Poppy Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 We stayed in a few this year and one or two were just not up to standard.One in Le Mans was advertized as a lovely modern site.Got there.The whole place was a travellers site.Someone had tethered their young and clearly distressed dog to their empty pitch for some reason.One very kind lady told us that reception should be open at 3 but was not usually opened until 4.They SLEPT a lot was the quite dark comment.We turned tail and fled.Have shared large campsites with travellers before but not quite like that.Another site was lovely and we stayed a few days but the chemical toilet disposal was a hole in the ground and the shower block not very clean. Last year we stayed at a lovely municiple in France, not part of the ACSI scheme.Lovely marked out plots, electricity, modern and very clean facilities, easy walking distance of pleasant small town and all for 13 euros a night.I would hate to see these municiples go under because of the ACSI scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 We stayed at 5 municipals in Alsace for 10 days this summer on way to Italy....all were excellent and cheap with free wifi....Another on way home at Thionville was well grim in comparison..Just have to do your homework or take pot luck..ACSI no different Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wills Wagon Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Poppy Can you let ACSI know about your disappointment. They do have inspectors but perhaps only look once a year so if there are problems between visits they won't know. If Municipal Sites are any good they will appear in the Caravan Club Europe Guides which many of us use so I don't think they will disappear and of course you can put the details on this web site, also do a report for MMM Sites section or a short letter to the editor of MMM about how good the site is will do the trick. Best wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 JudgeMental - 2013-09-19 1:39 PM We stayed at 5 municipals in Alsace for 10 days this summer on way to Italy....all were excellent and cheap with free wifi....Another on way home at Thionville was well grim in comparison..Just have to do your homework or take pot luck..ACSI no different I take your point Judge but the ACSI scheme are suposed to be inspected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 Wills Wagon - 2013-09-19 2:42 PM Poppy Can you let ACSI know about your disappointment. They do have inspectors but perhaps only look once a year so if there are problems between visits they won't know. If Municipal Sites are any good they will appear in the Caravan Club Europe Guides which many of us use so I don't think they will disappear and of course you can put the details on this web site, also do a report for MMM Sites section or a short letter to the editor of MMM about how good the site is will do the trick. Best wishes. Thanks Wills will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Poppy - 2013-09-19 4:02 PM JudgeMental - 2013-09-19 1:39 PM We stayed at 5 municipals in Alsace for 10 days this summer on way to Italy....all were excellent and cheap with free wifi....Another on way home at Thionville was well grim in comparison..Just have to do your homework or take pot luck..ACSI no different I take your point Judge but the ACSI scheme are suposed to be inspected. Well I don't think any sites can ever me of a uniform quality..to many variables. Last year in Croatia looked in on some horrible ACSI sites.....there are many better sites outside the scheme and can be cheap as well......It is not a guarantee of quality! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 JudgeMental - 2013-09-19 4:39 PM Poppy - 2013-09-19 4:02 PM JudgeMental - 2013-09-19 1:39 PM We stayed at 5 municipals in Alsace for 10 days this summer on way to Italy....all were excellent and cheap with free wifi....Another on way home at Thionville was well grim in comparison..Just have to do your homework or take pot luck..ACSI no different I take your point Judge but the ACSI scheme are suposed to be inspected. Well I don't think any sites can ever me of a uniform quality..to many variables. Last year in Croatia looked in on some horrible ACSI sites.....there are many better sites outside the scheme and can be cheap as well......It is not a guarantee of quality! Oh I know that now BUT they do advertize them as having been inspected and reaching a certain, albeit at times, basic standard.Otherwise why not just say Here is a list of campsites, this is what they charge, you make up your own mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Poppy - 2013-09-19 8:33 PM JudgeMental - 2013-09-19 4:39 PM Poppy - 2013-09-19 4:02 PM JudgeMental - 2013-09-19 1:39 PM We stayed at 5 municipals in Alsace for 10 days this summer on way to Italy....all were excellent and cheap with free wifi....Another on way home at Thionville was well grim in comparison..Just have to do your homework or take pot luck..ACSI no different I take your point Judge but the ACSI scheme are suposed to be inspected. Well I don't think any sites can ever me of a uniform quality..to many variables. Last year in Croatia looked in on some horrible ACSI sites.....there are many better sites outside the scheme and can be cheap as well......It is not a guarantee of quality! Oh I know that now BUT they do advertize them as having been inspected and reaching a certain, albeit at times, basic standard.Otherwise why not just say Here is a list of campsites, this is what they charge, you make up your own mind! It's no different then hotel or B&B ratings...the stars give an indication of a certain standard of facilities, but no guarantee of quality, ambience, food, cleanliness, friendliness ...etc..etc....you need look deeper and do your homework for full picture. