Shopping with Away Resorts
What you are actually buying
Away Resorts is the classic British holiday park, polished up. You book a self-catering caravan, lodge, cottage or pitch at one of 25 parks, and at many of them the live shows, kids' clubs, pools and splash pads come with the stay rather than as extras. Entertainment varies park to park, so do not assume the one you pick has a pool just because another does. If you want a quiet, grown-up cottage break this is not the calmest way to get one. If you have kids and want the evenings sorted, it makes a lot of sense.
Dates and arrival
The feature I like most is any-day arrival. You pick your own check-in and check-out days, with a minimum of two nights and a maximum of 14, instead of being forced into the usual Monday or Friday blocks. Check-out is still 10am. Check-in is generally between 2:30pm and 5pm, with exclusive and indulgent grades sometimes later on the day, at 4pm. Late check-out is possible until 6:30pm if you agree it beforehand and pay a small charge.
Paying, and the cancellation sting
You only need a 10% deposit if you book more than 10 weeks out, and the balance is due 10 weeks before arrival. Inside 10 weeks you pay in full. There is a pay-monthly route that lets you drip money in between, so long as it is all settled by the deadline.
The bit to read carefully is what happens if you cancel. For bookings made since March 2023, cancel 70 or more days out and you lose just the deposit. After that it ramps up: 30% of the cost at 56 to 69 days, 40% at 42 to 55, 50% at 29 to 41, 90% at 8 to 28, and the lot inside a week. The one escape is cancelling within 24 hours of getting your confirmation. A cancellation plan is sold per break, at £18 for a four-berth, £26 for a six-berth and £34 for an eight-berth caravan or lodge. It has to be added when you book, and I would take it on any family holiday booked months ahead, because that sliding scale punishes late changes hard.
Dogs
Up to two dogs are welcome per booking. At the time of writing they cost £45 a break for six nights or fewer and £60 for seven or more, or £4 a dog a night on touring pitches. Certain breeds are banned outright, including XL Bully types, and dogs are kept out of restaurants, play areas and pool areas unless a venue says otherwise.
Eating on park
There are standing food deals worth knowing about: a lunchtime lighter-option meal deal, and a children's main for £1 with each adult main, capped at four per table. They do not stack with other promotions, so check the menu terms before you build a budget around them.
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