A couple of years ago, we tried Eurocamp in Spain and didn’t have the best time. This year, we were invited by Eurocamp to try it again, so we decided to give it another shot, hoping a new location would make a difference. There were some hiccups but overall we really did enjoy it.
The trip started with promise: we got flights from Heathrow to Amsterdam for £75 per person, thanks to my Avios points, which included both cabin and checked luggage. Unfortunately, our departure day was marred by a global IT outage that grounded many flights. We spent 14 frustrating hours at the airport and, in hindsight, should have cut our losses and gone home.
Upon arrival in Amsterdam, we faced a 45-minute wait at passport control due to Brexit, which was a frustrating start. Then, the taxi driver at the airport quoted us €90 for a 30-minute ride to Duinrell, which was outrageous. We opted for an Uber instead, paying €66, but by then it was nearly midnight and we were exhausted.
Arriving at Duinrell, we found the main reception closed but there was a security guard booth and he checked us in and gave us our key and information pack. Navigating the poorly lit holiday park late at night with luggage was a nightmare. When we finally found our place, it was a disappointment: all the windows had been left open, allowing a swarm of insects inside.
To top it off, our accommodation was not properly cleaned. I had to wipe down surfaces and found crumbs on the floor and bed. If it hadn’t been so late, I would have demanded to be moved. It was honestly a terrible time. After spending 14 hours at Heathrow Airport, followed by 45 minutes at passport control and then finally reaching our holiday, we couldn’t settle in immediately, which was very frustrating. If I had found available flights, I might have packed up and gone straight home. However, I did what I had to do. I cleaned up what I could, put all the sheets and bedding on the bed, and tried to get a decent night’s sleep.
Our holiday home was well-equipped with cutlery, a kettle, a dishwasher, a fridge, a cooking hob, a toilet with a separate shower and sink, and three bedrooms—one with a double bed and the other two with twin beds. There was also a barbecue outside. Once we cleaned up, it was really nice accommodation. I just wish it had been clean when we arrived.
Top tip: save money by bringing your own linen.
On our first proper day at Duinrell, we focused on exploring the entire holiday park and getting our bearings. I was thoroughly impressed with everything I saw. Despite my concerns about the accommodation, I couldn’t help but appreciate the fantastic amenities. We discovered a huge arcade, playgrounds, indoor and outdoor waterparks, and a theme park—this place truly has everything. It’s a paradise for children of all ages.
During our exploration, we found an on-site supermarket where we picked up a few essentials. However, I later discovered that there is an Aldi just two stops away on the number 46 bus, which stops right outside the holiday park. Although it’s a bit of a walk from the bus stop to the store, it’s worth it for the wider selection and lower prices compared to the on-site supermarket.
Instead of recounting each day of our 7-night stay, I’ll share the highlights of our trip, both the good and the bad, including our visit to the beach.
One day, it poured down with rain, and thankfully, the Fun Factory came to our rescue. It’s an indoor space with soft play, a carousel, and bumper cars. It was a lifesaver because I couldn’t imagine spending the whole day in the holiday home. While we had packed activities, it was much better to be out of the holiday home.
At Duinrell, you’ll find both an indoor and an outdoor pool, and both were pretty amazing. However, it’s frustrating that there’s an extra charge and a time limit for using the pools. This was really off-putting, and we only went once to each pool because the costs added up, even with a discount.
The outdoor pool is €5 per person with the discount voucher from Eurocamp in your welcome pack, and you only get 4 hours. For our family of four (2 adults and 2 kids), going every day would have cost an extra €140. The indoor pool is €11 per person with the discount code, and you get only 2 hours. Your time starts when you scan your ticket, so you need to arrive “swim ready.” This becomes quite expensive for a family of four if you go for 2 hours daily over a week. Although we enjoyed the pools, the cost is unreasonable and needs to be addressed to make it more affordable.
We explored the amazing playgrounds, arcade, and the fantastic onsite theme park with its thrilling rides. On a few evenings, the theme park even opened for two hours exclusively for residential guests, which I thought was pretty cool. Many activities, like bubble football, kids’ disco, magic shows, and marshmallow roasting, were included in the price you would pay when booking with Eurocamp. Duinrell offers an app to help plan your daily activities, providing a map of the park, timings for various events, and a booking system for activities that require reservations.
To save money, we cooked most of our meals, but we did eat out a couple of times. Near the theme park entrance, we found a spot that served the best kebabs.
There was no free Wi-Fi in the communal areas, which can be both a good and bad thing. I was quite surprised by this, as I’ve never been to a place like this without at least free Wi-Fi in the communal areas. I understand having to pay extra for Wi-Fi in the actual holiday home. Luckily, I’m with O2, so I can use some of my data in certain countries without extra charges. However, I ran out of data at one point and had to purchase the Wi-Fi, which turned out to be terrible. It barely worked in the communal areas, and eventually, they stopped selling it because it was so bad. I ended up getting a refund.
We spent one morning at the beach called “Wassenaarse Slag,” which is less than 10 minutes away from Duinrell by car. Since we didn’t drive, we took an Uber there and back, costing around €16 each way. It was a lovely little beach. Although the water wasn’t very inviting, the sand was lovely and clean, clearly well-maintained. I definitely recommend visiting this beach if you’re staying at Duinrell.
There were definitely a lot of highs during this holiday, but also some lows. Regardless, the highs outweighed the lows, and Duinrell is a place I would love to revisit in the future. I think it’s a brilliant destination for families with kids. Just make sure to save up to fully enjoy the experience. Eurocamp has been known to feature in The Sun £9.50 holiday promotion so it’s worth keeping an eye out for the next one!
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