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggyd Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Our experience has been the same as poppy, I wouldn't buy the ACSI book again as we found them a big disappointment, I know that you are never going to find the facilities and ambiance of club sites over here but the static mobile vans that are like a shanty towns on a lot of these sites make the prices that you end up paying in my opinion a rip off. The Municipals are cheaper and just as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 I am on my 3rd ACSI site in Spain. The first was clearly described with road noise, which it was, but bus stop at the door to Valencia made it tolerable. The second was in Olivia and could have been better described as it was a bit isolated and tired. I am now in Javea and it is first class and well described. I think you have to read into the description if you can and take a chance and if not happy move on. I will have stayed 6 nights on ACSI site and have well recovered my cost and will certainly purchase next year. EDIT I just don't believe it, 10:30 at night and a generator starts up. Have a look around and find a lorry with an elevating platform and a man at the top trimming the palm trees and this could go on all night, well possibly as I hear a bit of shouting so will wait and see. Now should I report this to ACSI ????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 The generator was actually a pump and they are spraying the top of the palm tree, why at this time of night I have no idea. Apparently a beetle infest the palm and kills it so jumped to wrong conclusion. Don't think it will go on much longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 We stayed in the site at Le-Mans two years ago. it was lovely and clean and good toilets. Yes the reception was a bit hit and miss, but made a good stop over, must have changed. The site at El Roccio, in Spain ,used to be very good, but the last time we went they had more static caravans, which has spoiled it. Shame really, but I suppose they have to make money, and if some Motor Homers only use aires, how do you expect them to make a living, hence the "permanent" seasonal static vans. Still think ACSI very good value for money, better than staying on aires, you can put your awning out, and tables and chairs, and FREE Electric We have found that Camping Cheques not such good value, and you have to pay up front!! Off next week to use my ACSI PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolandrat Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 This year we stopped at Meschers below Royon and was concerned about the state of the water supply situation, there was just one tap for drinking water and to swill out the toilet cassette. I mentioned it to the owner and he just laughed and walked away. I reported it to ACSI but I might as well had talked to the wall. Their so called vetting system seems to be a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elamessa Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 We just read the comments on any ACSI site that we want to stay on...we then choose to stay or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 PJay - 2013-09-20 9:39 AM We stayed in the site at Le-Mans two years ago. it was lovely and clean and good toilets. Yes the reception was a bit hit and miss, but made a good stop over, must have changed. The site at El Roccio, in Spain ,used to be very good, but the last time we went they had more static caravans, which has spoiled it. Shame really, but I suppose they have to make money, and if some Motor Homers only use aires, how do you expect them to make a living, hence the "permanent" seasonal static vans. Still think ACSI very good value for money, better than staying on aires, you can put your awning out, and tables and chairs, and FREE Electric We have found that Camping Cheques not such good value, and you have to pay up front!! Off next week to use my ACSI PJay I looked up the Le mans site today and it had some very good reviews up until the spring of this year when I think it may have changed hands.The bad reviews have just started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan D Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 We think overall the Acsi card is well worth it. Our problems have been that the Acsi plots allocated are sometimes the worst on the site. We have not stayed when we see the smallest dark pitches that no-one else wants, sometimes on good sites. But out of season it`s generally good vaue. Alan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Alan D - 2013-09-20 12:48 PM We think overall the Acsi card is well worth it. Our problems have been that the Acsi plots allocated are sometimes the worst on the site. We have not stayed when we see the smallest dark pitches that no-one else wants, sometimes on good sites. But out of season it`s generally good vaue. Alan. Well this is news to me about ACSI specific plots. Of the three site we have been on its been take your pick. The plot I am on at the moment is an enormous 80m2 and it was just take your pick of many others. You appear to have been unlucky as certainly I have not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Like Alan experienced, have read repeatedly of ACSI being confined to worse/shady pitches etc...on some sites. Best take nothing for granted, do the homework.