wow factor

MAKING IT MAGNIFICENT!

Posted on August 2, 2022

MAKING IT MAGNIFICENT!

Windmill Retreat and Spa offer's the 'wow' factor to woo guests...

WINDMILL RETREAT & SPA’S new luxury lodge development

 

Outdoor baths, balconies and fire pits are just some of the features designed to attract luxury-loving guests to Glastonbury lodge resort Windmill Retreat and Spa this summer. All are included in four new state-of- the-art lodges owner Nick Ridgment is adding at his rural Somerset escape and selling exclusively through staycation specialist Hoseasons.

“We’ve always tried to push the boundaries when it comes to what we offer our guests,” Nick says, adding: “There are lodge parks everywhere these days, so it’s vitally important to stay one step ahead and give customers everything they need for an unforgettable holiday experience when they weigh up their options for a UK break.” Panoramic views of the Somerset Levels, roomy open-plan living, and hot tubs also come as standard with these large three-bedroom properties – the addition of which brings to nine the number of beautifully-designed bespoke lodges to choose from at the park, which Nick opened as a newcomer to the industry in 2015 and chose to partner with Hoseasons to bring to market.

 

CONTEMPORARY LIVING styles are offered in both apartment and cottage accommodation.

 

Since then, the park’s high-end reputation has been cemented with the addition of its state-of-the-art Elements Boutique Spa, as well as an accompanying product range available in Holland and Barrett. The on-site Levels Country Kitchen also adds to the cool vibe with delicious breakfast and lunch options made with fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Nick credits his long-established partnership with Hoseasons as being crucial to the success of the site over the last six years. “It’s one thing attracting customers and another staying ahead of the competition to keep them coming back for more,” says Nick.

“We always had the vision to develop our offering but working with the team at Hoseasons has really helped us realise the potential of the business. “They gave us the confidence to believe in our product in the early days and have offered invaluable insight and guidance over the last few years to ensure we get the best return on our investment in this new development.” Much of that guidance has come from Luke Hansford, Vice President Business Development, at Hoseasons who says Windmill Retreat and Spa is the perfect example of a location that knows it has to develop its offer to stay relevant in the modern UK holiday market.

THE ELEMENTS BOUTIQUE SPA is a huge draw for the Windmill Retreat & Spa

 

ASPIRATIONAL QUALITY
“The innovation and diversification we’ve seen in our industry over the last 18 months has been remarkable, with those used to holidaying abroad pre-pandemic now looking for the same level of aspirational quality in their UK staycation. “The data clearly shows people want more from their UK break and that’s exactly what we’re able to give them through Windmill Retreat and Spa and other high-end locations in our portfolio.”

The exceptional standard of lodge and cottage-style accommodation and facilities at Windmill Retreat and Spa recently led to it being one of only five wow-factor locations included in Hoseasons’ new Magnificent Collection - something the staycation specialist has launched to recognise new standards of quality and innovation across the self-catering holiday industry. Inclusion in the new collection means Windmill Retreat is being marketed to millions of Hoseasons customers looking for top quality accommodation design, premium on-park facilities, exceptional customer service and a genuine commitment to sustainability – something Nick hopes will help to mark it out as one of the country’s premier locations for an aspirational getaway.

NICK RIDGMENT AND ILZE PARANUKA are the owners of Windmill Retreat & Spa.

 

“We’re delighted to have been recognised as magnificent enough for Hoseasons’ new collection and are really looking forward to sharing our fantastic location with even more guests over the weeks, months and years to come.” Magnificent has been launched at a time when demand for luxury UK getaways is at an all-time high, and the number of high-end accommodations joining the Hoseasons portfolio continues to grow. Bookings for luxury properties this year are up 27% compared to the same point in 2019, while the size and scale of parent group Awaze’s luxury portfolio through brands including Hoseasons and sister company cottages.com has grown 45% over the last three years.

For more information about Hoseasons’ Magnificent Collection go to www.hoseasons.co.uk/magnificent

 

SPLASH ATTACK!

Posted on August 2, 2022

SPLASH ATTACK!

Go big, or go small but make the most of those aquatic attractions...

TURN YOUR SWIMMING pool into an exciting aquatic playground.

 

Arguably, the swimming pool is one of the main pulling factors for holiday locations; great for swimming and even better for guaranteed family fun. If you have ticked the swimming pool box with an unimaginative tank of water, you are missing some vital opportunities to stand out from the crowd. The pool should not feature as a stand-alone.

For instance, add a few well-being features and you can be offering your guests a top-notch spa experience. A perfect example is the Plas Coch leisure complex, one of the stand-out attractions at the five-star holiday home park, holders of the Holiday Park Pool Of the Year title in the UK Pool & Spa Awards. The swimming pool, super spa, treatment area and gymnasium are open all year round for customers to swim and relax. The leisure facility has recently undergone some aesthetic works to offer more privacy including a spectacular tint effect added to the glass building to give a beautiful mirror effect from the outside.

 

SWIMMING POOLS are great for swimming and even better for guaranteed family fun. Pic. Ribby Hall

 

With top drawer aquatic access even more of a variety of water-based activities to the regular timetable such as snorkelling, pool kayaks, underwater explorers and private occasion pool parties. Guests can unwind by a tropical pool, take a soothing dip in a hydrotherapy bath, or indulge in a cleansing Dry Salt Chamber treatment, all specially created to provide pampering for mind and body. “During the 2020 lockdown, we all had our fair share of problems to overcome,” says the centre manager.

