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ton-e-boy
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03-08-2007 06:32 PM
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Joined: 03 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
| We are in the process of reporting this 'Holiday Company' to the Health & Safety Excutitive, The Charity S.A.F.E. The England Tourism Council, BH&HPA and Yarmouth Borough Council regarding complaints we raised with its head office.
On the day we arrived, we had to stop and really think whether we wanted to spend 7 days and nights on what appeared to be a 50's council estate.....I'm not a snob...Im working class and spent 15 years of my 38 years living on a rough housing estate...so I am well aware where I'm coming from!
Firstly, we were surrounded by loud music, swearing, shouting, dogs barking, smoke, revving car engines, kids playing on our pitch, footballs hitting the caravan, tattooed beer swigging louts and flies....and this was in the first 10 minuets of our arrival.
Even the staff member who showed us to our pitch was warning us where to go or not to go...she even gave us the address to a local pub for food as the on site restaurant was not a healthy place to be!
As it was my family's first holiday in 4 years and my daughter was looking forward to it since we booked it...we decided to give it a go and risk it.
We set up the caravan and pitched the awning...got cleaned up and went off to Yarmouth for dinner....all well so far.
We got back about 9.30pm...and on entering the site you have to drive past the 'Family Entertainment' venue...this was surrounded by a gang of about 10 youths...most smoking and joking with the sites very own 'Max and Paddy' on the door....wearing the SAS type ear piece and men in black type suits (pathetic)
We also noticed people standing inside the entrance to the venue smoking...(smoking ban?.....what smoking ban?)
When we drove through this lot we arrived at our van....again...the noise, THE DOGS?....why do people bring dogs on caravan holidays only to leave them locked up all day (and night)?....we counted 4 different types of dogs barking in a radius of about 40 feet....we made a game out of it in the end.....guess the breed of dog!
Anyway...we pulled the blinds down, locked the door and watched TV for a bit and this blocked out the noise.
At about midnight we settled down for bed....but soon we could hear that distant base rhythm.....you know the one....the type you hear on a Friday night Saturday morning coming from a flat on the 29th floor.....boom boom, boom...boom boom boom. This was the din from the 'Familty Entertainment' venue....it was mental torture at its best....This venue has a disco every night till 1.00am!! Luckily enough we have a radio in the van...so I went to sleep with radio 4 in the back ground.... I was woken up at about 3.00am with the boy racers riding around the site with a more distinct clarity of BOOM BOOM BOOM, BOOM BOOM, BOOM!
That set the dogs off who in turn set the dog owners off! I didn't wake the next morning because I wasn't asleep!...I never saw my family get up and out so quick, so early!
We decided to head out for the day and in doing so we discussed the problems we encountered and agreed I would speak to a manger if things had not improved.
On returning that evening (6.00pm) we decided we would try out the outdoor swimming pool before dinner...we were unlucky again as the pool had shut at 5.30pm and although this was not mentioned in the brochure/leaflets/web site/on site, we were told by a staff member that it was common knowledge that it shut at that time? We were told to try the sister site down the road which had an indoor pool...so off we went, but that too shut at 5.30pm.
Ok...we thought, we wont give up we will just visit the 'Family Entertainment' venue...so we made our way to there and again we were confronted by about 10 gobby youths, smoking and larking with Max and Paddy...we had to battle our way through a cloud of tobacco smoke to get into the inner entrance of the venue...past Max and Paddys mate who was so ingrossed in chatting up a small group of young girls he never even saw me (especially) walk in...I was not asked for any ID or my site pass. We didn't stay there too long as the prices were ridiculously high and the place was half empty anyway. We had a look at the bingo that was in swing, only to find out that the bingo calling machine had blown up and they were using a kiddies plastic bingo globe with the numbers on ping pong type balls....which they had to buy from Argos that evening as we were told by a staff member....pathetic!...we had seen enough and headed back to the van.
