Reviews of Rey Don Jaime Hotel, Santa Ponsa

This was the first time I have been to this hotel and it was great!



The rooms were basic but still very good. The hotel is only 10 minutes away from all the night clubs, bars and restaurants. The hotel is great for young and old.



The entertainment was the best thing about this hotel the staff are so helpful and would do anything for you the entertainers were always doing something by the pool like water polo, killer pool, quizzes.

They did loads and had a different show every night. The food was good. The bar stayed open till 3 in the morning it was great, the karaoke started at 1 it was brilliant!



Had a great holiday here and fully recommend it and I cant wait to go back!

We have just had seven excellent nights at the Rea Don Jaime and would highly recommended this hotel.



The Hotel is well situated near all the amenities, it is very friendly, and all the staff make you very welcome and will help you as much as they can.



The hotel is suited for both couples and families of all ages. There is plenty to keep the kids and adults entertained, some very good shows on a evening by the Hotels entertainment staff.



Accommodation is of a high standard and rooms are cleaned every day.



The food was again excellent and plenty of choice I never heard any one complain in the whole week. Any one going here will enjoy it and it is well worth the cost.



Thank you all at the Rey Don Jaime.

We have just returned from the Hotel Rey Don Jaime which we visited twice before in 1982 and 1983.



The hotel was then full of Germans. You can imagine our surprise when we came down for breakfast the first morning after arriving at 4 am, to find it thronging with Spanish speaking Pensioners!



Yes, the Germans had fled to be replaced by Spaniards on Government Free Holidays!



The noise was atrocious, their manners were poor, they were shouting all the time and the food at breakfast was barely acceptable.



We tried the evening meal on 3 nights of the 7 booked and it was very poor. I cannot explain what the evening meals were like, except that it reminded me of school dinners when I was a kid.



I would not advise anybody to go to a hotel that is catering for Spanish Pensioners or Spaniards on free Government holidays.



Now I know why the Germans went and so did the quality of the Hotel. They have moved on to Paguera down the coast, lucky beggars.



They do not stand for poor holidays so why should the British? Because we are mugs!

April was just as bad it seems - again full of rude Spanish pensioners and food was catering to the level of the budget given by the Spanish government.



The restaurant was just out of control, sit anywhere, find your own cutlery and don't expect to be asked if you want a drink with your meal.



But things improved from the 1st of May & guess what, the drinks prices went up at the same time - 2 x gin & tonics 5 Euros hey not bad, 1st of may same drinks now 8 Euros mmm not so good.



When reception were challenged as to whether we now had to pay English prices as the Spanish were going home, they advised it was now high season!! Even though there were less people in the hotel.



Booked through sky travel and just about got my money’s worth.

Don’t go to Santa Ponsa in March . This seems to be when the Spanish pensioners get their free government holiday.



The hotel was full of Spanish pensioners. Who we found to be rude. Entertainment was in Spanish and was really bad.



The food was just awful! Maybe they were catering for the Spanish guests. One night we had a choice of spam fritters or pigs trotters.



Couldn’t eat there. Got food poisoning my second week, but not sure where from as we had to eat out a lot.



Sewers were being dug up so smell was bad, and weather was freezing!



Never again!

Santa Ponsa is more akin to Blackpool, nothing going for it at all. McDonald's & Burger King only a stroll from the hotel. Beach never felt that clean, sun beds very uncomfortable.



Entertainment in most pubs, hotels etc. doesn't start until 10-11pm, karaoke often after 1am. The food and choice at the Hotel Rey Don Jaime left a lot to be desired, never want to see roast beef & Yorkshire pudding again. Soup was barely luke warm sometimes. The street musicians who came out in the evenings were the highlight of our holiday.

Our stay was the end of July beginning of August.

Flight with Thomsonfly, very nice, please see review at Holidayjets.co.uk.

Transfer was with a local Hopper. Uneventful and on time.



HOTEL LOBBY/RECEPTION



This typically decorated Spainsh Hotel, has a very looming and open Lobby/Reception area. Marble from floor to ceiling.



