Butlin's Minehead 2013 - An honest review

I seriously cannot believe how time flies. Three weeks ago we were packing for our first family minus a tent and let me tell you that made preparations slightly easier! As you may know I love camping but it was nice to just pack a suitcase and some food basics to get us going.

 

I wasn't really sure what to expect when preparing for Butlin's. I had read many reviews, such as Mummy Mishaps', but still I needed to believe it for myself. Would a holiday camp be our thing? Would the smiley-smiley staff be too much?!

 

Well, here's what we thought.

Here is our complete review of Minehead Butlin's....

 



 

We arrived on a stereotypical wet bank holiday Monday pretty much at the designated check-in time. This made the arrivals area like an airport check in with families milling around with trolleys full of luggage and faces full of expectation. I was still wondering what to expect. I went to the wrong check-in and was directed round the corner to Gold Reception who then told me my arrival package was back in Guest Services. Awaiting me here was the very chirpy Michael who talked me through my maps and guides. The guide was essentially a day to day timetable of events, shows, entertainment, crafts and opening times so we were able to plan out some of our days. And I like to plan!

Butlin's Minehead - our first family holiday minus a tent

We did it!
We completed our first family holiday minus a tent.
Thank you Butlin's Minehead!

I have to be honest with you and say that Butlin's was never on my radar for a holiday destination. I didn't think it would be 'me'. However, since being involved with the Butlin's Ambassadors programme I had heard families raving about the place and was intrigued at what we would find on our first Butlin's experience.

We were not disappointed!

Here's a little video montage of just a snippet of Edith and Alban's best bits. Enjoy!

 

x x x

I will be posting an in-depth review of our 4 night break soon.


Disclaimer: The holiday was paid for by Butlin's as part of my role as a Butlin's Ambassador. As always my views and opinions are honest and are mine.

Family getaway

I've been having a little think about family holidays. That week or two that everybody gets all excited about. A time to get away from everyday life. An escape.
I've been thinking some more and racking my brains for a time that our family holiday didn't involve a tent. Hold on a moment.......nope. Not one.
Now don't get me wrong, I love camping and every year since Edith was 2 we have had a camping and/or festival trip. Sometimes though I crave a bit of comfort and a holiday where I do not have to blow up my bed every other night.
Soon that time will be here.
Soon I will undertake my mission as a Butlin's Ambassador to see for myself what makes this type of resort so popular. I am intrigued. This is all new to me. I either camp and let the children run free or leave the children behind - ha ha - and find a boutique hotel for a couple of nights.


So, a first for us, we will be staying for four nights in a Gold Apartment at Minehead, Somerset, where, amongst other things, we will have a dedicated host, daily housekeeping, exclusive reception and, get this, a dishwasher - that in itself is luxury for me. Having perused the website and flicked through the brochures I know we won't be short of things to do. I also know the children are going to love it and I cannot wait to see how the whole Butlin's experience will shape up for us as a whole.



x x x

 

Disclaimer: This upcoming holiday has been paid for by Butlin's as part of my role as a Butlin's Ambassador. As always my views and opinions are honest and are mine.



Camping vs Boutique Hotel vs Butlin's

I have just returned from two nights away in a boutique hotel with the husband - a well needed break for the two of us and a rare opportunity to use the in laws services while they visited us from France.

Picture from www.thebullhotel.co.uk

We stayed in this room here at The Bull Hotel in Bridport, Dorset, a bit of luxury following our recent accomodation of six nights in a tent with the children camping in Devon.