Reviews of Bleu Soleil Campsite, St Ouen
Review by Tris on 25th September, 2011
Add your review Date visited: x
Reading through these comments it does make me laugh, I used to work at the Bleu Sol nearly 2 years ago now when I was 18. In every Business not everything is perfect, things do occasionally get neglected without anyone realising. From reading what some of the more disappointed visitors of the Bleu Sol have said about the campsite I have taken some offence because I know everyone working there are devoted to their jobs and are very friendly people that care. An Ants nest? long grass? Kids filling up the jacuzzi? Take a reality check people you are NOT staying at a 5* hotel, you are staying at a campsite so in theory you pay for what you get! Anyway to anyone who is thinking about going to the Bleu Sol in the near future I wish you a happy holiday/break because you will enjoy yourself and you will meet lovely people.
Review by Talja on 19th August, 2011
Add your review Date visited: augustus
Dit zou een super camping kunnen zijn, maar helaas wat een rommel. Oude tenten (gescheurde tent, geperforeerd grondzeil, kapotte ritsen, gaten in slaaptenten) welke niet goed schoongemaakt worden. We hebben het schoonmaak ritueel meerdere keren aanschouwd, wat een stel amateurs. Men blijft onder alle omstandigheden vriendelijk maar problemen worden niet adequaat opgelost. Daar en tegen is veel mogelijk en is het gezellig in de kroeg. De ligging is mooi dichtbij het mooiste strandje van Jersey en met een auto zijn restaurants en winkels goed bereikbaar.
Als op deze camping geinvesteerd zou worden in schoonmaak, materieel en mensen dan zou dit een super camping zijn. Wij komen er niet meer.
Review by Dutch Fokkensfamily on 15th August, 2011
Add your review Date visited: july/august 2011
We had a great time on Blue Soleil. We took our own tent, because of that we had a great pitch on the smaller tentfield. Lots of space, sunny all day, our car and trailer next to the tent. During the day most people went away so we had a very quiet and relaxing holiday. The kids (14, 18, 18) also had a great time because of the pool, the hottub and the tv-room, they had a lot of fun with other teenagers. The toilets, showers and washingfacilities are good. Where do you find such hot water for free everywhere, soap and towels? We have camped a lot in Europe and believe me you seldom have hot water for free. There are indeed only 2 washingmachines and 1 dryer, but when I asked when I could use them I could use them at once, (Super) Paul even helped me to put the coins in. (Super)Paul also helped us when we had water in our tent, in no time the tent was dry again
Blue Soleil is almost our dreamcampsite, near a beach, lovely people, great place, good facilities, and even our dogs had a great time.
Review by Kate W on 2nd August, 2011
Add your review Date visited: 04/06/2011
This has to be the most 'interesting' holiday we have been on. The caravans were new in 2010 - to the campsite. Definitely not new, tired and worn and at least 15 years old. Ours had been abandoned where it stood, once we had jacked up the legs so we didn't fall out of bed, attached the waste water pipe, mended the curtains and fixtures it was fine. Not great, just fine.
Don't be fooled by the claim that they have own showers and toilets, these caravans are not plumbed in, they tell you not to use the toilet or shower except if caught short. You are given a key to private showers - which are two shower / toilets shared amongst the occupants of 5 caravans and any campers to pay extra for these (that's a lot of people). The showers were filthy, it took 48 hours for their first clean (by which time we had already bought a large bottle of Mr Muscle). From the day we arrived to the day we left the talcum powder on the floor under the sink was still there. I have camped numerous times and normally showers and toilets are cleaned at least twice a day, if not more. This said, I looked in on the main shower block and was immediately grateful for what we did have - swilling around in other peoples dirty water is not my idea of fun.
This level of cleanliness (or not) put us off trying the hot tub or pool, so can't comment.
The shop - looked great and well stocked in the picture on the website. In reality it is the bar / kitchen store room - that will sell you anything they happen to have which is not a lot. They are missing a trick here, with the nearest shops a 7 minute drive away. It is all there, it just seems that they staff don't care. They spent more time pressure washing tents than cleaning - priorities?
