WHO knew you could enjoy a Center Parcs-style holiday this half-term for less than £100, just by heading to Belgium?
While it might not be a household name in the UK, Sunparks is the little sister of the European Center Parcs.
Lodging WorldThere is a holiday park just like Center Parcs – but much more affordable[/caption]
Catherine LofthouseOur break was hundreds cheaper than Center Parcs in the UK[/caption]
Catherine LofthouseWe loved being so close to nature[/caption]
Both have subtropical swimming pools, lots of family activities and are set in nature.
But the cost of holidaying at the two Sunparks sites is generally a lot less than at its well-known sibling, which has 27 parks across France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Now’s the time to grab an absolute bargain as two people can stay in the hotel at Sunparks Kempense Meren for two nights over half-term for €99 or a lodge for five people for three nights for just €200.
Meanwhile, the cheapest last-minute deals at Center Parcs Europe for the same nights are €159 for two people at Bispinger Heide in Germany or €419 at Les Ardennes in Belgium.
What’s great about both Sunparks and the continental Center Parcs is that you can choose different arrival and departure dates so you only need to pay for the number of nights you want to stay.
At the UK parcs, you arrive on either a Monday or a Friday and stay for three, four or seven nights, so there’s less flexibility if that doesn’t suit your timeframe.
I first took my family to a Sunparks site for a holiday with friends during February halfterm a few years ago.
We couldn’t believe how similar it was to Center Parcs, with a big central dome where you could swim, eat out, play or go to the spa.
Lodging WorldThe lodges were similar to Center Parcs too[/caption]
Lodging WorldThe resort has an indoor water park just like Center Parcs UK[/caption]
The lodges were set around lakes and there were paths aplenty for walking or cycling.
In fact, the De Haan aan zee site where we stayed has since been rebranded to a Center Parcs, leaving just two Belgian sites in the Sunparks stable.
We’ve just come back from Center Parcs Zandvoort an Zee in the Netherlands, which also used to be a Sunparks until it was upgraded by parent company Pierre et Vacances so it’s no wonder that there are some similarities between the two.
Having said that, there are a few key differences you need to know before you book a Sunparks break.
We weren’t that impressed by the standard of the accommodation we had booked at De Haan, as the paintwork needed sprucing up and the furnishings weren’t a patch on what we’d experienced at Center Parcs in the UK. It’s definitely a budget option rather than the more upmarket offering we expect in this country.
There’s no oven in the kitchen at Sunparks, just a hob and a microwave to cook with, so you need to factor that into your plans when you do a food shop.
Depending on the package you book, your beds might not be made up on arrival and you might not be supplied with bedlinen or towels so it’s worth taking a close look at what’s included before you book.
We loved being by the coast, which was very different from the woodland breaks Center Parcs UK is known for.
The Sunparks sites are also a great base for exploring Belgium – we took a drive into Bruges, enjoying waffles with chocolate sauce while wandering the historic town.
Of the two Sunparks sites, Oostduinkerke aan zee is the easiest to get to from the UK, as it’s just an hour drive from Calais or half an hour from Dunkirk, depending on where you arrive.
Kempense Meren is better to get to from the Hook of Holland, which is a two-hour drive away.
If you choose the overnight option for the Harwich-Hook of Holland ferry, you’ll give yourself more time on your arrival and departure day to explore the continent or enjoy the park facilities.
You could also do a longer drive through the Netherlands and take the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry if you live in Scotland or the north.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the last two Sunparks sites get upgraded into Center Parcs in the near future.
So it seems like now’s the time to bag a bargain in Belgium before the Sunparks sites get a Center Parcs pricetag.
Lodging WorldThe parks have a lot of outdoor activities[/caption] Read More