The same problems happened that night so we decided then and there I was going to complain the next morning. To test the lapse in security I went back to the venue and again, I found Max and Paddy chatting with the younger punters and again I walked in and through the hue of blue tobacco smoke and again I was never stopped!
On the 3rd day of our stay we were up early and decided we'd go for a swim, so we went down to the outdoor pool...in we went and went about finding the changing rooms....but! surprise surprise....no changing rooms (nothing on the advert about that!)...Well that was the final straw...I had enough!
I went into the reception and spoke to a lady who promptly called the complex manager and the swimming pool manager....very soon the office was filled with about 4 or five gents....I began to explain my problems but felt very exposed as there were customers around me listening in. I stopped and asked who I was speaking to and one large shaven headed gent came right up to the counter, and very close to my face and said his name and that he was the complex manager...as he did he was smirking over to the others behind him...I went on and continued with what I was saying but again I noticed that this particular gent was not showing any signs of interest I told him this and he shrugged his shoulders, smirked back at his mates and said...."Yeah...what ever!" and walked away and out of the office with his 2 mates behind him!
I could not believe what had happened, I was gobsmacked! The swimming pool manger was the only one who would speak to me and he was very apologetic.
I was handed a customer complaint form and told it would take them 14 days to reply to it...this was not good enough, so I asked to speak to the GM....He turned up and was a bit more approachable but explained that he had just started in the job and was not 'up to speed' on the complex, but assured me he would look into my complaint.
At no time was I offered an alternative move to the sister site, although I did mention it at the start I was so annoyed by it all I decided then and there we were leaving.
We spent the rest of that day visiting and calling other sites, but all were full....my wife went back to reception to call the customer services in London and spoke to a lady who was also making a complaint...she suggested visiting The Wild Duck, Haven site which was only a short trip down the road....it was full when we called in....but WOW...what a difference....professional, courteous and the site was a delight.
The lady on reception was so helpfull...she told us that there was a pitch available from the followinng day and as a good will jesture for the problems caused at Park Rresorts, she gave us a 10% discount off the cost of our stay....at last, our holiday was about to begin!
We left it till very late that evening to return to the van and again spent a restless night...but at least we knew we were getting out of there the next day!
Before we left, I thought I'd take some pictures of this excuse for a holiday park, and I'm glad I did....not for posterity but more for health and safety...
I took photographs of an electric room adjacent to the toilet block with the security door kicked in, no lock, wide open, inside were a large cluster of electric isolator switches which I assume was the power source to the whole site, in there I saw a boiler with its back cover off and all its electrical wiring and hot parts exposed!
I took photographs of gas cylinders lying around the rear of the reception and only 20ft away from the playground, also I found old gas cylinders so corroded that they were at risk of splitting and leaking.
I got photographs of large tractors with grass cutting machines, the blades exposed, again only feet away from the play ground....a large builders skip full of large objects and what appeared to be builders rubbish, no netting or fencing and again close to the playground and 'Family Entertainment' venue.
I took many other photographs, but what worried me the most was a pump action paint sprayer partially full of Creosol fence paint sitting on a deck chair inside the swimming pool area, a pair of rubber gloves were on a chair next to this...and it appears by the dust and dirt on the chairs, that they had been there for some time.
My wife again called the customer services department to advise we had photographic evidence of many health and safety breeches only to have the phone slammed down on her.
We are now seeking a full refund of the cost of the holiday plus the cost of transferring to another site and if possible compensation for the trouble it caused.
My photographs and letters are being sent to each of the authorities advertised on the Park Resorts brochure as well as the Health and Safety Executive and anyone else who will shut this sh*t hole of a place down before someone's child gets seriously hurt or worse.
In a nut shell....stay clear of this place....its a dump and its customer service is non existent!
Regards
Tony (Haven Holiday's newest customer)
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Helspeth
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03-08-2007 06:38 PM
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Joined: 26 Jun 2007
Posts: 150
My Profile
| We didn't have the same problems as you, but we had a rough time staying at Park Resorts Whitley Bay. The family complex was a 'no go' area, full of chavs and yobs. My kids were not comfortable at all. The bingo was full of locals who knew all the chants and songs and all knew each other.
