Pontins Southport (sun holiday)

A question about : Pontins Southport (sun holiday)

Booked this via sun holidays during febuary school hols...As anybody been there before, because I have seen a lot of bad reviews (dirty rooms)

Also, what is it like for kids,what is free and what isnt free..... Also, regards service charge, i,e gas and electric... it says its free, surely that not right is it!!!

Also is there anything to do in the surrounding areas that people would recommend, places to eat (cheaply) etc...

Any info would be appreciated, because I am beginning to regret booking it now!!!

Best answers:

• I went there a loooong time ago, and it was pretty basic back then. Pontins as a group have been in all kinds of financial trouble and aim lower in the market than Butlins (who are nibbling the heels of Centerparcs now). I say this to align your expectations - it's not going to be 5* luxury, but it's cheap. Enjoy it for what it is - the kids will be fine (kids are more resilient and tolerant than grown ups), you may find it less comfortable BUT the kids will get a chance to wear themselves out and do activities so you'll have a bit more breathing space, and that's precious!!
• I've never been to Pontins due to their bad reputation but they do seem to be very cheap this promotion,even Half Board seems reasonable.
  The electric seems to be on a meter card,so I doubt that's included in the service charge.
  Classic and Popular - Electricity is on a meter card - cards cost Ј5 and are available from machines located in the reception area on the Holiday Park
• Didn't you check the reviews before booking? Pontins have a terrible reputation and more bad reviews than practically any other holiday park ever!
  Maybe if you go knowing all this, you can only be pleasantly surprised if it's not as bad as it's made out to be..
• Situated next to Ainsdale beach Pontins isnt 5* but i guess you know that by the price you paid, make the most of it see it as an adventure, plenty for the kids to do and The Entertainment team are Great for them.The swimming Pool is free and open 10-5.Get the bus into Southport (outside main gate)plenty of shops,bars,restaurants,arcades etc etc (proper tourist resort)Enjoy
• I went on a Sun holiday last easter holidays. I too booked without looking at reviews and got pretty stressed about going (we were using it as a base to visit family). we decided to go and I packed every cleaning product I expected to need, dustpan and brush and my steam mop.
  When we got there it looks like a prison from the outside which is quite disconcerting. The queue to get the keys was ridiculous, so we put a deposit down for crazy golf (normally you leave your room key but obviously we didn't have one). When we had finished the queue had gone, the manager went and got our deposit as he happened to be walking past as we were discussing taking the clubs back and that there was a queue there.
  We went to the room empty handed to assess the cleaning needed, and it was fine! Basic level apartment, clean, reasonably recently decorated, a few paint splashes on the floor but it isn't my floor so wasn't an issue. We took our own bedding (sheets and sleeping bags) but the duvets in the rooms were ok. Our electricity meter seemed not to move whilst others were paying through the nose, we did use the heating, cooker etc so I am not sure why, you get Ј5 when you check in and I think we bought another Ј5 for a 4 night stay although we possible didn't I can't remember.
  The evening entertainment was good for the kids, the entertainers tried really hard, typical sticky floors in the venue. The "funfair" at the front of the venue we didn't use, you did have to pay for it but you had to buy tokens inside then spend them. They have the usual slot machines, a soft play for the younger kids which is free but gets a bit manic.
  We didn't eat out other than at relatives so can't help with that. I generally cooked other than getting fish and chips on site once which were pretty good.
  The swimming pool was DISGUSTING however, the water was foggy and the floor was covered in bits. The changing rooms kept flooding because the drainage in the showers wasn't adequate so it went through into the dressing area. We used it once and I refused to take the kids back, we went to the Sandcastle at Blackpool for the day instead and that was fantastic although about an hours drive.
  The end of the holiday, the kids and DH wanted to go back again!! Personally my stress levels can't cope with the worry leading up to it though.
• Definately not expecting 5 star lol....And I am sure kids will have a great time..... My main worry was the cleanliness of the room we will be stopping in...And like people say.. for what I have paid (Ј40) not expecting any great shakes.....
• You could always pop into poundland and get some cleaning stuff just in case it's not up to muster (and add 5% to the cost of your accommodation!) just for your own peace of mind (the kids won't care).
• I suggest you read tripadvisor reports. This place appears to be a wind and rainswept slum.
  Poor old Fred Pontin would be turning in his grave. His dream of great value bucket and spade holidays for ordinary people turned into a vision of hell.
  But then as you say...they are cheap and cheerful. The least they could do is make sure they are clean and decent.
  Are there any cheap premier inns or b&bs in the area that might provide better value?
  Pontins were bought out by Alex Langsams Brittania group some years ago.
• I went to Pontin's about three years ago, after the kids nagged me. It was so bad that they offered me a free short break, with promises that the chalet would be clean, the entertainment improved, etc.
  What a waste of petrol money! It was no better second time round. I would never go again. Admittedly this was Brean Sands, but the reviews for Southport seem to be very similar.
• As long as you get one of the refuebs chalets you will be fine.
  If you are not satisfied with your accommodation, tell them straightaway and ask to be moved.
  If they don't, then demand it.
  Food wastn bad when we were there and the cost was pretty reasonable.
  Stop worrying about it and stop listening to the horror stories. If you don't like it, there are buses to all sorts of places and a train station too you can go out for day.
• I went to Southport Pontins in october half term last year.
  On check in the queue was huge, also not clear on signage as anyone on Sun holiday had to get their keys from the fun factory rather than reception, I queued at reception for a while before finding out needed to be in another room.
  The chalet was basic but it was clean. You will probably need a multi socket extension with you- the kettle, toaster and microwave all had to share one socket point.
  You will need to buy a card for the electricity meter but check the amount on there before buying one (Ј5 each). I bought one, then got to chalet to find Ј2.xx on there left from previous family which lasted us the whole monday-friday break. I left the Ј5 card in there for the next family as did not think would get a refund.
  We went self-catering and would definitely reccommend that option, we saw at meal times there were large queues for the food. The on-site chippy was very reasonably priced and was quiet when we went in.
  We did not go in the swimmimg pool so can't comment on that. The soft play and adventure golf were free, golf just had to leave chalet key as security. Had to pay Ј2 per activity for the children for the inflatables and water boats, was more expensive for go-karts but can't remember how much.
  About 5-10 minute drive into Southport on retail park there was a kfc, mcds, pizza place, cinema. We drove to Blackpool for one day out. We did drive to Pleasureland in Southport but drove away without going in, they wanted Ј5 for the car park (there is another car park across road for Ј2.50 for the day), entrance i think was Ј20 each and could only pay by cash, they said had no card facilities. It also looked quite small for the money.
  Kids absolutely loved it and want to go back.