Pól Ó Conghaile: Is Heart Parcs over-priced, or worth for cash?
Nice information for the midlands, we mentioned. However what about these costs?
Sure, it is costly. Lead-in charges for a two-bed lodge begin from €399 for four-night breaks in November. In August, nevertheless, an analogous break prices €1,399.
Entry to the pool and playgrounds are included, however actions are further – €35/25pp for bike rent, €6.75pp for loopy golf and €37pp for a three-hour spa session, for instance.
It is tough to get a transparent view on prices, as a result of costs rise and fall with demand, and you may’t verify exercise charges with out an energetic lodging reserving.
I perceive the grousing.
There are methods to save cash at Heart Parcs (e.g. reserving throughout term-time, utilizing Tesco Clubcard factors, or cooking in), however there isn’t any sugarcoating it. This can be a dear vacation past the attain of many. As readers have identified, it is attainable to take a household to France or Spain on an analogous price range.
Which may be true, nevertheless it’s not a like-for-like comparability.
Heart Parcs spent €233m on Longford Forest, and you may see the outlay in its high-spec lodges and three,500sq m pool complicated, within the security and tools on zip-lines and aerial adventures, in its accessible altering areas and Eire’s largest spa.
There are not any exhausting sells on t-shirts, souvenirs or different merchandise, and no resort photographers chasing you round – cruise-ship-style – taking household snaps that break the bank to gather.
Costs in its bars and mini-market are much like any Irish metropolis and, apart from changeover days, the campus is car-free. One morning, I discovered the seashore was freshly combed. As I left, I noticed a plaza being power-hosed.
Positive, it does not really feel notably Irish. The meals will not set your world alight. There are wasps (observe the orange traps hanging from bushes). However it’s protected, spotless, fantastically staffed, and at no level will you are feeling like corners have been lower.
Pól Ó Conghaile at Heart Parcs Longford Forest. Photograph: Leon Farrell
Plus, are you able to think about the insurance coverage?
I’ve no real interest in defending Longford Forest. However I do see a distinction between ‘worth’ and ‘low cost’. Heart Parcs didn’t got down to construct a budget-friendly campsite, a Butlin’s or a Trabolgan. It got down to construct a Heart Parcs.
You would not evaluate the costs at Kelly’s Resort in Rosslare to a campsite, Disney to Tayto Park, or an inexpensive ‘n’ cheerful solar vacation to a Splashworld resort or Lanzarote’s Princesa Yaiza. You decide them on whether or not you get what you paid for.
Did you are feeling ripped off, or was it definitely worth the cash? Will you be again?
Heart Parcs is betting you may be again. Its 5 UK parks run at a median 98laptop occupancy year-round, and it is concentrating on 90laptop for Eire. Friends keep away from airport problem, and costs look rather a lot higher when considered ‘per individual’, it says.
Whether or not our idiosyncratic Irish market buys into its well-liked mannequin stays to be seen. In case you can afford it, I say give it a attempt. However for those who really feel ripped off, allow them to have it.
Pól was a visitor of Heart Parcs.
Learn extra:
Sinead Ryan: ‘Heart Parcs can depart you pining for imagined previous’
Irish Unbiased