Could Bluestone Wales be right for your next family holiday?

As a UK family holiday destination, Bluestone did tick plenty of the boxes as a getaway everyone can enjoy. Weaving around the resort, everyone was at ease as we decided what we’d do next.

What activities are free in Bluestone?

Like many holiday parks, you’ll get some activities included and have the option to pay for extras that help you tailor the stay to your group.

There are three main activity centres, where plenty of things are free although some have extra, paid-for activities held there. We spent a lot of time in these play hubs. Not only are they great whatever the weather, my toddler never got bored of running from one thing to the next.

If soft play is your kids’ thing, head to The Nest where the Air Maze – a giant bouncy castle – was a hit for us. Alongside is a soft play for younger kids and an array of big slides and climbing towers that are great for those in primary school. With sofas placed around the play area, you might even be able to catch a breath while your kids have the time of the lives.

The Serendome is a calmer experience aimed at bringing the outdoors in – we found it perfect for a morning visit as you ease yourself into the day. There are plenty of food and drink kiosks among the kids’ activities, so it was a great opportunity to have a coffee while watching my daughter clamber around the sand area. A water play section and playground are also available to keep little ones busy.

When you arrive at Bluestone, you’ll be invited to a welcome session at the Cloud Theatre in the Serendome where you can find out about the resort and what’s on offer. It’s worth going along to start planning your stay and the kids will love taking to the dance floor and engaging with the characters on stage.

For those who don’t consider it a holiday without a trip to the pool, head to the Blue Lagoon water park. We found this sub-tropical dome great to plan into our days and didn’t have to book in advance. The large pool has regular wave pool sessions, which all ages seemed to enjoy, as well as a lazy river that snakes outside. Large water slides are on offer for older kids and adults, while there are two smaller play areas for toddlers. It would’ve been nice to have slides for smaller kids other than one baby one, but my toddler made the most of the two-hour sessions, as she excitedly dashed from one splash-tastic activity to the next. Oh, and if your kids are still in swim nappies, the pool does supply them, so great if you need a spare while you’re there.

If you’re looking for outdoor play, head to the village where you’ll find a large playground next to a bandstand. One sunny afternoon, a two-piece struck up playing covers which was a great bit of entertainment for the grown-ups while the kids whizzed around the slides.

Do you have to pay for activities at Bluestone?

We also tried some of the paid-for activities for younger children while at Bluestone. For little ones who love bugs and nature, Outdoor Detectives is a cute session where kids get to don safari hats and kit bags before heading off to explore their surroundings with their parents. Our friendly guide was great with the kids and also knew just what the different insects were called (exactly what you need for all those “What’s that?” questions). Plus, there were plenty of lessons on how to be gentle with the creatures while also promoting an appreciation and fascination with nature. (Since the visit, my daughter is still calling me into the garden to look at the latest insect she’s discovered.) For those who love a bit of arts and crafts, kids will enjoy making an easy flower crown at the end of their excursion.

If fairies and hobbits and all things magical fascinate your small child, book them on the Fairy Village tour. While you can head on the walk yourself to discover the Fairy Village along the trail yourself, this immersive and interactive activity brings the trek to life for little ones as they meet both a hobbit and fairy who take them on the journey and even help them to make some fairy dust.

For busy parents juggling it all, or grandparents who want to spend some special time with the little people in their lives, the best thing about booking these activities is getting to see things from the magic of children’s perspectives.

We also had great fun at the Glow Bowling area early one evening. It’s a petite venue, so great for kids and a bonding family game to play between dinner and bedtime.

Relaxing in the spa at Bluestone Wales

While family holidays are often all about the kids’ activities, if you want carve out a bit of me-time, book yourself into the Well Spa at Bluestone. Taking a few hours out to relax was the perfect treat for me.

In the Celtic Thermal Suite Experience you meander from one wellness area to another. From steam rooms to saunas, experience showers and an ice room, there’s plenty to try out as you chill out in the spa. There is also a large outdoor hot tub which lets off a series water jets depending on where you’re sitting. While you can journey through the spa experience ad hoc if you like, there’s a helpful guide on the wall directing you on your way through the space to get the most out of it.

I then settled into the Celtic Combo from the menu of treatments from the spa. The therapist asked me to choose the fragrance of ESPA products she used for the massage followed by a facial, leaving me feeling relaxed, pampered and glowing.

Accommodation at Bluestone Wales

We stayed in a lodge is the newer Merlin’s Crescent part of the resort. The modern, tastefully decorated two-storey Platinum Lodge was spacious, with an upside-down living design resulting an airy and bright living space upstairs.

For families, open-plan living can make things so much easier. A large, well-equipped kitchen with a family dining table means you can easily create your brood’s favourite meals or cater for fussy eaters. If you are planning on making the most of self catering, it’s best to stop by a supermarket on the way to the resort so you take the groceries to your lodge when you drive down to do your luggage drop. That said, the on-site general store in the village is well stocked for top-ups and is priced similar to a corner shop.

With a big, U-shaped sofa, a faux wood burner and TV, there’s plenty in the main living area for comfortable family living. But if you need a bit of time to yourself – or there are differences of opinions on what to watch – there’s a cosy Cwtch with two arm chairs and a TV, plus a glorious sun room with bifold doors so you can take in the glorious surroundings and have a prime viewing spot for sunrise or sunset.

Downstairs was just as comfortable with three generous bedrooms, a family bathroom and a large en suite off the master bedroom. If, like me, taking a bath is the perfect bit of quiet time to collect your thoughts, the free-standing tub in the en suite also has sparkling ceiling lights, so you almost feel as though you’re bathing beneath the stars.

The Merlin Crest lodges come with complementary golf buggies. They’re great fun and also hugely practical. For kids, they’re not only the best way to travel, but mean you don’t have to get the pushchair out to get them around the resort or risk them getting tired legs and carrying them for ages. For older relatives who can’t get around as well as they used to, they’ll make exploring the resort easier, too. Just remember to bring your driving license as you’ll need it to operate one.

Eating at Bluestone Wales

We did a mixture of eating in our lodge and trying the on-site restaurants. If you’re looking for fun a night out, book Smokey Joe’s Shindig. Situated down in the woods among towering pine trees, the Camp Smokey restaurant hosts a night of food and music. Fun for all the family, it’s noisy and raucous but a great laugh. You’re encouraged to stand on your chairs, cheer and take to the dance floor where a live band plays. This is all while tucking into a platter of BBQ-style food, followed by dessert and the chance to toast marshmallows over the fire pit.

For a more relaxed dining experience, head to the Farmhouse Grill where you can choose from towering burgers, juicy steaks and other options from the grill. Plus, for kids who prefer to graze than eat a full meal, there are generous snacking platters to keep them happy. I found this the most restaurant-like experience on site.

And if you need to take a break between activities, there’s also a cute coffee shop to sit down for a cuppa and cake. Fancy a pint on an evening? Head to the Knights Tafarn pub for a drink to round off a fun-packed day.

To find out more about the Bluestone Wales holiday resort and book a stay, visit the Bluestone website.

Rachel Liddle is the Digital Editor of Prima, specialising in lifestyle, food, health and parenting. Overseeing the digital and social strategy of Prima.co.uk, she’s always on the lookout for the most inspiring, affordable trends. In her downtime, she can be found trying out a new recipe in the kitchen while sipping a glass of white wine.