Shortlist

Norfolk holiday park strikes gold for its touring guests

Family favourite: Searles has been welcoming families on Norfolk seaside holidays for over 60 years
Family favourite: Searles has been welcoming families on Norfolk seaside holidays for over 60 years

One of the most celebrated Norfolk holiday parks, Searles Leisure Resort, is now officially providing its touring guests with gold standard hospitality.

That’s because Searles has now joined a small elite of parks flying the coveted AA Gold Pennant, the most prestigious award given out by the AA to its highest rated parks.

In order to qualify for the award, Searles was subjected to a rigorous inspection regime which scrutinised almost every aspect of its facilities and services.

In the opinion of the AA’s touring experts, the Hunstanton-based business can truly be described as a caravan and camping park right at the top of its game.

Paul Searle says his staff team deserve credit for the AA award
Paul Searle says his staff team deserve credit for the AA award

Searles Leisure Resort is today a major provider of family holidays with a raft of attractions and accommodations options, including luxury holiday homes to rent and buy.

But when the park first began welcoming guests over 60 years ago, it was exclusively caravanners and campers who pitched up on the Searle family’s scenically-set farm.

And according to managing director Paul Searle, providing first-class surroundings and experiences for touring guests is still the park’s core aim.

That’s why, he says, the AA Gold Pennant is among the most valued of the many awards which Searles has received for its quality standards and environmental care.

To qualify for the gold standard, parks must first meet the stringent conditions of a five pennant rating – and then go on to achieve a quality score of over 90% in that band.

But credit for achieving this, says Paul, is down not just to the park’s careful management of its 300 pitches and its providing of top-end facilities:

“The AA’s awards put a strong emphasis on the hospitality which qualifying parks provide, and here we are indebted to our hard working staff team at Searles,” said Paul.

“They are always keen to go the extra mile to make guests feel welcome, and to providing friendly advice about how they can get the most out of their stay.

“Our thanks go to them, and to our many loyal touring customers,” added Paul.

"A caravan and camping park at the top of its game" says the AA
“A caravan and camping park at the top of its game” says the AA

In its citation following the award, the AA said: “For many decades, the Searle family has provided year on year investment to enhance the customer holiday experience, and 2017 is no exception.

“Current managing director Paul Searle has spent over a million pounds in the creation of a superb new indoor kiddies splash pool, two additional outdoor child play areas, and an outdoor gym.

“The stylish amenities blocks have also been refurbished and there is no doubt that the superb range of indoor and outdoor activities, plus wide choice of food and beverage options, is second to none.

Searles Leisure Resort remains an excellent example of an AA Holiday Centre and the increase in AA Quality Score to 92%, is fully justified,” concluded the AA

There is more information about Searles Leisure Resort at www.searles.co.uk

<< Red alert as Cumbria holiday park takes on grey squirrels Fife holiday parks step up to green footprint scheme >>