Alan Rogers Awards – Results 2015
Presented at the Vakantiebeurs, Utrecht in January 2016
The Alan Rogers Campsite Awards were launched in 2004 and have proved a great success.
Our awards have a broad scope and before committing to our winners, we carefully consider more than 2,000 campsites featured in our guides, taking into account comments from our site assessors, our head office team and, of course, our readers.
Our award winners come from the four corners of Europe, from Spain to Croatia, and this year we are making awards to campsites in ten different countries.
Needless to say, it’s an extremely difficult task to choose our eventual winners, but we believe that we have identified a number of campsites with truly outstanding characteristics.
In each case, we have selected an outright winner, along with two highly commended runners-up. Listed below are full details of each of our award categories and our winners for 2015.
Welcome Award
Welcome Award
This award takes account of sites offering a particularly friendly welcome and maintaining a friendly ambience throughout readers’ holidays.
Winner
Camping le Domaine du Logis is an attractive rural site with enthusiastic owners, set in the grounds of an old château. The site’s upgraded modern facilities are housed in traditional converted barns and farm buildings, which are well-maintained and equipped. There are 203 pitches, 67 of which are for touring units. The grass pitches are level, of a generous size and divided by mature hedges and trees. All have 10A electricity connections, water and drainage.
Runners up
This large, mature site is alongside the main N340/A7 Costa del Sol coast road, 12 km. east of Marbella and 15 km. from Fuengirola. The Costa del Sol is also known as the Costa del Golf and fittingly there is a major golf course alongside the site. The site is set amongst tall pine trees which provide shade for the pitches (there are some huge areas for large units). The 250 touring pitches, a mix of level and sloping (chocks advisable), all have electricity (10A), but long leads may be required for some. There is a separate area on the western side for groups of younger guests.
Camping De Pampel has the most congenial atmosphere and caters both for families (great facilities for children) and for those seeking peace and quiet. This is enhanced by its situation deep in the forest, with nine hectares of its own woods to explore. There are 280 pitches (20 seasonal) with 6-16A electricity. You can choose to site yourself around the edge of a large, open field with volleyball in the middle, or pick one of the individual places which are numbered, divided by trees and generally quite spacious.
Progress Award
Progress Award
This award reflects the hard work and commitment undertaken by particular site owners to improve and upgrade their site.
Winner
Camping Resort Sangulí Salou is a superb site boasting excellent pools and entertainment. Owned, developed and managed by a local Spanish family, it has something for all the family with everything open when the site is open. There are 976 pitches of varying sizes (75-120 sq.m) all with electricity (7.5-10A). Mobile homes occupy 58 pitches and there are fully equipped bungalows on 147. A wonderful selection of trees, palms and shrubs provide natural shade and an ideal space for children to play. The good sandy beach is little more than 50 metres across the coast road and a small railway crossing. Although large, Sangulí has a pleasant, open feel and maintains a quality family atmosphere due to the efforts of the very keen and efficient staff.
Runners up
With attractive, shaded pitches and many activities, Sites et Paysages le Moulin is a family-run campsite incorporating 12 hectares of woods and fields beside the River Garonne. It is close to Martres-Tolosane, a fascinating medieval village. This is a lovely rural site close to Toulouse in the South West of France. It is a great location for your holiday and an excellent overnight stopover if you are heading to Southern Spain. On-site, there are 119 level and grassy pitches, 106 of which have 6/10A electricity and 87 where electrical, water, and drainage hook-ups are available directly on the pitch. The site has good cover from high trees in summer, which is very welcome in this part of France. Pitches are large and divided by hedging.
In a village situation in the rural western part of the island, The Orchards Holiday Park is a family owned holiday park with stunning countryside views and high quality facilities. The park’s neat 17-acre touring area has 118 marked pitches suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes, on terraced or gently sloping paddocks broken up by apple trees, mature hedges and fences. All pitches have 10A electricity, 45 have hardstandings and 17 are ‘all service’ pitches, also with hardstanding. A separate area contains 65 caravan holiday homes (statics). There is an impressive, central Facilities Centre which includes all of your touring needs, washing up area, laundry, family bathroom and family shower room and much more. The Orchards is a good base from which to explore the island and there are two beaches within five miles.
Active Holiday Award
Active Holiday Award
This award reflects sites in outstanding locations which are ideally suited for active holidays, notably walking or cycling, but which could extend to include such activities as winter sports or watersports.
