Benone Tourist Complex

Accommodation:
We stayed in one of the glamping pods. It was ok, but our tent is bigger and much more comfortable. Unfortunately, we had booked a glamping pod as we would be arriving late and it would be getting dark by the time we tried to pitch our tent. We booked two nights but only stayed for one, as it was too tiny and uncomfortable and the toilet facilities were grim. The pods are advertised as sleeping up to 6 people. They have 2 bunks and a seat which is convertible. We found it cramped for a family of 2 adults and 2 children so I can’t imagine having a family of 6 in it! It’s basically a small wooden shed with heat, light and a kettle.

The other thing we noticed is that people park in the wrong glamping pod spaces. So we didn’t even have a space to park our car - we had to park it in front of our picnic table as the people from next door had parked in the space for our pod. I think this could easily be resolved if the council actually marked the spaces for each pod so people know which side of the pod to park on.

Toilet and Shower Facilities:
This was the main reason we left early. The toilets for the camping area weren’t the cleanest and some didn’t even have any toilet rolls! There were only TWO showers, which isn’t adequate for the size of campsite. My husband reported equally grim circumstances in the male facilities.

Leisure Facilities:
Benone Beach is a short walk along the boardwalk which is lovely. The beach is excellent. We also used the tennis courts. The courts are marked out on tarmac. We had brought our own rackets so can’t comment on the hire ones but we hired balls which cost £5.20 for half an hour. Other facilities included crazy golf, a nine hole par 3 golf course, a playground and an indoor games room. There is also an outdoor splash pool but it is seasonal so wasn’t open when we visited in September. We didn’t use the golf course but it did look to be in good condition.

Food & Drink
There is a nice bistro on site just off the boardwalk called Waves Bistro (it opened at 9.30 am when we were there on Sat 25th Sept). There is also a lovely pub called The Anglers Rest which is a 15 minute walk away. If you go to the pub when it’s getting dark make sure to bring torches for the walk back as the avenue down to the campsite had no lighting at all.

Staff:
All the staff we encountered on our stay were friendly, helpful and polite.

Overall:
This site is in a lovely area and could be so much better. However, we won’t be booking it again due to the dirty toilets and limited shower facilities.

Have been to this site a number of times in the past. This should be and could be one of the top sites in Ireland even the Uk. What has gone wrong with those to manage and run this facility. Having spent a week there I would suggest that making as much money is the driving force and that is a pity.
1. As many sites have been squeezed in as possible making some very small some are very close together cars have to be parked partly on the roadway. There should be no need to have these small pitches or pitches without water supply pitches on which you cannot put up an awning or park your car. The only reason is to make more money.
There is a good pool and play area facilities for kids which on are previous visits were open to all and free to use. Now there is a charge !!. WHY? They are still operating under strict Co - Vid conditions allowing only 8 max in pool at one time booking required. The rest of the country is opening up. Of course this control allows charging.
As I have said this should be a 5 star site.
The area is fantastic with the beautiful and most certainly one of the best beaches in this country and beyond right beside you.
So disappointed to see how this site is being run certainly will return to this area but would consider staying on the other sites.

This caravan site reminded me of a council estate. There were kids everywhere, running a small shop at the top of the site which I'm not sure who was in charge and causing noise well past 11pm. Staff were not friendly and wouldn't even reply when spoken to..toilets were filthy.
The small pool was good for my kids as both were under 5, but any older would be disappointed.
We stayed in a corner which gave us some more space, otherwise we think it would be very crowded.
We stayed on site as little as possible to be honest. Rules were not adhered to or enforced. Didn't feel like it was "family friendly".
Won't be back here. Only positive we found was the Waves cafe which was lovely and clean toilets finally!!

we had our first ever camping trip as a family and wanted somewhere that would ease the girls into the experience. benone didn't disappoint great area for the tents, standings can be hard so bring good tent pegs. lots of things for the kids, my girls are young but also surf and sup lessons for the older ones electric hook up was great we has movies at night on the projector and nice cold drinks.
and what a beach on your doorstep catch the sunset and sunrise from the dunes its by far mtt favouret beach in northern ire 6 miles of golden sands, (pity the water wasnt a bit warmer) but hey ho its northern ire not the med.
if i had to fault anything i would say the toilet block could do with a re ferb but other than that i couldn't fault the place. my family is hooked and looking forward to our next camping adventure we will diffidently be back for longer next time

I enjoy this site when i can get a space there, usually full up, which shows a good thing. It is kept clean and i have found the staff very helpful. Have not been since last year, and no visit this year as pandemic has screwed everything up.

Definitely not a caravan park to come with children who go to bed before 11pm. A lot of rowdy activity late on, really disappointing as it seemed to be family orientated park. Facilities grubby an in need of updating/deep cleaning. Wouldn’t be in a rush back

What a fabulous campsite. Huge pitches and a great location just a short walk to the beach. They had temporary portaloos and showers for the camping field and they were always clean and tidy.
Very peaceful site and surprisingly quiet.
Lovely dedicated bbq area.

Had a lovely three night stay in the glamping pods, very basic but we all squeeze in. Benone beach is beautiful and so handy to get to from the site. I was very disappointed with the shower and toilet facilities, I think they would need upgraded or maybe professional cleaners come in and clean them. Also at the kitchen area people just left their rubbish and food waste, there was no bins provided there. Apart from the beach and having great company with friends wouldn't really rate the actual site.

I have camped in our large family tent numerous times at Benone Tourist Complex and have always had a great time with my husband and two young boys.I phoned up today to book a pitch for August and when I told them the size of our tent apparently now it is too big :(
They now only take bookings for up to 6 man tents..Our tent is a 8 man tent with 2 large bedrooms which comfortably fits our family of 4 and all our kit.So now we can no longer book at this camp site.I feel that this will mean that families with large tents are no longer welcome at this site which is a real shame as it appears to be family friendlyalas but no longer.I would not recommend this site for families who have large tents

I arrived as a single parent after a telephone booking, we booked from the 16th to the 21st.

Upon arrival and check in I was informed I was a day late. My booking started from the 15th. I specifically said I could not stay from Sunday the 15th, she booked me in anyway. They asked did I get a confirmation email, yes I did. The dates wernt on the email it's self,but on the pdf accompanied. I explained I couldn't download the pdf without WiFi, I was told tough it's your fault. They also refused to refund the first nights money even tho "margaret" the warden took the call and booked us in,she denied telling me the booking started on the 16th. Then I was told to leave a day early aswell because they had booked someone into my pitch for the 20th. Again with nothing refunded.

Anyway, on we go to wed 18th. Just after dinner time the sluce/toilet inside the site started flooding. Raw sewerage flowing from the drains etc. Out come the council staff to sort the drains, they lift the man holes and raw sewerage starts flowing out, all over the grass camping pitches. One family actually had to lift 3 sleeping children from their beds to move the tent as it was soaking up the grass closer to them.

The stench was absolutely horrendous. The council men hoaked and poked until after 11pm keeping everyone from sleeping. Fixing nothing but leaving a huge flood light on shining into every tent.

The next morning they arrived with a lorry as we sat around eating breakfast,to suck the sewerage out, making all of us heave and vomit.

When I complained to "margaret" the next day I was told " sure it's gotta be done" 3 weeks into the July holidays and this couldn't of been done off season?? I was handed a refund form to try and claim for the night before, also being told I'd probably not get it anyway.

2 family's packed up and left early. losing money, absolutely disgusted. I was dissapointed i didnt do the same but the children wanted to stay for the beach.

This has been a truly terrible experience from the minute we arrived. Benone council should be extremely ashamed of yourselves.