Bognor Regis, is it worth visiting?

In my opinion Butlins, Bognor Regis is a must-visit holiday destination for people with children,  although, actually, I have heard they do other popular adult weekends etc... too!  We've been to Butlins Bognor Regis once, Christmas 2011 and absolutely loved it.  In fact Christmas 2012 wasn't the same, with us not having gone again.  We need to plan another visit, now that Aaron is old enough to understand it all.



Christmas is a great time to go as Butlins is so incredibly festive.   I felt it from the second we entered the carpark, and reception was all twinkly, sparkly lights.

Aaron having fun while we checked in (see what I mean about the sparkly lights, the windows in reception were covered):

I said above "when Aaron is old enough to understand it all", but now that I have watched some videos from our stay, I think, even at his mere 1.5 years of age he had a right royal time don't you agree?  Look at my rock 'n' roll lad:

Such rhythm!  He was musical from birth I swear, just look at him! Fond memories indeed!

It's great to watch things like this (below), only metres from your on site hotel, not having to pay for it, whilst being able to stumble home, no cab required, after.  Relaxed, tired and happy.  Ready to sleep in a comfortable bed in a beautiful hotel room:




The Skyline Pavilion (which Butlins says is the HEART of their resort) is where the entertainment happens and there's lots of it; it's within walking distance of all 3 hotels.  I think "Centre Stage" (which is just outside the Skyline Pavilion) is where we saw the Christmas Panto, which was so incredibly engaging it held Aaron's attention throughout at his tender age of one and a half!

Watching Christmas Panto is a serious business when you are one and a half and need to concentrate to take it all in :-)

We were at Butlins for 4 days and did not have to leave the resort the whole time we were there.  There's shops, restaurants and entertainment is in abundance.  In fact we still watch the Fireman Sam DVD that Daddy bought Aaron in the shop there.

It's wonderful to see all the decorations, a panto and so many shows, without putting your hand in your pocket each and every time like you would in London's West End for example.  They say that included in their breaks are "Splash Waterworld, fairgrounds, live shows and ... TV heroes all included in the price".  See when we were there we didn't do Splash Waterworld so that on its own is worth a return visit.  I've lost count of how many places I have taken Aaron where you end up putting your hand in your pocket every five minutes - it's a relief at Butlins not to have to do that.

Butlins Bognor Regis is not as you may remember from decades gone by; it now has lots of new swanky hotels.  When we were there, it was the Shoreline (where we stayed) and the Ocean that were brand new, but since then they have also opened the Wave Hotel.  Wow the Wave Hotel sounds GREAT with "unique underwater style features like ... submarine style kids rooms".

I videoed a room tour of our room at the Shoreline Hotel, during our stay, December 2011 (below).  It was my first time away from home with Aaron so I didn't realise how lucky I was to have all those extra little touches, that I really value, and wouldn't at all take for granted now.  In the video below I say "we'll have to push our beds together".  What actually happened was, despite us arriving crazy late (something like 11 p.m. - Aaron slept the whole journey in the car) the lady from reception came up and actually ZIPPED our beds together (yep, no fear of falling between the two singles) and changed the bedlinen for double.  She even humoured Aaron whilst doing so. The 5 star service blew me away to be honest.
 

What you straight away notice on arrival is how family friendly everything is.  The staff are as friendly as Disney, but like a British version ;-)

The food in the Shoreline restaurant really impressed us.  LOTS of high chairs, children's dishes and children's cutlery.  Aaron ate really well:

There's not many places/hotels where the staff would all pose for a photo, just because you asked them to:

 

Now that Aaron no longer has day naps, keeping him stimulated and entertained all day is my day-to-day challenge.  I'd love to go to Butlins once again to have that challenge taken off my hands.  When he's having fun, I literally feel my breathing and my blood pressure relax, especially in a child friendly environment such as theirs.

There's so very much to see and do there - it really is magical and well worth a visit.

Butlins offers a range of UK holiday breaks but like I said earlier, although any time of year there is great, Christmas really rocks if you are looking for a few days away in the coming weeks.

