A travel buff has shared his experience of the only place in the UK where you can enjoy an all-inclusive stay – Potter’s Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth. Alex Dodman (@alexdodman) took to TikTok to share a humorous “real review” of the five-star Norfolk spot after visiting with his family.
Upon arrival, Alex joked: “For the more elder generation, you may recognise this place as the home of the World Indoor Bowls Championships.” Accompanied by his two children, Alex showed off their accomodation – a spacious suite with three beds, living room furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows.
“The best way I can describe this place – especially in all the kids’ school holidays and half terms, is like a mini Center Parcs by the sea on steroids but without the added extra costs,” he enthused.
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He then posted footage of his family heading towards the beach and trying out other facilities like badminton and table tennis. “The activities on offer for kids for the four days were so full that I had to plan out where I could slope off for a nap and a cry for 10 minutes.”
He added: “But as you can just rock up to any of them without having to book in advance, we got stuck in. From wall-climbing, inflatable assault courses, Scalextric championships and pottery-making.” Alex revealed the kids even enjoyed “riding around the bowls arena on weird little bikes” before moving on to bungee trampolining and swimming.
He then shared the activity he “enjoyed the most” – “lobbing a toilet plunger at a target” in a bizarre take on archery. Alex commended: “You won’t, but if you do get bored of all the activities, you can then just go down for a walk down to the beach.”
Singing praises for the dining options too, Alex celebrated the “cruise ship on land” vibe as he enjoyed a meal of salmon and boiled potatoes. “Also I’ve got to say the staff and customer service here are so good here, which is something that seems to be dying out in the UK,” he remarked.
Alex humorously admitted to surviving the “hell on Earth” that was the children’s disco parties every evening, sharing footage of his kids dancing with a giant panda mascot. “But if you do make it through them with a little bit of help [showing a pint of beer] you’re onto the good stuff.”
The “good stuff” continued with a silent disco featuring “some 90s belters” and plenty more fun that “goes on until late if your kids can hack it”. On the final night, Alex noted that the staff put on a performance about the history of the resort, which he found “actually pretty interesting”.
He wrapped up: “Once you’ve been once you’ll keep coming back. To sum it up pound for pound, it beats places like Center Parcs every day of the week.”
Alex’s review on the holiday resort sparked mixed feelings among his hefty following of 257,000. An enthusiast highlighted: “Potters is ever evolving and even has its own podcast. All inclusive is all in – literally put that across going abroad, and all the stress, extra expense through an airport. Potters wins! Every time.”
Another concurred, noting: “Seems expensive on paper, but work out what you would spend abroad per day on activities, drinks and food.. it’s honestly worth the money, only thing it needs to improve is swimming facilities.”
And a third chimed in with insider knowledge: “I used to work at this very resort, unbelievably clean, all the staff were brilliant, couldn’t believe how much they offered for kids.”
Nevertheless, some were critical of the prices. “Just priced up 4 nights at Easter for 2 adults 2 kids and it’s 3 grand,” blasted a TikTok user, comparing, “Can go all inclusive abroad for a week for that.” A second criticised, “£2,236.00 for a family of 4, weekend in April what a joke. We’re going for a week to Portugal in May for that.”
While a third disgruntled commenter remarked: “4k for 4 nights as a family of 6. I think I’ll stick to a static on the coast and do a Lidl shop for less than 500 all in.”