Steven, a YouTuber who has reviewed numerous UK holiday resorts on his Beachlife & Beyond channel, recently booked a family break at one of Butlins’ most expensive accommodation options: a third-floor premium suite in the Bayside Apartments, Minehead. What started as a promising stay quickly took a disappointing turn.
Upon arrival, Steven was impressed by the well-maintained public areas and easy access to his spacious third-floor apartment. The suite itself boasted airy interiors and breathtaking coastal views, perfectly suited for a premium stay. However, the positive impression was shattered once he inspected the cleanliness.
“I’ve got to say, I’m disgusted by this place,” Steven admitted. The biggest issue was the state of the sofa, which was caked in stains and dirt. “The arms are absolutely filthy, and the cushions have stains all over them.” The sofa bed was even worse—so grimy that Steven refused to let his son sleep on it. The mattress showed obvious perspiration marks, and even the window dressings were unacceptably soiled.
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Despite these cleanliness failures, some features of the apartment hinted at its premium price tag of £602 per stay. Appliances such as a large smart TV, high-quality fridge, and washer-dryer demonstrated significant investment in the apartment’s original specification. Butlins’ Bayside Apartments typically start from around £55 per night during quieter times, soaring above £1,500 during peak school holidays.
Each apartment boasts an open-plan living and dining area, equipped with a modern kitchen that includes an oven, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, and kettle. Visitors are also provided with towels, under-floor heating, TVs in both the lounge and twin bedroom, complimentary WiFi, an iron and ironing board, and a hairdryer. Balconies offer spectacular sea views, making the setting idyllic.
Yet, routine cleanliness fell far short. Steven noticed leftover food spillages inside the oven that housekeeping had overlooked. “The oven just isn’t clean, it’s filthy,” he said. The stunning view was undermined by bird droppings covering the windows and numerous flies on the windowsills. Curtains, some stained with what appeared to be blood, also contributed to the overall sense of neglect.
Feeling let down by accommodations that were touted as premium, Steven resolved to file a complaint. However, Butlins responded swiftly after being notified. “We reported issues with the curtains, bedding, shower, and they sent someone out really fast to fix most of them,” he said. The cooker was cleaned, the shower fixed, and the bedding changed.
The curtains proved more complicated, as replacements were unavailable due to their custom design. Instead, they were shampooed but not replaced, to Steven’s disappointment. “I understand why they didn’t have spares since they’re custom-made,” he added.
Despite the problems, Steven praised the hospitality staff’s helpful attitude during the resolution process, specifically mentioning an employee named Mark who “couldn’t do enough for us.”
A Butlins spokesperson apologised for the experience, stating: “We apologise for the cleanliness issues experienced by this guest during their stay at our Minehead resort. This isn’t acceptable and does not meet the high standards we expect for our guests. When these concerns were raised, our team responded promptly to address them and we have taken this feedback seriously to prevent similar issues in the future.”