Center Parcs has sparked widespread anger after significantly increasing the fee for guests bringing their dogs along on holiday. The popular holiday park chain raised the dog accommodation charge from £89 to £129, marking a 45% hike that many customers find excessive.
Social media has been flooded with criticism. One Facebook user remarked, “For a weekend, it’s cheaper to kennel the dog,” expressing disappointment over the new cost. Another wrote, “It’s a lot of money on top of however much you’re already paying. It feels like they’re trying to squeeze every last penny out of people.” Many others echoed frustration, with comments like, “I was pretty miffed.”
Center Parcs, which operates sites in Buckinghamshire and Nottinghamshire, defended the price update by stating they aimed to create a “transparent and straightforward” pricing structure for guests with dogs.
Their website promotes dog-friendly lodges as ideal accommodations for four-legged family members, featuring practical and cozy amenities. These lodges include self-catering facilities, comfy sofas, cosy log fires, and dog-centric touches such as vertical door handles to prevent escapes, wooden flooring for easy cleaning, tether rings on patios for outdoor comfort, and scratch-resistant door protection. Additionally, the lodges come equipped with a bath, perfect for washing off mud after a day of exploring.
Guests are allowed to bring up to two dogs per lodge, ensuring that furry friends can enjoy the forest surroundings alongside their owners. However, the steep price increase has left many pet owners reconsidering future visits.