Sands Resort Hotel

For parents, life's a beach at sunny Sands
Western Morning News
Friday, April 03, 2009, 14:29

YOU can't miss the Sands Resort hotel. Driving eastwards out of Newquay it's the last building you pass as you drive along the coast. A large, bright, yellow and peach-coloured building, it's something of a landmark.

The colours reminded me of a lemon and orange mousse my mother used to buy us in the 1970s for a treat, and I wondered what I'd let myself in for.

My two daughters and I were visiting Newquay for the first time, for a couple of days in their half-term break, and they couldn't wait to see what this child-friendly hotel offered.

I needn't have worried. As we turned into the car park the first thing the girls saw was a playground, complete with zip wire and climbing equipment. Off they ran as I lugged the bags into reception.

Sands is just three minutes' drive from Watergate Bay and a couple more from the exclusive Bedruthan Steps beach and hotel of the same name – renowned for its all-day childcare and family facilities.

But as budgets are squeezed and belts tightened this year, the kind of prices charged by some of the UK's more exclusive family resorts look more and more out of reach of normal wallets.

I had been investigating a summer stay in Cornwall for my extended family and at £1,000 a night I realised why people choose to fly to Greece and Spain instead of risk the British weather and bankruptcy.

Sands Resort isn't in this category, but it does offer the sort of facilities you expect from the most upmarket family hotels.

Professional childcare is available every day and baby listening is included free of charge every evening. From discos to parties, film nights to treasure hunts, this is child heaven – "amazing" was how my seven-year-old described it.

A week's stay for a family of four costs from £910 including dinner and breakfast – though in August that would rise to around £1,500.

Compare that to a self-catering cottage on the Cornish coast and factor in the unlimited facilities, though, and it's really quite a good deal.

Amusements include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi, golf, tennis, croquet, football and basketball, table tennis and skittles. There are playgrounds tailored for children of different ages and a fun outdoor maze. In summer you can borrow wetsuits and surfboards free from the hotel surfshack – saving at least £40 a day if you usually hire kit on the beach for two children.

For those with little ones, cots and highchairs are supplied as standard.

Going away on your own with two energetic children can be tiring, but at Sands you do get the chance for a break. While the Kids' Club was quiet at the start of the February holiday, I have no doubt lots of new friends would be made in the summer holidays. With that in mind, the Ocean Spa offers a welcome relief for tired mums (and dads). Located in the hotel, there's a wide range of therapies available and I had a fantastic massage on our first evening while my children amused themselves with air hockey, table football and other games in the hotel.

The staff were fantastic – helpful and cheerful and obviously well-versed in the antics of young children. They didn't bat an eyelid at my girls running in and out, asking questions and directions. Someone patiently showed us how to work our Playstation too – not something I'm very familiar with but a big hit in the evenings when we'd collapsed in an exhausted heap. We rented a DVD one night and watched it in our room, on the big bed, eating ice-cream – and with no TV upstairs at home this was a real treat for Mum, let alone the girls.

We stayed in a contemporary suite – one of the rooms that has benefited from a recent refurbishment. It was tastefully decorated in neutral tones with a couple of dramatic lime-green stools and a stylish chaise longue. A comfy sofa would have been a welcome addition, but the arrangement of two rooms with bathroom in between was great.

The hotel is just minutes away from some great beaches and if you can drag the kids away, there's masses to do.

We walked into Newquay on the first day; it took longer than I'd anticipated but had spectacular views from the clifftop coastal path. We visited the Blue Reef Aquarium on Towan Beach – Sands gave all half-term guests a family ticket for free entry which was an added bonus. We loved it, particularly the giant Pacific octopus which was fed a live crab in a rather macabre show.

On the second day we drove about half an hour to Wadebridge and hired bikes, then cycled along the Camel Trail to Padstow and back, after a pub lunch. Sands is a family resort, not a gourmet experience. It's designed around families and there's very little missing as far as entertaining children goes.

The food was a little too ambitious and they didn't quite get it right – some fresh fruit would have been welcome at breakfast – but the wine list was extensive, staff were happy to keep unfinished bottles overnight and prices were very reasonable: a definite plus for parents.

