The holiday parks in the UK are ranked in a Which? research – and it’s Potters Resorts at the top, with Pontins at the bottom due to flaws such as ‘grubby campsites and stained mattresses’.
In the survey, respondents were asked to rate 19 holiday parks out of five in seven categories: cleanliness, quality of accommodation, customer service, facilities, entertainment, food and drink and value for money.
Potters Resorts comes out on top with a very impressive overall customer score of 88 percent. Waterside Holiday Group is a close second with 87 percent. Both score a remarkable five stars in each category. Pontins has an overall score of 59 percent, scoring just two out of five stars for lodging — the worst in the survey.
The holiday parks in the UK are ranked in a Which? survey – and it’s Potters Resorts at the top, with Pontins at the bottom due to flaws like ‘grubby campsites and stained mattresses’
For those who know that hotel chain Britannia owns Pontins, its place at the bottom of the table may come as no surprise – the parent company is by Which? rated as the worst hotel chain in the UK? nine years in a row.
In addition to dingy campgrounds and stained mattresses, guests of Pontins in the study — a survey of more than 2,200 lodgings — complained of “cobwebs, musty smells and sticky furniture.”
In addition, it only got two stars for its entertainment, its signature attraction.
Others, however, reported having a “wonderful” time, saying the trip “brought back childhood memories.”
Potters has two locations, in Norfolk and Essex, ‘and everything is included in the price’. Pictured is a bedroom in one of the resorts
Waterfront visitors ‘appreciated the choice of a stylish caravan complete with widescreen TVs and central heating or glamping in a safari lodge (upstairs) with their own private hot tub’
Another striking finding is that Center Parcs scores just one percent higher than Butlin’s, a much cheaper option. The former has an overall customer score of 72 percent and an average price per night of £71. Butlin’s is just behind at 71 percent, but costs just £41 a night.
Which? said, ‘Consistently Butlin’s scores three or four stars in every category. The company has only three locations – Bognor, Minehead and Skegness – and has spent millions in recent years refurbishing its accommodation and pool complexes.
“And the investment has paid off, as it outperforms its competitor Pontins in almost all categories and also charges customers less on average.”
In third place is Aria Resorts (pictured), now owned by Away Resorts. It scores no less than 85 percent
Pontins has an overall score of 59 percent and scores only two out of five stars for accommodation – the worst in the survey
However, which one? revealed, not everyone was happy, with a guest from Butlin saying that while it’s “good for families,” it could “use a lot of TLC.”
Back to the top of the table is John Fowler Holiday Parks (sixth), with Which? noting that ‘it offers guests a classic holiday park experience on a budget’. It continued: ‘It turns out to be cheaper than Pontins and a similar price to Butlin’s, scoring 78 percent overall, including four stars for value. With themed weekends, kids’ clubs and mobile homes in 11 coastal locations in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, this could be the bargain of the summer.’
Potters has two locations, which one? noted in Norfolk and Essex, ‘and everything is included in the price – that means free food and alcoholic drinks’.
It promises ‘first-class’ entertainment, Which? said, with ‘West End-inspired shows and facilities such as a boating lake and shooting range’.
One guest said: ‘They believe in great customer service from the moment you book until you leave. Entertainment is fantastic with shows that might as well be in the West End. The food is good and if you have any dietary problems, the chef will talk to you and come up with solutions.’
Visitors to the water, which ones? said, ‘appreciated the choice of a stylish caravan complete with wide screen TVs and central heating or glamping in a safari lodge with its own hot tub’. The parks in Dorset and Cornwall also have beachfront bars and restaurants.
Guy Hobbs, editor of Which? trip, said: ‘The UK has an incredible variety of holiday parks and resorts. Holidaymakers can choose from a range of slides, pools and activities for children, or opt for a luxurious stay in a safari lodge with a bubble bath.
“Our research saw smaller, family-run resorts triumph over the biggest names, so there’s no need to go for the most expensive option to have a great experience.”
Above is Butlin’s Bognor Regis Recreation Centre. Which? said, ‘Consistently Butlin’s scores three or four stars in every category. The company has spent millions in recent years refurbishing its accommodation and pool complexes.
Dave Bennett, CEO of Waterside Holiday Group, commented: ‘We are delighted to have received such an incredible score as part of a renowned nationwide survey, reflecting real visitor reviews.
“We have invested heavily in all our holiday parks to ensure that we provide our guests with a five-star holiday experience, with exceptional quality accommodation, facilities and customer service. I want to thank everyone at Waterside Holiday Group for their hard work to help us achieve continuous excellence in our parks.”
MailOnline Travel has asked Pontins for comment.