Center Parcs les Ardennes

Having visited the UK Center Parcs we had wanted to try a European site for quite awhile, given the difference in cost being substantial. So this was our first visit to a non-UK Center Parcs. Family of 4, with a 9 year-old and a 3-year-old. We opted for this park because it was smaller and more suited to younger children. The cottage was the perfect size, clean and all in working order. The only drawback I would say is the spiral staircase with young children and if you were to have anyone who struggled with mobility. Also, the drawback of no toilet upstairs, so having to navigate the spiral staircase in the middle of the night with a 3-year-old was not ideal. The bathroom was very cold, but after a day we discovered turning on the towel radiator solved that issue. I am assuming they turn it off to save energy - do yourself a favour and as soon as you arrive, turn it on and turn it up! The kitchen wasn’t really built for cooking big meals, the oven was a small microwave combi thing, no kettle, no toaster. The swimming was great, the pool being on the smaller side for a Center Parcs, perfect for our children. I would say for older children it’s probably a little small and they would crave more slides and rapids. We knew this when booking so it wasn’t a disappointment for us. Outdoor park was lovely and very well maintained, along with the bonus of a petting farm, perfect for our children. The action factory was the biggest hit with our 3-year-old! It was all she talked about and wanted to go there constantly. Our 9-year-old really enjoyed playing in there too, but had moments saying it was “boring” - typical 9-year-old behaviour. If you have older children, I believe some of the other sites have bigger play areas for older children. We did the kids Safari, feeding the animals at the farm, Halloween Horror Tour, making a birdfeeder, hair braid for the 3 year-old, bowling, crazy golf. Activities overall were great, quite a few free and those that did cost were very good value compared to the cost of UK Center Parcs activities! The biggest let down I would say are the food offerings on site. Seems to be a shortage of staff at each place, although the staff that were working were fabulous! The food at the sports bar was overpriced salty processed food. Don’t bother. The Italian all you eat was average, nothing to shout about. We were going to try the Grand Cafe but the reviews online were terrible so avoided as the meals were on the pricy side and we dint want to risk it. The Tasty restaurant on the other hand was amazing, we had the evening meal…a wide variety of food, cooked lovely and drinks included. A little on the pricy side €117 for all four of us so eating there every night wasn’t within our budget but we really enjoyed it. Would have liked to have done the breakfast in there but didn’t get round to it. Overall a good experience, took one star off for the lack of good food offerings.

As soon as I walked in the place smelt damp and musty. Stairs were creaking and the roof was low. An underwhelming stay and wouldn't recommend going on holiday for an extended period. Definitely not worth the money but good if u are going to spa for the Grand Prix.

I would have given 5 stars due to the experience for kids, however we were not able to use the barbeque as there were some construction works at our chimney and barbeque. We also requested a baby bed, but this came without a mattress. I did bring my own sheets, but mattress no. All the rest were perfectly fine, as you have everything you need in the cottage, and also a supermarket. The activities are quite pleasant for children up to 12-13 years old. We enjoyed our stay!