There are also three dining options which allow you to go down the very British route of feeding your children on their own from 4.45pm and then putting them to bed, leaving you to eat alone in a child-free area of the restaurant from 7.30pm: or you can be more continental and actually eat with your children, from 7pm onwards. Compare this with Mark Warner, for example, where you have to feed children early and then sit with other grown-ups for your meal. I enjoyed being able to eat with my girls in the restaurant and we chatted to other families around us with children of a similar age; this is by far the best way to get children to eat proper food and learn good table manners.

The menus offered two children's choices each night which were basic but tasty, and they could choose from the adult menu too, for a small charge. There were no chicken nuggets on this menu.

Sands Resort has been going for 17 years and has obviously learned some tricks from the thousands of families who've stayed there.

If you dread that holiday wail of "Mum, I'm bored", then this is the destination for you – whatever the weather.

d interesting menu with the nicest Goats Cheese quiche I have ever eaten. Jane the beauty therapist is lovely and very professional.

The hotel had a total acceptance of families from reception to restaraunt and all the staff were very kind. We liked the decor and the artwork very much. Julia and Anna are wonderful in childcare. They were friendly, professional, responsible and fun! Many thanks to them, they genuinely enjoy kids.

You are doing something wonderful here, a chance to feel human and welcome with young children. A very important resource and you should be very proud.

"WE HAVE BEEN POACHED"

We could no longer afford Bedruthan Steps (just down the road)-so chose Sands and thought we had booked the 'cheap seats'! How wrong we were. We absolutely loved it. True, it doesn't have quite the same polish as Bedruthan but there were several things that were much better. The indoor pool was lovely. The outdoor terrace restaurant is really nice with a waterfall.

This brings me to the quality of the the food. Fantastic!! We thought Bedruthan couldn't be beaten but this was excellent. The menus were very well planned, exciting and plentiful portions ( no matter to me but I do have a hungry husband). The wine selection was very very good and really reasonable. Children's food is a much better arrangement than at Bedruthan which is quite cramped. Here we were in a large dining room, plenty of space particularly for highchairs with plenty of choice. My children are really not picky eaters, but had they been there was a well planned menu to cater for all. Only gripe here is that parents would have liked a cup of tea whilst waiting for children to eat and Bedruthan do do this. But a small point.

We didn't use the children's clubs as wanted them with us - but did think when we return next year that might give them a try. However, we did see them marching in a line around the resort singing their heads off and this was very sweet to see.

Activities for the children were great. Play park, sand pit, maze, pool and the nine hole golf course was great for a wander around just before bed time. There was lots more to do but we just didn't fit it all in.

Our room - we thought the carpets could have had a better vac round as there were some bits under the beds - we did move them as we were constantly losing shoes to find our youngest posting them under the beds. Bathrooms lovely and clean. The furnishings were modern although the sofas in the lounge area seemed a bit tired but this was again a small point. We booked a 2 bed 2 bath apartment suite and were really pleased with amount of room. A big plus was that we put the youngest to bed in the 2nd bedroom and the 2yr old in a travel cot in the lounge area as they chat like mad to each other and never go to sleep. This was a big thing for us as we really wanted to take advantage of the baby listening at night. I was really impressed with this. There was someone dedicated to listening (not just someone on reception who looked over from time to time) and we felt this was very very important. We were called to our room on a couple of occasions so the system definitely works. There is no lift which is well signposted on all documents but you need to be aware if constantly having to carry kids up two flights of stairs - ask for a lower level room.

Spa - used this loads when kids were napping in afternoon and husband watching tv and playing playstation on babysitting duty. Really impressed with the quality of the treatments - best back massage I have ever had (and I've paid for loads!). Nice therapist as well - very friendly and accommodating.

Great great great time. Have provisionally booked for same week next year. Can't see us ever returning to Bedruthan unless they have a mega deal on. We have been poached!!!!

“GREAT FOR YOUNG FAMILIES ”

We were thoroughly impressed by this resort. The venue was very well suited to families and whilst we had the most basic room available this was very spacious (having a good sized kids room with very large adult room/living area) and clean with good facilities and a sea view.

The resort facilities, in particular the pool and the kids play areas were fantastic. We went at a very quiet time but entertainment for the kids was still available as were the kids clubs which were very good.

