Centre Parcs Longford

scudzilla

We had a trip booked for April, M-F but it was obviously cancelled, now i know people will say its expensive but we paid 599 for a 4 bed lodge for 8 of us for 4 nights, great value, goes mad in school holidays i know

We rescheduled for Sept but cancelled that yesterday and pushed back to March

They're opening in July and for first 2 weeks the pool/playgrounds will not be open, after that, and here is the kicker, no matter how long your break is the pool area, which is one of the main reasons why people go, can be used for 2hrs during your break, in 2 x 1hr sessions

A bog standard 4 bed lodge on Aug 3rd for 4 adults 4 kids is 1899 and thats with minimum use of pool

And people want us to do a staycation :pac::pac::pac:

beggars_bush

scudzilla wrote: »

We had a trip booked for April, M-F but it was obviously cancelled, now i know people will say its expensive but we paid 599 for a 4 bed lodge for 8 of us for 4 nights, great value, goes mad in school holidays i know

We rescheduled for Sept but cancelled that yesterday and pushed back to March

They're opening in July and for first 2 weeks the pool/playgrounds will not be open, after that, and here is the kicker, no matter how long your break is the pool area, which is one of the main reasons why people go, can be used for 2hrs during your break, in 2 x 1hr sessions

A bog standard 4 bed lodge on Aug 3rd for 4 adults 4 kids is 1899 and thats with minimum use of pool

And people want us to do a staycation :pac::pac::pac:

There will not be same day hand overs of chalets for cleaning reasons, so capacity is down
And there are still people who will pay that so good luck to them

bren2002

scudzilla wrote: »

They're opening in July and for first 2 weeks the pool/playgrounds will not be open, after that, and here is the kicker, no matter how long your break is the pool area, which is one of the main reasons why people go, can be used for 2hrs during your break, in 2 x 1hr sessions

What's your source on this?

Outkast_IRE

There is multiple people griping on all social media platforms about the cost of staycation in ireland in July / August. My observations to date



They usually pick a location or setting that is known to be expensive , then say Jesus look at the cost for a family of 4 for 7 nights . Its €x,xxx thousands of euro. An example i seen recently was the 5 star killarney park hotel (really top hotel). In winter off season it can be >€300 per night for a couple . I think the quote for August 7 night 2 adults 3 kids was circa €4k.



The complaint usually goes on to state i can get 2 weeks in france for that. They never compare the cost of a week in a 5 star hotel in France . They think the campsite is a fair comparison.


Centre Parc is expensive , thats their market. Prices in March are not prices in August. The lack of the pool is brutal though , for most families limited access to the pool is a deal breaker. I completely agree with you on that.

scudzilla

bren2002 wrote: »

What's your source on this?

It seems the wording of it was a bit off, it's 2 x 2hr slots per stay, if you're staying the weekend then Sat & Sun in pool, midweek and you'll have to have a day with no pool

I can't find it on their website right now but it's true, along with other pish like put your swimming togs on in lodge and put clothes over them so you only have to remove clothes in changing room

Outkast_IRE

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

There is multiple people griping on all social media platforms about the cost of staycation in ireland in July / August. My observations to date



They usually pick a location or setting that is known to be expensive , then say Jesus look at the cost for a family of 4 for 7 nights . Its €x,xxx thousands of euro. An example i seen recently was the 5 star killarney park hotel (really top hotel). In winter off season it can be >€300 per night for a couple . I think the quote for August 7 night 2 adults 3 kids was circa €4k.



The complaint usually goes on to state i can get 2 weeks in france for that. They never compare the cost of a week in a 5 star hotel in France . They think the campsite is a fair comparison.


Centre Parc is expensive , thats their market. Prices in March are not prices in August. The lack of the pool is brutal though , for most families limited access to the pool is a deal breaker. I completely agree with you on that.

I think your wrong a bit here.
I can 100% tell you hotels have out up prices.
One even told me today that for my own break if I changed days they would put me in " the new pricing system in place since June"

I know they need to recover money but listening to tourism moans all the time, while prices have shot up...

afkasurfjunkie

Skyrimaddict wrote: »

I think your wrong a bit here.
I can 100% tell you hotels have out up prices.
One even told me today that for my own break if I changed days they would put me in " the new pricing system in place since June"

I know they need to recover money but listening to tourism moans all the time, while prices have shot up...

I love when hotels trot out the ol ‘kids stay free’ line. But if you try to book a family room because kids can’t sleep on the floor of a double room obviously, it’s three times more expensive.

afkasurfjunkie

afkasurfjunkie wrote: »

I love when hotels trot out the ol ‘kids stay free’ line. But if you try to book a family room because kids can’t sleep on the floor of a double room obviously, it’s three times more expensive.

Yes, I have spotted that one too.

witchgirl26

We're heading to Centre Parcs at the end of August. Wasn't too expensive. 3 bed lodge for €750 for the week. You'd pay more to rent a house down the country. The pool isn't a massive draw for us - it'd be nice but there's enough other stuff going on.