We since had lots of letters asking us to buy a holiday home on the site. They are nearly all owned by 'local' people from Newcastle and the area, who use it every weekend and school holiday, and hang round in gangs intimidating holidaymakers kids.
I think its no longer a holiday park but a local 'retreat'.
Nothing against people from Newcastle, I love the Geordies they are so friendly. Its just the culture that has arisen on this camp that I object to.
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My Latest Review: May 2008 Blue Aegean Aparthotel, Gouves (10/10) + Photos
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haggischaser
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12-08-2007 12:40 PM
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Joined: 12 Aug 2007
Posts: 2
| Hi Ton-e-boy,
I am totally disgusted and disappointed by what i have just read but to be honest i am not surprised, i have just stumbled upon this complaint by you while trying to make one myself, i sincerely have sympathy for you and your family especially the kids (what a shame).
Unlucky for me i am an owner with park resorts I'm at the sandy lands park in salt coats, Scotland. We constantly get hounded to upgrade our caravan, a caravan we only bought last year and ever since its been this deals going that deals going it sort of wastes your weekend when your there, anyway we eventually looked at a couple of caravan that the sales guy Derek was selling for park resorts, me and the wife looking and even talking about prices, you know the way they go on these sales people hard selling tactics, well the wife put a ₤500 cheque to reserve a pitch we kind of liked bearing in mind we had never even said to this lot we were going to buy a caravan and under no circumstance should they cash this cheque, but what did they do yes they cashed the cheque and the wife didn't even have the cash in her bank to cover it at that point they were told that as well, well fuming as she was and me too she called the office and asked to speak to this guy Derek the sales guy, but he was off sick and then asked to speak to the manageress who was busy so my wife's fume was building into rage to be honest. So eventually she got to speak to this so call manageress Anne Marie who said that Derek told her that we were happy with the deal and to go ahead with it so my wife blew up a little which was probably wrong but she feels was provoked by this Anne Marie who was actually arguing back in a unprofessional manner rather than trying to calm the wife down then she slammed the phone down on my wife, well if that's a manager of a holiday resort sales team then I'm a Monkeys uncle, again she called and tried to speak to this Anne Marie who refused to talk to my wife, my wife could hear her refusing in the back ground. My wife (Sandra) called me at work and told me I then called the head office to get an email address so I could make a complaint the guy gave me an email address and I started writing a full account of what had happened and what the complaint was, I even called the citizens advice and the lady asked me to send the letter to her as well so I did, but the email address I got was wrong and got it returned I called again and all I got was an answering machine. Hopeless. We are waiting for our money to be given back to us at the moment from the site I don't really know what will happen to be honest but as soon as we get it back we are moving our van to another site. As for the site in some ways it resembles the site you had to suffer its not as if it a brilliant site right next to it is a smelly slaughter house and I mean smelly, also at the complex the security also chat up youngsters and smoke in the doorway, last year my son got a bad bang on the face while playing in the playground at night ok he's 12 and maybe should have known a little better but honestly the playground is in total darkness it doesn't have and gate restricting kids from going in as kids do, they have a warning sign at the gate which might cover them but it isn't readable at night and kids are kids and they will play but when complained about this my wife was told he shouldn't be in there at night time its sort of out of bounds fuming or what I hear you say TERRIBLE treatment from these so called professional people. I feel like walking about with placards and banners warning off people from buying anything from this company. Surely its time to exploit these holiday companies, working class people like you and I just trying to have a wee break out of the ordinary allweget is charged a small fortune for the caravan and socked again in the complex with extortionate prices. Their total lack of customer care and professionalism, I don't think health and safety is their priority and wonder if anyone on site has the slightest knowledge of it and how to manage heath and safety I honestly could write a book about this site we feel we are lumbered with.
