Holiday Park & Resort - Ustronie Morskie

I had a good time here, mainly because I was with family and nice people, and we played beach volleyball with other resort guests almost every day. The pool, jacuzzi, slides and sauna were fun, as was the arcade even though I'm not usually into that. Nearby there are soccer pitches, a water park and a skatepark, and the town is nice, just a few minutes' walk from its main strip. The organization was the big problem. We booked a house for nine and were assured there'd be enough beds, and we also had two dogs. Technically everyone fit, but it was uncomfortable, with people sharing undersized beds. Two of us had to make up a worn pullout couch in the living room, its upholstery torn and the couch falling apart. We specifically booked a house with a garden for the dogs, but were told on arrival none was available, so we had to take one without. Friends who booked another house for their dog were instead put in an apartment, and nothing could be done. Food was about what you'd expect for this kind of place. The staff were young and not especially friendly, and the pool was crowded most of the day. Electricity and water weren't included in the initial price and had to be paid at checkout.

The check-in took far too long, though when my turn finally came it took only two minutes. I wondered if the extra charges people were asking about were causing the delay. Make sure you check what's added to the house rental fee: our group of five stayed seven days and paid another 80 zl for utilities. For young kids, there's loads to enjoy: several big playgrounds, a water park with lots of slides and activities, and a soft play area with a huge bouncy castle. Our little one was very happy. I've seen the negative reviews, so knowing the extra costs in advance should help avoid surprises.

There are plenty of activities for children, and the apartments are okay, if unremarkable. The beds are comfortable. The administration area is always crowded, and the signs, meal cards and emergency cards are only in Polish, with no English translations. That should change. Expect many charges on arrival for services, pool access and playgrounds. The booking price basically covers a room to sleep in, while electricity and water cost extra. In my view, about half the staff seem to be part-timers rather than trained hoteliers, and not many are really fluent in English.

The location is nice, but the resort feels very overcrowded. The pool is too small for the number of guests, loungers are hard to find, and actually swimming is difficult with so many people. The buffet food is decent quality but repetitive: pizza, chicken nuggets, some fish or pork and standard sides like rice and chips, with less choice than in Spain or Greece. The houses sit close together, so neighbors partying can keep you from sleeping. Towels and barbecue use cost extra, as do electricity and water at checkout. Reception queues are constant, and the staff seemed to have no customer service skills. I didn't realize smiling at guests was such a big ask 😑😑😑