We did eat in the restaurant one evening - food was nice.
Also the site is very noisy, we were dismayed to come back one evening and find that 45 noisy teenagers had taken up residence for 3 nights. I pitied the poor families with toddlers. Some warning that they had booked would have been appreciated.
I felt that the price charged did not reflect the services given. A more realistic price would have meant that the facilities would have been more acceptable.
This said, in its defence, it is cheaper than a holiday cottage and fits with a budget holiday - however if they were a) honest about what is there and b) took more care with cleaning, they could have a lovely site which people would want to return to. It is on the nicer side of the island, the beaches at Plemont Bay and Greve de Lecq are beautiful.
Review by Emma Harding on 27th June, 2011
Add your review Date visited: 1/6/11
After reading some of these reviews we were a bit sceptical about what we were going to get, and I must admit when we initially got there we weren't very impressed, the tents were a bit tired and everything was just that bit grubby. But after a few days we were already trying to work out when we could go back next year! People need to remeber that this is camping, and that unless you clean the toilets and showers every ten minutes each time someone uses them with either dust (when it's dry) or mud (when it's wet) on their shoes then things get dirty. Our children loved the freedom of such a small site to be able to go to the play area independently, there was plently of room for our car by the tent, and even though for a few days it was very busy with an orchestra staying in loads of tents opposite us, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will be going again next year. This place is what you make it, and we made it the perfect family holiday.
Review by David Muir on 16th September, 2010
Add your review Date visited: September 2010
We read mixed reviews of this site on various websites before booking, some very positive, some very negative. Our experience was a negative one, but it probably depends on what you are looking for. If what you want is a ‘Butlins under canvas’, this site will serve you well; if it isn’t (and I don’t think most campers are looking for this), then Jersey’s other two camp sites will be much more to your liking.
It is true that the site has only 50 static tents and limited space for people bringing their own tent, so you are not part of a large crowd (as its website says); but then the site is also very small so it feels very crowded. The static tents take up most of the available space, with very little space between them (perhaps a metre, certainly not enough to put a car alongside), and with some tents crowded in close to and directly opposite the toilets (not very nice if you were thinking of dining alfresco...) There is almost no play/communal space apart from the children’s play area.
The whole site has a very tired feel to it – the grass looks as if it is seldom cut, the toilets/showers are ‘cleaned’ but never ‘clean’, every time we washed our dishes we had to clean an area to do it in, and so on. We were there in early September, so the site was not so busy, but if the statics around our (own) tent had been full of parents and children, we would have been living cheek-by-jowl with each other and we would have hated it. There was no effective ‘quiet enforcement’ at nights.
On the other hand, the staff were friendly, we ate once at the cafe and the food was good and very reasonably priced, the outdoor pool was small but clean, and the hot tub was a nice touch. There was live music in the bar/cafe one night. There is a ‘laid back’ attitude to everything. The site is also open all year round, perhaps because the cafe/bar doubles up as a local facility for people living in the area; and it is the only campsite on the west side of the island (Rose Farm in the south west has closed down), with easy access to the north-western coastal path and to the beautiful cove/village of Greve de Lecq. If these are the kinds of things you want in a campsite, then you might have a great time here. It’s not cheap, mind you, so be sure it’s what you want before you part with your money.
But if you are looking for peace and quiet and space, with high quality facilities, then you will hate this place. You will get these things at the Beuvelande and Rozel campsites on the east of the island. Rozel gives you a camping pitch 10m square, for example, and the Beuvelande facilities are brand new and excellent, including a nice cafe.
Review by Emma on 15th September, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 21.08.10
Probabley the worst campsite we have ever been too. The Tents are filthy, with holes letting the rain come through.
We lasted 1 night and had to get out. If you have any sense you would never go to this campsite.
When we complained the managers could not have cared less about us.
