As the festive season winds down, there’s no better way to recharge than with a Twixmas break at Bluestone. This year, we returned to the picturesque Pembrokeshire resort for the 2024 Twixmas celebrations, five years after our last visit.

Back in 2018 and 2019, our children were little, and the Bluestone resort in Wales felt like the ultimate family escape. Fast forward to today, and we couldn’t wait to see how the experience would measure up now that our kids are preteens (ages 9 years and 12 years for this trip). Would the magic still be there?

Here’s our honest review of Bluestone’s Twixmas break in 2024, exploring how it caters to families with older children.

What is Bluestone and What is a Twixmas Break?

If you’re not familiar with the Bluestone National Park Resort, it’s a family-friendly resort nestled in the heart of Pembrokeshire, Wales. Known for its eco-friendly lodges, natural surroundings, and year-round activities, it’s a popular destination for UK holidaymakers.

A Twixmas break is a short holiday between Christmas and New Year, offering a chance to relax after the Christmas rush while enjoying festive activities. At Bluestone, this includes winter-themed adventures, cosy evenings in wooden lodges, and fun for all ages at the Blue Lagoon water park.

Keep reading as I will share our daily travel diary, photos and videos for our Twixmas break at Bluestone in 2024!

Bluestone National Park Christmas Break Review: My Travel Diary

Below, I’ll share what we got up to during our two full days at Bluestone, plus our check-in, first evening, and check-out morning.

Arriving at Bluestone: 5pm, Friday 27th December 2024

We arrived at Bluestone around 5pm, much later than we anticipated! We left Newquay in Cornwall before 10am with an expected arrival time of around 2.30pm. The drive was predicted to take about five hours, when I checked the day before and when booking, so I thought this seemed short. Perhaps there was no traffic on the roads? Nope! My satnav got it completely wrong and it took much longer than the originally estimated time of 4.5 hours!

We stopped for some fast food at a service station, which added about 40 minutes to our time. However, the journey ended up taking over seven hours(!) in total due to heavy traffic and fog, which slowed everything down. I’ve never seen the roads so busy – every motorway was gridlocked, and we came to a complete stop multiple times. By the time we reached Bluestone, it was already dark and feeling like evening.

Upon arrival, we went to the check-in kiosk, where we were greeted by a very friendly member of staff. Despite arriving later than expected and our lodge being due for 4.30pm, it wasn’t quite ready, and they were very apologetic. They gave us two options: we could wait an extra hour until 6pm for our booked lodge to be ready, and they would provide food vouchers as compensation, or they could offer us a better-located lodge with a lake view that was ready.

Given the long journey, we just wanted to settle in and not hang around any longer, so we opted for the lodge that was ready. We were able to drive straight there, unpack, and even order a takeaway to be delivered to our lodge right away!

We received a welcome text, and as we had already downloaded the Bluestone app, ordering food was easy. The earliest delivery time was 7pm, so we placed our order right away. We chose a vegan “fish” and chips (Quorn fillet version) with sides of mushy peas, beans, and curry sauce – all vegan-friendly. We also grabbed some Pembrokeshire cider for us and fruity drinks for the kids.

The total came to £80, which seemed steep for fish and chips for four, but hey, it’s a holiday, and we got two ciders each! In hindsight, perhaps we should have taken the original lodge with food vouchers as compensation after all!

After placing our order, we quickly unloaded the car and drove it to the car park. Bluestone is a vehicle-free resort, meaning aside from arrival and departure, when you can drive to your lodge for unloading, all cars must be parked in the main car park. We parked the car and walked back to our lodge to wait for the takeaway, all feeling pretty hungry by this point, but enjoying some of the festive lights on the way back to the lodge as we passed through Bluestone Village.

Anyway, the food was good, and we all settled into our rooms afterwards to watch films, catch up on the work we missed on the long drive, and chill, ready for a fun day at Bluestone tomorrow!