Check-in was very swift and painless. Helpful and attentive staff. Vending machines for snacks, sweets, drinks and shampoo! Honest!



Internet station, inside pool and Security Guard on duty at all times.



ROOMS

We were three...and the room was ok for our needs.



Air-con was in perfect working order, and we needed it. The tip about taking your library card works or just use a bit of paper, keeps the aircon going when out.



The rooms are all non-smoking as far as I was aware and they do have very sensitive alarms. The steam from the shower set ours off! Oops...sorry everyone!



Kettle, TV as standard, Safe (payable locally).



Wardrobe space was a bit thin on the ground with our room, but I think that was because we had a double with an extra bed. Room enough to sleep in and thats all we wanted.



Rooms were cleaned every day, beds changed every other day.Towels changed when you wanted, i.e: Leave in the bath and they get changed. Housekeeping staff very chatty...I like that!



We had a room on the first floor, away from the pool area and the view was non-existant. However, they had tried to make it more lively by placing pots and plants and painting the flat roof green....worked for me! I wasn't there for the view.



The only thing I would suggest, is that if you like to read a book on your balcony,you read it before midnight.The outside lights go out and you can't switch them on again. Shame.



RESTAURANT

What can I say, even the most fussiest of eaters will find something to eat. The food here is of good quality, hot and replenished frequently.



Kids section at every meal time, but very suprised to see so many Adults eating from here, but each to their own.



Staff helpfull and very polite.



ENTERTAINMENT

WOW. We went for a hotel based holiday, we were there for just a week.

The entertainment staff - Lee, Cool Becks, Bingo Mark, Crazy Steve and New Girl Laura- Rachel also, however, she had an unfortunate accident and we only saw her once-wearing a neck collar!



Anyway, Thses guys and gals are just perfect for what they do! Keeping all entertained throughout the day until midnight.



I have never laughed so much in my life!



The bingo..well...I never ever play bingo on holiday but I just had to. Sad maybe, but what a giggle....a t-shirt for the line winner and jug of sangria for the house winner.

Its fun and we were on holiday!



Kids comps in the day with mini disco at night and presentation of certificates for the kids, with gold medals thrown in. They all loved it.



Five out of the seven nights that we were there, had an act. Tribute to the Four Tops..wow..they were good, parrot show, Riverdance Tribute, the list goes on.



Only one night of guest participation. And yes I won a medal, never thought I'd see the day I would sing on stage! Thank goodness it was only Twinle Twinkle Little Star!



POOL & BAR AREA.

Pools, I think are never big enough for the hotel. This was no exception. The pool area just wasn't big enough for the amount of people-the video really doesn't show this, as I filmed early in the morning on an overcast day.



People get up at the crack of dawn to queue at the door(they don't open it til 8am) just so they can get a bed then toodle off for the day so others cant get a bed!



Most days we went to the beach-100m from hotel- came back about 5ish and had a swim in the pool then.



Entrance to the bar area inside is from the pool. Word of warning - remember the marble flooring- nice when dry-trecherous when wet!



Most people just walked the whole length of the hotel, dripping from the pool! This isn't the hotel's fault, just be cautious, it hurts when you fall!



Snacks are available throughout the day(till 4 pm ish) at the bar and are reasonably priced.



LOCAL AREA

We never ventured too far I'm afraid, we wanted a Hotel based holiday for a week, and that is what we got.



On the few times we ate out, the food was a tad over priced for what we got.But hey! It was nice.



Beach nice and clean, shallow and warm.



Water sports are readily available...Please though, if you go out on a pedelo or one of the motorised pedelo's, watch out for the silly man driving the speedboat, pulling that banana thing! His right of way was definately not THE right way!

He almost capsized us, with a smile of course.



The wild parrots are a sight, they flock around like sparrows do in England.



Lots of bars, restuarants and shops to keep you amused if you wish.



I would recommend this hotel to anyone. Its rated a 3*, but in my eyes it could,and should be a 4*.



