The iconic red coats have beaten the famous blue coats in a battle of the holiday parks with Butlin’s hi-de-higher in a league table than arch-rival Pontins.
Budget resort Pontins - whose former Bluecoats include EastEnders ’ favourite Shane Richie and telly star Bradley Walsh - came last with a score of 59 out of 100.
And it was awarded just two out of five stars for value-for-money, entertainment and quality of accommodation in a customer satisfaction survey by consumer watchdog Which?
Pontins, owned by Britannia Hotels - the chain rated Britain’s worst for nine years on the trot by Which? - was the only resort to receive two stars for its rooms.
Guests were far from complimentary and complained of cobwebs, musty smells, sticky furniture and stained mattresses in their accommodation, according to the Which? study.
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One fed up customer slated their resort as a “dull, dingy campsite” but some told Which? they had an “amazing” time while others said it was a fond trip down memory lane.
By comparison Butlin’s which came 14th and scored 71 was awarded four stars for entertainment and three for accommodation and value for money yet at £41 a night was cheaper than £49 a night Pontins.
Its famous former Redcoats include TV presenter Stephen Mulhern and broadcaster Anne Diamond.
Butlin’s has spent millions revamping its three sites at Skegness, Lincs, Minehead, Somerset and Bognor Regis, West Sussex and has lavished £2.5 million on its illuminated Skypark at Skegness which opens next year.
Which? said: “The investment paid off as it outclassed its rival Pontins in almost all categories while charging customers less, on average, too.”
Parkdean Resorts and Haven Holiday Parks also languished at the foot of the table with Pontins, scoring 68 out of 100 each.
Center Parcs came twelfth in the survey of 2,200 stays but was found to be poor value-for-money costing £71 a night with families splashing out extra for activities.
Despite the expense, it won guests over with “luxuries” such as a sauna and hot tub with lodges and ensuite rooms and was awarded five stars for accommodation and four for cleanliness, facilities and customer service.
Potters Resorts - which has two locations at Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk and Maldon, Essex - was tops with a score of 88 and an impressive five out of five stars across all seven categories including cleanliness, customer service, entertainment and food and drink.
The resort’s all-inclusive £72 a night package with food, booze, “first-class” entertainment and facilities like a boating lake and rifle range was a winner with families.
One satisfied guest told Which?: “They believe in giving good customer service from when you book until you leave.
“Entertainment is fantastic with shows that could just as easily be in the West End. Food is good and if you have dietary issues the chef speaks to you and comes up with solutions.”
It was awarded a coveted Which? Recommended Provider badge along with top four finishers Waterside Holiday Group, Aria Resorts and Bluestone Wales.
Guy Hobbs, editor of Which? Travel, said: “The UK has an incredible variety of holiday parks and resorts. Holidaymakers can choose from those bursting with slides, swimming pools and activities for kids, or opt for a luxury stay in a safari lodge with hot tub.
“Our survey saw smaller, family-run resorts triumph over the biggest names, so there is no need to go for the most expensive option to have a great experience.”
Pontins did not respond to the Mirror’s request for a comment.
How they were rated (marks out of 100)
- Potters Resorts - 88
- Waterside Holiday Group - 87
- Aria Resorts - 85
- Bluestone Wales -81
- Hoburne Holidays - 79
- John Fowler Holiday Parks - 78
- Shorefield Holidays - 76
- Verdant Leisure - 76
- Away Resorts - 74
- Hoseasons - 74
- Haulfryn Holidays - 73
- Center Parcs - 72
- Forest Holidays - 72
- Butlin’s - 71
- Park Holidays UK - 71
- Warner Leisure Villages - 71
- Haven Holiday Parks - 68
- Parkdean Resorts - 68
- Pontins - 59