Here are some videos of the lights we saw on our walk back to our lodge after parking the car:

Day One at Bluestone: Saturday 28th December 2024

Today was our first full day at Bluestone, after arriving at 5pm the night before. We had planned to start early and make it to the Blue Lagoon swimming pool for opening time at 8.30am. However, after a slight lie-in and a relaxed breakfast in our lodge, we arrived closer to 9.30am.

For breakfast, we kept it simple with toast and almond butter brought from home – a quick and easy meal before heading out. Our lodge in the Bartholomew Rise area was conveniently located, about a 10-15 minute walk from the Blue Lagoon.

At Bluestone, getting around is easy on foot as everything is relatively close. However, many families hire bikes or buggies, and you can also bring your own bikes or scooters. We’d planned to bring the kids’ scooters but ran out of space in the car!

When we arrived at the Blue Lagoon, we walked straight in as it was still early. By the time we left, there was a long queue stretching outside. The Bluestone app showed an approximate 20-minute wait for entry, so we’ll aim to arrive at 8.30am tomorrow to avoid the crowds. At busy times, you’re limited to two hours of swimming with a wristband, but during quieter periods, you can stay as long as you like. Early mornings are definitely the best time for a quieter experience. By 10.30am, the pool was packed, and we were ready to leave.

The Blue Lagoon – What We Loved and What Needs Work

The Good:
The pool remains as warm and inviting as we remembered from previous visits – possibly the warmest we’ve ever swum in. The lazy river was a highlight, and the kids enjoyed going around it multiple times before it got too crowded. The wave machine was fun, though the waves seemed smaller than we remembered – perhaps because our kids are now older (9 and 12 years) and taller!

There’s a small outdoor section of the lazy river that leads to a hot tub area for ages 12 and up. Bella (our 12-year-old) and I gave it a try, but it was colder than the main pool, so we didn’t stay long.

The Bad:
Now that our kids are older and confident swimmers, we noticed the pool lacked activities for their age group. Aside from the lazy river and wave machine, there wasn’t much to keep them entertained. A separate pool section with more adventurous slides or interactive features for preteens and older children would be a fantastic addition.

The facilities are in need of updating. Many lockers didn’t work, and we had to move our belongings three times. The larger family lockers were completely out of action. The mixed changing rooms were in need of a better layout, with more private cubicles and frequent cleaning. The hot tub had missing tiles, and we noticed mouldy grout, rust, and other wear and tear in several areas.

The whole Blue Lagoon area feels tired and overdue for maintenance or a complete refurbishment. Since our last Bluestone visit, we’ve been to places such as Center Parcs in Whinfell, the 5* Headland Aquaclub in Newquay, Piran Meadows in Newquay, Hendra 5* Holiday Park in Newquay, and the 5* Pentewan Holiday Park near St Austell in Cornwall, and the difference in a high-quality, well-maintained and clean pool is noticeable. We hope Bluestone invests in upgrading the pool soon.

After leaving the Blue Lagoon, we headed to the Serendome, which had been transformed into a winter wonderland called the Snow Globe for the festive period!

The Snow Globe

The Serendome was beautifully decorated for Christmas, with white trees wrapped in icy blue lights, faux snow everywhere, and several Christmas trees. The festive atmosphere was magical, and the kids were in awe as we walked through the sparkling winter wonderland.

For lunch, we grabbed food from the on-site chip shop and Greek place. My husband and I had a vegan falafel wrap – delicious and very filling. There was some initial confusion about the vegan option, but thankfully another staff member knew the menu and sorted it out. The kids had chips and dips again – a holiday treat!

We then warmed up with coconut lattes while the kids enjoyed vegan blueberry Magnums (brrr!). Friendly elves added to the festive fun by joking with Reuben and staging a mini snowball fight, which was a lovely touch.

