Insidious Development
Comments
-
Our sons have occasionally joined us on CC sites and facilities to enable this are a great idea. However, whilst they look very nice and are clearly a very upmarket form of camping, at £863 for a week in August and bring your own towels. I think they will probably stick with the tents at £120 for the week.
There is also the eating aspect. When they holiday with us, as we have a caravan, that is all done there, outside or inside. For anyone staying independently in a super pod, the provision of just a kettle, microwave and toaster is rather limiting. Eating out would push up costs even further. Although it does say there is a brick BBQ station, is that shared? Also of course weather dependant.
1 -
Must be a higher council than I'm privy to, ain't a clue me!
JK
0 -
The S pods are well equipped with a proper kitchen area (just checked they do have an oven plus microwave etc) the more basic wooden pods have less equipment.
see here (again
)edit maybe the club could confirm what is available inside the pods as the Swift group supply these units and it might be the spec varies?
1 -
I think perhaps a bit of clarification by the club is required here. Or somebody who has stayed in one. The club actually call the ones at Coniston Glamping pods, not S pods.
The description they give, certainly does not mention a hob, as shown on the layout on your link. There are also no photos of the kitchen, that I can find, on the advertisement, to check on this.
It may well fit I with the prices of other accommodation locally and I am probably out of touch with these things. However, I still find it a bit pricey. Plus the decision to provide bedding and a welcome box, but not towels (except at extra cost) rather strange.
Edit, just seen your edit brue. Yes some clarification would be good.
0 -
I agree ET, narrow mindedness/close minded, they are similar👍🏻. We have an accord👏🏻👏🏻. Thank you.
1 -
There are two different types of pods at Coniston. Some are your basic wooden hut type, great for all weathers, best thought of as just a wooden tent really, but with heater and lighting.
The proper glamping pods are just that. Up market, everything except towels provided. Think of them as a small self contained self catering unit, comfortable, warm, all mod cons including ensuite bathroom. With a view. Certainly not cheap when compared with camping or basic touring, but competitively priced in comparison to other glamping providers, and a wonderful asset for none touring family and friends to join up on site.
We joined Club back when a hook up was glamorous, hardstandings a dream, and vans didn't have toilet compartments. Life on the road has now progressed way beyond that, with hook ups and hardstandings the norm, some outfits have better bathrooms than some houses! It's just a progression, opening Club up to more people. The units as far as I am aware, certainly the Glampers, are away from touring pitches anyway. I would love to see some restored classic vans on Club Sites available for hire at a premium rate, there's a lot of money to be made as folks try something different!
1 -
Just a bit further north from the Coniston site is the Skelwith Bridge site which offers a variety of camping styles including pods. I put this on earlier but the club is now in competition with sites like this where a variety of holiday styles are on offer.
0 -
but the club is now in competition with sites like this
Well that's certainly not why I give the club 50 quid of my hard earned cash every year, or pay my site fees....
If somebody in Grimstead towers wants to speculate with a holiday hire business, they can resign their position with the club and go and (try) and raise some working capital on the open market and do what they like with it....
I want them to use my money to provide touring pitches thanks......
4 -
Sure is Brue. Given the vagaries of our climate, especially places like the Lakes, they offer a choice.
I am sure the Club did all the sums prior to purchasing glamping pods, and if they are from Swift, (certainly look like they are) then probably in a good position to negotiate on purchase price. So, rather than seeing this as some sort of "step too far" perhaps once initial set up costs have been achieved, they may in future years help fund some of the "must have" extras that Club Site users seem to need nowadays? Two views to every story.
1 -
Bums, too late t1. It’s already invested. I’m seriously considering rejoining now the dust is being blown away👍🏻😊
0 -
I certainly don't have any problem with the concept. However, there are no pictures or any listing of a hob and cooker. You mention self catering, our sort of SC does not exclusively use a microwave. In the future they might be attractive to us, although not at peak prices. The absence of a proper kitchen would put us off however, particularly in the cooler parts of the year.
0 -
Just went on the online chat. No conventional cooker or hob. So would not interest us.
0 -
But there will surely be a communal camp kitchen on site with cooking stoves there, along with open access fridge freezers, dining table and chairs, like well set up campsites have...won't there? Er, no.
0 -
The campers' kitchen is pretty much a standard facility on remote Scottish sites, especially out on the islands. Sometimes a lounge to relax in as well. That would make the whole podding thing a more attractive concept to prospective users.
0 -
Thanks Steve, oh well, if you want a better equipped pod Skelwith Bridge has them plus a communal BBQ/eating area. If we were dog-less we would probably use them, but without a hot plate (at least) the spec in the club site pods won't appeal.
.
0 -
I think it would certainly make the very basic pods more attractive to those likely to use them. However, given the specification and cost of the Glamping version ( apart from a hob/ cooker they have everything we need) I don't think it would do much to make them more appealing. Basically if we are paying those sort of prices, we want to cook in our own abode.
0 -
Well I for one could manage more than adequately with just a toaster, microwave and barbie!
I think it's about doing something a bit different, some will hate them, some will love them!
0 -
Barbie not so good in the colder times of the year. These super pods are for more than just summer. Whilst we could manage, at the prices being charged, would a couple of gas or electric rings be to much, even if they can't run to an oven.
As I said it would put us off, I am sure we are not alone.
0 -
I’m used to using just a pod with electric. I take everything except the accommodation. It’s just a case of moving out of your comfort zone & trying something different. It’s not for everyone, some folk just don’t like change. Some are what the C&MC are looking for-adventurers😂
1 -
We have a portable gas ring, we have a small steamer, we enjoy eating out. We wouldn't starve. We have a highly developed sense of adventure as well, which helps. As I say, they won't suit some.
The no dogs permitted is the only thing that we stop us using them. But I can understand why this rule is in place. Some places we have used log cabins allow dogs in certain cabins, reserving others for those with pet allergies. A good compromise.
Edit: I think we crossed posts Rocky!
0 -
Of course you can, have done it many time in the caravan.
1 -
Thank you Janet. I am assuming you are a member of staff, in the know.
0
