parkdean-resorts.co.uk Anmeldelser 

We have stayed at Parkdean Resorts (Whitley Bay) a few times over recent years. Sadly, standards seem to be slipping. Our recent experience has made us hesitant to go back, and prompted us to write this review.

The curtain rail in the lounge was broken in half, and someone had attempted a bodged repair using insulating tape. This gave way one evening whilst drawing the curtains, with the whole lot landing on our heads.

Our gas fire (the only source of heating in the entire caravan) was missing its electronic igniter. I have no idea why. There was simply a gaping hole where the ignition ‘used to be’. This meant that we had to use the battery operated lighter (found in the kitchen cupboard) any time we required heat, which always resulted in a frightening blowback when the gas ignited. In fact, my partner refused to light the fire herself for this reason.

The grill (gas powered) would not stay lit for more than a few seconds, without keeping the knob on the cooker depressed. In addition, the metal tray which was supposed to support the grill pan was missing parts and therefore unusable. I managed to get our bacon grilled by holding the pan handle and keeping the pan under the flame with one hand whilst holding the gas knob in with the other, but as this took a good ten minutes I burnt my hand in the process.

The filter on the cooker hood was caked with grease and the hood would not extract properly.

The mains cable which supplied our caravan with electricity was inside the wardrobe in the main bedroom. The cable was loose, not clipped or supported in any way whatsoever, neither to the wall or to the consumer unit. This was especially worrying given that the wardrobe was used regularly for storage. I dread to think what might happen if this live cable were caught inadvertently, or perhaps even pulled out of the consumer unit completely by an inquisitive or unruly child?

The mains powered carbon monoxide detectors were due for replacement over five years previously, according to manufacturer’s labels on the casings.

Labels stuck on every portable appliance in the caravan showed that all these items were long overdue a PAT (electrical safety) test.

It was impossible to adjust the water temperature on the boiler as someone had removed the knob.

There was no extractor fan in the bathroom (odd in this day and age) - the bathroom got extremely damp and humid as a result.

The shower waste appeared to be significantly blocked, which meant standing in a pool of dirty water each time we took a shower.

The mixer tap on the bathroom basin was broken, and wobbled around uselessly. The only way to switch the tap on or off was to hold the body of the tap still with one hand whilst operating the lever with the other.

The lighting in some of the rooms (especially the lounge) was really dingy. It strained my eyes.

Although we arrived in late September the caravan was chilly, and downright freezing during the night. There was no way to heat the bedrooms, but thicker duvets would have helped.

Within only a few minutes of arriving at the caravan we were asked if everything was alright and to our satisfaction. I would suggest that this question be asked after a decent length of time has elapsed, so that the occupants can offer a proper assessment. It’s only natural that no-one would have any idea of the sort of problems they might encounter, until well into their holiday.

There is no way that holiday-makers want handymen or tradesmen traipsing in and out of their accommodation during their vacation. Nor should anyone have to decant to an alternative caravan (if given the opportunity) after unpacking all their belongings. Issues like the ones we experienced are major defects which should have been addressed long before we arrived on site. The whole idea is to relax.

For these reasons we can no longer recommend Park Resorts (Whitley Bay) until standards improve. It would seem that the changeovers are rushed or incompetently undertaken, with a severe lack of proper inspection, not only by Park Resorts but also the companies which they employ to undertake safety inspections on their behalf.

PROS: cheap, affordable holiday; beautiful seaside location; dog friendly
CONS: lax attitudes to maintenance, quality control, and occupant safety

Booked a specific caravan at Hunstanton, arrived and the caravan was double booked. We were moved to another caravan that wasn't suitable, and only compensated for the difference between what we had booked and what we were given. Will not ever visit a Parkdean Resort again.

We stayed at Whiteacres holiday park near Newquay for a week and I would like to praise the staff on site. They were very friendly, helpful and considerate. How some of them kept smiling and being polite in the face of some of the unnecessary abuse being thrown at them is beyond me. My husband says the fishery and tackle shop were well organised and followed all the guidlines. Well done all.

