Holiday World Resort

The animation around the swimming pool area was the worst I have ever experienced. We were there during winter. There were about 10 people sitting around the outdoor swimming pool every day, and all we wanted was just relax in the sun and read a book or listen to a podcast or some music through our earphones. But the animation team would not allow it. Around 11:00 am they started playing loud music from a CD with 10 lame songs, which was on endless repeat from 11:00 to 18:00, every single day. The music was so loud that it stopped you from being able to focus on a book, having a conversation with the person next to you and listening to a podcast or music with earphones. Sometimes there was music in the children's play area as well, with the music from each side trying to drown out the music from the other side, and us 10 poor guests caught in the middle, slowly losing the will to live. Then, from 14:00 to 16:00, the animation team organised bingo and other activities. Although only a few people participated every day and they were sitting on the patio close to the animation team, the animation team insisted on using microphones and on making sure the whole outdoor pool area could hear what they were saying, as well as their music, which was even louder than the music already playing in the outdoor pool area. I don't think the hotel management understand that the childless couples who stay in their hotel to relax and soak up some sun during winter are different people from and do no want the same as the families who stay over summer. It is a pity because I really liked the hotel itself, but the animation team drove me absolutely insane, and this is the sole reason I will not be returning. In summary: If you like noise and/or if you are going there with three screaming children and won't have a moment to yourself anyway, you're probably fine.