Barcelo Ponent Playa, Cala d'Or

...d'Or
Hotel - Barcelo Ponent Playa 3 * rating

We decided to go to Majorca, and have a family holiday. Then decided to go with another couple (my childs God Parents) as they were due to move to Canada in the October. We thought this would be nice to have a holiday together before they moved. We went along to our local First Choice Branch and asked for a hotel which would fulfill our demands;
*We wanted a hotel close to ...
...is a self service.
Barcelo Ponent Playa Restaurant - Offers a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning. Breakfast normally consists of cereals, Fresh fruit, freshly made croissants, cakes and a full cooked breakfast. You can also have Fresh fruit juice or tea/coffee from the machines that are situated around the dinning hall.(If you want croissants best get in early as the Italians steal them all)
*Lunch can either be at the main ... more

Majorca - Summer 2006
Cala d'Or
Hotel - Barcelo Ponent Playa 3 * rating

We decided to go to Majorca, and have a family holiday. Then decided to go with another couple (my childs God Parents) as they were due to move to Canada in the October. We thought this would be nice to have a holiday together before they moved. We went along to our local First Choice Branch and asked for a hotel which would fulfill our demands;

• We wanted a hotel close to a beach,
• Walking distance to local town life for nice evening meals out
• Child friendly.
• Short flight time.
  This was our first family holiday.

Barceló Ponent Playa is situated on Cala Ferrera beach, in the beautiful city of Cala D'Or in south-western Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands. We felt this hotel fulfilled what we wanted and thought we should book this ASAP, as we were booking late May we knew there would be a slim chance this hotel would be full but luckily we could book. We booked 14 nights Half Board package. This cost us £1504.00 that works out at approx £742 per adult and child Under 2 was £0.00 but £20 Flight. This was booked in the May, Unfortunately 4 weeks after booking our friends posting (Army) was moved to August and could no longer go with us, They received a full refund by First Choice, good Customer Service.

************** Flight time and check-in **************

I was not looking forward to this flight due to the fact this was the first time my little boy had been on a plane and i didn’t know what to expect. The staff on board First Choice Airways was very helpful. It took approximately 2 and half hours flight time to get to Majorca from London Gatwick. The onboard entertainment was quite good, there was a few cartoons for the children at the beginning of the flight then a few episodes of Friends. This I found wasn’t too bad as it was a short flight. In-flight meals were basic sandwiches and refreshments. On arrival in Majorca we had considerable help from the Airline with our buggy and other items. This gave me a good impression on support from this Airline if you are travelling with a young child or children. Once we had gone through passport control we were put on our coach. After around 40 - 60 minutes (64Kilometers away) later we arrived at our hotel very tired and Jaime was shattered. It took so long getting to our hotel due to the fact we were the last drop off point. The Hotel is also 60 kilometres from Son Sant Joan International Airport.

*********Security, Check-in and Rooms************

I remember when we finally arrived at the hoteli thought it looked clean and well maintained. Then once off the coach we were taken to the reception desk which was manned by two personnel, who spoke quite good English. The reception area was all cream marbled and around 4 big sofa’s spread around the entrance. They took our names and told us our room number also photo identification and credit card or cash deposit are required upon check-in for incidental charges. We were on the 2nd floor, This I was not impressed with as I asked for a ground floor due to having a small child, but they told me the hotel was fully booked up. Not a tick in the box here!! Plus no porter to help us with our luggage. Thankfully there was 2 lifts that goes all the way up to the 5th floor, so if you have walking/climbing difficulties you’ll have no worries here.
The room was Quite spacious and very clean. We booked a double room and we were given a twin room with a child’s travel cot beside ours. The bed’s are comfy with fresh smelling sheets, with one pillow. There is a colour TV (No English channels except Sky news, Which was repeated every 30 minutes and Sky sports.). Ample size fridge underneath a dressing table/desk, White tiled bathroom which is kept clean, with a bath. Towels and sheets are changed daily. The room was fitted with Air con/ heating, to which we only used at night to get a decent nights sleep. The room was also fitted with an In-Room safe, deposit paid at reception desk on arrival (Deposit paid back when you check-out) Our room faced the main entrance and the night stage area. We found this ok as we could happily sit on our balcony and watch the night entertainment while our little boy was inside asleep. The music is turned off at 11 pm. To get to our balcony we had double doors which lead out onto a small balcony, as the room was on the 2nd floor. If you have a ground room then you would open up onto a terrace. All terraces and balconies are furnished with 2 chairs and 1 table. You can book Smoking rooms.

**********Restaurants, Service and Quality of Food*********

Barceló Dining
There are three places to eat at the Barcelò

• Ponent Playa Restaurant - Attire is smart/casual, no beach wear. 08.00 - 21.15 Breakfast is served between 08.00 and 10.30
• Beach snack Bar - Attire Anything. 10.00 - 23.00
• Pool Snack Bar - Attire is Anything. 10.00 - 23.00 - Night time entertainment is played by local jazz or duets.

