Center Parcs Resort for Longford

Bredabe · 04-08-2019 10:32pm

salmocab wrote: »

Own goal? You said about the quality of the towels it’s likely not. You hardly used that term when you already knew they weren’t good quality towels.
Your not keen on the place and think it’s too expensive and that’s fine but your complaining about the towels is just looking for negatives. Not wanting to carry towels when they can easily go in the bag with the swimming gear just sounds like the weakest complaint.

I was looking forward to going, but the child the break was aimed at will be back in the hospital the dates we had booked.

I said that towels that cost 2e a day had better be as good as the ones I would bring if we not carrying a rucksack and wheel bag each and a back pack for each of the youngsters, as we dont have a car it was a fine balancing act as to what we could carry (in this case the food seemed to be the priority).

Given the cost for our group and the time, once calculated the rent for those towels was the cost of a bike and helmet for our keen cyclist!

As I have said already, we are coming by public transport and that means we are severely curtailed in what we can bring, there is not a single mm of space left esp for something as bulky as a handful of towels.

My training tells me the fact that this is causing potential clients to mention it at all, means that their pricing structure needs adjusting, while we are not typical but for some families (those who need to be factored into any long term survival strategies) e2 x3ppl x 3 days min maybe too much, especially as the are ignoring non car based market .

Not having a shuttle from the station means ppl arriving that way will be restricted on what they can carry and that impacts on their choice of venue.

While we are making personal remarks as to ppl's motives, why do you care enough to comment over two days on a throw away remark on the cost of towels a stranger on the internet made ?

beggars_bush · 05-08-2019 1:32pm

If you went to Spain on holidays how would you manage without towels?

Bredabe · 05-08-2019 3:23pm

beggars_bush wrote: »

If you went to Spain on holidays how would you manage without towels?

If I went to Spain on hols, there would be better transport available to I would not have to choose between towels and a child's special diet foods/medicines.

shamrock55 · 05-08-2019 3:49pm

€5300 for a week in August for 2 adults and 2kids in the executive houseðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚ðŸ˜‚

Oafley Jones · 05-08-2019 4:55pm

shamrock55 wrote: »

€5300 for a week in August for 2 adults and 2kids in the executive house&#55357;&#56834;&#55357;&#56834;&#55357;&#56834;

Executive? Where are you getting that price? Sounds more like the exclusive houses.

beggars_bush · 05-08-2019 7:47pm

Bredabe wrote: »

If I went to Spain on hols, there would be better transport available to I would not have to choose between towels and a child's special diet foods/medicines.

Right...
Except you've to fly to Spain

Though Centre Parcs has an airstrip nearby in Abbeyshrule

Cosmo Kramer · 06-08-2019 7:18am

Bredabe wrote: »

I was looking forward to going, but the child the break was aimed at will be back in the hospital the dates we had booked.

I said that towels that cost 2e a day had better be as good as the ones I would bring if we not carrying a rucksack and wheel bag each and a back pack for each of the youngsters, as we dont have a car it was a fine balancing act as to what we could carry (in this case the food seemed to be the priority).

Given the cost for our group and the time, once calculated the rent for those towels was the cost of a bike and helmet for our keen cyclist!

As I have said already, we are coming by public transport and that means we are severely curtailed in what we can bring, there is not a single mm of space left esp for something as bulky as a handful of towels.

My training tells me the fact that this is causing potential clients to mention it at all, means that their pricing structure needs adjusting, while we are not typical but for some families (those who need to be factored into any long term survival strategies) e2 x3ppl x 3 days min maybe too much, especially as the are ignoring non car based market .

Not having a shuttle from the station means ppl arriving that way will be restricted on what they can carry and that impacts on their choice of venue.

While we are making personal remarks as to ppl's motives, why do you care enough to comment over two days on a throw away remark on the cost of towels a stranger on the internet made ?

Look, no offence or anything, but I don't think Centerparks is for you. It's really aimed at families arriving in cars, subsidised corporate breaks, that kind of thing. Their structure has worked for years elsewhere so they are unlikely to change it just so that it is suitable for you to go to Longford.

