Riva Bella

Awful! Firstly, the camp images on trip advisor or Caravan Club www are not reality. The pitches are overgrown, crammed in, dirty and unorganised. They haven't been mowed in weeks; some are dustbowls. Glamping cabins seems to take priority here. On arrival we waited for 40 minutes whilst the camp had a "meeting". This only ceased when a French lady knocked continually for 5 mins. She was very upset and had a stand-up row with the owners. We were allocated a pitch, which was only 4 meters long (8m motorhome booked) and had a tent halfway across it. The caravan club need to rethink this camp. We were then visited on night 3, as they didn't know our name?? Also, our pitch was allocated the next day to another UK couple, despite our reserved sign etc. Management haven't a clue. Lots of very noisy families till late, no regard for your pitch, walking through it etc. Facilities WC poor, e.g. missing toilet seats, dirty, no paper. There are building works for the cabins (piles of new and scrap wood) in several pitches. The pool complex is lovely however, although we were thrown out on the last night for wearing swimming shorts! Why??? Ironically, the image on the site website shows soneone wearing shorts just like ours! When I told the member of staff that we had walked past her all week with no issues; I was called a liar. We saw lots of French families, German, Dutch and British wearing shorts all week. We were told to go shopping for new ones! Shame management couldn't/wouldn't stop dangerous behavior in the pool, or the substantial use of balls in the pool (also forbidden, but not challenged). The bar equals a meagre stocked fridge, limited menu. Finally, the rubbish bin area is disgusting; overflowing throughout our weeks stay and swarming with wasps as a result. Will not be coming back sadly.

Comment from the Club:

The site was recently visited this year by an experienced Club representative to ensure the quality and safety for Members. The site has changed ownership again and we have been assured of the following for 2024:

1) There will be a security guard on duty at night who will let members access the site as they get off the late ferry. Members can also leave for the early ferry with the barrier code given to them by the site. The campsite is fenced with a gate and coded barriers and is situated 5 mins after leaving the ferry port.
2) Each sanitation block will have its own designated cleaner for 2024 to keep the standards consistently high.
3) There will be no building work in 2024 as the swimming pool is completed as is the renovation of the sanitation buildings and the installation of the wooden lodges.
4) When members arrive in low season they are asked to choose their pitch from the many on site but in high season they may be allocated a pitch if arriving late in the day. There are an equal number of camping pitches as mobile homes and Chalets on the site
5) The new outdoor pool area has a small toboggan and sunbathing area next to the small bar and snack restaurant. The majority of French campsites ask their customers to use swimming trunks rather than shorts for hygiene reasons.

We are confident that with the new management and investment in this site Riva Bella remains a safe and convenient stopover for the ferry to and from Caen 05/12/23

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We booked this site because we had an early ferry and the location is perfect for the ferry terminal. As we arrived we could see there was a lot of building work taking place. Things were fraught in reception and a very heated discussion took place with the previous person. The young girl in reception was pleasant and spoke good English. The directions to our pitch were clearly highlighted on our map. There are a lot of new static caravans and lodges being built on the site and most of these are part constructed. Many of the pitches have piles of wood on them. There are no pitch markers on site and it was very difficult to find where we were supposed to pitch. A member of staff directed us. The pitch was far too small for our large caravan and far too close to the other campers. The staff member directed us to a different pitch. We set up and headed out for the afternoon. On our return we had neighbours either side. I couldn’t open our side window without hitting the tent on one side. We struggled to get into the caravan because the car on the other side was so close. We returned to reception to ask to move to the overgrown grassy area at the back edge of the site. This was better as it allowed us to remain hooked on for our early departure. The site was very noisy over night. The next morning we departed early. The site had piles of building materials everywhere and the bin area was disgusting. Piles and piles of bin bags. We would not recommend this site.