I am supposed to be travelling from a restricted area to a restricted area next weekend with my 87 year old mother who lives in a different household and we should be sharing accommodation. I telephoned customer service last week and was told to telephone today for a voucher, full refund or to rearrange. It took 2 hours today to get through to be told that I had to telephone again on Monday as "the directors were not in until then and they hadn't made a decision yet". Really!! It would be against the law for me to travel under these circumstances. What a joke!

Now I have just seen a news article that says 3 members of staff have tested positive for Covid and more staff are self isolating.....and the park is still open and Covid safe!!

Update-
Telephoned them again. A different representative who also said I couldn't cancel my holiday even when I mentioned the 3 cases. They hadn't been told about it. Eventually agreed to move my dates but not an easy process. The representative then was extremely helpful. I should have had that service at the start.

Worst experience of customer service ever received and we haven’t even had our holiday yet. We are due to go today 2 October 2020 but have not received any information of what to do or where to go. Customer Service phone lines open at 9am and I’ve been cut off three times already. I’ve got the raving hump already and I thought a holiday was something to look forward too not dread. I have to go or I will lose £200. Disgusting so disappointed.

Impossible to get hold of by phone or any corporate social media channel and disgracefully robbing clients of the reduction in VAT when they would be all too quick to pass on any increase. Corporate thieves and charlatans.

Having just returned from Parkdean Hayling Island, I wouldn't recommend anyone booking a holiday park as activities are limited due to the current outbreak of Coronavirus. Parkdean?? leaves very much to be desired, I would imagine 'enhanced clean' just means changing the bedding! The cooker was filthy, along with work surfaces including dining table. There was only bedding for 6, there were 8 of us. Irons and hairdryers were removed due to Virus policies. I, and my daughter, had to clean all surfaces before we could unpack the cars. The 'outdoor swimming pool' was not suitably heated, indoor pool inaccessible. Both "book by-appointment" only. Had we not been joined by my other daughters sons I daresay we would have come home earlier. Don't waste your money expecting more. The laundry room was expensive too, £1 for 15 mins drying time, after an hour clothes were still damp. Prices are up to compensate for loss of income during lockdown TUT!TUT! It would be better for special rates to apply and to thoroughly DEEP-CLEAN caravans after use, even if it means limiting the number of holiday makers. We paid almost £1000 for a week in a van that I would have only paid half that amount had I known the dirty situation the van was in prior to going. Holiday Parks need a WAKE-UP call.

4 of us went to Kessingland Beach. (We stayed in a lodge for 8 people but some weren't able to come.) If they had, there wouldn't have been enough seating in the lounge area. When we arrived the lodge was clean but hadn't been deep cleaned. E.g.The washing up bowl was really greasy inside and out, outside table was very dirty, shower cubicle had a lot of orangey calcium deposit, hob wasn't properly clean, net curtains were stained. I felt it necessary to wipe everything over before the others arrived. The staff were lovely, including those in the shop. I felt safe re covid19 as we moved around the site. The mattresses in the single bed bedrooms were too soft and one bed actually had a slat missing too so they were uncomfortable and we finished up with sore backs after a few days. The dishwasher didn't work when we arrived. A repair man said he'd fixed it but it never cleaned properly. The second time we phoned reception, nothing was done.
I asked Parkdean whether we'd be reimbursed the VAT we'd paid for our holiday because VAT was removed by the Government this year but never had a reply.
We were thinking of buying a van from them but after our experience decided it'd be too risky.

