News Beat
I tried Parkdean’s new all-inclusive deal at its holiday parks
MY boys are all big eaters and keeping everyone fed and watered while we’re on holiday can quickly add up.
So when I spotted the all-inclusive deal recently launched by holiday chain Parkdean, I couldn’t wait to give it a try.
After all, what parent isn’t up for getting away from meal prep and cleaning dishes for a bit?
And with prices starting at £100 per adult and £40 per child for three cooked meals a day and unlimited hot and soft drinks, it’s a no-brainer if you want to take a break from the kitchen on your midweek stay.
We visited Parkdean Summerfields just above Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, a lovely little site with welcoming staff and a short walk from the golden sands of Scratby beach.
Just around the corner is sister site California Cliffs, whose facilities are also open to guests at Summerfields.
We made the most of the pool activities, including aqua paddlers and inflatables, and my six-year-old enjoyed all the kids’ entertainment on offer, as well as the free soft play above the Boathouse restaurant.
Instead of the running buffet you often find with all-inclusive packages, dishes from the Boathouse menu are made to order and brought to your table.
Even as a vegetarian, I was spoilt for choice and had four different evening meals including curry, noodles, pizza and pasta, plus multiple options for lunch and breakfast.
The boys cleared their plates every meal and declared the curly fries to be the biggest hit of the week.
My teenager probably racked up £100 worth of Costa hot chocolates over the course of our stay, before he’d even eaten any food.
If you’ve got a tween with an adult appetite, you could consider forking out for the adult meal tariff, as my 11-year-old found some of the options on the children’s menu to be a bit small for him.
One thing I love about the Parkdean offer is that you don’t need to sign everyone on your booking up for the all-inclusive deal.
If some of your party would rather self-cater or pay-per-meal to eat out, that’s fine.
So you’re only paying for those who will make full use of the food and drink package.
While the all-inclusive was launched at selected sites for just a few weeks in the autumn, it’s back with a bang at 42 Parkdean sites this spring.
With so much to love about this deal, the one thing I reckon needs a rethink is the name.
If you’re used to all-inclusive staples found at hotels abroad, such as unlimited alcohol and an all-you-can-eat buffet, you’ll need to adjust your expectations a bit.
You’ll pay extra for booze, branded kids’ drinks like Fruit Shoots, starters and desserts, so calling the Parkdean package something like bites, brews and bubbles included might make it clearer exactly what you’re getting for your money.
And anyone with littlies, stashing a box of cereal at the caravan for early starts is the way to go – my six-year-old usually tucks into breakfast by 7am, so waiting another couple of hours to be fed would be a bit of an ask for him.
There seems to be variations on the all-inclusive offer popping up around the UK now, after highly rated Potters Resorts in Essex and Norfolk pioneered the concept, particularly after the pandemic.
Some of the big family staycay names like Butlin’s have taken up the baton, launching a drinks package that includes beer, wine, spirits and cocktails on some breaks, starting at £25.95 per adult per day and £10.50 per child aged 6 to 14 per day.
Added to a half-board meal plan, you can prepay for all your drinks and most of your food, although you’ll still need to sort your own lunch… so it’s not quite the all-inclusive you’d encounter on a fly and flop holiday abroad.
Parkdean’s pared-back plan might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re happy with no alcohol but meals and drinks, it could easily become a staycay mainstay in your holiday calendar.