Winner
Sportcamp Woferlgut, a family-run site, is one of the best in Austria. It lies in the village of Bruck at the northern end of the Großglocknerstrasse mountain road in the Hohe Tauern National Park, near the Zeller See. The level grass pitches are marked out by shrubs, and each has 16A metered electricity, water, drainage, cable TV socket and a gas point.
Runners up
This is a top class, all year round site suitable as a stopover or as a base for a longer stay. Attractively situated by the sea, it is large, mature (34 hectares) and well maintained. It has over 800 individual pitches (372 for touring) of up to 160 sq.m. in glades. Some are separated by bushes providing shade in the older parts, less so in the newer areas nearer the sea. There are many hardstandings and all pitches have electricity (16A), water and drainage. Some new rental accommodation has been added, including a ‘honeymoon mobile home’. A member of Leading Campings group.
What an amazing experience awaits you at Seiser Alm! Elisabeth and Erhard Mahlknecht have created a superb site in the magnificent Südtirol region of the Dolomite mountains. Towering peaks provide a wonderful backdrop when you dine in the charming, traditionally styled restaurant on the upper terrace. Here you will also find the bar, shop and reception. The 150 touring pitches have 16A electricity, gas, water, drainage, satellite connection and WiFi. Guests were delighted with the site when we visited, many coming to walk or cycle, some just to enjoy the surroundings. There are countless things to see and do here, including a full entertainment programme and a brilliant new pool.
Seaside Award
Seaside Award
This award is made for sites which we feel are particularly suitable for a really excellent seaside holiday.
Winner
Located in the popular seaside resort of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, near sunny Royan, Bois Soleil is surrounded by woods and overlooks the sea. It is a large site in three parts, with serviced pitches for touring units and a few for tents. All the touring pitches are hedged and have electricity (10A), with water and drainage between two pitches. The main part, Les Pins, is attractive, with trees and shrubs providing shade. Opposite is La Mer, with direct access to the beach, some areas with less shade and an area for tents. The third part, La Forêt, is for caravan holiday homes.
Runners up
Kennemer Duincamping De Lakens is beautifully located in the dunes at Bloemendaal aan Zee. This site has 900 reasonably large, flat pitches of varying sizes, whose layout makes them feel quite private - some come with a ready erected hammock! There are 410 pitches for tourers (255 with 16A electricity) separated by low hedging. Pitches are grouped according to guests, for example with activity areas, a relaxation area and a family area. A separate area is provided for groups and older teenagers to maintain the quiet atmosphere.
Zaton Holiday Resort is a modern family holiday park with a 1.5 kilometre private sandy beach. It is close to the historic town of Nin and just a few kilometres from the ancient city of Zadar. This park itself is more like a large village and has every amenity one can think of for a holiday on the Dalmatian coast. The village is divided into two areas separated by a public area with reception, bakery, shops, restaurant and a large car park, one for campers close to the sea, the other for a complex with holiday apartments. Zaton has 1,030 mostly level pitches for touring units, all with electricity, water and waste water.
Country Award
Country Award
This award contrasts with our former award and acknowledges sites which are attractively located in delightful, rural locations.
Winner
Camping Grubhof is a beautifully laid out, level and spacious site set in the former riding and hunting park of the 14th-century Schloss Grubhof. The 250 touring pitches have been carefully divided into separate areas for different types of visitors – dog owners, young people, families and groups, and a quiet area. All the generous XXL pitches (at least 180 sq.m) provide electricity (16A), water and drainage (also in winter), many along the bank of the Saalach River.
Runners up
Röstånga Camping is a family-friendly campsite located in the heart of the Söderåsen National Park in southern Sweden. The campsite is situated on the banks of the Röstångaån River, which offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, and canoeing. There are 200 large, level, grassy pitches with electricity (10A) and a quiet area for tents with views over the fishing lake. The tent area has its service building and several barbecue places. Some holiday homes and 24 pleasant cabins are available to rent all year round.
Innovation Award
Innovation Award
Our Innovation Award acknowledges campsites with creative and original concepts, possibly with features which are unique, and cannot therefore be found elsewhere. We have identified innovation both in campsite amenities and also in rentable accommodation.
Winner
This amazing site is very large, offering absolutely everything a camper could wish for. It is extremely professionally run and we were impressed with the whole organisation. It lies along a 1.2 km. long, broad sandy beach which shelves very gradually and offers a huge number of sporting activities. The site itself is regularly laid out with parallel access roads under a covering of poplars, pine and other trees. There are 2,200 pitches for touring units, all with 6/10/16A electricity and 1,969 also have water and drainage. Because of the size of the site, there is an internal road train and amenities are repeated across the site (cycling is permitted on specific roads). A member of Leading Campings group.
