Mill Rythe Coastal Village — Attraction in Havant

Long Easter weekend break

This is our second time at an away resort the first being sandy balls and I probably wouldn't do an away report again...

Upon arrival don't expect the fancy welcome pack they seem to advertise we just got a bag of haribo sweets. This would not bother me if it wasn't advertised as a welcome pack with a verity of goodies and having seen the reviews of other people's welcomes packs and having a great welcome pack at sandy balls.

The accommodation was fine everything seemed clean apart from some sauce splatters on the net curtains by the dining table and some stains on one of the beds mattress protectors apart from those I couldn't fault the accommodation and the cleannesses of the lodge. There was a musky smell when we first arrived but that could have been because we had a lodge where pets were allowed and we don't have pets.

On the first night we attended the kids entertainment in the green room. The volume of the music was far too loud! Which we found was the same at sandy balls too. The hosts lack enthusiasm and engagement which again we found at sand balls. They need to visit shorefield holiday park and take notes as their entertainment is amazing! The bar staff are extremely slow and with it being half term I would have expected more staff on. Karl decided to prop himself up against the bar talking to people rather than serving which was very frustrating. They're not quick at cleaning tables or collecting glasses either.

We stayed for a bit but my 5 year old very quickly grew bored so we decided to order food at the bar for take out. We were told it was a 30 mins wait for food (which was just fish and chips) to which we stayed and had a drink whilst we waited. After 30 mins we asked where our food was and we were told another 20 mins and was offered a free bowl of peanuts. My husband took our little one back to the lodge whilst I waited another 20 mins and after this I had to ask where our food was again. I was told it would be another 20 mins...and offered a free drink. 20 mins later I was told it would be another 20 mins and was offered another free drink. By this point it was nearly 8pm and I had a hungry 5 year old at the lodge who hadn't had their dinner. 2 hours it took for the some fish and chips...if they can't keep up with the demand of restaurant and take way orders they need a separate building for the takeaway service they offer.

Next day we took our little one to the soft play where a grounds worker walked in shouted at all the kids to get their attention and kicked anyone out who was over 9 and was shouting to make sure the kids had their wrist bands on. I understand they have an age limit on the soft play and you have to have the wrist bands on but his tone and shouting at the kids on a grumpy manor was unacceptable.

We decided to try the food and eat at the restaurant as soon as they started serving food this time. It was quiet and only waited 20 mins for our food. Which it took the long to wait for the 2 milkshakes we had ordered. The price for the food you get is a bit pricey the food is just a bit of an upgrade from spoons food you would get. We didn't have a great meal at sandy balls either and again it was pricey for the food.

The swimming pool is freezing cold and the changing rooms are small and have mould growing and the lockers only have a couple of locks that work.

Some people didn't pick up after their dogs and there is dog poo...

AVOID…. JUST AVOID….. FILTHY & BROKEN We booked an Exclusive caravan … we arrived, unloaded the car, & wanted to give the kids their tea…. Looked around & realised the place was filthy…. It had not been cleaned since the last occupants, although there was a card left, saying it had… the beds had been changed, but that was it… Tried ringing Guest Services but they were closed… the dining table & chairs had ingrained lumps of food all over them & needed scrubbing & washing before we could sit at them.. the floor had old food on it & when I tried to use the dustpan & brush, they were covered in grit, dirt & hair….

Dirty microwave with old food in it The window ledge above kitchen sink was covered in coffee & tea splashes Dirty dishwasher, with old food in it Kitchen Cupboard doors had milk spillages running down them There was a layer of dust & hair on the radiators in the main bedroom My 2 year old picked up some food from the floor in front of the sofa, & tried eating it… it wasn’t from us, we hadn’t even unpacked any food…. I gave up taking photos because I needed to clean so I could feed the girls….

Within minutes of arriving I got trapped in the en-suite because the handle was broken, it was only through constantly pulling & twisting that my 12 year old managed to free me….Maintenance came the next day & took the handle off, so, we couldn’t close the door, I had to chase them again the next day to come & replace the handle…. For the next two days, we couldn’t go anywhere, without leaving a patio door wedged open, because our front door wouldn’t unlock again, once out… after 5 attempts to fix it, by maintenance, we were told we would have to ring Customer services every time we wanted to get back in & someone would have to come & let us in! It was eventually fixed, late on the 2nd day, but was, again, stressful….

On the 2nd night, the curtains completely came off their runners (they were half hanging off when we arrived) just as we were trying to get our toddler to bed, so, again, had to wait for out of hours maintenance to come & re-thread them, they were too heavy & fiddly for us to manage,…. The blinds had been chewed by dogs & quite a few of them didn’t work properly…. The unit we were given, a Tribecca, shouldn’t still be in use… we were told it was awaiting a refurb, but, until they fix all the things that are broken or not working, it is not fit to put holiday makers in , & ruin their holiday…

We are a family of 4, my wife, myself & our 2 daughters, 12 & 2…. We have a friend who knows the Head of Operational Standards & Development - Away Resorts ... & our friend recommended we holiday here…. I have a brain tumour & recently had surgery, which resulted in losing my right hand sight… we were so looking forward to this holiday, but after spending two days having to sort out all these problems, I was exhausted, the shine had been taken away from our trip … we came home early just to...

This would be probably be 2.5 stars if Google allowed half marks, but rounding down this time.

Overall a nice looking holiday park, but more style over substance.

Accommodation- the lodge we had was modern and clean. Inside layout was good. Downside was the decking - out the front it was really small, with only enough space to seat 4. The hot tub was round the side of the lodge, which made it practically outside next doors bedroom window which made you conscious of any noise the kids were making. The other lodge we hired had a hot tub on the grass outside the lodge, once again right under their neighbours bedroom window , but by being on the grass/concrete meant the kids trailed in dirt and grass everyone they got in and out. Our dishwasher made the plates dirtier after the cycle than before they went in, and the shower just squirted water out of the side.

Facilities - bar and entertainment venue looked good, however quite a lot of underlying issues that could have been fixed/preempted. Saturday night people were being refunded food orders as they were waiting over 1.5 hours for their meals. Sunday they ran out of the only lager on tap they stocked, and Monday there were only 2 people behind the bar (one doing app orders, one bar orders) which led to a 25min plus wait for drinks. There was quite an impressive range of cocktails on offer and they did look good coming out. We ate there twice, food was ok (burgers, fried chicken etc). Swimming pool was tiny (more below), and the changing rooms were not that clean.

Activities - the pool is very small, so you must book in advance. We only realised this a few days before we went, so only managed to get one slot in a four night stay, which disappointed the kids. The staff tried hard to find us another slot but no joy. Some of the free activities - custard pie fight for example - were really good and would recommend booking. Park and splash park were popular and located close to the entertainment so you could keep an eye on everyone. The party bingo (which the kids could join in with - free as well) was a real hit with everyone. Paid for activities were pricey - for example about £10 for potion making which involved mixing a few fizzy/glittery things in a bowl and taking home in a test tube.

Staff - reception staff were very friendly and tried their hardest to help. Bar staff were well meaning but just very understaffed. Entertainment staff worked hard but didn’t seem to connect as much with the kids as we have seen in other holiday parks.

In conclusion, we had a nice trip but probably...