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Our experience of the site was extremely good. The check in, although later than planned due to the ferry being delayed in Portsmouth by 30 minutes, was very efficient and we were able to find the pitch without a concern as they gave us a site map. The site facilities were good, modern, clean and there were no issues on an evening with any disturbance at all. The site was being used by a range of nationalities. Yes, there are still migrants but they are now based along the canal route and were only apparent when we cycled down to see Pegasus bridge from the site, but there again there was no issue at all. I would say the site more than met our expectations. It appears previous issues were due to a mistake by staff in booking travellers onto the site. I would also recommend the Boulanger a short walk from the site and which across the road from the main supermarket.

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Only stopped one night, but seriously considered leaving and staying in a hotel. When we arrived there were a large group of young men congregating and lying around near the entrance - which seemed odd. The staff spoke little English and did not seem to understand any French spoken by me or other English speakers. We were put on a pitch next to a group of men drinking playing music and being quite loud and looked like manual workers. We asked to move pitch, but we’re refused at first, even though others were free, but eventually were swapped for someone who hadn’t arrived yet. Other pitches looked like people were living in the tents - it looked a little like a transit or workers camp in places. The toilet and facilities block seemed too small for the number of people there, it was dirty and many toilets were blocked & overflowing, with dirty puddles on the floor of the showers. I wouldn’t use the showers or washing up facilities as it was not clean. There were very few lights at night with some not working. I did not feel entirely safe. When I asked if we could leave at 6.30 for the boat they repeatedly said that the gate only opened at 7, when I returned with my booking information saying it could be arranged for 6.30, they said that would be fine, why they wouldn’t let me the first time I don’t know. I would not recommend this site even though it is extremely close to the Caen ferry, another family there were treated very badly at the pool and the manager was very rude to them. Felt grotty and definitely not a holiday place.

Club Response: We were very concerned to read your review as having inspected the campsite earlier in the season we found it to have been of a good standard, with clean wash blocks, well tended pitches and a good range of amenities. We are aware of the ongoing presence of some migrants around the campsite and there is occasionally a small group at the campsite entrance but we are assured that none of the migrants have ever entered the site and no problems have resulted from their presence.
We contacted the campsite for an explanation on your feedback and they advised that they don`t have workers living on site. However, they did have a small group of travellers around 15th August who were noisy and, at times ill behaved and they were asked to leave the site. The campsite management have asked us to pass on their apologies for any disappointment or inconvenience resulting from the behaviour of these campsite users.
Site management have also apologised for the unacceptable state of the waskblocks at this time. It seems that, unfortunately, 2 members of the cleaning team unexpectedly left the site at a very busy time, leaving the cleaning team badly depleted. Although considerable efforts were made to maintain a good standard, this problem occurred at the peak of the high season, and regrettably some cleaning problems resulted. They have also apologised for the confusion about your early departure time and have confirmed that any pre-booked guests arriving late, or departing early will be welcome at Camping Riva-Bella.
The management team have assured us that they have the cleaning under control now but we will continue to closely monitor this campsite which is as you mention in a very useful location for those using the Brittany Ferries service. As Ouistreham port is so close by it remains a useful choice for those arriving late, or departing early on the ferry.

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Stayed here over night to catch the Ferry the following day. Reception was closed on arrival at 1pm and didn't open til 2pm. Three people then started checking in the large queue that had built up. Surely they could have staggered the lunch times and kept Reception open. Pitch was a good size. Toilet / shower block absolutely filthy. One of the loos had excrement all over the cubicle and was over flowing. The others were not clean. Lots of French workers staying there by the looks of things using as a cheap place to stay. Definitely not on holiday. Made loads of noise until nearly midnight (music, shouting etc) with no security to tell them to curb it. Swimming pool was absolutely rammed to the point of being dangerous. Has so much potential but we won't be staying here again.

