Center of the world: the holiday park every parent should know about

Signs outside each of the rooms, like the Sea Salt steam room, tell how to use them in friendly and welcoming language. I've been to loads of spas but can never remember how long to sit in the laconium and what to do after the steam room. It just had the feel of a spa where people were actually enjoying themselves rather than seriously going about the business of relaxing.

Smooth operator
The machine that is Center Parcs operates smoothly. Our accommodation was excellent: a fully-kitted-out kitchen including dishwasher and microwave, dining and sitting rooms, two bedrooms (one with en suite bath, one with en suite shower room) and televisions.

There was even a downstairs guest toilet and a patio that led directly onto a swathe of green bordering a duck pond. You can arrange for linen and towel rental before your arrival, book any classes or activities you want, pre-register online and even arrange for a box of groceries to be waiting for you on arrival.

If there's anything that grates about Center Parcs, it's the extra charges for so much of what it has to offer. While I'd expect to pay for laser shooting, archery or abseiling, I feel a bit penny-pinched by paying for a round on the miniature golf course or for a guided nature walk in the grounds.

Even the Treasure Trail costs £3 per adult and £2 per child, a bit steep considering the participants do all the work. The most ridiculous example we saw was at the pool, which itself is free. In the dressing room it cost £1 to dry suits in a centrifugal drier that any decent gym swimming pool provides free.

Charges can be avoided by bringing your own towels and bikes as well as cooking in your accommodation instead of eating at the restaurants. For the most part these were mediocre at best, except for the 'fine dining' La Sapiniere restaurant which was lively and delicious.

How to do Center Parcs

• Stock up on groceries and make the most of your self-catering accommodation. While there are plenty of places to eat around the complex, we wished we'd taken better advantage of our kitchen, which was well-stocked with pots and pans.
• Visit the spa. Find a way to have the children entertained, whether that's a scheduled activity if they're old enough or at the creche for supervised activities, and allow ample time to cycle through all the pools and various heated rooms.
• Reserve bikes or take your own. You can also rent children's bikes of different sizes and bike trailers for toddlers. And don't forget a bike lock.
• Bring your own sheets and towels to avoid the rental fee.
• Splurge on housekeeping, at £14 per day. They'll wash up, empty rubbish, clean the bathroom, make the beds and do a general tidy. You'll feel more like it's a real holiday.
• Book as many things in advance as possible, including babysitters and creche.
• Bring your dog. They're allowed with some restrictions. Check with the facility before arriving.

For more information about Center Parcs, go to www.centerparcs.co.uk