Anyway I hope you succeed in you complaint and eventually get what you are looking for, all I can say is don't give up, and also if anyone can help me by giving me the correct email address for the companies complaints id be grateful dougiewalls@hotmail.com is my email.
Kind regards
Dougie Walls (a scunnered owners elite member supposed to be)
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lumpy
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21-08-2007 01:22 PM
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Joined: 21 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
| whats the name of the sit in yarmouth tony
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noseyparker
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23-08-2007 03:24 PM
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Joined: 04 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
| We have just returned from Sandylands, Saltcoats Park Resorts
and cannot understand why anyone would want to purchase a caravan on this site! There is nothing to do, despite the advert stating 'great fun place for kids'. The caravan we stayed in, although supposed to be 'gold' was smelly and dirty, even down to the glasses in the cupboard. The fridge was held together with selotape My husband says I am a snob but even he had to agree with me this time, the place was pretty disgusting. The only upside was that there was plenty to do off site which meant we didn't have to suffer the chavs and yobs from the park!
We even gave the swimming pool a miss, well I say swimming pool it is better described as a paddling pool.
However, we did find the staff at the park very friendly and were very helpful in suggesting places to visit off site.
We won't be going here again though.
Emma
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rox
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06-10-2007 05:55 PM
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Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
| Hi,
My family and I have just returned from Park Resorts at Camber Sands, I read your review after I had booked and having read it was in two minds whether I should cancel the holiday, I am so glad that I decided to find out for myselfwhat the place was like.
We booked a two bedroomed Gold Chalet which was in excellent condition,clean,well furnished and well maintained and in a lovely spot.
The staff at the site (with one exception) were pleasant friendly and more than helpful and when my two year old grandaughter was unwell and in need of a doctor the two members of staff at reception went out of their way to help us. We had a couple of things that required attention during our stay and both were fixed/replaced within half an hour of being reported by friendly, helpful staff.
There is a Health and Safety problem within parts of the camp and as a Health and safety Officer I made a point of speaking to the duty manager about my concerns which he noted, without any hesitation or bad feeling.
The swimming pool was on the whole in very good order and there were never less than five very vigilant and friendly lifeguards on duty at anyone time,
The restaurant within the park was as one would expect really, well cooked food with some choice, unless you are a vegeterian as my partner and I are, left little to choose from, BUT when my daughter explained my plight on our third night the chef was more than happy to rustle us up a lovely meal which was not on the menu!!
We spent much of the daytime out and about visiting the many sights that are to see and visit around Camber and had a really good time in the five days that we were there.I am sorry that your experience of this resort was so bad, I for one will be returning if ever I feel like a short break to re-charge my batteries.
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CHILLI
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06-10-2007 10:31 PM
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Joined: 26 Sep 2007
Posts: 32
My Profile
| We visited Park resorts Bideford Bay in august this year and absolutelly loved it. Its absolutely beautiful park and we could find no faults at all. We have been travelling to Haven Parks all over the country for 20 years and i am an ex travel agent so i think i have had the experience to give it a fair unbiased review. I would recommend this park to anyone looking to try Park Resorts for the first time. If you are lucky enough to get the weather the outside pool is in a beautiful setting and is very clean and safe with lifeguards on duty at all times. Staff were extremely friendly espescially kelly and Jonno who run the entertainment and put on a good show every night. We stayed in a silver caravan which was clean and met the standard expected. One small criticism would be the accesibility to caravans which is quite limited and i definitely would not recommend this park for anyone with walking difficulties as it is very hilly! But every cloud has a siver lining and the views over the bay are spectacular. All in all i would give this park 8 out of 10 and would definitely visit again.
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niiknac
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13-10-2007 10:23 AM
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Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 12
My Profile
| Ive stayed in Park resorts sandylands a couple of times, we use this more as a base to visit the west coast of scotland. I found this park different if anything more strict with people. we witnessed 4 max and paddy types removing a steaming drunk woman from the so called entertainment area.
They lock the gates from the beach at 8pm sharp but on 1 occassion the gates were locked when we got to them at 7:20 its a long walk round!!! Especially in the lovely scottish weather, we were soaked through by the time we got in.