On your first visit to the Ponent Playa restaurant you help yourself to an available table and it is a self service.
Barcelo Ponent Playa Restaurant - Offers a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning. Breakfast normally consists of cereals, Fresh fruit, freshly made croissants, cakes and a full cooked breakfast. You can also have Fresh fruit juice or tea/coffee from the machines that are situated around the dinning hall.(If you want croissants best get in early as the Italians steal them all)
*Lunch can either be at the main restaurant (lunch between 12:00 and 15.00) or the beach snack bar. The main restaurant offers again a buffet style meal. The snack bar serves chips, pizza and light meals. (This was not include in our packages as we went Half board).
*Dinner in the main restaurant is between 19.00 and 21.15. This is served in a buffet style you can try typical Mallorcan dishes, including regional sausages, cured meats with eggplant and potatoes, followed by apricot cake, fresh fruit, almond cakes and jelly. The one note I will make is that they serve Chips everyday and you could get sick of the sight of chips! We did!

***********The All inclusive Program**************

Full board - Breakfast, lunch & dinner (House wine, water, soft drinks, beer during meals)
Selected snacks during day time when the main restaurant is closed. (No snacks will be available when the main restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Selected brands of national and international alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, tea, coffee (10:00 to 23:00)
Afternoon tea/coffee and biscuits (From 15:00 to 18:00)
Ice cream for adults & children (From 10:00 to 23:00 )

There is an entertainment section with an out door stage. This is where the hotel reps do most of there entertaining, children’s disco, cabaret shows, Parrot show ( which you can have your picture taken holding the parrots, for a small fee) and the local flamingo dancing. There is a bar just inside which serves just bar snacks I.e. crisps

***********Beach area***********

The beach is reached by walking down quite a few Steep steps from the Beach bar area. The beach is shared with other hotel near by as it is situated on a cove. The sand is quite Clean, soft and fine texture. The sea is very clear and quite shallow you can walk out for at least ½ mile before it goes past waist level. The only problem is that when we stayed it was plagued with Jelly fish, and the lifeguard will not let you in the sea. There was a few incidents where people were stung and it was not pretty. As for having a small child we made the beach twice but didn’t risk the off chance. As it is shared with other hotel is can get packed very quickly and you have to pay for your sun bed. There are shower facilities just slightly off the beach to rinse of the sea water. We did notice a fresh fruit man that travel up the beach with his wheel barrow, we purchased a bunch of grapes and they were very juicy and at a good price.

****** Main Pool**********

There is only 2 pools at the is hotel. The main one is of an average size, not like others I’ve been to on holidays. This pool is just like the one probably down your local swimming pool back home a boring rectangle shape. At the shallow end of the pool is where they have put the children’s pool which I have to say is TINY. It was approximately 1metre x 1 metre rectangle, with no sun coverage. We also noticed the bottom was tiled therefore very slippy for toddlers, and a few did slip whilst in the pool quite scary at points as you can imagine. This area is popular with families and can be very busy, therefore if you want to beat the crowds you’d better get up early to grab a bed. There is adequate amount of sun beds which are free and umbrellas. There is outdoor toilets but I advice you don’t use them as in the middle of the summer and the weather is hot it’s not very pleasant smelling. It is only a 2 minute walk back to reception area and use the toilets there.

***************Hotel facilities**********This hotel has been awarded 3 * and has 430 guestrooms, (388 Double and 42 Single)
There are some excursions you can book a popular one is Pirates in Magaluf but we couldn’t go due to Jaime. We went to Magaluf great western water Park - amazing stuff and a great day out with children (old or Young) and it was reasonably priced. All 3 of us enjoyed that day, we made friends with another family and they came along with us and had a fantastic time. There is also the following available at the hotel:

• 24-hour front desk
• Automated Teller (ATM)
• Baggage Storage
• Car Rental Desk& Bicycle Rental
• Foreign Currency Exchange
• Laundry
• Safety Deposit Box - small fee
• Postal and Fax service
  *Babysitter (on request

Fitness

• Turkish Bath
• Games Room
• Children's Playground
• Sauna
• Spa
• Pool Table small fee
• Pool - Water aerobics

Pets not allowed******** Local Town***********

I have to put this is my review we walked to the Marina most evenings with Jaime in the buggy and it is a beautiful walk. It is approximately 1 ½ miles away but the boats and restaurant where out of this world. It is definitely a place to visit of your in the Cala d’Or area. There is a Noddy train you can take if you experience walking difficulties, which is only about 2€. It runs every hour till about 21.00. Local bars have got the Soaps on at night if you’re a soap fanatic, and are ran by English owners. The prices here are quite good for meals out as well and they normally serve your typical English pub food. There is also a fun fair which is only in operation at night, great for older children. There is trampolines, face painting, artists and you can even get your own face of a mug!! There is a local shop right outside the Hotel which sells British News papers at 2€ about £1.50 postcards, buckets and spades and other confectionary. PLEASE Do be careful of pick pocketing and bag snatching, you shall see the police walking around the town.

**********Prices this year comparison********

Cosmos
14/08/ 2007 for 14 nights Half Board
Adult price £629.00
Child Price £454.00

Sky Tours
13/08/2007 for 14 nights Half Board
Adult £715.00
Child - not shown

Thomas Cook
14/08/2007 for 14 nights Half Board
Adult £749.00
Child £545.00

Barceló Ponent Playa
Cala Ferrera. 07669
Cala D´Or, Felanitx
Mallorca
Spain
www.barceloponentplaya.com 

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