Reviews of Punta Prima Playa Apartments, Punta Prima, Menorca

HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM A WEEK...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs M SWAIN

Comments:

HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM A WEEK LONG STAY AT THESE APARTMENTS WITH MY HUSBAND, 2 YR OLD SON AND MY PARENTS. WE WERE HAPPY WITH THE CLEANLINESS OF THE APARTMENTS AND WE DID HAVE A TOWEL/LINEN CHANGE AND CLEANING OF APARTMENT TWICE DURING OUR WEEK.

WE WERE, HOWEVER, VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE LACK OF ENTERTAINMENT BUT IT SEEMS WE MISSED OUT ON ALOT BY NOT GOING THERE TILL END OF SEPTEMBER AS THE LIGHTHOUSE BAR WAS CLOSED ON ARRIVAL AND NONE OF THE FEW PLACES THERE ARE TO EAT HAD ANY ENTERTAINMENT. WE ALSO DID NOT SEE SIGHT OF THE HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDE THAT WAS MENTIONED IN AN EARLIER REVIEW.

WE ALSO HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF BAD WEATHER, IT RAINED ALOT AND SO WE FOUND NOTHING TO AMUSE OURSELVES EXCEPT FOR THE INDOOR PLAYROOM THEY HAVE FOR YOUNG KIDS AND THE POOL/AIR HOCKEY TABLE.

THE STAFF AT THE COMPLEX WERE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL, PAUL IN PARTICULAR.

PUNTA PRIMA IS A VERY QUIET RESORT - QUIETER THAN I EXPECTED, BUT I SUSPECT IT ISN'T AS QUIET EARLIER IN THE YEAR - WITH ONLY A HANDFUL OF PLACES TO EAT AND ONE DECENT SUPERMARKET (SPAR) AS THE ONE NEXT TO THE PUNTA PRIMA PLAYA IS MORE EXPENSIVE AND SELLS OUT OF DATE FOOD - WE HAD OUT OF DATE YOGHURTS AND MY PARENTS HAD CRISPS THAT WERE 6 MONTHS OUT OF DATE!

Just got back from a 2 week...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr H FINNIE

Comments:

Just got back from a 2 week break and overall we had a great time, so much so that we have aready booked for next year. Not sure if that's something to do with the pouring rain on our arrival back in the UK!



There was a noticable difference between the 2 weeks of our stay (final week in Aug + first of Sep) in that there were a great deal more people around in august and more friends for our daughter Abigail to play with in the fantastic pool area. The atmosphere during the first week was very friendly, I enjoyed the invitation to the pool competitions and the footie in the early evening.



Paul who ran the bar/food area and Irene the chef consistently provided a top quality service throughout our stay and were a good source of local knowledge. The only down side during our stay was the lack of towel changes and cleaning of the apartment. It woud appear that it was down to an administrative error but looking at the other reviews there appears to be a common theme coming out here. A simple one to sort and bump the overall rating up.



Eating out was no problem, our favourite was Casa Fermin and we were even tempted to walk up the hill a bit and sample the Blue Anchor. It is nothing special and I'm at a loss why they sell themselves as the 'only english run pub' in the resort as all the other restaurants managed OK with my non existent spanish. The only positive was the play area for younger children which kept them amused while you had another beer.

Just returned from a week at...

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr G Jay

Comments:

Just returned from a week at these apartments , i traveled with my wife my daughter who is 9 my son who is 14 months old and my mother inlaw .

We found these apartments manageable there were too many pointy corners in the room for toddlers ,towels only changed once within the week . We had read reviews about entertainement ( the lighthouse bar) over the road and also that there was entertainment at the comlex ,but the day we got there it had closed and all the entertainement at the apartments had also stopped (even kids enetertainement) apart from a parrot show and 2 singers , which to me the kids only enjoy the parrot show. Food at the bar is nice staff are freindly , i just felt dissapointed at the lack of things to do for the children apart from a pool table, a snooker table and air hockey .The pool is brill though my 2 children both enjoyed the toddlers pool and the large pool.

