doe,

I've never been to the one at Longleat, but I've been to Whinfell a few times and Sherwood Forrest (I was down their work related last week!) with my neices and both are pretty good. Accommodation has always been pretty good and there's plenty facilities wise. My only gripe is pricing once you get their, everything is inflated but it's to be expected really and no diferent than your usual touristy areas. I might be going back for a long weekend to Whinfell next year.

Darren

Doe, we were at Longleat this summer (well if you can call it summer!) and our accomodation was spotless. Furniture was in excellent condition, and all beds comfortable. We upgraded from when we went the year before, but to be honest there was no difference if I am honest.

Next year we are going to the one at Sherwood.

Thanks Darren.

I may chance a midweek break although I have been reading reviews elsewhere and there are an awful lot of bad ones mainly that they seem to have left it too long in terms of a refurbishment programme for the villas/lodges and issues over the heating in the sub tropical swimming paradise which is really the only 'free' entertainment. Many are saying that it's more like an artic swimming paradise. folk don't seem to know if its a ruse to save money or the boiler is on the blink.

I'm ok with the food prices as I kind of know what to expect and even when we went 10 years since it was always expensive compared to what you would pay on the high street.

I think if I pick an off peak mid-week break we will be fine. So long as I haven't paid their exorbitant school holiday prices I can cope with accommodation that is looking a bit tired.

We went to Whinfell when it was called Oasis and loved it there, spectacular setting, that said Longleat is beautiful as well if you are into foresty type holidays.

Hi Debbie

We posted at the same time. You have put my mind at rest regarding the standard of the accommodation, sounds like I was worrying unnecessarily. When we went when the kids were younger we only used to go in the ones they called 'comfort' but I did think I might upgrade to one of the executive ones this time if I can get a good price. The only thing I am not keen on is the included maid service, as apparently they come very early in the morning. Maybe you can book Exec but say you don't want maid service?

It's good to hear a good report.

Doe

No problems with the temperature of the swimming pool when we were there in June!

Not heard of the Maid Service. It wasnt included with our accomodation that's for sure. lolol and we didnt have one of the cheaper lodges this time around

Opps thanks again we posted at he same time again.

I think the bad reports were in the winter months but I am wondering if it was a fault that has been rectified as the sub tropical swimming paradise has been their big selling point for 20 years.

Did you have one of the refurbished ones that look like they have been done out by IKEA ? I thnk that is what I will go for if one is available.

Im heading here for my hen weekend with 7 friends, we have booked our lodge already for april next year as they began taking bookings and we wanted to secure one that sleeps 8. Going to whinfell forest and really really looking forward to it.

Been told that they dont like hen nights bookings BUT really, its just a girly holiday, none of us are into drinking and acting silly. We just want a lovely long weekend swimming, using the spa, doing maybe 1 activity, enjoying nice food and basically having a slumber party in our lodge.

Any hen related activities will be done inside the lodge and TBH it will only be facemasks and chillin in the hot tub and sauna!!

Hopefully my booking will be ok if i just tell them its a girly break if they question...... there will be no dressing ups, etc so should be fine.

Hope you have a good time Bev. I didn't end up booking or various reasons.

I'm sure if you are well ordered and don't go too mad they won't care if you are an all woman party. Lets face it in these desperately finance strapped times you would think they would be grateful for any bookings. I just think they don't want a reputation as being a kind of Marbella or Prague, but you really aren't going to get that kind of thing at a Centre Parcs. They don't even have a nightclub from what I remember, or for that matter even a late licence everything seemed to shut at 11pm and most places were emptying out at 10.30.

You might want to ring them up about booking spa sessions etc in advance if you are only here for a weekend they used to get pretty busy.

Doe