If you thought Butlin’s was all Hi-De-Hi flats and chalets you couldn’t be more wrong. The famous Skegness resort – where it all started in 1936 – has seriously changed its offering recently, investing a huge £20 million into some very posh facilities on site in the last year alone.
I was invited over to check out the latest new development, the £12 million, 128-lodge Maple Walk, which is a collection of premium chalets for those who prefer a little peace and quiet.
The area, which took just under a year to build, is situated over the road from the main resort. It has a different feel to everywhere else, and while the Butlin’s branding is visible in certain areas, it’s not red and it’s incredibly muted. It’s a far cry from the Butlin’s you may remember from your childhood.
The chalets are situated over the road from the main resort and are accessed through the subway tunnel. It’s been given a football stadium walkway-style makeover, with floor-to-ceiling lights and new wooden panelling as you walk in.
There’s a new playground too as you approach Maple Walk, and like everything here it feels like somewhere you could send your kids without worrying if they are safe or not.
As you round the corner after the tunnel and playground, Maple Walk appears from what was once fallow land, next to the private caravan and mobile home area.
The colour palette is all greys and whites with muted lighting and a healthy dose of fresh bright-green grass. It’s the opposite of the loud, bright, flashing lights of the main resort over the road. In fact it’s all a bit Center Parcs, but without the trees because this is bracing Skegness after all.
Visitors to this area have their own private check-in booth, which I am told will be a lot quieter than the main check-in.
The lodges themselves look like a classic static chalet-type building from the outside. All have their own parking spot and an area of decking accessed through patio doors from the living area inside.
A small set of steps brings you in the main door – I’m told there are two accessible units for wheelchair users on the site – and once inside there’s all the facilities you need for a relaxing family getaway.
Being a mum of two myself, and having been on many a self-catering holiday, I was on the lookout for certain items which I knew would give it the seal of approval.
First up – what’s the sofa like? Well there were two separate sofas, essential for squabbling siblings, and they were proper sofas. Not a bench-type arrangement with cushions, but something you could get comfy on after walking around all day. In the kitchen there was a potato peeler, tin opener, kitchen scissors and a proper sharp knife. And microwave, hob, grill and separate oven.
Call me boring but I also had to check out the fridge and freezer space. These were both full size and if you’re not on a dining plan, you absolutely will not struggle to cook and store your own food here.
Over to the sleeping areas, the corridor out of the kitchen is the classic mobile home “one in, one out”. I know my boys would be loving this cosy arrangement but it’s worth remembering if you’re all trying to get in and out with bags at once.
Most impressive however was the fact that these chalets can not only sleep up to six people (one double, four single beds) but that there are two bathrooms with showers and loos. One is ensuite, the other accessed off the main corridor. The showers are very spacious too.
The use of space generally within the chalet is nothing short of impressive. Yes, it’s cosy, but the living space is absolutely fine for families who will mostly be out all day enjoying everything Butlin’s has to offer.
I can definitely imagine sitting on the decking while the kids run around the quiet paths outside or head down to the playground.
There’s a pay-off to consider here though. Do you want to be at the heart of everything but with the risk that it might be a bit noisier? Or are you OK with a bit of a stroll back to base with the guarantee of absolute silence? That silence does come at a price though and of course these chalets are at the top end of the price bracket in terms of accommodation.
Looking at the Butlin’s website on Tuesday, May 21, I selected a four-night break option for two adults and two children. I was offered the three-bedroom option in the premium chalet (which must be all that is available now) and said I was happy to let Butlin’s choose which lodge I would stay in, and was quoted a price of £1,239. A silver room – at the cheaper end of the accommodation offering – sleeps four in two singles and one double bed and has a bathroom but no kitchen. The price quoted was £559. For a fairground apartment, which is a small flat for four with a kitchen and living area near the resort’s fairground, the price quoted was £749.
It’s worth adding that the prices may change if there’s a special offer, or by booking at quieter periods or more in advance.
The premium chalets are certainly another string in the Butlin’s bow, already a major asset to the Lincolnshire tourism offering. The construction of this new area has created 50 jobs for local people.
And I wouldn’t be surprised if you see some of the Center Parcs crew sneaking in and then pretending they were Butlin’s converts all along…
Butlin’s offers a three-night summer holidays break featuring The Masked Singer Live staying in a new Premium Lodge that sleeps up to six people from £503 on 30 August 2024. Price is based on a family of four sharing and includes all live shows and activities, unlimited fairground rides and access to SKYPARK playground. Dining packages start from £23.95 per adult, per day, £14.50 per child (6-14), per day and £6.80 per child (2-5). To find out more or to book go to butlins.com.
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