If I haven't covered anything that you might want to know - Please post a question in our Forum.



Happy Holidays!

Great hotel 100 meters from beach, traditional Spanish decor within hotel. Food buffet style, offering lots of English dishes to suite most of the family. Rooms spacious well furnished, cleaned daily. Santa Ponsa has a wide variety of bars and restaurants, you have the Irish corner, the Scotts corner, the German and Danish sections, all the bars we visited had great friendly atmosphere.



The beach was within walking distance from the hotel the sand was white and clean the water warm and clear. for 9 euros you could hire a sun bed for the day. The only downside was the mad rush every morning at the hotel for the sun beds. The sooner these hotels stop people putting towels on sun beds the better.



I would recommend this resort and hotel to anyone, we will be returning next year.

We visited this hotel last summer (Sorry I took so long to write a review). I have to say that it was excellent!



The rooms were clean, lovely and air conditioned, the staff were fabulous. We only had 1 problem the 1st night of our stay but it was not due to the hotel itself. It was due to another guest in the next room who snored so loud it sounded like someone was cutting down a tree with a chainsaw. The next morning we told the front desk staff and after a friendly laugh with us over it they moved us straight away.



Within 20 minutes we were in another room and our remaining 6 days were absolutely the best. The beach nearby was so clean, white and beautiful. I would highly recommend this hotel and one day we will return to it. We didn't want to come home.

Just returned from a super holiday in this hotel. Husband has mobility problems and hires a mobility scooter when on holiday. First time in Santa P and found resort very suitable for husband with access on all pavements for scooter. We managed to all parts of the town even up to the square.



Hotel - well I don't know why it is not 4 star as I have holidayed in 4 star hotels which were not up to the Jaime standard - even having a kettle in the room was a great benefit.

I’m a veggie so found it brilliant having a veggie section for every meal.



There was ample room for scooter in dining room and staff were friendly, smiling.

Although the plates were small you could have as many as you wished. The main benefit for us was the indoor pool which was wonderful giving my husband the opportunity to swim regularly in privacy and with no hassle.



The view from the room was non existent but we were willing to accept the fact that everything can't be perfect. Good security with a helpful young man on duty in reception at all times.



We will certainly return to the Jaime and can I just say that the rep from Seguro - Richard - was one of the most helpful we have experienced. All in all a most enjoyable experience, even Palma airport was Ok thanks to the special assistance we had arranged.

Just returned, excellent accommodation. The many staff were very helpful, the meals were tasty and choice superb, mainly 'British' fayre but with many local dishes also available. One minor quibble was the size of the dinner plates, more like side plates!



Good entertainment throughout the day for kids and at night time for us more mature types. Close to beach and a short walk to the many bars but far enough away to ensure no noise.



One thing to look out for is the 08-30hrs 'sun lounger handicap'. This involves the unedifying sight of 30 plus guests all racing for their loungers and favourite place by the pool. It is well worth setting your alarm clocks for!



One tip... be aware that if you hire a fridge (20 euros per week) then remove your key card as you leave the room, this also cuts off the electricity thus disabling the fridge (and the air con). Ask for two keys on arrival and leave one permanently in the key slot.



Overall though it was hard to find fault with the hotel and I would definitely recommend it to friends and family alike.

We (My wife, me and 2 teenage boys) booked our holiday only 2 days before arrival and the Don Jaime seemed good value for the price we paid. I would say it is what you would expect from a 3 star hotel in Spain. The rooms we had were basic and quite small with a good bathroom and balcony. The beds however were atrocious, being single, narrow and very hard. I have slept on more comfortable camp beds. The hotel had a large bar where the evening entertainment played out ( usually a tribute band) and a smaller side bar which had live music most nights and stayed open until 3am.



The outside area and pool were nicely laid out but we found it impossible to get a sun bed until later in the day as a queue formed after 7am followed by a mad rush an hour later with many people claiming the same group of sun beds everyday and after depositing towels on them they would disappear until after lunch. The food was generally good although staff tended to hover around trying to get you to purchase drinks in the evening as there were none supplied. Breakfasts could be annoying with only a couple of toasters and some people toasting a whole loaf while others waited and getting a free table was sometimes as easy as getting a sun bed.