Review by jackie adams on 13th September, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 5th sept 2010
we have just come back from a week at bleu soleil campsite and i must say wont be going back again.my husband and i are not fussy people and as long as the place is clean.we arrived to stay in the new carvans as they have just put on there web only to be really old 2nd hand wobbly boards.we arrived at 4pm only to find the place was not ready not a real problem had to ask 4 a kettle which was then taken from the caravan next door chris showed us around and said the fridge was on,my hubby had to have a look at the fridge as it was not getting cold only to realise chris did not ignite the pilot light to fridge,we was told that this was there old caravan surely you know how to use your gadets.there was no plug to the sink.and the ground is really uneven and long grass which i found dog crap just outside, the showers were pretty grim and bins always overflowing.only one washing machine and tumble dryer which is always being used by owner.and every time you asked the owners a question you never got a straight answer. just woffle.i totally agree in what someone else said that campsite has got great potenial but totally wasted by these owners.but love jersy
Review by Garry Jone on 29th August, 2010
Add your review Date visited: August 2010
Just returned from a fantastic holiday a BleuSoleil we had a wonderful time here we stayed for a fortnight and the Tent we occupied had everything that you need and also very clean the owners and staff could not do enough for you our children made friends with the other children so this made it a relaxing holiday for the parents they did not use there XBox's Playstations at all. Our family cannot believe some of the reviews of other people who have stayed here, we wonder if they are proper campers agreed the site is small but however August is the busiest time to go anywhere on holiday and this makes this so special and the other campers who we talked too who stayed at the same time as us found that the service was was excellent, no problem was to small and very friendly at the same time, Keith (Gandolf) the Campsite Manager and the owners David and Lesley were very friendly and it was a pleasure in talking to them as we found them to be totaly genuine and honest, a suprise in this day of age as we have stayed at other campsites and you never see the owners at all. We have already booked to come back next year as they are expanding the site and we have seen that they are now hiring out Touring Caravans with Awnings. which we have already booked one.
We will recommend this to all our family and friends and we hope that some of the other reviews that are on this site does not put you off as they are very misleading, by the way we did not frequent the bar much as I am a Tee-Totaler, but it was good to see the locals and other campers together as we found out the locals told the other campers where all the best beaches were and also the other attractions on the Island. This campsite is Highley Recommended by us all.
Review by Richard Kelly on 26th August, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 7th -23rd August 2010
Arrived at Bleu Soleil Campsite expecting our "quite corner plot in the meadow", instead we were greeted with a cramped pitch next to the ramshackle kids 'adventure play ground' and the overflowing wheelie bins! The entire sight is dirty, overcrowded and generally run down. Campsite shop was unreliable even for bread & milk. Safety was extremely poor with several outdoor lights not working,campers were repeatedly missed their footing at a step next to the games room, one chap cut his knee open. Tens were pitched just about on top of each other - Fire Regulations??? The site tents looked dirty and tired. Cars were permanently driving round the site due to lack of spaces in the car park. Toilet blocks were reasonably clean but always busy and permanently flooded with water, wash-up sinks were always crowded. The single washing machine was permanently buried under a pile of dirty laundry (from the campsite tents), dirty laundry was also on top of food supplies. A large party of French kids were given one of the family tents as a mess tent, so they used this until the early hours of the morning - singing and shouting, this caused tension for families trying to get younger children off to sleep! This is despite the fact Bleu Soleil don't have a license for large parties! We're hardened campers but spending a fortnight at this campsite really spoiled our holiday in Jersey. The owners seem to be completely focused on filling the bar and oblivious to the state of the campsite. We were amazed at the AA 4* rating hanging in the entrance, was the sign stolen from another campsite? Also amazed that there are positive review for this campsite (possibly from the visitors who never left the bar). Wish we had returned to the beautiful Rozel Campsite. We will next time!