I tried to take my daughter to the swimming but both times it was closed. On the board it said opens at 10 but by half 10 nothing was happening so i gave up!
We have decided not to return to the park, which is a great shame as we visited this park regularly-before park got their hands on it.
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My Latest Review: Oct 2006 Magic Rock Gardens Hotel, Benidorm (7/10)
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mugged
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15-10-2007 11:41 PM
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Joined: 13 Oct 2007
Posts: 46
My Profile
| I have just read the letters and am digusted but not at all surprised!
Unlike some of the holiday makers, I am an Owner.But have come to the conclusion that all Park Resorts are the same.Once you put your money down thats it!ChurchPoint Caravan Park Newbiggin by the Sea
is a lovely Park(Thanks to the Caravan Owners).All improvements on park are down to the owners, certainly not the Park Operators.
But the Health&Safety conditions on this park have a strong resemblance to some of the complaints on other Parks so how can these companies get away with Breaching so many regulations.
The Local Authority have now taken on board a lot of consumers complaints but only sites like Holiday Watch Dog can insure improvements for those spending thier hard earned cash on a break away with family and friends.Atleast those who Hire short term can get away from these" Profiteers" we owners stand to lose a fortune if we are itimidated enough by Bully Boy Tactics from Park Resort Staff.
I am amazed at the advertising Park Resorts have in the papers!
They should be fined for False Advertising and we owners should have confided in other owners before putting our money down a lessen to all "Think before you Buy" or talk to other owners first.
There are still really good sites but the unapproachable attitude of Park Resorts Staff and thier unproffesionalism and lack of Customer Care serves as a warning to avoid thier Parks.
It is in every ones interest to report these Parks and demand a service.
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Boris&Doris
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18-10-2007 02:50 PM
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Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
| WOW I wish i had read this site first before i booked our holiday with park resorts at Carmathen Bay Kidwelly South Wales
My sugesstion dont touch Park Resorts with your worst mates money
as its a total waste
I booked a long weekend for the family at Carmathen Bay my wife and kids had been visiting friends in wals and i was joining them from London for the weekend of in holiday parks reosrts words
Explore the scenic surroundings along the coastline or take in the spectacular views over the Gwendraeth Estuary. Go further afield and visit Carmarthen, the oldest town in Wales with traditional shopping, museums and markets.
Relax in the spa bath while the kids splash around in the indoor fun pool with water flume, and then enjoy a game of crazy golf. In the evening, treat yourself to a delicious meal in the Boathouse Restaurant, relax with a drink on the terrace and watch the sun set, then get ready to join in with the fun entertainment at the Waterfront Showbar.
its no wionder tehy get you to front up with all the cash weeks before you arrive becasue what we found was not what was stated on the web page we found a dirty grubby smelly hell hole
the Silver accomadation that we booked again in there words
Silver Accommodation Our stylish range of Silver accomodation offers a superior level of furnishings and comfort in all accommodation types
was just unbelavable the place was dirty slimy and fility tehre was more mould in teh shoulwer than the pomd scum next door
the toliet door was unable to be shut the kitchen was held togther by the grrim it was terriable
after travelling down 6 hours from london to arrive to this house of horrers was not fun
so i complained to the office and we were offered alternative accomadation but by this time we were so angry at our holiday being runined we decided to leave as teh manger said the only way would be able to get a refund is if we left so that what we did
so after moving and trying to find accomadtion in the middle of teh school holidays at 7pm at night was no easy task
we thought the refund would be the easy part
who was i kidding all they have done is refused point blank
so if you to want to waste your worst mates money then this may be the place for you
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anti park resort fan
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18-10-2007 11:49 PM
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Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
| We r unlucky to be owners on brynowen holiday park with park resorts we spent only one year there and have been conned our first van had loads of cash spent on it, to true about filthy vans this was.It had new upholstery carpets table spent most season scrubing it.In end it was the cleanest van on there begining of this season went to open van to find black mould on walls went into sarky so called sales manager plus owners elite manager he came to look.He was at the time nice id have never sold it to you if i knew it was this damp. have your money back if you let this out the great park resorts wont be responsible if you make anyone ill through damp. managers special oh god dont worry ill give you another van dont fall for this never got money back never go with this line stop and talk to owners first before you go near a sales office i spoke after mistake i heard some horrible storys oh its the holiday from hell. sales manager said i'll take ye old van of site wot a shame all the money we put into it for a local trader to have it.The liar didnttake it off site he sold it to another couple he sat in his chair munching a apple snarking yeh sold it on again. Second van filthy looks like been dun on this 1 aswell.........Watch this space!
