Last weekend we were invited to Park Resorts in Nodes Point on the Isle of Wight to have a little break. Mr Hubby and I have been to the Isle of Wight for a weekend before, so we knew it was a good place for children.
Travel
We travelled by Red Funnel Ferry from Southampton to Cowes, which takes an hour and for a medium-sized car, 2 adults and Baby is was around £90. Baby loved the ferry and couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw people jet skiing beside us. The staff were very friendly and it wasn’t long before Baby was given a colouring book and some crayons by one lovely lady.
Accommodation
We stayed in a gold caravan, which would cost around £500 for three nights over the weekend. Our check in was 1.30pm, however if you book the silver or bronze caravans they have a later check in, which is worth bearing in mind, especially if you have children.
I have never stayed in a caravan/mobile home, so it was going to be a new experience for me. There was a real mix of caravans on the park, some owned and others for holiday makers. Our caravan was quite basic, but had everything you needed. A small but functional kitchen, a combined living room and dining room (with a table to seat 6) and lots of seating in the living room. There was a television and a good number of power sockets. Our caravan had 3 bedrooms, which were compact, but each had a small wardrobe for storage. There was a shower room with a loo and a separate toilet as well.
Food
Although we didn’t try it out, there was a bar/restaurant on site offering meals as reasonable prices. There was also an onsite shop if you preferred to buy supplies and head back to your caravan.
Facilities
Nodes Point has its own swimming pool, playground, launderette, amusements and there is also on site horse riding and sports courts. There is a programme of activities for children and an evening entertainment programme, which we didn’t try as it is not really our thing.
Activities
There is a timetable of various activities in the pool, as well as, outdoor sports; and a kid’s and ‘tots’ programme
Location
Nodes Point is a short walk from St. Helen’s Beach and the stunning Priory Bay. We enjoyed a stroll down the hill from the park on our first day to take in the beautiful scenery (see pictures above).
Our experience
For me, I love aesthetically pleasing accommodation, so it was always going to be a stretch for me to think a caravan was attractive, but that is my own issue and preference. Our caravan was in Trafalgar Heights, the second last from the end, so we were out-of-the-way a little, which suited us with having a 2-year-old, who would be going to bed early. Some of the caravans were right next to the bar or the shop, so in that respect I think we were well situated.
Our first impression was that the interior was quite dated, but it was spacious enough for us. The caravan has a cooker, Microwave and fridge (with freezer compartment). The carpets could have been cleaner as we found some balled up hair.
We hit an issue when we couldn’t turn the heating on, so the bedrooms were quite chilly. We were woken at 4.45am by Baby crying and her monitor was telling us it was 11 degrees. Baby eventually went back to sleep, but for Mr Hubby and I, we were a little too cold to return to slumber. We called the security number and waited for the maintenance man to come round. Unfortunately he couldn’t fix it and so he sent some other people (about an hour later), who couldn’t fix it either. The person that would be able to fix it, we were informed, wouldn’t be in until 12.30pm. At this point we didn’t want to waste anymore of the day and then we were offered an alternative caravan across the park to shower in. So we made our way there and got ready for the day. The safety certificate on the front of the boiler said the last service was November 2013, so what should have been an annual service was long overdue. When I queried this, I was told that it will have been serviced, the paperwork just wasn’t up to date.
We were assured that the boiler had been fixed and the water from the taps was hot. Unfortunately, although now not freezing, the water in the shower was still really cold and unpleasant. This also meant we couldn’t shower Baby for the rest of the stay.
The rest of our stay
Amazon World Wildlife Park
We love zoos and wildlife parks, so decided to go to Amazon World. This is a great day out and your tickets allows you a free 7 day return, which could be useful if you are staying for longer than a weekend. We were so happy to see an awake Red Panda! Mr Hubby loves them and they are literally always asleep and stuck up a tree, but this little fellow was happily wandering around.
The park is not huge, but they do have a great array of animals and their own adventure playground. I would avoid the cafe though, as although it is quite cheap, it is also very basic.
Sandown Pier
The following day we stopped in Sandown and spent some time on the beach and took Baby on the pier. I really hate amusements, but it was worth struggling through the throngs in the amusement arcade to get out onto the pier and take in the incredible view. Baby also loved playing on all the rides.
Shanklin Beach
On Sunday we headed for Shankin beach, which is next to Sandown, where we had spent some time the previous day. Baby is a little obsessed with building sandcastles, so she entertained herself very happily, with a little help from Mr Hubby.
We then headed towards the Needles, stopping in Shanklin at this gorgeous pub for lunch. They had a really talented guy singing and playing guitar in the garden. It was really lovely to eat in the sun, listening to such a talented person. Baby adored dancing to the tunes and playing in the cute little playhouse in the pub garden.
It was then off the see the Needles, ride the great children’s rides and for Baby to insist on walking for 150 steps down and then straight back up again! She is VERY determined.
As a family we would definitely visit the Isle of Wight again, as it is really child friendly. If we were to stay at Park Resorts, I think we would want a little more luxury, and would probably book platinum caravan.
