & Cheddar Caves, Torre Cider Farm and Glastonbury Abbey are nearby.
A break from the families
These days, more operators are tapping into a growing adult-only market.
Warner Leisure Hotels, owned by Bourne Leisure, has nine hotels, several in listed buildings, including grade I-listed Holme Lacy House in Herefordshire, 17th century Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales and Thoresby Hall Hotel in Nottinghamshire. Guests can stay in one of three styles of room; Royale rooms have traditional decor and a four-poster bed whilst Signature rooms have contemporary styling and Ambassador rooms are modern and simple. Included in the price for short breaks are breakfasts, daytime activities, three-course dinners and leisure facilities with live entertainment from popular artistes such as Jane Macdonald, Gerry and the Pacemakers and Bjorn Again lined up for 2009. For an additional fee, guests can choose from over 600 activities and special ‘Experiences’ are available, ranging from a hot air balloon flight to a Look and Feel Ten Years Younger session. Huge investment is planned for 2009, with upgraded hotel rooms, new restaurants and new ‘Experiences’. Warner also has four traditional seaside resorts, specialising in short breaks for the over 50s (also inclusive of breakfast, dinner and entertainment), where guests stay in chalets or lodges. Groups get up to 25% off brochure prices and free places. The GTO is given a room upgrade and refreshments vouchers and between May and August there are half price room upgrades for groups.
Another chain providing high-quality, tailor-made three- and four-night breaks for the over 40s is Martyn Leisure Breaks. Their portfolio includes a traditional leisure resort, three coastal hotels in Dorset and a boutique hotel 45 minutes from central London. On Weymouth’s historic Victorian seafront, The Prince Regent hotel, a Grade II listed building, has recently been restored to its former glory. Themed breaks here include Nostalgia, the Magic of Musicals and the Best of British Comedy. At Sand Bay Leisure Resort and Russell Hotel (also in Weymouth) evenings can be spent enjoying performances from resident entertainers and Special Breaks include Big Band and Jazz Festivals. The Sherbourne Hotel offers a more low-key experience, with musical entertainment in its cosy lounge. The Ship Hotel, overlooking the Thames, meanwhile, is well situated for a day at Ascot or Hampton Court Palace. A team of group advisers are available to help with bookings and benefits include one free place in 20 paying adults and discounted prices.
Three of Richardson’s five holiday villages are adults only destinations: the Mundesley resort, in Norfolk, offers fully catered holidays in graded chalet accommodation, a varied entertainment programme and indoor pool. Nearby, Seacroft has similar facilities and offers new themed breaks for 2009, including line dancing and 1940s breaks. The South Downs Holiday Village, in Chichester, West Sussex, has a ballroom and bar, outdoor heated pool and coffee shop. Daily tea dances, dance tuition and many indoor and outdoor games lead into an evening’s entertainment from the resident band. Events include Jazz Festivals, Strictly Dancing, Country Music or 50s and 60s Revival Weekends. Eight specially adapted chalets are available for guests with mobility difficulties and hotel accommodation is also available at this site. Group discounts are negotiable.
Butlins, meanwhile, offers more than 50 themed weekends to over 18s, including Festival of the 60s, We Love the 70s, 80s Madness and Skool Reunion. Famous acts from the era perform live at each event, for example, for 2009 an 80s weekend is offered at Bognor Regis featuring Bad Manners, Dr and The Medics and Sonia plus cover bands such as Bootleg Blondie as well as DJs. Where possible, group accommodation will be allocated together, there is one free place for every 20 places booked and groups are assisted during their stay by a host. There are dedicated group booking advisors and a £10 voucher for the organiser to spend during their break at Butlins.
There are more tailor-made breaks for the over 50s at Pontin’s Blackpool and Pakefield resorts. A full-board ‘Gold Break’ includes apartment, English breakfast, light lunch and a three course evening meal. Activities range from salsa and line dancing to cribbage, croquet, indoor bowls, trivia quizzes, bridge and tea dances, all included in the price. At Blackpool, guests can take in the bright lights of the town whilst Pakefield, an old fishing port, with its two piers, wonderful sandy beaches and quaint old beach huts offers themed breaks from ballroom dancing, salsa and Pakefield Proms to Country Music, Big Bands and Fishing. Group rates are negotiable.
One of the longest running UK resorts, Mill Rythe Holiday Resort on Hampshire’s Hayling Island, opened in 1938. Although families are welcomed in school holidays, there is a mainly adult market for the rest of the year. Over the past year, large investment has lead to enhancements to leisure attractions, accommodation and dining areas. The resort hosts professional cabaret acts and, as well as their resident band, musical treats for 2009 include the Four Tops and tribute acts such as Elvis and Tina Turner. Themed weekends include Do You Remember When and Nostalgia and Memories, celebrating 30s, 40s and 50s music and bar deals are also available when selected house drinks are 60p each. Group discounts are negotiable.
Let us entertain you
There are also a number of entertainment hotels offering inclusive breaks.
Britannia offers Britannia and Grand Entertainment breaks, which last two, three, four, five or seven nights, at five of its 33 hotels; Llandudno, two in Blackpool, Scarborough and Folkestone, where day trips to the continent can be arranged. Millions of pounds have been spent refurbishing these seaside hotels with new ballrooms and bars, restaurants and stylish bedrooms. Entertainment breaks include a buffet breakfast and three course dinner and shows such as Let’s Hoedown, Hey Rock and Roll and a West End to Broadway. The Inclusive Bar Break, available on four, five and seven night breaks at Norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool, Grand Hotel in Scarborough and Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone allows you to pay a fixed advance price for either one or two hours at the bar each evening for your group. Discounts are offered for 20 or more people.
In Torquay, Devon, meanwhile, TLH’s Derwent, Victoria, Carlton and Toorak hotels offer rooms and self catering apartments and share facilities such as four pools, the luxury Aztec Spa, sauna, steam room and gym, bowling and tennis courts as well as bars, coffee shop and outdoor grill for the summer. Weekend breaks include Murder Mystery, Learn to Dance Ballroom and, new for 2009, Theatre Breaks, which include a show at Torquay’s Princess Theatre. Mid-week breaks include West Country Flavours, The Great British House Party and Drinks Inclusive breaks, with complimentary drinks from the bar each evening. TLH is also good for bowlers, offering a range of bowling holidays and festivals, with lessons available for beginners. Special reductions are available for groups of 10 adults or more.