The Hive – Major Upgrades

Next, we visited The Hive, where the indoor play area had seen significant improvements since our last visit. Previously, it featured a wooden adventure playground and a standard bouncy castle. Now, it boasts:

• A massive bouncy castle with slides and obstacle courses.
• New adventure play areas with twisty tube slides, suitable for a wide age range.
• An enclosed basketball and football area with soft balls.

The kids had a fantastic time, even as preteens. They worked up a sweat on the slides and bouncy castle, which were a huge hit. All of the things mentioned so far are free. There are lots of free things to do at Bluestone!

We didn’t try the optional paid activities (£16 each), but Bella was particularly fascinated by the Adrenaline ride, a gravity-powered human rollercoaster that zooms around the perimeter of the building. It looked thrilling, and everyone we saw doing it seemed to have a blast. However, at £16 per person, we felt it was a bit steep – perhaps £10 would feel more reasonable. Bella may give it a go tomorrow, so we’ll see!

After the kids were thoroughly worn out, we returned to the lodge to freshen up and relax before dinner at The Oak Tree, which we had pre-booked for 6pm.

Family Dinner at The Oak Tree Restaurant

We wrapped up our first day at Bluestone with a family dinner at The Oak Tree Restaurant. We had made the reservation several weeks in advance, as Bluestone recommends booking early due to the popularity of their restaurants. To secure our booking, we paid a non-refundable £20 deposit (£5 per person), which would be deducted from our final bill. This policy means you need to plan your meals ahead of time, as cancellations aren’t allowed without losing your deposit. While it offers less flexibility for those who prefer to decide on the spot, it ensures you have a table at busy times.

Although my husband felt the décor and atmosphere could be improved, we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals and left with clean plates (except for a couple of pizza crusts from my daughter, who wanted to save room for dessert!). As a vegan family, we were pleased with the wide range of options available. The kids enjoyed a tomato and basil penne pasta each, along with a shared kids’ sized margarita pizza with vegan cheese and a bowl of Italian greens.

My husband and I shared a funghi pizza and some Italian greens, and of course, we all dug into some rosemary chips together. The food was fantastic! I remembered from our first visit to Bluestone that the Italian restaurant offered some really tasty vegan options, and they certainly didn’t disappoint this time either. The vegan pizza is definitely among the best I’ve ever had – it’s probably in my top five! I’m not sure what vegan mozzarella they use, but it’s wonderfully gooey and realistic.

My nine-year-old son rated his pasta and pizza 9/10, claiming there’s always room for improvement. He suggested adding peas to the kids’ pasta and perhaps introducing a kids’ meal deal. For dessert, the kids and my husband enjoyed vegan vanilla ice cream, which was a nice touch. We all left feeling very satisfied, and the service was excellent too.

After dinner, we admired the lights in the village before heading back to our accommodation to relax and get an early night. Although I was keen to see the Serendome snow globe at night, the kids were pretty tired after several late nights during the Christmas holidays and preferred to unwind. We had a busy, activity-filled day planned for tomorrow, with a paid activity booked for both Bella and Reuben, plus an early start for swimming at opening time.

So, that’s a wrap for our first full day at Bluestone! I’ll be back tomorrow with a full account of our day, including reviews of some paid activities like archery and the Skywalk.

One Final Thought from day one: Kingdom of the Elves Isn’t Free Anymore 🙁

Another change we noticed on the first day was that the Kingdom of the Elves experience is no longer included in the price this year. It was the last two times we visited, however they were several years ago so I’m not sure when this changed.

I was initially excited when the app showed a £0 price, so I planned to take Reuben. However, I was disappointed to find out it would cost £40 for both of us – which felt like a lot. I don’t think I should have to pay as an adult, as the experience is clearly geared towards the child, not the accompanying adult. It would have been more reasonable to just charge for the child and have the adult included.

It would have been nice if it had still been included, as it was in previous years. While browsing the booking options, I noticed there were a lot of free slots available, so perhaps it’s not as popular now that it’s a paid activity.