Black_Knight · 08-08-2019 2:45pm

Anyone know if there's a non 1890 number for them, or to cut to the point, does anyone know if they have electric car charging on site?

vargoo · 08-08-2019 6:10pm

Black_Knight wrote: »

Anyone know if there's a non 1890 number for them, or to cut to the point, does anyone know if they have electric car charging on site?

https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057940899/47/#post110912314

Ask there, few people staying there at the minute

Plopsu · 21-08-2019 9:45am

Was there over the weekend. Had a great time and so did the kids.

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 07-10-2019 6:59pm

Is there public transport to the resort from Longford Town?

messrs · 08-10-2019 9:38pm

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Is there public transport to the resort from Longford Town?

No

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 08-10-2019 9:49pm

messrs wrote: »

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Is there public transport to the resort from Longford Town?

No

That's a shame, considering the train connections from Longford and Athlone. €200m+ and no guest shuttle.

road_high · 08-10-2019 9:54pm

Longford seems to be booming the past few years. Several major job and investment announcements. Major need for a decent hotel in and around Longford town itself in particular. It’s great to see though - “Cinderella having a ball “!

messrs · 13-10-2019 9:57pm

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

That's a shame, considering the train connections from Longford and Athlone. €200m+ and no guest shuttle.

Yea I know, its not very well connected by public transport. Train to Edgeworthstown or Longford, or even bus to Ballymahon - but then you have to figure out how to get the rest of the way.......

PhoenixParker · 13-10-2019 10:00pm

https://www.m4direct.ie/timetable/

It’s not great, but it’s an option.
It really is a pity there’s not a straightforward shuttle service to the most likely trains on Friday/Monday.

Bredabe · 14-10-2019 12:33pm

A lot of the issues with public transport we found was that on top of the changing bus/train/taxi, it had to be done with x amount of kids and ALL of their luggage.

For us, it was the amount of luggage we had to move about and get a taxi for, was a huge issue. For some groups, for as long as there isn't direct or staggered transport at reasonable hours, getting there will be off putting.

JupiterKid · 18-10-2019 2:05am

It’s great to see Center Parcs having great success in its first few months up and running. And it is a massive economic boost to Longford.

I was down in Longford town a few weeks ago and it was looking so much better than just a few years back. A lot of the unsightly overhead cables on the streets are now gone and many buildings look freshly painted and new businesses open.

Longford however badly needs a new four star hotel. Also the warehouse ribbon development along the poorly surfaced N63 Roscommon Road is very unsightly and a legacy of piss poor planning and needs to be addressed.

silver2020 · 02-02-2020 5:18pm

The naysayers that were all over this tread for a while must be crying in their cornflakes.

Occupancy has been over 80% (ahead of target)
Spend on food and activities substantially above forecasts.

I'd call that a success and obviously means more jobs for the area which add more spending to local businesses. win win win

Iscreamkone · 02-02-2020 6:35pm

We’re booked for June - 1 week
Having gone to CP Longleat for the last 2 years we are looking forward to playing at home this year.
Did I ever think I’d be holidaying in Longford? - bring it on!

salmocab · 02-02-2020 7:42pm

silver2020 wrote: »

The naysayers that were all over this tread for a while must be crying in their cornflakes.

Occupancy has been over 80% (ahead of target)
Spend on food and activities substantially above forecasts.

I'd call that a success and obviously means more jobs for the area which add more spending to local businesses. win win win

Did a long weekend there a couple of weeks ago and talked to a good few staff, they all seemed to be quite local and delighted with jobs close to home. It’s an excellent place for a break, not sure I’d do it ahead of my summer holiday but for a short break it’s fantastic.

beggars_bush · 03-02-2020 10:15pm

they actually cannot get enough people to work in the place in certain areas eg house keeping
the contracts offered are not the best.

anyone i've talked to have been delighted with their stay there and would definitely go back

FFVII · 02-04-2020 10:09pm

silver2020 wrote: »

The naysayers that were all over this tread for a while must be crying in their cornflakes.

Occupancy has been over 80% (ahead of target)
Spend on food and activities substantially above forecasts.

I'd call that a success and obviously means more jobs for the area which add more spending to local businesses. win win win

Look at their job ads

Every area except one advertised all the time.

Has to be some kip of a place.

silver2020 · 03-04-2020 4:24pm

FFVII wrote: »

Look at their job ads

Every area except one advertised all the time.

Has to be some kip of a place.

how do you deduct that?

Aldi are always advertising for staff.
Google are always advertising for staff.