I don't know where you're getting the info on the pool from as there is nothing up about time slots or anything on their website at all. All it says is that it'll be closed until the 29th July & they are trying to work on it opening after that.

Mango Joe

beggars_bush wrote: »

There will not be same day hand overs of chalets for cleaning reasons, so capacity is down
And there are still people who will pay that so good luck to them

I really do not like this whole acceptance of businesses backing people into a corner and ripping them off just because circumstances allow it.

Goods and services should be priced fairly and in a free market a certain increase is understandable when conditions dictate, cranking up prices because people are desperate is cynical, ugly price-gouging and not deserving of anyone's respect or approval IMO.

fdevine

afkasurfjunkie wrote: »

I love when hotels trot out the ol ‘kids stay free’ line. But if you try to book a family room because kids can’t sleep on the floor of a double room obviously, it’s three times more expensive.

Or when a child isn't child when they're over 12 because they "eat off the adult menu" or because room would be "over capacity"

Bit of haggling got us 3 nights B&B in a decent hotel, with a pool, for <€400 so 100% of hotels aren't taking advantage IMO

Two adults, one teen, one child

Treppen

witchgirl26 wrote: »

We're heading to Centre Parcs at the end of August. Wasn't too expensive. 3 bed lodge for €750 for the week. You'd pay more to rent a house down the country. The pool isn't a massive draw for us - it'd be nice but there's enough other stuff going on.

I don't know where you're getting the info on the pool from as there is nothing up about time slots or anything on their website at all. All it says is that it'll be closed until the 29th July & they are trying to work on it opening after that.

Been posted umpteen times on from customers conversations with customer service.
"Center Parcs Ireland Tips/Reviews" page on Facebook. Not official cp site but everyone is well up to speed and talking to each other.

In fairness CP are offering full refunds ,
#but you have to pay in full first,
#then wait 2 weeks before arrival to see official announcement on what's available,
#then apply for full refund based on things being unavailable,
# then wait for refund.

witchgirl26

Treppen wrote: »

Been posted umpteen times on from customers conversations with customer service.
"Center Parcs Ireland Tips/Reviews" page on Facebook. Not official cp site but everyone is well up to speed and talking to each other.

In fairness CP are offering full refunds ,
#but you have to pay in full first,
#then wait 2 weeks before arrival to see official announcement on what's available,
#then apply for full refund based on things being unavailable,
# then wait for refund.

Ah right. I'm not on their facebook page & there's nothing up on the website either under booking or the main part. It seems to be just a suggestion at the moment. Can understand it though to be honest.

Least they are communicating. I know someone who had booked Trabolgan for August & has had to chase them continuously to get any updates as to whether they'll be open, what will operating etc.

Muahahaha

I can only imagine the disappointment on the kids faces when you tell them to get out of the pool after 2 hours

scudzilla

The latest reason people are kicking off is because they're charging for people to book the pool for their allocated 2 x 2hrs.

It's only 10c , i can see why they're charging as it's going through their activity page and i guess it's set up in a way that a charge must be made, all profits going to Barretstown.

Either way we're going in March, cancelled April and Sept so third time lucky, as it's been put off so many times now we've upgraded to the 4 bed exec lodge with games room, hot tub, sauna and steam room.

Total cost is 1199, but if ya work it out between the 8 of us thats only 37pp per night. Exact same lodge arriving the following Monday is 2599 :pac::pac:

2lazytogetup

i booked a few nights. Is it better to go to the subtropical swimming during the day or when its dark?? i thought might be better to do it at night because you can do outdoor activities, cycling etc when its bright outside and to save the swimming till darkness. But wondering if its quite dark to walk to it and if its not as nice in the dark.

tks

Sesame

The pool complex is brilliant at night. We were there last January during a cold spell. The outdoor rapids were the highlight. Lit up with the lake frozen over was like another world

2lazytogetup

Sesame wrote: »

The pool complex is brilliant at night. We were there last January during a cold spell. The outdoor rapids were the highlight. Lit up with the lake frozen over was like another world

Thanks Sesame for that. I love your positivity. ill book the night time so. i hope you get to go back again soon.

limez

2lazytogetup wrote: »

Thanks Sesame for that. I love your positivity. ill book the night time so. i hope you get to go back again soon.

Can be quieter in the evening as well, with less queues

I went to Center Parcs to self-isolate st Christmas, as family members I would otherwise stay with are vulnerable. Book into Exclusive Lodge with private hot tub, sauna suite etc. Absolute bliss, got 50% refund.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I went to Center Parcs to self-isolate st Christmas, as family members I would otherwise stay with are vulnerable. Book into Exclusive Lodge with private hot tub, sauna suite etc. Absolute bliss, got 50% refund.

How much did it work out at in the end? How many nights? Sounds fantastic

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

How much did it work out at in the end? How many nights? Sounds fantastic

4 nights, with refund €1500. I had to cancel a very special Caribbean cruise, so desperate to find a safe "consolation prize". I got my once off dream of having all those facilities all to myself in a sizeable house in the woods surrounded by atmospheric trees and a fire I could light, a real novelty to this city apartment dweller.