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daisyandmurphy
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26-10-2007 10:43 PM
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Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
| Oh My God! How I wish I had stumbled upon this site earlier. I have just returned from Sandy Bay today.
We were a party of four women with six children between 5 and 15. We have used many Haven sites and have often encountered the 'token chav family'! This time we were the token 'Nice Family'. The place was overrun with yobs and we felt very intimidated. We could only afford the bronze accomodation but did not expect such filthy, run down hovels. Quite frankly I would not put a dog in the caravans they rent out. I was all for going home but because the children were so looking forward to it, I was talked into staying.
Complaints included a 'just cleaned caravan' having vomit on the duvet and pillows with a vomit stained t-shirt under the bed! I deposited the said items on the reception floor and have never seen the staff move so quick!
We were told there was only 2 other vans available one of which was worse than the first ones while the other was obviously a privately owned and was very clean and respectable.
We took the best one and the least worse!! of the others. Two of the mums and the two eldest children used the van purely for sleeping in. (I use the term loosely). We went into town to buy throws to put over the seats as they were deplorable, (torn and filthy). This meant we had to split mums from kids as the caravans were on seperate fields.
We did all the cooking and eating, and toileting and showering in the better van which was chaotic.
We even decided against using the pool and instead went to Wet n Wild in Tynemouth which cost £10 each entrance.
We also spent the day at Whitehouse Farm nr Morpeth which was great fun. We must say, the animals were better treated, had cleaner accomodation, and were better behaved than the teenagers in the 'Boathouse Bar', who lay on the sofas indulging in heavy petting!
The caravan was right next to the cliff top where a portion of the fence was broken down.
I could go on and on but will save it for the letter to head office.
I must just add though that the Entertainments Manager, Brian was very energetic and did try to shut the yobs up, he was also a much better singer than the guest artiste. Also the chef must be commended as the one meal we ate there was very nice, though the barman blatantly tried to overcharge us by £5.
We were given £40 free drink vouchers to persuade us not to take it to the papers! They didnt go far with a 'slush drink' at £1.75 and a coke at £1.50, crisps 75p!
I have since been informed that the local council use the caravans to temporarily house tenants whilst the estates are being modernised!
Needless to say we wont be back.
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anemployee
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28-10-2007 05:43 PM
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Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 60
My Profile
| I work for Park Resorts at Carmarthen Bay Holiday Park and have done for many years. As with many of our parks it used to be a Haven park.....................same staff and accommodation just different furry animals!
Firstly, I want to apologise to you all for the experience you have recieved. Our business is to provide a great holiday and we rely alot on repeat business.
I just want to provide a couple of tips to you and any future holiday makers who have similar experiences.
Please remember (this may not go down too well) but there is an art to complaining. If you complain in a loud and aggressive manner, it may have an adverse affect. Staff are only human and I have learned over the years that people will go out of their way to help customers who are more calm and reasonable.
Make your complaint to reception as soon as possible. We ask that you to give us the opportunity to put things right for you as soon as we can. If you do not bring things to the Park's attention then we cannot improve our service. We rely on our customers to inform us when we go wrong.
I apologise again on the company's behalf and hope that you try another one of our 35 parks next summer.