“We took the time and used it wisely, by working hard at making our Leisure complex the best it has ever been, and one of the best in the holiday park industry. “We had mechanical parts fixed and upgraded in our pool plant rooms, which made opening up to our customers that much easier prior to lockdown.” Wellbeing, beauty and fitness facilities are also among the new features waiting to welcome 2022 visitors at the multi award-winning Celtic Holiday Parks.

 

THE PLAS COCH leisure complex is open all year round for customers to swim and relax.

 

PICTURE PERFECT
Celtic Parks’ picture-perfect Pembrokeshire locations are near the market town of Narberth (Noble Court and Croft Country Park) and overlooking Amroth Bay (Meadow House Park). “Parks are no longer a one-size-fits-all proposition, and we intend to deliver the type of experience which people have been telling us they want from a holiday,” says Celtic’s Huw Pendleton. “They still expect fun, but many would rather visit a cocktail bar than a clubhouse, enjoy gastro-pub style meals, and enjoy treatment rooms with first-class facilities and ethical, organic products.

“Many of our guests are repeat visitors, and relatively new to the concept of a park holiday, so we are constantly challenging ourselves to ensure they have something fresh to look forward to.” “Our record bookings for next year suggest this is no flash in the pan, and I’ve every confidence that we will be investing and raising the bar even higher over the next twelve months,” adds Huw. You don’t always have to think big. Cornish holiday park Trevornick, has unveiled a new £180,000 investment called The Splash Zone.

 

USTIGATE are perfect pool partners whether your plans are big or small.

 

It provides a new space within the existing swimming pool complex at Trevornick, where young (and the young at heart!) guests can run, jump, play and splash. The Splash Zone contains two tipping buckets, fountains, water jets, and a raised trickle stream, making it perfect for babies, toddlers, non-swimmers and those unable to access the pool itself. General manager Adrian Tribe says: “We are so thrilled to have opened The Splash Zone after weeks of hard work by all involved to bring it to completion.

“We had a good year in 2021 and re-investing that success back into the park will be great for the guests and for us. It’s a brilliant new addition to the resort and we can’t wait to see the guests really making the most of it this summer.” If you are thinking swimming pools then think water play to give your guests the extra wow factor. Leading aquatic suppliers, Ustigate design and build their water management systems to accompany all of their aquatic schemes whether they are super charged water park attractions. Nowadays a pool experience doesn’t just sit with a pool, it sits with designing a space to maximise the fun to be had for everyone in that footprint.

 

CELTIC HOLIDAY PARKS has invested in well being to complement its swimming pool offering.

 

PLAY PARTNERS
Ustigate encourage you think big when it comes to aquatic play. For nearly 20 years, they have partnered with Vortex Aquatic Structures, offering a portfolio of 300 products, including a vast choice of waterslides, Elevations™ and individual play items to heighten aquatic experiences and to entertain a multitude of guests at every given time.

A waterslide is great as either an open or closed flume, running inside, outside, or both. And now with modern technology, experiences are enhanced with high-definition multimedia technology; enabling an experience to be unique and different at the touch of a button. There are also low-level products that add character and activities for young children such as frog, turtle and fish with their 360° rotation abilities, all suitable for installation in zero and shallow depth.

There are taller features that are designed to arch and spray over pools and lazy rivers and products of varying heights that resemble leaves, trees and flowers that offer a variety of different water movements and effects. Whether you are planning for big or small aquatic attractions, look for the surprise element. Let your imagination match and exceed the expectations of your customers.

 

HEATED SWIMING POOL at Trevornick Holiday Park, Holywell Bay, Newquay, Cornwall

BUTLIN’S SERVES UP FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Posted on April 27, 2022

BUTLIN’S SERVES UP FOOD FOR THOUGHT


Butlin’s has become an inaugural recipient of a PETA Holiday Award, given to the holiday company to celebrate a new animal-friendly era. From 2022, all activities and shows across the three Butlin’s resorts will be animal-free with a wide selection of delicious vegan dishes added to menus. Millions of UK families are eating more vegan foods for animal welfare, health, and environmental reasons. A survey by BBC Good Food showed that 21% of children from 5 to 16 years old are vegan or vegetarian and an additional 36% are interested in becoming so.

Butlin’s has adapted with the times – from just three vegan options on the menu in 2019 to over 100 today. PETA encourages the public to visit only attractions that do not use animals in performances or encounters or for any other entertainment purposes. “PETA applauds Butlin’s for offering spectacular and educational animal free entertainment,” says PETA Corporate Projects Manager Dr Carys Bennett. “And with a wonderful choice of vegan options, Butlin’s has become a top holiday destination for modern families. “We encourage all other holiday and tourist destinations still exploiting animals to follow Butlin’s lead.”

Jon Hendry Pickup, managing director of Butlin’s, says: “For several years now, we’ve been developing shows that bring the wow factor without using live animals. Guest feedback has been fantastic, and we can’t wait for Animals vs Dinosaurs to take to the stage in 2022. Our shows aren’t the only new thing this year,” Jon continues. “Delicious new vegan options can be found in all retail restaurants and buffets at the resorts and we’re always looking to expand our offering.”