Why I won't be going to Butlins this year

Sometimes I mistake optimism for gut feeling.  I am a little childlike in my naivety sometimes, and I was apparently silly to think that I would be in with a chance of being picked as a Butlins' Ambassador 2012.

Yes, I went to Ireland in July and yes I am going again in August for a wedding, but both of these times are just Aaron and I.

So whilst the outsider may think "she don't need a complimentary holiday" - it couldn't be further from the truth.

Last year we went to Butlins in December and it was a fabulous family break together for us all.

We were going to do the same this year in September or October - I had told him I may be an Ambassador and in fact he posted the application form for me.

So busy with Aaron was I, I didn't post it myself, and it was given to him at Stansted Airport as we whizzed off to Ireland in July.

As it was in the same carrier bag as the bottle of milk Aaron had just finished, the red envelope dyed my application form (judging by the tweet I got sent).

I was impressed that he remembered to post it - but then he loved our trip in December as much as I did and is very conscious that (1) we haven't had a family holiday this year (2) Aaron loves Butlins and (3) it would be the perfect solution given my redundancy on 5th July.

Anyway, what has upset me is that the 40 chosen bloggers were notified by Twitter on Friday, with us sorry souls only getting the Dear John letter on Monday, like we are an after thought, which clearly we are.

It has had an ill effect on at least 3 of us, (one speaks out here) and is not the best Brand PR I have ever seen.

I went to ENORMOUS effort with my Butlins post last year, and at that time genuinely expecting NOTHING in return; but hey, that's what I got, nothing.

It would seem that everytime I love a brand, like REALLY love a brand, it does not love me back.  I wrote a total of 8 Butlins related blog posts as I was THAT impressed with the place.

Well it is yet another opportunity to focus inwards and love myself instead of expecting others to do it for me.

Good luck Butlins - was nice knowing you.

Liska xxx

P.S.

Anyone reading this, feel free to critique the letter we got:

Hi there,

Thank you so much for applying to become a Butlins Ambassador. You may have seen the chosen Ambassadors announced on Twitter last week and have probably worked out by now that you weren’t one of them. I’m so sorry to those of you who are disappointed – that’s the big downside to doing something like this, there will always be some disappointment along the way and I hate that.

I would’ve loved to have chosen everyone who applied to be an Ambassador but unfortunately it just wasn’t possible. We were originally looking for 20 Ambassadors - due to the high number of amazing mums and dads who applied, I spoke to the powers that be and got it increased to 40, but alas they wouldn’t let me have everyone L

For those who follow me on Twitter you’ll have seen what a tough job it was for me to choose. I had over 100 brilliant applications, so I hope you can appreciate that it won’t be possible to give everyone personal feedback on why they weren’t asked to join. But I wanted to say a massive, heartfelt thank you to everyone for their interest in the programme – it really means a lot.

It was also lovely to meet lots of you at Britmums and so great to see your enthusiasm about our brand. I hope this won’t stop you considering a break at Butlins and that you’ll stay in touch on Twitter and consider applying again next year.

I know lots of you are keen to get your hands on content for your websites, so if you’d like, I can add you to the distribution list for Butlins press releases. Please email me back and let me know if you’d like me to do this.

Thank you once again, it’s been lovely meeting and getting to know lots of you this year. I hope our paths cross again soon.

Kindest regards,

What Happens In Butlins Stays in Butlins

Errrr, whose idea was that then? I  certainly never signed up to that :-)

Nah! Get it all out there! I am sure you want to KNOW that @MammasaurusBlog whipped us till we danced! Watch her bully @RomanianMum into dancing - bully I tell you!

That @ActuallyMummy has snake hips when she dances!

That the security man did really exist - whether he is called Kirk or not I can't say for certain!
All I know is that I want to be "the crazy one" ;-)

That he dragged the ladies off the stage because they were DRUNK :-0

That @TiredMummyofTwo doesn't like to be photographed when blowing her nose and

That after dark Jaks at Butlins Bognor really is JUMPING.

If... you know how to make it happen.

If you've got spectacles and some patience, watch THIS - be warned it is DARK:

Butlins Bognor Regis - Shoreline Hotel Review

Hi

I was blessed to get a place at the Tots 100 xmas party which was hosted by Butlins Bognor Regis.