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mugged
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29-10-2007 04:45 PM
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Joined: 13 Oct 2007
Posts: 46
My Profile
| Mugged
Today another blow for owners on Church Point Caravan Park
Newbiggin by the Sea. Northumberland..
The price of Gas on this park continues to rise now at the cost of £48.50p.But now most owners have turned to a local supplier Dixons
at a cost of £38.00p.As stated in our Pitch Licence the park must sell Gas at Retail Price...ofcourse they don,t!Dixons supply Gas to two Parks the above and Sandy Bay down the road.Now this park assistant Manageress has today sent the Gas supplier off Park and
now Owners must go to the council car park outside and bring thier own Gas bottles to thier caravans...How pathetic is this?Elderly and Disabled Owners carrying Gas Bottles..Park Resorts sink to a new low!
Why do they not drop thier prices to what by Law is Retail Price instead of Blackmailing the Owners into buying at a ridiculous price.
Our Pitch licence says we can use our own supplier but Park Resorts
are increasingly harrassing owners into puchasing from them.
Again I would say to those considering Ownership......DON,T....
This Firm and Management would not last two minutes in a proffesional capacity outside of Caravans.All these Certificates they have are a load of BULL it makes us wonder..Do they print thier own?
They do not deserve any merit for running parks and thier DUTY of CARE is NON EXISTANT. These reviews should be forwarded to them.
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davvo
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29-10-2007 06:40 PM
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Joined: 20 Nov 2005
Posts: 465
My Profile
| We went to a Haven holiday camp at Weymouth and had a fantasic time! , mind you this was 25yrs ago obviously they haven't cleaned the caravans since then !! .
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My Latest Review: Sep 2007 Montechoro Hotel, Albufeira (8/10) + Photos
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charliewoowoo
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11-12-2007 09:52 AM
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Joined: 11 Dec 2007
Posts: 1
| you would think once bitten twice shy...i should have known better but we owned a caravan on an owners only site (coconut grove)in kent and for 5 years it was to us the best thing since sliced bread and a great little community...everybody knew each other and was great for our young kids nice and safe,good entertainment never any problems.....then along came that big money making machine called park resorts who promptly put the ground rent up and introduced all sorts of money making rules.
Out went our lovely little cafe/resturant,out went our simple but very welcoming bar and entertainment hall ...instead we got some hi-tech fast food outlet,a very over-priced theme bar and then to make extra cash they open the site to all and sundry that would part with their cash wich were mostly made up of the local yobs from other local sites.
Needless to say we decided to move to another site (ashcroft coast kent)this was also run by park resorts and was in the middle of nowhere so we thought great buy anew van and peace at last.
We bought a £40k caravan,got a lovely pitch and the staff were great...at first that is ...as it seems the norm they change their staff at an amazing rate and this is when we realised we had made a big mistake...the gm just runs and hides when you go to him to complain about anything... the sales team constantly hound you into upgrading your van(ours is now 16months old and cost £40k)..the after sales team change staff so often you never see the same person twice and hence blame the previous one for not rectifying ant faults or problems that you may have and as for the security team and i mean that loosely spend their evenings chatting up any females that they come accross or play tunes with the site hoodies on their mobile phones.
Any complaints made are met with a 'we will look into that' from wichever member of staff may be on the reception desk.
Lucki;ly enough our caravan is as far away from the clubhouse as possible so we dont suffer from that boom boom noise.
Our advice is...do not buy a caravan on either of the 2 parks that we have been on as they seem much the same as each other but come with different scenery...we will have to sell our van at a very big loss to escape from these people...Be warned!!!
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mugged
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15-12-2007 11:39 AM
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Joined: 13 Oct 2007
Posts: 46
My Profile
| ChurchPoint Newbiggin by the Sea was a nice little park until the recent management took over so can,t totally blaim everything on Park Resorts but......saying that several owners wrote to Head Office of Park Resorts when promises of "change under them was assured".