Best place we found for food was el faros the last restaurant along the front.

Beach is a must to do its nice and clean and the sea is crystal clear we went snorkeling and were amazed at all the fish swimming around us (brilliant) .

Not many shops to stroll around but they have nice little market stalls changing every other night selling clothes and jewelery and nik naks .

There is also a horse and carriage ride which is a must if you have kids takes about 10mins the kids get to sit on the horse and feed it sugar lumps , there is also a road train which takes about an hour nice trip but a bit long and windy if you have toddlers.

Also a bit off advice for any smokers goint to punta prima there is only one place that sells cigarettes and thats sebastians out of a machine (the only bar), you have to go san luis the next town(about 10mins on the bus) if you want more than twenty.

Overall nice resort , nice apartments , just a bit dissapointed at lack of things to do for children within the comlex.

We will probably not be going back.

Just returned from 2 weeks at...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs A Barrett

Comments:

Just returned from 2 weeks at Punta Playa I travelled on my own with 2 boys aged 10 & 5 and was very apprehensive before I left. However we all had the most brilliant holiday, apartments are fab all the kids played together and everyone we meet whilst there were really friendly.I agree with everyones comments regarding the pool as my 5 year old nearly drowned on our first day. Staff are great, especially Paul who has always got a smile on his face. Entertainment OK, but Lighthouse closed halfway through our holiday so kids got a little bored. Not having the kids club was not a problem for me as the kids played in the pool all day. Made some really great friends (Steve, Natalie, little Josh and Cathy, Andy, Joe and Alex) will be returning next year but will travel a week earlier, as very quiet once the kids had gone back to school. Great holiday for anyone thinking of going on their own with their kids.

Just returned after 2 weeks and...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Independet

Submitted By:

Mr S Collins

Comments:

Just returned after 2 weeks and we had a great holiday,yes it is quiet but just what we were looking for. Our 3 yr old son Josh made lots of friends espeicaly kiera, Eve, Jessica,Ollie ,Ben and brothers George and James who helped keep him entertained over the 2 weeks, thats whats great about this resort your kids make friends almost instantly. All the people we met were very friendly and I'm sure we will see a few of them again next year.. The town itself is none existent but enough restaurants to keep you fed over your stay.

The Blue Anchor is good for sky sports but thats about it the food is bland and beer overpriced but staff friendly.

Staff at the apartments really friendly espiecaly paul who gives you info on anything you need to know and Fracisco and Karlos or (Arny and Danny Devito from the movie twins) as they were commonly known were ok but a bit on the slow side. Overall had a great time in fact we have already booked for the 14-28 August 2009

I have just returned form the...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs A Edwards

Comments:

I have just returned form the Isla Del Aire apartments and found the reviews quite accurate. The apartments are clean and well maintained. The pool is deep in the middle but has a safe separate pool for younger children. It would probably be too quiet for families with teenagers and the grassy areas aren't as big as they look and out of bounds so kids can't play on them.



The lighthouse bar was open in August but wasn't very well attended, in fact the whole area was so quiet it was hard to believe it was August! Only a few restaurants but I didn't hear any complaints about any of them. The one at the end ( El Pesco??) was our favourite. Recommend car hire if you can.



Just watch out for the closest supermarket as they have a very free and easy attitude towards sell-by dates. 3 week old ham is not a joke!

Have just returned from 2 weeks...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs B Simpson

Comments:

Have just returned from 2 weeks at these apartments. Travelled with my husband, 10 and 8 year old kids. We were worried before going due to previous reviews, but were delighted with our holiday!

There are a handful of restaurants and one or two shops in the resort. We ate in most of them and I would recommend Santi's as the food there is delicious! (Chateau Briand especially!!!) DEFINATELY NOT THE ANCHOR servce was slow, food average not what we expected after reading the other reviews, but each to their own i suppose!