Runners up
Camping le Ty-Nadan is a well-organised site set in the wooded countryside in southern Brittany, along the bank of the River Elle. There are 200 grassy pitches for touring units, many with shade and 67 fully serviced, some with private sanitary facilities. Various outdoor family pursuits are on offer, including canoeing, horse riding, walking, mountain biking and rock climbing. An interesting option is excursions on Segway electric vehicles. All activities are supervised by qualified staff. The pool complex with slides and paddling pool is very popular as are the large indoor pool complex and indoor games area. There is an adventure play park and another play park for 5-8-year-olds.
This high quality campsite, set in the heart of the Dordogne, has fine views looking up to the fortified town of Belvès. It is a splendid rural estate where there is plenty of space and a good mixture of trees and shrubs. Set in the grounds of a former mill, the superb traditional buildings date back to the 18th century. There are 219 level pitches with 159 for touring units, all with 10A electricity, a water point and drainage. The remainder are used for mobile homes to rent. The site is ideally suited for families with young and teenage children as there is so much to do, both on site and in the surrounding area.
Small Site Award
Small Site Award
This award acknowledges excellent small campsites (less than 75 pitches) which offer a friendly welcome and top quality amenities throughout the season to their guests.
Winner
After years of experience in the camping industry, Barbara and Pieter Witschge have built their dream – Tenuta Squaneto, a natural camping with brilliant facilities. Its location is deep in the countryside with no villages, shops or restaurants in the immediate area. The 72 grassy, level touring pitches (100-120 sq.m) have wonderful views, and 35 have water, wastewater and TV connections. There are also 15 Lodge tents for rental.
Runners up
Camping les Etangs du Moulin is a unique, small and friendly site to the south of Saint Quentin, which is essentially a Wild West-themed holiday village. As well as the 30 touring pitches (with 6A electricity), an assortment of teepees, wagons and cabins are available to rent. There are no fewer than eight lakes here, two stocked with trout and two with carp, making this site a good choice for anglers (fishing materials available for hire). The reception, restaurant and bar also follow the Wild West theme. Mountain bikes can be hired and the site’s owners can recommend a number of routes.
This is a small, quiet, family run site in the suburbs of Freiburg. Its grass pitches, set on small terraces, are shaded by many mature trees. Most of the 70 pitches are for touring units and have electricity (10/16A Europlug). On the upper part of the site is a long established and very attractive restaurant. Open in the evenings, the restaurant specialises in dishes freshly prepared from organic ingredients; vegetarian and local specialities are also part of the menu. Additionally a small bar and bistro is part of a wellness centre which adjoins the site.
Family Site Award
Family Site Award
Many sites claim to be family friendly but this award acknowledges the sites we feel to be the very best in this respect.
Winner
Las Dunas is an extensive, impressive and well-organised resort-style site with many on-site activities and an ongoing programme of improvements. The site has direct access to a superb sandy beach stretching for nearly a kilometre, with a windsurfing school and beach bar. There is also a much-used, huge swimming pool, plus a large double pool for children.
Runners up
Hillhead Caravan and Motorhome Club site is set in 22 acres of beautiful Devon countryside. It comprises 256 pitches, all with 16A electrical hook-ups and many with fine views of Torbay and the surrounding countryside. There are 111 pitches with hardstanding and 13 attractive and sheltered pitches for tents. Amenities are to a uniformly high standard, notably the main complex based around a pleasant courtyard and housing a shop, bar, games room and Nico’s restaurant serving freshly cooked meals using local produce, and a Sunday carvery. The site offers an entertainment programme from Whitsun onwards.
Situated in the lovely wooded hills of central Luxembourg, this is a top-quality site with fees to match, but it has everything! A large, central building housing most of the services and amenities opens onto a terrace around an excellent swimming pool complex with a large fun pool and an imaginative water playground. This peaceful area has many excellent walking and cycle trails, and day trips to Luxembourg, Vianden Castle and the Mosel Valley are accessible from here.
Alan Rogers Readers’ Award
Alan Rogers Readers’ Award
We believe our Readers’ Award to be the most important. We simply invite our readers (by means of an on-line poll) to nominate the site they enjoyed most.
Winner
Le Coin Tranquille is a family-run site well placed for visits to the Savoie regions and the Alps. It is an attractive, well-maintained site of 192 grass pitches (178 for touring units), all with 10A electricity. Neat hedges of hydrangea separate them, flowering shrubs and a range of trees make a lovely environment doubly enhanced by the rural aspect and marvellous views across to the mountains.