Butlin’s is known for its redcoats and fun-filled entertainment but it is the first time that I have visited the holiday site for a themed weekend
I visited Butlin’s in Bognor Regis for a themed nostalgic weekend
If you grew up in the 1990s, there’s something rather special about spending a weekend surrounded by the music, fashion and nostalgia of the decade. That’s exactly what I found at Butlin’s 90s Weekend in Bognor Regis — a fun-filled break that brought back plenty of memories, while offering all the comforts of a modern resort.
We stayed at the Ocean Hotel, which was one of the highlights of the weekend. Our room was comfortable, modern and, best of all, came with views overlooking the sea. Waking up to that view certainly made getting out of bed a little easier, and the hotel provided a relaxing base between all the entertainment and activities.
Our stay also included Premium Dining, with breakfast and dinner included. There was a good variety across the weekend, including Mexican food on Saturday and Indian food on Friday, while Sunday brought the ultimate comfort food in the form of a traditional roast dinner.
Breakfast was very much what you would hope for from a hotel buffet, with a full English, pastries and the usual selection of cereals, fruit and other breakfast favourites. There was plenty of choice, so nobody was going to leave the restaurant hungry.
One of the highlights was Saturday morning’s bottomless brunch, which gave us two hours of food and drinks. It was a great way to start the day and fitted perfectly with the party atmosphere of the weekend.
The entertainment was, of course, a huge part of the experience. On Friday evening, we watched a Madness tribute act, which had the crowd up and enjoying plenty of classic hits.
Saturday night brought a Take That tribute act, providing another dose of 90s nostalgia and plenty of singalong moments.
One part of the weekend that we noticed was a pop up celebrating friendship. Dubbed the UK’s very first Celebrant of Friendship, it saw friends get together in a series of marriage-style vows to turn “we should catch up” into “we do”.
There were a number of ‘Frien-do’ ceremonies in a Chapel of Friendship that we witnessed at the Big Weekenders with many people celebrating and happy to pose for a photo.
I even joined in at one stage holding a plaque that “we do” with two of my friends on the weekend away.
One thing I did miss was the silent disco, which saw people making their way around the resort.
From what I could see, it looked like one of the most entertaining activities of the weekend, with plenty of people getting involved. It was probably the one thing I wished I had made time for.
There was also something wonderfully nostalgic about simply being at Butlin’s for a 90s-themed weekend.
Between the music, entertainment, food and atmosphere, it felt like a chance to switch off from everyday life and have a bit of fun.
For me, the Ocean Hotel room and sea view were another major highlight, giving the weekend a comfortable and relaxing element alongside all the lively entertainment.
Overall, Butlin’s 90s Weekend delivered exactly what I was hoping for: nostalgia, entertainment, plenty of food and a great excuse to relive some of the best music of the decade.
Whether you’re a committed 90s fan or simply looking for a fun weekend away, it’s an experience that’s difficult not to enjoy.