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjl Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Hi Have been using these sites for about 4 years. Usually I look up the acsi book, check the caravan club book (often find them listed) and check on line. Have always been very pleased and some have been stunningly good, one in Austria last September had great indoor heated pool, wonderful clean facilities - all for 16 euros a night. We go out of season and cannot recall being directed to a specific pitch, it's usually just find a place or, at worst, find a place and let us know. I guess it's like anything else, there will always be bad apples. You just have to do your homework first ( for us that's usually the night before) and if you get there and not keen just move on. Must admit we do not use acsi exclusively but only when discount on offer and it's the best option - it can save big bucks. Also use municiples if they are in the best location and these are often quite good as are camping cheques and some of the aires and stelplatz. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Just curious but as to the "sub standard" pitches, are they allocated to this ASCI scheme or is it just a case that someone is going end up with them and if you happen to turn up with a discount card, then it's going to be you?.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Poppy - 2013-09-20 12:02 PM PJay - 2013-09-20 9:39 AM We stayed in the site at Le-Mans two years ago. it was lovely and clean and good toilets. Yes the reception was a bit hit and miss, but made a good stop over, must have changed. The site at El Roccio, in Spain ,used to be very good, but the last time we went they had more static caravans, which has spoiled it. Shame really, but I suppose they have to make money, and if some Motor Homers only use aires, how do you expect them to make a living, hence the "permanent" seasonal static vans. Still think ACSI very good value for money, better than staying on aires, you can put your awning out, and tables and chairs, and FREE Electric We have found that Camping Cheques not such good value, and you have to pay up front!! Off next week to use my ACSI PJay I looked up the Le mans site today and it had some very good reviews up until the spring of this year when I think it may have changed hands.The bad reviews have just started. Thanks Poppy Had thought it might be a good stopover next week, . will probably avoid going that way then PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 just had a quick look in ACSI book, and notice that some of the sites end in September. We don't normally go away this late, so was a bit suprised. Any one know what the situation is re sites in the south (Med) area, being open? October. I see Port Grimaud, will be open till 13th, had thought we might go back there. PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggyd Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Has anyone had the experience of going into a site that is clearly displaying the ACSI sign :-S but when presenting the card being told " We are in the Acsi book but don't give discount" ?? this happened this year but for the life of me I cant remember if it was in France or Germany, now whether it was because of the Date? I'm not sure if it was a language misunderstanding (lol) it can't have been that expensive as we did stay 1 nt I had initially said 2 but later we said " were not paying that for the dogs" so moved on. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Just because it has the ACSI sign does not mean its in the "discount" scheme. you need to go by the sites in discount book...Just emailed site in Spain and as I cant stay for a month (better rate for 31 days +) So asked charge for ACSI card. 16€ inc 4 kw elec. after that elec .45 cents a Kw. OR...12.10 without card and elec at same price no free units.... I still think card worth having, but there are other choices. Regards areas for ACSI cards, have read this before in relation to winter camping where open sunny pitches a premium, and last thing you want is being under trees but thats what you can get in winter on some sites...Obviously the situation polar opposite in summer when everyone want the shaded pitches.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan D Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I would have thought to stay on only 3 Acsi sites then it would be difficult to form an opinion. The last site we hoped to stay on was in the Algarve where at reception you were given a map of the site specifically with the Acsi pitches marked. After a tour of the site, which was quite good and popular , all the Acsi plots were too poor for us to contemplate. We asked at reception again if we could have a better pitch whereon the lady became abusive and told us in no uncertain terms that we needed to pay extra. We have found several sites that had empty pitches that were not Acsi plots. Another favorite site now has divided up all the plots, sea view, large pitches and smaller pitches. You can`t blame them for charging more for the best spots. We have used the Acsi book for many years and had plenty of good results, but like many others have found it`s just one more string to your bow. Alan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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