I was really hoping it would still be included, especially since this is likely the last year we could have enjoyed Kingdom of the Elves with the kids. My 12-year-old daughter, who is already too old for it, wasn’t interested this time, but I think she would have enjoyed it for her little brother if the experience had been included as it was before. I couldn’t justify paying almost £80 for us all to go to the Elf school, or even £40 for one child, especially when there were other activities they wanted to do that were already so costly, so we skipped it.

Maybe they will include it as complimentary again, as they used to as it was such a magical part of the experience for children over the Christmas and New Year period.

Day Two at Bluestone: Sunday 29th December 2024

After enjoying the free activities on Day One, the kids were excited to try some of the paid options. Reuben chose archery, and Bella opted for the Skywalk. Ben, my husband, decided to join Reuben for archery, leaving me to tackle the Skywalk with Bella – thanks, Ben! Luckily, when we booked on Saturday, there were plenty of slots available for archery. However, only one Skywalk timeslot with two spaces remained, so we booked it immediately.

Early Swim at the Blue Lagoon

We kicked off the day at the Blue Lagoon, arriving right at the 8:30 am opening. It was wonderfully quiet at first, allowing us to enjoy the lazy river and a relaxing swim. We easily found a working family-sized locker and private changing cubicles, which was a relief after our struggles the previous day.

Ben made the most of the quiet by tackling all three flume slides before queues began to build. At 10 am, the open-air slide opened, and I braved it with Reuben. Although he was initially scared, he soon loved it and wished he’d tried it the day before! This slide has two pool areas to stop and swim in before continuing down, which Reuben loved the novelty of. Sadly, we only had time for one go as the queue quickly grew, and we needed to leave for archery. It would be great if they could open this slide earlier!

More Blue Lagoon Observations

While we made great memories in the pool, the changing rooms left much to be desired. Despite being among the first visitors of the day, they were already grotty with some dirty water on the floor that looked like it had been left from cleaning. With loose tiles, rust, and black mould in the grout. Reuben even stepped on a tile that had come loose in the pool and became stuck to his foot! The walls were stained in multiple places, and one toilet was missing its door entirely. These issues detract from the 5-star reputation of the resort, making the pool area feel more like a 3-star experience.

On a positive note, there was a free tampon and sanitary pad dispenser in the women’s toilet– a thoughtful touch, though I didn’t check if it was stocked.

Despite these issues, the kids had a blast doing laps of the lazy river and experimenting with the wave machine to find the best spots for jumping or getting soaked next to the walls.

Archery Fun for Father and Son

At 11 am, Ben and Reuben headed to their archery session. Reuben found it incredibly fun, and Ben enjoyed the chance to bond with him and enjoyed it just as much. The staff member leading the session was engaging and made it enjoyable for all participants. Bella and I watched from a nearby bench, snapping photos and videos of the boys in action.

A Quick Lunch Break

Instead of dining out, we picked up some vegan sausages, beans, plum tomatoes, and bread from the on-site shop and headed back to the lodge. There, we whipped up a mini-cooked breakfast and enjoyed proper showers – a welcome treat after the pool. This quick, hearty lunch left us ready to continue our activity-packed day!

Sky Walk Adventure in the Serendome

After some time playing in the indoor play area and Air Maze, Bella and I took to the Sky Walk for a thrilling aerial adventure! While it’s not exactly soaring through the skies, this activity, located in the Serendome (renamed the Snow Globe for the festive season), offers a fun and challenging experience spread across three levels.

The lowest level is designed for younger children aged 3 to 8, while the upper two levels cater to older kids (8+) and adults, with a maximum weight limit of 18.9 stone.

Here’s how Bluestone describes the Sky Walk on their website:

“Designed for all levels of ability, the giant Sky Walk climbing frame is built over seven towers with 24 bespoke climbing stations spread across three levels.