Review by Nicola on 25th August, 2010
Add your review Date visited: August 2010
Just returned from a great holiday in Jersey. We had never been camping before and chose this campsite as it sounded excellent from the write up. We were disappointed with the tired appearance of the Site. When we arrived with our tent we were shown to a space which was on a slope and inbetween two other tents which meant that we could only pitch it lengthways which meant that the bedrooms were running down hill. The spacing between tents was reaaly non existent I could hear the guy in the next tent snoring. Yes they had a lovely play area right next to where people had tents pitched it wasn't fenced off at all and children ended up playing football in the walkway between the showers and washing up facility. There were three sinks for washing dishes and only one of them had a deent plug in it the others had holes in the middle of them and kept letting the water out, the units housing them looked about 20 years old. Four showers in both ladies and gents were not adequate for the number of people on Site. Some of teh showers were borken and as a result you had to hold the hose in one hand and try to wash yourself with the other. There wasn't enough parking and children were running around screaming until all hours when parents went to teh so called cafe which constantly stunk of frying and reminded me of a greasy spoon truck stop.The shop on Site was stocked with more booze that essentials like bread and milk. Whilst these things didn't ruin our holiday they were little things that could be put right at a minimal cost.
Review by Jo on 16th August, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 24th July 2010
We live in Jersey and wanted to try a local campsite. Bleu Soleil is such a wasted opportunity! The location with beautiful cliffpath walks, kayaking at St. Brelades, cycle paths just minutes away makes it is a good spot, but it just isn't managed professionally. The 4 toilets for women and four showers were dirty and full of cobwebs. The cafe sold good food, but is too busy selling takeaways to local passer-bys to focus on the campers. The shop was poor with an extremely limited stock. The pool, is really a paddling pool, but with the beautiful beaches which surround you that's not really a problem. I don't expect space like a French site, the island is only 9 miles by 5, but it's not good enough to fill it so to capacity the kids had no space to play in! So decide what your core business purpose is, train your staff, clean the whole site, clear out numerous empty tents full of chunk and create space for kids. Jersey is beautiful, but Bleu Soleil let's the island down I'm afraid.
Review by rachel on 1st August, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 24/07/10
just returned from a week at this camp, it is a shambles,we arrived at half past 5 after a long day travelling with 3 children to be told the sleeping bags were not in the tent and we had to wait, after 10 mins of being left waiting in the driveway i inquired only to be told to chill out by the owner, when i made my own way to the tent it was still being cleaned, there was no hanging rail, and the torch did not work. Every time we asked for something we was given excuses. The shop is very limited the milk was off an the ice lollies pure ice. There is only 4 toilets in the ladies to serve 50 pre erected tents and the extensive amount of other campers, these are dirty and very slippy. A car is a must as the buses only run once an hour there are no paths to walk along. The park is dismall an the the pool tiny. Not a nice way to experience a beautiful island, do not be put off the island just don't stay here!!
Review by penny heys on 23rd June, 2010
Add your review Date visited: June 10
Just returned from a fantastic holliday in Jersey. We chose this site because of its family run theme and were not dissapointed. Having read some of your earlier reviews i can say that Dave ( certainly not gay!) and Lesley the owners took over the site from a holiiday company and are working really hard to improve the facilities.
The site had a family owned atmosphere, nothing was too much trouble and particular attention paid to children of all ages, even a drive in Daves open top car followed by ice cream.
Just as we were leaving they appointed a site manager so the running of the site will have someone there at all times.
We had a fantastic holliday, jersey was beautiful and i would recommend this site to anyone wanting a fun time with excellent food and hosts.
Review by Wendy on 21st June, 2010
Add your review Date visited: June 2010
First impressions....This wasn't good, the grass was long the pitches were uneven and the whole camp site seemed neglected.
As there wasn't many people staying we were shown various areas where we could set up. As we had a dog we preferred to be around the edge with some shelter for him. There was a large 6 berth and a 4 berth erected tent next to us which we were told didn't have anyone staying in until next week so the location was ideal. Unfortunately this wasn't the case and four adults and 6 kids moved into them with a large Alsatian which didn't best please us.
The site has 4 toilets and 4 showers for each sex, that's it! I would imagine these would get very busy at the height of the season and the queues would be very long.
The owners David and Leslie seem to be most helpful and promise lots of things that they can't actually supply. The unoccupied tents for one, also we asked where we could let our dog off for a run, we were told in the field next door, only to be apprehended by the owner of the field and stated no such rights had been granted.
People were arriving while we were there and they didn’t seem to have any plans of what tents they had available. It seemed to be a shambles and be like a Faulty Towers of campsites.