As things have gone worse (For Owners that is! )We followed the Pitch Licence Complaints measures and the only one who is aggressive are the Staff,ranting and raving at certain owners soft enough to be intimidated.The Manageress screaming "I know you signed a Petition to get rid of me!"So what.. if she remembered where her wages came from she should do her job properly.This is supposed to be an Owners park Not a Staff Park..very hard to tell the Difference except when it comes to paying the Bills that is.A lot of Owners have Insured with The Caravan Association and this also entitles you to Use thier Legal side when it comes to Management ignoring Owners complaints well worth it They helped me recently when Park Resorts broke the Local Authority Rules on Spaces between caravans,the offending caravan was moved back at a cost to the firm! I was informed recently that Park Resorts have been Bought Out by GI Partners The new Management Team led by Martin Grant who was previously Chief Executive of Road Chef who ran MotorWay Service Stations....
Lets hope this lot take note ..but till they do I personaly will Discourage any one to purchase a Caravan on this Park.
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kessinglandflier
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22-12-2007 04:50 PM
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Joined: 22 Dec 2007
Posts: 2
| I am an owner at Kessingland Beach Suffolk, and have been for many years.When the Park bellonged to Park Dene, it was the flag ship of the East Coast. However with many take overs and now under the ownership of Park Resorts. Its more like the Titanic.
Like some one else said, we get the yob culture, the howling Dogs. The so called Security(if thats what they call themselves) any fights they back off. That is if they are not buisy chatting up the young girls.The Complex is far to small to accommodate everyone. The drinks are disgracefully priced. The service in the resturaunt is pathetic.
The GM is ignorant to any complaints. The swimming pools are never clean,the play area is not maintained properly.
I feel sorry for any one camping as the field is always water logged, and the shower block is to inadiquate .
We are looking for somewhere else now as this company has ruined the parks reputation.
Be Warned
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kessinglandflier
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22-12-2007 04:53 PM
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Joined: 22 Dec 2007
Posts: 2
| I am an owner at Kessingland Beach Suffolk, and have been for many years.When the Park belonged to Park Dene, it was the flag ship of the East Coast. However with many take overs and now under the ownership of Park Resorts. Its more like the Titanic.
Like some one else said, we get the yob culture, the howling Dogs. The so called Security(if thats what they call themselves) any fights they back off. That is if they are not buisy chatting up the young girls.The Complex is far to small to accommodate everyone. The drinks are disgracefully priced. The service in the resturaunt is pathetic.
The GM is ignorant to any complaints. The swimming pools are never clean,the play area is not maintained properly.
I feel sorry for any one camping as the field is always water logged, and the shower block is to inadiquate .
We are looking for somewhere else now as this company has ruined the parks reputation.
Be Warned
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Twicebitten
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05-02-2008 04:32 PM
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Joined: 05 Feb 2008
Posts: 9
| Stumbled across this site and were amazed to find that there were lots off like minded people. We have stayed at the Littlesea Haven Site in Weymouth and found it to be one huge "Sales Pitch". eg Posters showing offers on buying caravans everywhere you look (not even safe to go to the loo as they also appear on the back of the loo door) captive audiance of what. Escaping to the beach and sunbathing, looking into the sky only to see an aeroplane flying overhead trailing a banner saying "Caravan Sales at Littlesea". Because of this we decided to try a smaller organisation and after holidaying at Park Resorts Bure Village (the quiet site to Yare Village) in Burgh Castle a stones throw away from Great Yarmouth our minds have been made up for future holidays. Park resorts are worse than Haven. Not to repeat what has already been stated we agree 100% regarding the non professionalism of the staff. We would like to add a brief history of Park Resorts. ABN AMRO Capital aquired Park Resorts in December 2004 for £165 million. Also bought GB Holidays in November 2004 for £105 million. Sold to GI Partners in March 2007 for £440 million. Its not hard to do the sums on what profit was made. Its a pity that some of this money was not used to train their staff in customer service skills to a level which will enable them to communicate effectively to Holiday Makers & Owners respectively. Lets hope that the new owners are not just in this to make a fast buck. Only time will tell.
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