Club Response: We were very concerned to read your review as having inspected the campsite earlier in the season we found it to have been of a good standard, with clean wash blocks, well tended pitches and a good range of amenities. The closing of the Reception for lunch isn`t unusual in France and many campsites prefer a full closure rather than split lunch arrangements for their staff.
We contacted the campsite for an explanation about your feedback and they advised that they don`t have workers living on the site. However, they did have a small group of travellers around 15th August who were noisy and, at times ill behaved and they were asked to leave the site. The campsite management have asked us to pass on their apologies for any disappointment or inconvenience resulting from the behaviour of these campsite users.
Site management have also apologised for the unacceptable state of the waskblocks at this time. It seems that, unfortunately, 2 members of the cleaning team unexpectedly left the site at a very busy time, leaving the cleaning team badly depleted. Although considerable efforts were made to maintain a good standard, this problem occurred at the peak of the high season, and regrettably some cleaning problems resulted. The swimming pool was also unusually busy at this time, largely as a result of the very hot weather and the peak French holiday week. The management team have assured us that they have the cleaning under control now but we will continue to closely monitor this campsite which is in a very useful location for those using the Brittany Ferries service. As Ouistreham port is so close by it remains a very useful choice for those arriving late, or departing early on the ferry.

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We stayed here before catching the 8:30am ferry and it was fine. The bar sold pizzas and burgers which were really good, and we pitched with our car/caravan still hooked up allowing for a quick getaaway. The only downside was the 10s of immigrants outside the perimiter which was slightly worrying and put us off walikng to town, which is why we ate on-site. I'd stay here again.

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We choose this site due to it location to visit the Normandy beach landings on our European trip. This was to be our last European site from many. We checked the site before booking and noted the clubs statement about the migrants camping nearby but didn’t realise it was outside the site. I asked if there was any issue with the migrants outside which the warden said no they are just waiting to go to England. I can confirm no migrants were seen on the site and still felt safe for the kids to play on site etc. Our only issue with the migrants is the noise they made at night as they are quiet during the day and noisy by night and our pitch was up by their camp. The facilities were good with toilets, showers and a pool. The toilets have no seats or toilet roll but this I think is a french thing. Big showers with sink units in but the push button only lasts a short time less 30 seconds at a time if that but were clean. We never got to use the pool but looked at it which was a good size and always busy. You can’t leave before 0630hrs in the morning so if you need to leave earlier you need to leave the night before All in all good for the family and good location with supermarket nearby 5 min walk which also has 24hr fuel and a wine shop.

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This is our third consecutive year staying at Riva Bella.We always stay the night before our 08.30 departure on the Caen Portsmouth Ferry.The first year the site was populated by what would be best described as fair-ground folk who enjoyed staying on their seasonal pitches.Since then the site has been bought out by a chain and has enjoyed a complete modernisation.This obviously has been reflected in the nightly rate. The swimming pool is lovely and likewise the shower block.It is worth a mention about the migrants,whilst the numbers have dramatically reduced this year there is still a distracting presence.Whilst waiting to fill up at the excellently priced petrol station near the campsite I noticed in my wing mirrors a migrant climbing into the back of my 4x4 pick up....... not releasing my two loyal dogs were also in the back. The commotion that followed made for entertaining viewing. Please dont let this isolated incident put you off........

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Stayed 5 nights for the Normandy 75 commemorations and it was a perfect base for that. The site itself seems very well managed and clean and the owners and staff most helpful and pleasant. Really can't fault it. The small group of migrants lurking near the main road were giving no trouble as far as I could see. I walked past them many times. Their presence has nothing to do with the site management and security seemed excellent. Chiefly I felt sorry for those people and even sorrier that reasons exist for their presence. Overall a great place and I will almost certainly go back.

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This was our third stay here for before & after the ferry. It is so convenient for the ferry. The book in after getting off the 9:15pm ferry was friendly, amazingly quick & very efficient. Our pitch was fine. A lot of the pitches here appear to be small, but think your average CC hard standing pitch. The people next to us were allowed to use an empty pitch to have their car & caravan ready hitched for the early morning ferry. The little loo block nearest to us left a little to be desired, but we used one of the new blocks further away. The showers there are great - a big cubicle with sink & shower, about 2-3 times the size of a CC shower. The water was hot & they were very clean. There was a presence of migrants near to the site entrance, but the same as last year, there was absolutely no trouble, nor did we feel in any way intimidated. We would not choose to have a whole holiday at this site & would only use it for over nighters, as there are far better sites along that stretch of coast.

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