If you want a weekend away that won't break the bank, head to Butlins for an adults-only holiday, where the price of your accommodation includes entry to the evening entertainment

After a stressful week at work, some friends and I decided we needed some 'R&R' on the coast. Heading off to Butlins at Bognor Regis may not be the first place you'd think of for a relaxing weekend, but it certainly kept us entertained.

Where to stay

Having decided against the self-catering option, we checked in to the Shoreline Hotel. This large hotel offers great rates and is clean and modern inside. The 160 rooms are graded by size and view, with Hook's Cabins, Columbus Quarters and Nelson's Staterooms. We had Columbus' Quarters, which were large, comfortable rooms with a separate area that had two bunk beds for kids.

Somewhat bizarrely, the views from the hotel favour the car park over the sea front, but you can upgrade to a Nelson's Stateroom, if you want to get the most from your seaside fix. These have uninterrupted sea views and a separate room for children.

The weekend we visited was adults only, so the hotel was probably quieter than usual during the day, but it was definitely peaceful. You can stroll out of the resort and walk along the pebbly beach into Bognor itself, or indulge your inner child and enjoy all the facilities Butlins has to offer.

What to do

There's plenty to do by day. You can explore the fun fair, complete with dodgems, carousels, and other assorted spinning attractions, which are all included in your accommodation fee. For an additional cost, you can drive go-karts around a small track (but be warned, this may impress small children but lacked major excitement for adults).

An absolute must is Splash Waterworld, with its array of flumes and water slides. Here, you can hurtle down huge slides and be spat out the other side to the amusement of fellow swimmers in the Space Bowl, or test your swimming skills in the rapids, where the flow of water carries you round at quite a speed.

My favourites were the raft rides, which are a bit like a giant watery roller coaster that you travel around in a blow-up dinghy. There are also wave machines and water cannons, to complete your watery experience.

Food and drink

The resort offers a range of eating and drinking options, with the Shoreline's own restaurant offering a bistro menu. The hotel also has a new sushi bar (although it wasn't open on my visit, so I can't vouch for it). You'll also find the usual pizza, burger and pasta places to keep you well fed.

Be aware though, that most of restaurants close early (many by 7pm) so check opening times if you're used to eating later. There's a small shop on site offering a mixed assortment of foods if you're self-catering, but there are larger supermarkets close by if you want to stock up on essentials.

As you'd expect in a large resort, there are plenty of places to drink. The hotel has a large bar, but the main draw of these weekends is the lively nightlife, with acts from different eras entertaining the crowds. There are two huge entertainment areas, Centre Stage and Reds, which have dance floors and stages for live acts.

Heatwave, from the late seventies, were headliners on the Saturday night and kept the crowd happy with their hits Boogie Nights and Always and Forever. Chico (of X Factor infamy) was also performing and was popular, as was Sash! There is also a traditional pub with a huge beer garden, and various bars dotted around the resort.

Who goes there

The adults-only weekends are popular with large groups, so expect to share the resort with an assortment of hen and stag parties, together with groups of extended families celebrating significant milestones. There are great opportunities for people watching, with many groups adopting fancy dress or themed outfits. There was a carnival atmosphere around the resort, and the staff were friendly and helpful.

Need to know

There are three Butlins resorts - one at Skegness, another at Minehead and the third at Bognor Regis. All offer adults-only party weekends on selected dates throughout the summer. Prices range from from £64pp to £89pp based on four adults sharing a Standard self-catering apartment. The Columbus Quarters cost £149pp on a room only basis for the three night stay.

All the rooms in the Shoreline Hotel sleep a maximum of two adults and two children (aged under 14), and one infant in a travel cot. On family breaks there are around 50 free activities for families to enjoy. Activities such as bowling, use of the cinemas and Go-Karts cost extra.

For more information, visit www.butlinsonline.co.uk