Sandy Balls Holiday Village

We had an amzing time 4 nights in the heartwood. Our daughter (3) absolutely loved it and the entertainment team made her feel really special. The accommodation was really clean and smelt amazing when we arrived. We booked multiple activities but our favourite was the alpaca walk. While we were staying they had decorated the park halloween themed. The only downside was the pool was being repaired and not open the whole time we were there. We will be booking again for next year.

Have just come back from a trip and would definitely go back. The lodge we had was lovely but a bit stale smelling. Not sure if it had been locked up for a while but as you opened the door it smelled like stale cigarettes and that smell was there for the duration. Apart from that the whole experience was amazing. Very peaceful and quiet. Activities were good, pool spotlessly clean. Ordered food from Woodside which was stone cold and chicken dry and hard but other restaurant nice. Won’t let these couple things ruin a wonderful time

Need

Although warned, I found it very difficult not to have Internet access in my Zen cabin, particularly as I had been moved from the Vista originally booked. I was anticipating having connection, I realise it’s a little difficult for you to get Internet into the site but in this day and age I’m sure a lot of your visitors are very reliant on it. The television was limited because it didn’t have it. Most of the apps on my phone did not work, etc, etc. please try and find a solution even if only in the exclusive cabins.

Beautiful setting

A stay with a few highs but sadly many lows. The positive - Convenient location, we used as a base to visit family in Southampton and Bournemouth as its equidistant from both locations. Its lovely to see the wild animals as you drive up to the location through the new forest The pool is a good size, although it is very cold (indoor pool is cold, didn't even risk the outside one) but the small child/baby pools are warm There is quite a bit to do on site, soft play was tired and a bit small but nice none the less, the arcade is a good size, the shop is very nice with reasonable prices, there are two restaurants and these were nice. The negatives WI-FI - despite having a router in the accommodation when the wifi didn't work I called the reception to be told they don't guarantee wifi to the accommodation only in common areas. The issue with the wifi wasn't a signal issue which I could somewhat understand, but an error on the side of the company providing the service not supplying an IP address to that router. The lady I spoke to at the reception was incredibly unhelpful, I had to push for them to contact the company and miraculously it was fixed very soon after that. As mentioned earlier the pool was very cold, the jacuzzi was also freezing, even colder than the main pool! We were in a touch of blue lodge, which is one of their 'nicer' accommodation options but it was very tired, it had clearly been made 'nice' then just left with limited maintenance or upkeep.

Lovely area, deep in the new forest. Indulgence lodge was perfect. Something quite special watching 2 deer wandering around outside whilst sat in the Hot Tub.

I enjoyed the stay at Sandy Balls but if I went again I would consider cooking, only I didn’t really rate the food. The Fighting Cocks was also recommended for food but again, I didn’t think the chicken fajitas was a good choice. It looked impressive when it arrived at the table but the chicken was hard and dry. There were lots of activities for children but this can add up to quite a bit so payable more for unlimited activities might be an option? In addition, it would be nice if there was more seating for people whilst the movie night etc is on.

For the cost of the property, it was really really disappointing. We saved for this and it was our only holiday all summer but most classes were booked or not suitable. The indoor pool was closed for two days (out of four of our stay). The softplay is tiny and the website is deceiving. There is not airflow in the soft play so on hot days it is unbearable and it was one of the only activities for under 2. The floor was dirty in our accommodation. I was wiping up water and it was filthy. No wifi in the lodges, the beds were so uncomfortable we decided to leave a night early. The food for kids menu was not appropriate all very unhealthy so we made sure that we had groceries. The location is perfect for New Forest adventures but for the cost of this place, they need serious upgrades. Get AC for heatwaves or fans and dear God get new mattresses.... everything costs extra.. like if you need a highchair (we brought ours) and our place didn't come with towels and with the cost of the place that really shouldn't happen. IT wouldn't have been baby friendly in colder weather (radiators uncovered, etc).

Second visit, and not disappointed, will definitely return. Lots to do, and lots included in the price, especially for kids. Some of the additional activities are a touch expensive, as is the on-site shop, but the lodges are great.