Having just returned from our 13th trip to Center Parcs, I wanted to share parts of our holiday that work really well for us. One thing that we always do on our holiday is hire a Center Parcs cabana, which are located in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. We have hired a cabana at Whinfell for the past 3 years, and it has really enhanced the time we have spent in the swimming complex. So if you are asking yourself whether is it worth booking a cabana at Center Parcs, read on.
How do you book a Center Parcs cabana
We booked our Center Parcs cabana via the online booking system. There are different times available and generally the use of the cabana is for 3 hours. The price depends on whether you book the cabana for four, six or eight people, and is more expensive during the day. We have always booked our Center Parcs cabana in the evening, typically in the 5.45pm to 8.45pm slot. This is probably the time you don’t actually need a cabana, as there is plenty of free seating in the evening. However we have always booked the cabana as a birthday treat for my daughter, who has celebrated her birthday at Center Parcs for the past 3 years.
One flaw in the booking process is you don’t actually get told where to book in for your cabana on the day. Your booking confirmation just tells you that the Center Parcs cabana is in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. At Center Parcs Whinfell you need to enter the pool area, turn left and you will see steps heading up to where they sell the inflatables. This is the lifeguard station and the place you need to book in. I imagine it’s very similar at the other Center Parcs locations.
Where are the Center Parcs cabanas located
At Center Parcs Whinfell there are a few cabanas that are in a nice private area overlooking the main pool. There is a further cabana which is more public, which I imagine would have a steady stream of people walking past, as it’s near to many of the slides and the outdoor pool. If you don’t fancy this, I would try and speak with a lifeguard and request a more private cabana. The cabanas at Center Parcs Woburn are all in a private area, and the images below are of the cabanas at Woburn.
The BRAND NEW Cabana Cove
Center Parcs recently announced the addition of Cabana Cove at Sherwood Forest. Not only will you get access to your own private cabana, you will also have the use of a relaxing whirlpool which is exclusively for Cabana Cove guests. You can order food and drink directly to your cabana, and even arrange Aqua Sana treatments.
Cabana Cove is the perfect addition to your water park adventure at Center Parcs. For more information and to book the Center Parcs Cabana Cove – click here.
Are towels included in the Center Parcs cabanas
Once inside the cabana, which is a wooden hut, you will find comfy seats, foot stools, a safe, a fridge with soft drinks and water, towels for the amount of people the cabana is for, magazines and a large TV on the wall. There is also a large rubber ring and a beach ball for use whilst you have booked the cabana. The kids have usually grabbed these and are off in the nearest pool before we even have chance to get settled.
Family cabana at Center Parcs – does it work well for families
And that’s why the cabanas work so well for us as a family. We use it as a base as the kids are getting older, and occasionally they will go off by themselves to the nearest pool, which is literally steps away from the cabanas at Whinfell. Luckily there is also a hot tub there, so you can imagine where I spend my time. After a few hours of sliding and playing volleyball, the kids (and husband as he is the biggest kid when it comes to slides), reappear and we just chill for half an hour watching the TV.
Hints and tips
One tip is to tell the lifeguards or the swimming complex manager if you have booked the cabana for a special occasion. Two out of three years we have had the cabana decorated with banners and a balloon which is a wonderful touch. One year they unfortunately forgot to decorate it, but they certainly made up for it by delivering ice creams, a card, wine, chocolates and a personalised inflatable to say sorry. Now that is great service from Center Parcs.
How much is a Cabana at Center Parcs
After recently visiting The Sandcastle in Blackpool and hiring their cabana for the day, I really think that Center Parcs could enhance their cabana experience. Maybe offer a dining package, and increase the sessions as I must admit the 3 hours flew by.
We paid £50 for 3 hours use on a Sunday evening. The Center Parcs cabana has worked really well for us over the past 3 years, and I am sure we will be hiring it again on our next visit. So if you are wondering whether is it worth booking a Center Parcs cabana, then my answer is a definite YES.
Your can read more about our visits to Center Parcs below
Our last minute break to Center Parcs
Embracing the rain at Center Parcs
Thank you for sharing, that’s really interesting! I’ve often wondered exactly what was included. I can see that it would work really well with older children that can go off by themselves.
Thank you Jennifer, glad it was of interest to you. It certainly worked well for us having older children and I think would also work equally well with having little ones. A nice base for them to chill out amongst all the swimming and sliding x
Ah this is really interesting Tracey, every time we have been to center parcs we have wondered about whether to do this and then have always decided against it because it is quite expensive. I do love the idea of it though so might have to consider it for next time we go, especially if you say it is worth it. x
Thanks Katie. As you can guess we love booking a Cabana, especially as it has always been Katie’s birthday too. But I think we would still book one if we were not celebrating. Plus I think the kids would demand one now lol x
We have never done this Tracey, but it is a great idea. Although I like to go in the pool do an hour and get out, so 3 hours may be to long for me, but the boys would love it x
You could chill out in the Cabana with a magazine Sarah. I was really impressed they had all the latest ones when we went. I spent a lovely half an hour by myself reading through the celebrity gossip and home magazines x
Hi Tracey
Thank you for the tip, we are going tomorrow 7/10/2016 and have booked the cabana for sat 10am We are celebrating a birthday at the same time. How or when rather should I contact the pool manager to let him know its a special occasion
If you have chance I would pop into the swimming complex tomorrow evening and let them know. Hopefully they will be able to decorate the cabana for you. They have always been fantastic to us when I have let them know about my daughter’s birthday. Have an amazing weekend x
Do you know whether it is a problem to be more than 8 people, do they check the number? Kids will probably be out more than in
Not too sure sorry as we have always had the correct amount of people. You do see staff walking past the cabanas, but they tend to leave you alone once you have checked in at the desk x
Did you ever find out whether this was an issue? We’ll be 4x adults, 1x 4yr old, 2x 2yr olds and 1x 6month old. Not sure whether we would get away with a cabana for 6? (The 6 has more time slots available, the 8 only has evening and keeping the kids awake til after 8pm may not be the best!)
I would personally book the cabana for 8 as that is how many people will be using it x