Would we be going back to Blue Soleil? Not if there are other campsites on Jersey.
Would we recommend it to anyone else? Definitely not
Review by Caroline Stenner on 31st August, 2009
Add your review Date visited: August 2009
This was the most disappointing campsite we have encountered for many years,
The 'own tent' camping field was overcrowded to the point of being a fire hazard, the grass was rough and unmown and trenches dug for cables hadn't been filled so that they presented a real danger at night. The site was overcamped so that most of the field was bare sandy earth or the remnants of grass root.
The pre-erected tents in which the rest of my family was camping were old and often mildewed. They had been left up over winter and looked tired and uninviting. There was no more than a meter between each tent; again a fire hazard to my mind. The equipment was old and tired and extra charges made for BBQs and fridges which are usually part of the package for pre-erected tents. We think the owers must have previously been in the polytunnel business. That or refugee camp supplies. There was no space either behind or in front of the tents so that having breakfast was like being back on trestle tables at school.
There were not enough toilets or showers and they were inadequately serviced. The showers were hot and water plentiful but there was not even a peg in the cubicle to hang a towel on.
The bar/cafe was cheerful and the staff friendly and helpful if somewhat inexperienced and slow.
The pool was only suitable for small children - no more than a glorified paddling pool and the hot tub usually full of kids.
The problem is that everything is on a minute scale so that when you look on google earth you don't realise that it really is toytown.
The shop was adequate if you wanted fudge, expensive booze or sweets but we'd have liked eggs, butter and bread as there was no other shop within easy walking distance.
Having paid up front we were stuck with the site (and it wasn't cheap) and had a good holiday anyway but I would not recommend it to anybody except perhaps a overnight backpacker or cyclist who just needs a place to put their head down.
The webpage totally misrepresents the site.
Review by peter deleter on 15th September, 2008
Add your review Date visited: Aug 2008
well, I have to say that I was a little bit worried when I booked -after reading the reviews here.
However, the campsite has had a change of ownership recently and it is certainly for the better.
The food in the cafe is fab - although service is a little slow, even during quiet periods.
The tents are spacious and well equipped.
The staff are very helpful and mostly good looking!
David, the gay (I think) owner is a great guy - owns a vintage land rover too!
There is a safe enclosed childrens area.
The pool is very clean and well maintained.
You are near bus routes and not far from the airport.
Review by Josh Dyer on 6th September, 2007
Add your review Date visited: August 2007
I am amazed at the other reviews as after coming back from jersey i was keen to tell everyone my story, or more like a horror film. We arrived at Blue Soleil expecting a small, simple camp site, instead, we see a garden crammed full of tents and loud campers. We saw the facilitites. The shop was empty of stock, the swimming pool wasnt heated and very dirty. The play area was full of broken glass, graffitti and broken toys. After seeing the disgusting tent, of rusty cutlery, moldy broken mastrresses and rotting pans, we decided enough was enough so we went to Buavelande camp site on the other side of the island. We would never go to or recommend Bleu Soleil to anyone.
Review by lisa nuttall on 20th August, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 05 aug 2007
having just got back from 2 week in jersey I am already loking to book next year!!!!, This campsite might only be small but this is fantastic for safety reasons if you have children like mine. We love this site this is the second time we have been back, the only fault is the grass could be cut more often then it is, the food on sight is very good, and the staff this time around were very helpful, we met some fantastic people and cant wait to go back. We were 10 mins from the local beach and 15 mins from Plemont which I have to say for us is the best beach on the island, when the weather is good Jersey beats abroad hands down.
Review by richard cottis on 31st July, 2006
Add your review Date visited: 20/07/2006
gutted to be back,having stayed at another campsite at st martin i was hesitant to try something differant but was glad i did.the campsite itself is alot smaller than others on the island but that has worked in its favour,the staff are brilliant and very friendly,the facilities are always spotless and having dined in the restaraunt i would highly recommend it.the west side of the island is by far the best for beaches with pleimont and greve de leque,let me just add that pliemont beach is to die for.i will return to jersey and after such a great stay at the bleu soliel there is only one place to stay TRUST ME!!!!
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