Lighthouse kept the kids and adults amused. We must mention Francisco the barman he was great with kids and hubby (who has been learning spanish!!!) and treated us like locals tasting authenic food prepared by his family/friends.

Met lots of nice folks and hopefully some new friends. As there are so few apartments felt kids were also safe everyone got to know everyone else and kept an eye out for all the kids. The pool is a fab size and safe although is deep in the middle, no rowdy nonsense round the pool . There is a "cool room" where the kids can get out of the sun for a while to play with the extnesive range of toys on offer.

Don't run out and buy inflatables for the kids as there is usually lots left by previous guests.

Re the ants no big prob! buy some spray for 3 euros spray round the doors and windows and sweep up your crumbs. Ants live in hot countries its you thats the guest!!!

Only one niggle towels not changed as frequently as expected just keep asking at reception. Maids are mostly english.

Overall really good we gave it 8/10 due to maid service!!!!!

Just returned from these...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs B Maunder

Comments:

Just returned from these apartments - we were concerned after reading reviews but had a lovely holiday. Lighthouse bar is now open and owned by the apartments, you pay 3 euros and children can play there all night from 5.30 - 12pm. ( although it does get a bit crazy later on - no limits on number of children let on the trampolines/ bouncy castle.)

You are able to use the facilities of the Barcelo hotel and the mini waterpark is worth a visit if you have little children. You only need to buy a drink and thy are happy for you to use it.

Apartments nice all staff friendly! Only complaint was that apartment was not cleaned enough - we only had towels changed 3 times in 2 weeks!

The resort is very quiet and not enough to do for 2 weeks we would return but only for 1 week or hire a car. The car hire was expensive in resort so best to do before you leave home. The beach was beautiful and lovely clear sea - be aware of the current though - watch the flags on the beach as it can be quite fierce at times.

A handful of restaurants in the resort - nice food in most. A definite must is Manolos

we had lots of lovely meals there over the fortnight and the staff were lovely. The bar in the apartments also serves food - basic but tasty!

was really worried before we...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr S Scott

Comments:

was really worried before we went ref workers but was pleased not a builder to be found.the apartments are basic and some are getting a little spruce up (painted etc). entertainment twice within a week but to be honest the punta prima playa is what you make it. we have been to menorca 4 times and this was the best for our 8 year old son as he had lots of other children to play with.paul the bar manager is mine of information and will arrange taxis for you if you ask. finally, if you want 5* and noise dont go to playa but if you want a family holiday with little or no noise after 12 midnight then this is place to be. eating out along the beach front recommended...

Like you’re doing now, I read...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr P Weston

Comments:

Like you’re doing now, I read the reports and panicked, this year was the third time we were going to Punta Prima, for the same reasons you are probably going, the fantastic resort and the lovely apartments. Well when I spoke to the manager on the phone I was told yes, there had been some workmen staying there but they had left now and yes the Light House was closed, but hey ho a holiday is what you make it and the people you meet there. The resort, in fact the whole Island is in the same state as the UK at the moment recession wise (although there was no sight of Gordon Brown) so it does seem quieter than usual but it is still a fabulous resort. Try eating at the apartments itself, Irene does a fantastic Chicken curry and for the kids the sausage, chips and beans just like you’d get at home. For entertainment take a walk round to the Barceló the drinks are slightly cheaper and the shows go on past midnight. The cheapest supermarket is the Spar, on the front near the pharmacy. If you fancy a laugh, hire a beach buggy from the Barceló, although they are moving to near the train stop in a few weeks, 59 euro’s for half a day, but well worth it. Considering I went with the wife and 4 young kids the place is still as amazing as ever, to the point I have already booked for next year !

Just returned from 2 weeks at...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs F Orr

Comments:

Just returned from 2 weeks at the Punta Prima (end of June/ beginning of July).

The apartments are lovely and the pool is ideal for young kids as it has sloping edges. The apartments were spacious and the cooking facilities are brilliant. There is even a microwave which has a grill which was well used as we found the food at the apartments awful.