DONT BOOK WITH PARKDEAN. CARAVANS ARE NOT CLEANED. COVID ALERT. ONCE YOU HAVE BOOKED THEY WILL NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE OR EMAIL. WE DID NOT PAY THE FINAL BILL ON TIME BECAUSE OF THE AWFUL REVIEWS. WE RANG SENT EMAILS NO RESP OR ANSWER. IF WE HAD SPOKEN TO SOMONE SOONER AND GOT REASSURANCE WE WOULD OF PAID. FINALLY GOT THROUGH AND THE GIRL REASSURED US THEY WERE OR CLEANED AND SANTISED BUTTTTTTTT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE US £250 EXTRA FOR EACH CARAVAN. AWFUL COMPANY

Parkdean resorts are happy to take your money but in return are not willing to provide any form of customer service.

On 3 separate occasions I spent over 2.5 hours trying to get through to their customer service only to be cut off:

On arrival at the Walton on Naze sure, the caravans were dirty and the cleaners continually lied to reception staff by saying they had cleaned the caravans. There was no one available to raise the issue with. The following morning we woke to no hot water and once again there was no one available to address the issue to.

The lack of staff wanting to resolve issues and concerns goes right through the whole organisation, from the park staff right through to the CEO whom I’ve also written to but have not received a response.

DO NOT BOOK WITH PARKDEAN. It does not provide the value for money experience it advertises.

I was due to go to skegness with my wife, two grandchildren today, since my wife and I are over 70 and our grandchildren do not live with us we are unable to go. On the 9th July I emailed the company stating that I wished to cancel the holiday due to the ongoing covid 19 situation, I received a no/reply email informing me they had received my email, nothing since. The companies policy is the park is open with restricted facilities so no refunds. This was not the holiday we were expecting with our grandchildren, we would like a refund but dont expect to get one.
During these terrible times I feel this company has shown them at their worst.

Another phone call requesting our refund of approx £1000 and still the same excuse " you have to wait up to 45 days after the date of departure". Parkdean have had our money for nearly 10 weeks since the middle of May and still no sign of refund. It takes 25 mins to get through to customer service and then no apologies for the delay just the repeated message of you have to wait up to 45 days!! We will never book another holiday with this company.

Phoned today and had to wait a hour to talk to someone. I have got 4 caravans booked for october and wanted to change date to next year, I knew i would have to pay an admin fee.

I phoned and booked the 4 caravans over the phone last june because i wanted the caravans next to each other, I received a separate booking reference for each caravan which I didn't think to much about at the time.

Now I want to change my booking to next year and instead of paying the admin fee once I got to pay it on all 4 caravans. £160 instead of £40.

I tried arguing that I booked the 4 caravans on the same phone call, with the same card and its for the same extended family being my family, sisters family, brothers family and parents.

Parkdean should be ashamed of themselves, you book a holiday abroad with 3 rooms, those 3 rooms are on same booking and not on 3 separate bookings. Think this is a way of conning people out of money.

Give refund but then take half it back without telling you and then fob you off on the phone saying it was an error, £259 holiday They paid 2 lots £103 Which doesn’t add up to £259 then a week later they take £103 without warning. Do not go with Parkdean! Wish I had known a it Trustpilot before booking!

Worst possible customer service. No email address, just a variety of telephone numbers, none of which they answer. I have spent hours on hold and still no response. Your money isn't safe with these people.

Update: Parkdean have responded to me below, but still not responded to the DMs or tweets after 3 weeks of trying to get in touch with them.

Dont ever book with parkdean still awaiting my refund from 20th march I've rang them 6 times and said the same thing that it will be in your account 4-5 days them days have come and gone no money what an absolute joke it's only £104.00 I've spent that ringing up for my refund

Great for holidays you will have a great time just don’t be caught by a salesman and sold ‘the dream’ the staff on site are lovely shame they are managed by corporate bullies who have no understanding or empathy only out to line their pockets.

Rip off Company . Avoid at all costs

Not a reputable company. Paid 2020 site fees up front, the park at the lizard point has closed down, I am not receiving any refund for not being able to use the facilities.
Really disappointed, if I could afford to move my van I certainly would.

Worse company I have ever dealt with ,if I could give a minus star I would , please avoid they do not look after they just want your money ...... greed greed greed