The food for kids was excellent with a good choice and with healthy options - the adult food was very good with a great choice on all courses. Wine and other drinks reasonably priced, and adult only areas available for a total chill-out.

The best thing about Sands is the staff - they were all (without exception) helpful and friendly - nothing was too much trouble. They were patient and friendly with the kids as well.

The best family friendly hotel we have been to so far - so good in fact that we may never get round to trying any others!

"HAPPY NEW YEAR"

We have just returned from a 4 night New Year break at Sands and have had the most wonderful time. Our two sons aged 9 and 6 were full of beans each night after having had such a lovely time at the early evening entertainmnet and kids clubs. My husband and I were able to relax during dinner knowing that the children were being so well cared for by the friendly staff. Our children also enjoyed the independence and freedom they had when wandering around the hotel, often only finding us to top up their supplies of 50p's for the games room!!
The hotel had arranged a variety of daytime activities for families including a treasure hunt, quiz and football match.
We also found time to walk to Watergate Bay, play golf, cycle to Padstow from Wadebridge and swim daily.
New Years Eve was a super, well organised evening which went on into the early hours of the morning. The hotel had only opened half of its rooms which meant everything was more intimate and friendly. We last visited Sands 3 years ago and were charmed to know that many of the same staff still work there and remembered us. We look forward to returning for the next New Year break.

"GOOD FOR ADULTS TOO"

Just wanted to post an alternative review of the Sands Resort that doesn't focus around the fact that it's a child friendly resort!
I began to visit the Sands Resort as a child with my family. Now in my 20's I make an annual trip to the hotel with my Mum and girlfrinds for a week of pampering and indulgence in a non pretentious relaxing enviroment.
True, the hotel is aimed at families, but the fantastic Ocean Breeze Spa and good leisure facilties ensures that we always have a fantastic time. Many of the families choose to vacate the hotel in the day, leaving us with a clear run of the sauna and spa and the opportunty to chill out over a few glasses of wine in a truly relaxing enviroment.
As for evening enternainment - i'll admit it isn't exactly wild or innovative. However the Sands is the ideal enviroment to while the evening away over a few bottles of very reasonably priced wine and food that I have never had a complaint over.
Some of the staff could be better trained and 'on the ball'. However what they lack in knowledge and training they make up for in enthusaism and a genuine will to ensure you have the holiday you want - nothing is ever too much trouble.
In short if you fancy an alternative to a health farm at a fraction of the price and in need of the ultimate chill out then I couldn't recomend the Sands enough.

“RESTORED MY FAITH IN THE HOTEL/CHILDREN COMBINATION”

Well, I'd virtually given up on holidaying at a hotel instead of booking a self-catering somewhere. I saw an ad and thought it might be worth a try, especially with their free kids in September promotion.

A 3* hotel in name but the experience was definitely 4* in my opinion. OK, so the rooms were a little old-fashioned and the beds had clearly had some serious bouncing on in their time, but that was the only really negative thing I had to say about the whole week we spent there. After all, we still had the children in a separate room, an enormous bed thanks to a facility plus room being available, and a big TV with playstation.

We stayed half board - only £10 each for a 3 course meal, so phenomenal value. The food was excellent. High tea was organised for the children - you had the option of doing this and eating alone at night (in the reassuring knowledge that someone was conscientiously baby-listening the whole time you were out of the room), or you could eat with the children at a slightly earlier sitting. Not only that but the decor in the public areas was really smart. Clearly they had invested their money here rather than the bedrooms!

Kids clubs were available though we didn't feel the need to use these ourselves; every evening after high tea something was done to entertain the children. Sometimes a movie would be screened on the TV in the bedroom, sometimes party games or dressing up might happen instead. Our brief contact with the children's carers/leaders was pleasant.

The spa was also good, modern and relaxing., and while there were a couple of hiccups in the bookings, this was more than made up for by the helpful beauty therapists who made sure I didn't go home feeling short-changed.

What impressed us most though was how nice the staff were. ALL of them were helpful and friendly, and it just meant that our stay wasn't just good, it was thoroughly enjoyable.

We'll be back.

 

 

 

 

http://www.sandsresort.co.uk/FamilyFriendlyHolidays_000.html?gclid=CJnyuJPQ85ACFQh3MAodpRgdqg