Steven, a YouTuber known for reviewing numerous UK holiday resorts on his Beachlife & Beyond channel, recently stayed at Butlins’ premium Bayside Apartments in Minehead with his family. Although attracted by the upscale appeal and premium pricing, his experience fell well below expectations.
The visit began positively, with well-maintained public areas and easy access to the third-floor apartment. The suite itself was airy, well laid out, and offered stunning coastal views. However, the cleanliness standards quickly marred the experience. Steven described the sofa as “caked in stains” with soiled arms and cushions. The sofa bed was reported to be even worse, with a visibly grimy mattress marked by multiple perspiration stains, making it unsuitable for his son.
Neglected maintenance extended to other areas, including the window dressings which were unacceptably dirty. Steven also noted that the oven was left filthy, likely from a previous occupant’s spilled food that housekeeping failed to clean. Bird droppings and flies on the windowsills, along with stained curtains, further detracted from the overall impression.
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On the positive side, the apartment featured high-quality appliances such as a large smart TV, a top-tier refrigerator, and a washer-dryer, reflecting significant investment corresponding to the elevated price point. Butlins promotes its apartments as equipped with open-plan living and dining spaces, high-spec kitchens including ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, and complimentary amenities like towels, under-floor heating, WiFi, irons, and hairdryers. Nightly rates range from £55 during off-peak times to over £1,500 in peak holiday weeks.
Despite housekeeping efforts being included in the rental cost, the frequency of cleaning between stays appeared insufficient. Steven’s experience suggested that the condition of the apartment was far from the premium standard promised.
When Steven raised these issues, Butlins responded promptly and effectively. Staff addressed multiple concerns by cleaning the oven and shower and replacing bedding. However, some problems, such as heavily stained curtains, required further complaints. Unable to replace the custom-made curtains due to lack of spares, Butlins opted to shampoo them instead. Steven praised the staff, particularly a helpful team member named Mark, for their friendly and efficient service.
A Butlins representative acknowledged the shortcomings, stating: “We apologise for the cleanliness issues experienced by this guest during their stay at our Minehead resort. This isn’t acceptable and doesn’t meet the high standards we expect our guests to receive. When the concerns were raised, our team responded quickly to rectify them and we have shared this feedback internally to prevent similar issues.”
Overall, while the apartments have the potential to offer a premium holiday experience, Steven’s stay highlighted significant gaps in cleanliness and upkeep that undermined this quality. Families considering a break at Butlins Minehead’s premium accommodation would do well to weigh these findings carefully.