A recent stay at Pontins by a guest led to a bizarre and unexpected encounter when he found a mystery woman asleep in his bed on the second night. The Pontins holiday chain, once popular among British families, has seen a decline in recent years, with many parks closing down. Only two parks remain, Pakefield Holiday Village in Suffolk and Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-super-Mare. Despite low expectations, the guest booked a stay for himself, his mum, and his son at the now-defunct Camber Sands resort in East Sussex.
Initially booked at Pakefield, the guest’s reservation was transferred due to a private event, resulting in an upgraded stay in a “club” unit on a half-board basis for £347. The accommodation, while basic, was satisfactory, with amenities like a kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, and a lounge. The park offered activities for kids and decent buffet meals, making the half-board option a budget-friendly choice for families.
However, the stay took a strange turn on the second night when the guest discovered a woman asleep in his bed. Despite attempts to wake her and clarify the mistaken occupancy, the woman remained asleep until eventually leaving, having mistakenly entered the wrong unit in a drunken state. It was later speculated that she gained entry through a damaged window, prompting security to secure it.
While the incident raised concerns about security and access control at Pontins, the guest was surprised that it did not deter him from booking a discounted stay at another park later that summer. Pontins responded to the guest’s complaint by citing a policy that requires complaints to be lodged on-site before further investigation is conducted.
Pontins, originally established by Fred Pontin in 1946, has faced challenges in recent years, with several park closures and declining customer ratings. The guest’s experience adds to the chain’s reputation woes, as Pontins continues to struggle in the competitive holiday park industry.