On your journey through SkyWalk you’ll tackle rope ladders, hanging discs, climbing walls, different moving elements, and even ride a bicycle 50ft in the air!

The 1.5-hour session includes a safety talk about how to navigate around the frame and get you fitted into your harness.

Once you’re set up, you’re free to roam the adventure course.

You can skip activities and come back to them later or concentrate on your favourites. Choose the easiest path, start from the bottom or the top – it’s up to you.”

Bella and I stayed on the middle level, which was perfect for us. I think Bella would have liked to try the top level but was a little nervous, and before we knew it, our time was up. On the middle level, we managed to tackle most obstacles, though Bella (around 150 cm tall) got stuck on three of them. Thankfully, I was able to help her out!

We had the most fun towards the end of the session when the course was quieter. At the start, the overlap between groups made it quite crowded. I got stuck on a platform a few times because only three people are allowed on a platform at any time, and all the nearby platforms were full. This cut into our time navigating the course, which was a bit frustrating.

That said, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Bella and I loved trying out the various obstacles at height, and it was a wonderful bonding activity for us both.

A Magical Evening at the Serendome and Farmhouse Grill

Towards the end of our Sky Walk session, after 5pm, the Serendome had transformed into a magical scene as darkness fell. Seeing it lit up for the first time at night was a real treat, with twinkling lights creating a festive wonderland. To top it off, the snow machine went off twice during our visit, covering us in falling “snow.” It was a surprise and truly brought the “Snow Globe” theme to life.

After our adventure-filled day, we rounded off our trip with an evening meal at the Farmhouse Grill. We’d wisely pre-booked this meal before our arrival, securing a £20 deposit just as we had for The Oak Tree the night before. This ensured we got our preferred dining time.

The Farmhouse Grill offered plenty of vegan options, and we enjoyed a delicious spread of vegan burgers, a cauliflower “steak,” corn “ribs,” garlic bread, and some indulgent puddings to finish. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, like a cosy pub with festive decorations, and the staff were exceptionally friendly.

It was the perfect way to end our Bluestone holiday, enjoying hearty pub-style grub while sharing our favourite moments from the trip.

Check Out Morning: Monday 30th December 2024

On our checkout day, we left promptly, having packed most of our belongings the night before. With plans to visit friends and family before heading home for the remainder of the Christmas holidays, we opted for an early departure to ensure we had plenty of time for the journey ahead.

If you’re not in a rush, Bluestone allows guests to stay and enjoy the resort facilities until 3 pm on departure day. However, the lodge itself must be vacated by 10 am. On checkout day, cars can be brought back into the resort before the 10 am cut off, making it easier to pack up your belongings. Dropping off the room key is straightforward – simply place it in the box at the arrivals lodge exit barrier as you leave.

Bluestone Twixmas Review 2024: Honest Thoughts on Returning as a Family of Four (Kids Aged 12 and 9)

Returning to Bluestone with preteens was a completely different experience compared to our visits when the kids were younger. At 12 and 9, they had new interests and higher expectations, which made us curious about whether Bluestone’s Twixmas break would still capture their imaginations.

Returning to Bluestone with preteens brought a new perspective to our family holiday. Here’s how our experience unfolded in key areas during our 2024 stay:

1. Accommodation: Minimal, yet Cosy

Returning to Bluestone, the lodges felt as inviting as we remembered. Spacious yet minimally designed in the living areas, they offered a cosy retreat in the bedrooms – perfect for a family of four. Our kids, now preteens, appreciated having their own space to relax. While they shared a room this time, we’re aware that as they grow into teenagers, a three-bedroom lodge might become a necessity. For this trip, we stayed in a two-bedroom Caldey lodge, which suited us perfectly for our three-night stay.

