Our family’s inaugural journey to Center Parcs didn’t lead us into Longford’s woodlands last summer. Instead, we set sail for the Dutch sea-bound town, Zandvoort. You might wonder why we chose Zandvoort – it certainly wasn’t for the cacophony from the Formula One race held annually in the town at summer’s end.
No, the charm of Zandvoort came from the variety it offered our motley crew of a teenager, a pre-teen and a tot. The broad North Sea for invigorating dips; abundant secure cycle routes; quick access to Amsterdam for day excursions, and the quintessential Center Parcs experience: guaranteed amusement in a vast indoor/outdoor aquatic zone, accompanied by a gamut of activities to counter any possibility of ennui setting in.
Additionally, the prospect of spending less by choosing a location outside of Ireland was appealing. During our visit in the prior July, our accommodation at Zandvoort ran us about €900 less than the comparable cost in Longford for a week’s stay.
You might consider the extra travel expenses, which are certainly worth noting. But, with affordable flights readily available to Amsterdam Schipol (KLM, Ryanair, and Aer Lingus all offer direct routes), and the train offering a seamless 50-minute ride from the airport to Zandvoort (except for a brief hop from one platform to another), getting there isn’t too bothersome. From there, a brisk walk or short taxi ride takes you to Center Parcs.
To top it all off, the proximity to Zandvoort, brimming with cafes, gelaterias, and restaurants, as well as superstores, eliminates any need to depend solely on Center Parcs for meals, potentially yielding further savings.
However, for anyone contemplating a summer getaway or a short respite later on, and considering Center Parcs, would it be worth your while to consider the European continent? All things considered.
To begin with, it’s crucial to acknowledge the challenge in carrying out a direct comparison between Center Parcs in Europe and Ireland. This is primarily due to the fact that while the brand remains constant across Europe, ownership differs. For instance, Center Parcs in Belgium is not identical to the one in Longleat in the UK.
The representative for Center Parcs UK/Ireland explains: “The shared brand name does not imply identical market circumstances and offerings, which makes drawing a comparison quite challenging.”
In several European parks, daily or half-daily access is possible, unlike in Longford where day passes are exclusive to friends or relatives of a current Center Parcs resident.
Currently, Brookfield, a private Canadian equity firm owns the six resorts in Britain and Ireland. Last year, they attempted to sell them off but were unsuccessful. However, the 27 continental resorts across Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are owned by Blackstone, a US asset manager.
The pricing across Ireland and Britain is generally comparable, whereas the continental resorts offer a more cost-effective alternative. But how much more affordable are they?
Accommodation
Initially, we analysed the prices for a summer holiday. In Longford, a week at peak period in their cheapest two-bedroom woodland lodge will cost almost €3,000, a substantial expense for most families.
By selecting our location, Zandvoort or Marne la Vallée, just on the outskirts of Paris and half an hour away from Disneyland, or Hamburg in Germany, you could save €850 or €1,140 respectively. But depending on the euro/pound exchange rate, the costs in Britain will likely be similar.
There might be minor variances in the offerings. For instance, in Britain and Longford, you’d look for a “woodland lodge”, while in the continent prices are given for a “comfort cottage”.
Should you be considering a January holiday and be prepared to take your children out of school, there are great savings to be made.
The table suggests that a four-night stay for a family of four in Longford from Monday to Friday would cost €629, which equates to €157 a night. Though it seems like a good deal compared to the peak season prices, taking a holiday abroad could be even more economical.
Consider Zandvoort, where a family of four only pays €88 per night. In your spare time, you can visit the swimming pool’s free film showings. Additionally, you can explore Amsterdam, home to the Anne Frank museum and the Johann Cruijff Arena, a mere half-hour train ride away. Also, return flights are quite affordable at €111.
Another favourable option is Hamburg. A trip there, including a return flight, is a bargain at €96. The family accommodation price mirrors the flight price at €96 per night.
The same can be said for an Easter break on the Continent. Over the Easter weekend, a stay at Longford can set you back about €1,299, which is comparable to the prices at Elveden Forest in Britain.
Activities
Longford offers an impressive range of about 171 activities, which is considerably more than what is available in Zandvoort (72), Hamburg (108), or Paris (89). Most of these, though, require additional payment.
Comparing these activities can be a complicated task, as the selection differs from each place. For instance, a yoga class will cost you €12.50 in Longford, but €15 in Hamburg. Conversely, hiring a pedalo for a lake trip is €21 in Longford, whilst it is cheaper in Hamburg and Paris at €16 and €15 respectively.
For archery enthusiasts, the activity can be enjoyed for €13 per person in Longford, or for a lesser €7.50 in Zandvoort. Bike rental costs fluctuate, from as low as €27 for a child’s bike for a week in Paris, up to €52 in Elveden. In Longford, bike rental fees range from €47 for an adult and €35 for a child during a mid-week stay.
Consider the location of the park when planning your stay. For instance, at the Longford site, guests often remain on-site, leading to larger final costs for entertainment. Conversely, when visiting their parks on the continent, you may explore outside the resort as much as within, depending upon the location. The Paris locale is a mere 30-minute RER ride from the city centre and near to Disneyland, naturally encouraging guests to spend time off-site. In our experience at Zandvoort, activities such as extensive seaside cycling, visiting the charming Haarlem, beach lounging, and day trips to Amsterdam, required only an additional cost for squash, due to the fact many pastimes were enjoyed outside the resort.
Furthermore, bear in mind that Center Parcs often add extra expenses. Similar to the behaviour of airlines like Ryanair, they are known to levy charges for additional services. For example, if you prefer a centrally located lodge for convenience or mobility reasons, be prepared to pay a higher fee. A cottage in the central area of Longford, about a 13 to 25-minute stride to the Village Square, costs an additional €58. At the Elveden site in the United Kingdom, to stay within a 12-minute walk of the centre, there is an extra £70 fee, or £49 to be within a 25-minute stroll.
Bringing a pet also incurs an additional cost. In Longford, it’s €89 for one dog, or €109 for two, which are the same rates charged in the United Kingdom, but in sterling. Cheaper pet rates can be found on the continent. For instance, in the Netherlands, your pet, be it Rex or Kitty, can join you for a fee of just €49.