Center Parcs up until the Coronavirus closed it was trading substantially above projections especially in their restaurants.

Estimated employees has gone from 700 when initially opened to over 1000 as recently as February and according to the local paper a recruitment drive was underway to add substantially to this number for the summer season.

Sort of flies in the face of your argument. But people who have a hatred of success will always search for a negative angle

Iscreamkone · 03-04-2020 6:29pm

FFVII wrote: »

Look at their job ads

Every area except one advertised all the time.

Has to be some kip of a place.

I haven’t been to Longford - booked for June. But if it’s as good as CP Longleat (been there twice) it is a super spot for a family holiday.

groovie · 21-08-2020 8:09pm

No complaints, here for the week, recommended.

Black_Knight · 21-08-2020 8:26pm

groovie wrote: »

No complaints, here for the week, recommended.

How are the restrictions affecting ye? I see it's 2 tropical paradise sessions per family (if staying 4 nights) for 2 hours max, and must be pre-booked. No soft play areas either.

groovie · 22-08-2020 9:51am

Black_Knight wrote: »

How are the restrictions affecting ye? I see it's 2 tropical paradise sessions per family (if staying 4 nights) for 2 hours max, and must be pre-booked. No soft play areas either.

Lots of Hand sanitation one way route around village and masks required - pools are a bit crowded tho.

groovie · 23-08-2020 1:05pm

There is no Coca Cola here - just Pepsi.

lazyman · 25-01-2021 5:41pm

Hi
Thinking of booking a stay here
Is there any where to do grocery shopping close by? I know there is a shop on site but if we needed other bits, is there a tesco aldi dunnes etc nearby i can drive to?
Thanks

fits · 25-01-2021 5:45pm

lazyman wrote: »

Hi
Thinking of booking a stay here
Is there any where to do grocery shopping close by? I know there is a shop on site but if we needed other bits, is there a tesco aldi dunnes etc nearby i can drive to?
Thanks

The shop on site is totally fine. You can do a shop in Athlone on the way up ( or wherever is handy) and then get anything else you need on site. It’s not exorbitant or anything and it’s very well stocked. Like a small SuperValu.

deadl0ck · 25-01-2021 6:18pm

fits wrote: »

The shop on site is totally fine. You can do a shop in Athlone on the way up ( or wherever is handy) and then get anything else you need on site. It’s not exorbitant or anything and it’s very well stocked. Like a small SuperValu.

There is also a SuperValu and FreshToday in Ballymahon which is a 5 min drive away

lazyman · 25-01-2021 8:38pm

That's great thank you for the replies

salmocab · 25-01-2021 8:54pm

Just to add, bring a few bits like dish cloths and dishwasher tablets along with some tin foil. The kitchens are well stocked but a bit short of the bits you take for granted.

messrs · 25-01-2021 10:07pm

lazyman wrote: »

Hi
Thinking of booking a stay here
Is there any where to do grocery shopping close by? I know there is a shop on site but if we needed other bits, is there a tesco aldi dunnes etc nearby i can drive to?
Thanks

There is a supervalu in Ballymahon which would be about 5 minutes drive from Centreparcs also Longford Town is about half hour away and has Tesco, Dunnes, Lidl & Aldi. Will you be coming down the N4 from Dublin direction? if so there is a Lidl just before you make the turn of the N4 to head for Centreparcs

lazyman · 25-01-2021 10:30pm

messrs wrote: »

There is a supervalu in Ballymahon which would be about 5 minutes drive from Centreparcs also Longford Town is about half hour away and has Tesco, Dunnes, Lidl & Aldi. Will you be coming down the N4 from Dublin direction? if so there is a Lidl just before you make the turn of the N4 to head for Centreparcs

Thats great to know, coming from Limerick. I'm sure the supervalu will be good enough for what ill be looking for
Thanks

silver2020 · 15-06-2021 11:10am

Big expansion
https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/travel-news/center-parcs-ireland-planning85m-expansion-withnew-treehouse-lodges-40541012.html

I suspect the negative naysayers who said it would never work are keeping very very quiet.

salmocab · 15-06-2021 11:25am

silver2020 wrote: »

Big expansion
https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/travel-news/center-parcs-ireland-planning85m-expansion-withnew-treehouse-lodges-40541012.html

I suspect the negative naysayers who said it would never work are keeping very very quiet.