I made a little video of our holiday, I hope you enjoy.
Have you ever stayed in a caravan? Do you like the Isle of Wight?
Disclosure: We were guests of Park Resorts. All words and opinions are my own and are as always honest. 
Comments 29
Really good balanced review Aby, the issues with accommodation sound unfortunate glad they sorted the heating in the end for you x
Ah it looks like a lovely trip Aby. I have always wanted to go to the Isle of Wight, it’s one my list. You look like you had a lovely time and I love the video. x
Author
Thanks honey, I love making little videos, captures those memories so well x
Love the vid darling as always. I did visit the Isle of Wight when I was at school and remember it being nice. However you couldn’t tempt me to a caravan holiday and I definitely couldn’t cope with heating/water situation xxx
Author
Thanks huni, we were killing ourselves when she was driving the go cart thing, hilarious! xxx
I went to the Isle of Wight with school as a child and loved it. Such a shame you had such issues with your caravan 🙁 x
Author
Yes is was unfortunate, we still had fun though x
Never been to the Isle of Wight but sounds and looks really lovely! Sounds like you had a really nice mini break, just a shame about the caravan! Perhaps you should try and old school gypsy caravan next 😉 X
Author
Yes maybe we should! 🙂 x
My gradparents use to have a caravan that they use to visit in summer in Northumberland and i use to visit all the time and loved it as a child and use to spend all the time at the stables on site. I took my oldest away to Scarborough in a caravan a few years ago and she loved it. It is a shame that you had problems with the caravan it must have been horrible not having heating or hot water and you dont really want to be finding hairs on the carpet when you have young children xx
Author
It was lovely to get a little break, but things could have gone smoother! xx
Lovely photos! Looks like Baby enjoyed herself.
#TheList
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
It looks like you had such a nice time. The caravan looks amazing. I can’t believe how roomy it looks inside and I love the decor K x
We stayed at Park Resorts recently too! We stayed at the Camber Sands branch. Similar issues with heat in the caravans but we’d definitely stay again if we got a good deal (which we did on this occasion).
Baby is suddenly looking ever so grown up and your pictures really capture her fun little personality. What a cutie!
We love the Isle of Wight and usually visit at least once a year even if it is for just a day. In recent years when we have stayed on the island we have booked static caravans. All holiday properties on the Isle of Wight are expensive so usually caravan parks offer the deal value for money especially if they have other facilities for children such as swimming pools.
Ha typical caravanning holiday right! We have experienced issues like yourself in the past too. Not so great when you are on a nice relaxing holiday with the family. It is lovely that you are so honest. It was great to see where you went, we have been to shanklin and many of the other places you visited. There is so much in Isle of wight, you really can’t go wrong its a great holiday. Lovely pics Aby x
What a shame you had issues with the heating in the caravan – sounds like it was a nice stay apart from that. I love the Isle of Wight, used to holiday there quite regularly when I was younger and have family there although haven’t been over for a while. Your photos brought back some very happy memories. I love the photo of the red panda – how lovely that you got to see one awake and wandering around. Baby looks like she was having a wonderful time on the beach too 🙂
Such a shame about the water and heating, I am a bit like you and like to stay in places that look nice. Although I managed a tent fine at Camp Bestival last year!
The Isle of white looks fab though, I would love a little mini break there, O would love it 🙂
xx
Soy to hear you didn’t really like the caravanning thing! Sounds like you all made the best of it though. I think you would enjoy it more in a more modern caravan (and with the boiler working!). Some of them are like bungalows on wheels! Thanks for hosting #TheList
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
A very honest and balanced review Aby. I went to the Isle of Wight when I was 10 and loved it, would love to go back as an adult to relive it all! x
Eeek I’ve always had good experiences with caravans thankfully. Could not cope with the chilly night or the lack of hot water!! Your adventures look fun though!! #thelist xx
Resort looks fantastic, shame about the accommodation! Thank you for hosting #thelist
Great honest review! Not so sure we could stay in a caravan…..tents are more our thing! Photos of the IOW look fab 🙂
It’s a shame you had some issues with the accommodation but the things you went to see and do look great 🙂 xxx #TheList
Very honest review Aby… not sure I could tempt my hubby to stay in a caravan unless it was super luxurious – although I think it would be fun…not without any heating though. Vey unfortunate – nothing worse than being cold. The rest of the break looks spot on though. #thelist
Aww, looks so lovely! I’d love to visit the Isle of White! Sorry to hear about the heating/shower issue, Reuben would have loved not getting a shower though! Scruffy kid 😉 Love the video as ever xx
Author
It was a bit chilly! Thanks hun, I do love making videos xxx
Oh this looks amazing I love all the fun filled photos and all that sunshine too. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. Hope to see you again tomorrow for another great round. #sharewithme
What a mistake by Park Resorts not to make sure your accommodation was too notch before you arrived. A word in defence of caravans – they’re not all like this 🙂 We have been to the Isle of Wight as a couple but never as a family. It sounds like the rest of your trip was great x