Since our last visit in 2019, the lodges have received some thoughtful upgrades that made a noticeable difference. The living space, which used to feel quite dark due to brown sofas, headboards, and kitchen cabinets, now feels brighter. The kitchen had been updated with modern dark blue cabinets and light grey marble-effect countertops, while the sofas were reupholstered in a soft duck-egg fabric, complementing the new matching wood panelling behind the master bed. These touches really helped lift the overall feel of the space.

One particularly welcome addition was the built-in media wall, which replaced the corner TV setup, giving the living room a more modern and streamlined look. However, while the Caldey lodges are functional and comfortable, they don’t quite match the luxurious feel of Bluestone’s premium options. I’d rate them closer to 4 stars, with some areas, like the bathroom, showing signs of wear and tear. The bathroom door was difficult to close, and there was some flaking paint and mould above the shower. While the shower was lovely and warm, a rainfall shower head with a handheld option would have been appreciated for added convenience.

The kitchen was well-equipped, with plenty of crockery and utensils for the simple breakfasts and one lunch we prepared during our stay. The beds were very comfortable, and we all slept well. I especially liked that extra pillows were provided on top of the wardrobe, as I needed one more for a good night’s rest. The bedrooms felt snug and inviting in the evenings, thanks to the soft glow of the bedside lamps.

The heating system was easy to control and kept the lodge comfortably warm throughout our stay. A couple of practical points to note: each guest is provided with one small hand towel and one bath towel, so if you prefer extra towels, you may want to bring your own or purchase an additional towel pack on-site. Similarly, only two toilet rolls were provided, but additional ones were available at the on-site shop for 75p each. For swimming, it’s worth packing large towels from home, along with smaller ones to use on the floor.

Overall, while the Caldey lodge is fairly basic compared to Bluestone’s premium options, it offered everything we needed for an active holiday. It was a practical, comfortable base to return to after busy days spent exploring the resort and taking part in activities.

2. Activities for Older Kids

When we visited Bluestone in 2018 and 2019, the Kingdom of the Elves experience felt like pure magic for our younger children, who were then 6 and 3, and later 7 and 4 years old. Fast forward to 2024, and with our kids now 12 and 9, Bluestone still manages to deliver festive magic, even for older children. That said, we’ve noticed that as kids approach their teenage years, they start to age out of some of the free entertainment the resort offers, particularly the outdoor play areas, indoor play zones, and bouncy castles.

Our 12-year-old daughter, Bella, is already on the cusp of outgrowing many of these activities. While she enjoyed the Sky Walk and would have loved to try the adrenaline ride and climbing walls (if only we had unlimited time and budget!), it’s clear that 12 is about the maximum age to fully enjoy Bluestone’s offerings. She also opted out of Kingdom of the Elves this year, feeling too grown-up for the experience. Next year, as she enters Year 9 and her teenage years, I believe many of the activities will feel too young for her.

Both kids, however, had a great time with the indoor play towers and Air Maze bouncy castle at The Hive. Bella, being petite, could still enjoy these for now, but this felt like the last year they would hold her interest. Bluestone’s free activities and general appeal seem best suited to primary school-aged children.

For older kids, there are paid activities like the climbing wall, Power Tower, and Power Jump, which offer a good challenge. However, at £16 per go, the costs can quickly add up. Archery also caught Bella’s eye, and she said she’d love to try it if we return.

The high ropes course, archery sessions, and adrenaline rides are fantastic options for preteens looking for a thrill. They provided just the right level of challenge to keep our 9- and 12-year-olds entertained and were a great way to burn off post-Christmas energy.

For families with children transitioning into their teenage years, Bluestone still has a lot to offer, but you might find that some activities feel more tailored to younger age groups. For a glimpse into how activities and decorations have evolved over the years, check out my Bluestone Christmas review 2018 and also my Bluestone Twixmas holiday review 2019 – it’s fascinating to see how the resort changes each year!

3. Family Time: Balancing Togetherness and Independence

Bluestone’s safe and family-focused environment struck the perfect balance between quality family time and fostering independence for our kids. We enjoyed group activities like nature walks and swimming at the Blue Lagoon, but this time, the kids also experienced more freedom – a milestone for us on holiday.