This happens a lot in Ireland, Dublin bikes was they’ll all end up in the Liffey and it was a big success. People take their own narrow view of things and extrapolate it out. It was going very well pre Covid and I believe now it’s close to sold out for summer although not sure if they’ve reduced capacity. It’s a success because the people running it know what they are doing and what their customers want.

FFVII · 15-06-2021 7:20pm

salmocab wrote: »

This happens a lot in Ireland, Dublin bikes was they’ll all end up in the Liffey and it was a big success. People take their own narrow view of things and extrapolate it out. It was going very well pre Covid and I believe now it’s close to sold out for summer although not sure if they’ve reduced capacity. It’s a success because the people running it know what they are doing and what their customers want.

They've hiked prices by a grand on same trip this time last year and people are still happy to pay.

I found out why they can't keep staff in much of their departments. Its some kip... possibly even worse than lidl.

Accidentally · 15-06-2021 7:30pm

FFVII wrote: »

They've hiked prices by a grand on same trip this time last year and people are still happy to pay.

I found out why they can't keep staff in much of their departments. Its some kip... possibly even worse than lidl.

Go on then, I'd love to hear. I know 8 people who work there, and not a complaint among them.

salmocab · 15-06-2021 8:10pm

FFVII wrote: »

They've hiked prices by a grand on same trip this time last year and people are still happy to pay.

I found out why they can't keep staff in much of their departments. Its some kip... possibly even worse than lidl.

Yeah people are happy to pay so they must be doing something right, staff wise if they were struggling then I wouldn’t think they’d be putting themselves in a position where they need another 250, I’m sure some staff hate it but that’s true of lots of workplaces. Despite Covid they are expanding so it’s been a big success so far with mostly as far as I can see great reports on it. I went in low season early last year and we had a great time, not sure I’d see much value in the high season prices which I suspect given the year we are having are driven even higher by people not going abroad, currently there are pool restrictions which I wouldn’t be keen on but hopefully early next year we’ll be in a position to go again.

fits · 15-06-2021 8:53pm

Pool was quite busy at times pre pandemic. I’m wondering will they stick with booking system when it’s expanded.

We’d love to go again but I would not pay the high season prices.

salmocab · 15-06-2021 8:58pm

fits wrote: »

Pool was quite busy at times pre pandemic. I’m wondering will they stick with booking system when it’s expanded.

We’d love to go again but I would not pay the high season prices.

The publicity blurb said there is to be expansion to that area, plus places to eat and some outdoor activities. That will help take the extra pressure off.

Darc19 · 15-06-2021 9:11pm

FFVII wrote: »

They've hiked prices by a grand on same trip this time last year and people are still happy to pay.

I found out why they can't keep staff in much of their departments. Its some kip... possibly even worse than lidl.

Didn't they drop prices by over 30% last summer as many facilities were closed. And they applied the discount to all bookings and introduced flexible cancellation terms with full refund.

As a poster said above, some people just hate to accept something positive.

I'm hoping to go in the autumn and look forward to it. If it's similar to their french resorts, I'll be very happy.

FFVII · 15-06-2021 9:47pm

Darc19 wrote: »

Didn't they drop prices by over 30% last summer as many facilities were closed. And they applied the discount to all bookings and introduced flexible cancellation terms with full refund.

As a poster said above, some people just hate to accept something positive.

I'm hoping to go in the autumn and look forward to it. If it's similar to their french resorts, I'll be very happy.

Theirs another thread in AH, €1000 more for same thing.

salmocab · 15-06-2021 9:58pm

FFVII wrote: »

Theirs another thread in AH, €1000 more for same thing.

To be fair a lot of those comparisons don’t stack up, it’s like booking a flight, prices go up as the date approaches. I’ve seen people quote massive prices as an outrage but then they’ve priced the most expensive available accommodation.
It’s certainly expensive though and can be expensive once there, it doesn’t really pretend otherwise and has a market to sell to.
Personally I’d prefer a week or two in the sun but for a short trip in low season it’s a great place to go.

02-07-2021 9:14pm

Its quite an expensive weekend away before you factor in paying for the activities.

Can you give me an idea how much you spent per person per day to do the activities and was there much waiting/queuing? Thanks.

Center Parcs Resort for Longford

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