The staff were generally polite and the Thompson reps worked hard keeping young (and older) amused. The location of the hotel was excellent with only a 2 minute walk to the beach and 5 minutes to the local bars which were predominately Irish and very loud in the evenings with plenty of live music. Families tended to head to the square which was about a fifteen minute trek uphill where there was free open air live entertainment (tribute bands again, Robbie Williams, Abba etc) but drinks were pricey.



Overall you get what you pay for and the Don Jaime was a pleasant hotel with good facilities and reasonable food and I don’t think anyone booking it would be too disappointed. Santa Ponsa is a clean, safe, small resort with only the odd friendly drunk or timeshare tout but we found it hard to put 2 weeks in, particularly in the evening, as it does get a bit repetitive and a week would be long enough.

Just got back, cant wait to go again. Our group of 6 ranged in age from 4-68 and there was something for all of us. Everything from the check-in to checkout was great, all staff in every area, the food, entertainment and location. The maid came very day and the Thomson reps were always available to help. The food was of higher standard than we expected with plenty of choice for everyone (vegetarians and children were well catered for too). The location was great for the beach, although we spent most of the time by the pool and taking part in some of the activities. Santa Ponsa is great for families. Palma and its Cathedral was well worth the visit and an easy reach by bus. We went on a great night out the Rancho Grande for horse riding or wagon ride for those who prefer, BBQ and line dancing.



If you want henna tattoos, don’t go to Iris...three of us did and had to go back the next day to complain as they had all virtually vanished.



Oh yes.....did I mention the food!

Excellent holiday. Tour operator, hotel, weather, resort, all were top class. First holiday in Santa Ponsa but will definitely not be the last, we’re already wanting to book for May 2006. On arrival at the hotel, we were met with a warm welcome and a big smile by a polite young man named Hosea .All staff were very helpful and friendly. Very good entertainment programme for all ages. The food was plentiful, well presented, hot and something to suit most people’s tastes. The beach is almost on the doorstep with the most beautiful white sand,(the beach having the only blue badge award in Majorca) we were informed by the rep. I agree with some comments I heard and that the hotel should definitely be a 4 star, not a 3.Were glad we tried Santa Ponsa and will go again. Thank you Thomas Cook.

First time at the Rey Don Jamie and can confirm most of the comments in the other reviews. Good food and plenty of choice - aimed at the Brit / Irish market (no other nationalities noticed in the hotel). Hotel was very clean with good entertainment, not overpriced in the bar or for snacks. Bit of a scramble in the morning to get a sunbed (I’ll never blame the Germans again) with some selfish people grabbing beds and then disappearing until nearly lunchtime.



Friendly staff with most of the public facing staff having very good English - hotel would suit people looking for a "safe" holiday where they didn’t need to converse in Spanish (and the bulk didn’t) and the food and drinks (right down to the roast beef, Carling and John Smith’s) make it a home from home. Good mini menu for the very young with their own servery.



Hotel cooks do "show" cooking sessions both outdoor and in and the hotel entertainment staff work hard to keep all ages happy.



A new range of food, drink (no alcohol) and gift vending machines were added while we were there. Most of the items were slightly pricier than you would expect to pay locally (but they do save a little walk in the heat I suppose). Marks off for the charge of 33 Euros (2 weeks) for the safety deposit box (although it does save hassle for you and the hotel) and if you do hire the fridge expect to pay 30 Euros per week ( a bit pricy but it was a great mini fridge and kept drinks etc stone cold).



One BIG snag - mossies!!!! You’ll need to bring / buy repellent and a plug-in repellent device for the bedroom. People were getting bitten in and around the hotel and some, including myself, had lumps the size of 50p pieces coming up - oh er!!



Overall a great two weeks in a very good hotel environment - hope you enjoy it - but keep applying the midge cream as well as the San Miguel!!!