This meant an excuse for a weekend away, which we'd never have otherwise indulged in this close to Christmas.

We weren't paid to attend (this isn't a paid review) but we did get a discount as part of a group booking and a chance to meet fellow bloggers was too good to turn down.

So back to the Shoreline Hotel at Butlins - Bognor Regis. This was our view on arrival at 11:15 at night on Friday 9th December.

Ours is the large lit up room on the 3rd floor on the right of the circular windows

I was immediately impressed with that view of the room from the car, while I stayed with Aaron, as hubby did 3 trips with the luggage. I liked the size of the window and for some reason I liked the fact that it seemed near reception.

A member of staff who deserves a really special mention is the lady you can see in this video. 

NOTHING was too much trouble for her.

She was on reception when we arrived at 11:15 p.m. and we were with her till after midnight.

At about midnight she:

1. zipped our single beds together to make them into a double.
2. She then dressed the bed in double bedlinen and a lovely kingsize duvet - her worry being that she acknowledged that we co-sleep and that Aaron would benefit from a proper duvet.
3. She built the travel cot (as he does sometimes go in it).
4. She played with Aaron in reception (see video above).
5. And after all that she poured me a much needed Tia Maria and coke (the bar is attached to reception).
6. She was amazing and so conscious of children's needs (having children of her own).  Being that she and I are both Irish I helped my fellow country woman dress the bed while Dad was downstairs with Aaron :-)

This is the origami that they can do with towels to put on your bed:

This was the Shoreline Hotel team of chefs who cooked our food (delicious by the way):

And this was the Shoreline Hotel restaurant team who looked after our every need, at breakfast or dinner - really exceptional service:

A real highlight of the Shoreline Hotel is the kids corner at reception:

I'll now give you a 360 degree tour of our room, at the Shoreline Hotel
WATCH THIS VIDEO:

But the REAL HIGHLIGHT of The Shoreline Hotel is being able to put Billy Bear to bed - forgive Aaron his grumpy face he was SHATTERED:

Tired Boy

Mummy like Billy I want to go to bed!

There are a long list of things that you get when you stay at Butlins' Shoreline Hotel and they are all listed here!

Thank you Butlins!

Thank you Tots 100.

Liska xxx

I met a Dinosaur at Butlins Bogor

Hi
My proper post on my Butlins weekend is still yet to come, but I thought I would share with you, that whilst I was there I saw an endangered, what I thought was extinct, species, a DINOSAUR.
Here she is, in all her glory.
Did you see her too?

Liska x

A good time was had by all

Hi

I will write a more detailed post when I get back, but I just have to write now, what a good time I am having at Butlins...

The staff are all super, in a lovely, bubbly, sincere way, and it's consistent across the board, no matter what part of the resort you are in.  It doesn't matter if it is a lady hoovering or a waitress - they're all awesome.  It's like Disney, but in a British way...! You need to experience it to understand.  I have experienced kindness from staff that literally puts tears in my eyes.

And I had such a fun night out last night with those that were still standing at 1-2 a.m.   Us Tots 100 ladies dwindled by the hour as people sloped off to bed, but there were a few of us left at Jaks, drinking pints (I know I know I know) and dancing.... if you can call it that..... what an absolutely mental night we had.  I haven't laughed that much in a couple of years.  I wish I had some photos of last night to add to this post.  Sneaks off to check Twitter....

The ladies that were my out late buddies were:

Snugglebubby
TiredMummyofTwo
Actually Mummy
Rebecca Here Come The Girls
TheDinosaurMumTHATISMammasaurus
and Romanian Mum

Anyway, ladies, it was a delight, a pleasure, and damn good fun.

Thank you thank you thank you, for giving this girl an awesome night out and LOTS of laughs.

And Sally Whittle, thank you for getting us here, and thank you for suggesting we bring the husbands as baby sitters; haven't had a good drink and boogie since Aaron was born.

And thank you to the Communications Manager for having us (hangover prevents me remembering the name) and for the most delicious meal at Turners.

I will leave you with this photo that sums up our night out:

The Legend that is Mammasaurus!

Liska xxx