In previous visits, the children were too young to be left unattended in the pool, but now, at ages 9 and 12, they can swim confidently and even touch the pool floor. This allowed us to relax while they swam and played independently. They particularly loved venturing through the lazy river on their own, though I’ll admit I eagerly waited for them to safely emerge at the exit each time!

The indoor play areas were another highlight. Both kids enjoyed running off to explore the play towers and bouncy castle without constant supervision. We even felt comfortable leaving them for a while as we relaxed with drinks from the upstairs café. The Hive’s large, enclosed space felt secure, giving us peace of mind.

Similarly, in the Serendome, they could roam freely, playing and discovering at their own pace, and simply find us when they were ready. Reuben particularly liked running off to find a water fountain whenever he was thirsty! This new sense of independence gave them a little extra excitement while allowing us moments to unwind, making the holiday enjoyable for everyone.

With the kids becoming more self-sufficient, we finally found some time to unwind. Whether it was floating gently along the lazy river at the Blue Lagoon or enjoying a peaceful coffee while the kids explored the indoor adventure park, Bluestone offered plenty of opportunities to relax amidst the festive buzz.

For adults looking to fully escape and recharge, there’s also a wellness spa on-site, which we haven’t yet explored. While we didn’t use it this time, the spa offers a variety of treatments and packages, making it an ideal retreat for parents who want to enjoy some kid-free relaxation. It’s definitely something I’d consider exploring if we ever do come back on a future visit!

4. Dining at Bluestone (as a Vegan Family)

As a family with a vegan diet, we were pleased to see that Bluestone continues to cater well for plant-based eaters. From our previous visits, we knew there would be vegan options.

We pre-booked two restaurant meals during our stay, and both offered varied and delicious choices that suited everyone’s tastes. The staff were knowledgeable about the vegan options, making it easy to order. At the coffee hut, we were able to enjoy lattes with coconut milk.

At the Greek food hut in the Serendome, there was a slight hiccup when one staff member wasn’t aware of the vegan option (a tortilla wrap instead of bread) despite it being clearly labelled on their menu board. Thankfully, another staff member stepped in and prepared the correct vegan meal.

We also ordered a takeaway one evening and found plenty of vegan-friendly options available throughout the resort. Whether we were after a quick snack or a full meal, Bluestone ensured we never felt limited in our choices.

Overall Bluestone Resort Experience: Would We Return?

Reflecting on our stay, we did enjoy many aspects of the resort, especially the festive atmosphere. The decorations, the holiday spirit, and the activities geared towards making the season special created lasting memories for the family. The kids had a great time, and it was a perfect opportunity for all of us to unwind and enjoy time together.

Bluestone continues to deliver as a family-friendly resort, but certain aspects, like the Blue Lagoon’s upkeep, detracted from the premium feel we had experienced in the past. Adding more high-end accommodations, like Merlin’s Crest, is a nice touch for those seeking luxury, but it seems to have increased the overall resort busyness without addressing wear-and-tear in existing facilities.

Despite its flaws, Bluestone remains a magical destination for a Twixmas getaway. Our kids’ changing interests highlighted the need for more festive activities catering to older children, but they still enjoyed their time immensely. For families with children in a similar age range, careful planning, such as booking popular activities and dining in advance, can ensure a more seamless experience.

Would we return? As much as we enjoyed the trip, especially for its family-centric and festive elements, I think our next holiday might be more suited to their growing tastes. Bluestone is undoubtedly a wonderful destination for families with young children, offering a memorable and magical experience and we feel we got the most from it when our children were both of primary school ages. For these younger ages, their Kingdom of the Elves and festive activities are truly magical.

For us, perhaps if they invest in some major upgrades to their pool area with a larger focus on a waterpark experience this would tempt us back with our older children.