The towels were changed every 3rd day but our sheets were only changed once in 2 weeks. The air conditioning wasn't great either as it can not be adjusted. We had 2 apartments and the temperature in them varied dramatically.

There is no kids club and the playroom which was open had practically nothing left in it by the end of our holiday as the kids were just taking stuff out and not putting it back.

There was entertainment twice in the 2 weeks we were there and a dodgy couple singing songs from the 60's, 70's and 80's did not exactly entertain us let alone our 2 year old! There are trampolines and a bouncy castle across from the apartments and we spent most evenings there.

You can use the kiddies pool at the Barcelo hotel if you buy food/ drink at their pool bar. This has some water slides, fountains etc which our wee one loved.

The resort itself is very quiet and perfect for a relaxing holiday which was what we wanted. The best meal we had was at the Blue Anchor. It is owned by an English family and the food/ service was superb. The play area kept the kiddies amused.

Stay away from Sebastians! The food we wanted was not available as the chef didn't have time (he was cooking paella)??? The food we did get was not cooked properly.

My advice would be to hire a car which is quite cheap.The island is beautiful and has lots to do elsewhere. The nearest little town St. Luiis is lovely and the prices there are very cheap. We had tapas at a local place and wished we'd discovered it before our last evening.

Beware of the mosquitos. I have never seen so many especially in the evening.

We are heading out to these...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs K Kelly

Comments:

We are heading out to these apartments next week and I am a little anxious to say the least. Those of you who have been recently, is there any entertainment in the apartment complex itself? I understand that there are no children's clubs now (yes, one of the reasons we booked) but are there reps providing poolside entertainment, such as water polo, football etc. Thank you to anyone who can reply.

myself wife daughter 2...

Overall Rating:

3/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

growler

Comments:

myself wife daughter 2 grandchildren 6 &2 were there for 2 weeks from june 21st

apartments were basic but clean staff friendly we were told entertainment 3

nights aweek non existant kids loved pool and beach there were sme workmen staying

which we did not agree with spoke to 3 or4 familys who had been going there

for past 2or3 years they said they could not believe the difference in complex

from previous year the lighthouse bar where entertainment was normally held

was closed we tried sebastian resurant 1 night meal was served up cold

manolos was excellent & blue anchor was fair would recommend menorca but

not these apertments unless they improve dramatically

We stayed at this resort 2 years...

Overall Rating:

3/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr T Bowman

Comments:

We stayed at this resort 2 years ago and found it an ideal holiday for those of us with a young family. We booked again in January this year to ensure that the resort was not fully booked for our holiday this September. BEWARE! Although the brochure and website says that there is a childrens club you will find out that on the final holiday invoice that the club is no longer available. Direct Holidays will not let you cancel or change your holiday in any way without incurring large additional penalty charges.

If you need a childrens club facility to be included in your holiday as a necessity as we did, dont go here.

I was really panicking after...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs G Crawford

Comments:

I was really panicking after reading the last couple of reviews, but I have to say that I was more than pleasantly surprised when we arrived, in fact the brochure doesn't actually do it much justice. The apartments are fairly basic but adequate and are cleaned really thoroughly. The towels were changed twice when we were there.

Our kids 4 & 2 loved the pool and it was so easy to keep an eye on them.



Granted, it is a fairly quiet resort, but we knew that before we booked and it suited us perfectly, especially since it is such a beautiful place - tip - try and do a little bit of site-seeing. There are a handful of shops (which got cheaper the further you walked down the promenade) and a few restaurants. We tried most of them and then someone told us about the "Anchor". It looks tacky when you walk in but we had the best meal here, the staff were so friendly and there was a little play area to keep the children amused while they waited.



All in all, we thought it was a great place to stay in a beautiful part of Menorca. If you are looking for a lively holiday, don't go here. It is very family orientated and we felt welcome and safe!