Hotel Tropico Playa

Quick summary
Pros: Location, clean.
Cons: Noisy, small, terrible food, poor daytime activities, over priced, awful nights sleep
I have just got home from a wonderful holiday in Palma Nova - Majorca, and thought I would share my thoughts on the Tropico Playa Hotel that we were very unfortunate to have had to spend 2 whole weeks in.
Before booking I read through alot of reviews, some bad some good, and as it was the most affordable hotel we could find in this perfect location we took the gamble and booked a 14 night stay, which actually turned out to be 13 nights (long story short, do not book into this hotel via night flights as you will be waiting around for at least 12 hours with no room on your final day which is completely unacceptable and incredibly inconvenient).
When we arrived our first impressions were that it all looked OK, the place was pretty clean and tidy and it all looked pleasent enough for a 3 star hotel so we were looking forward to staying here. We got escorted to our room which was apparently a quiet room as requested upon booking by myself, along side a double bed. We opened the door and the room was clean and tidy, with a double bed and a decent size bathroom. All was quiet at this point so we laid down to get a couple of hours sleep before starting the next day.
When we woke we went down for breakfast, the room was small and cramped, the staff were all over the place and the food was abysmal, It was not a good start. We were very disappointed with the breakfast but kept our chins up and fingers crossed that the tea would be better. Sadly it wasn't, the vegetarian selection was as minimal as a micro bikini and the rest of the food was well below what you would expect from a 3 star hotel. The fruit was old and disgusting, the puddings were all 'jellyfied' and the soup tasted like some kind of sewerage. The food scored a mesely 3 out of 10 for us.
On to the Pool area, it's way too small, full of children and about enough sunbeds for only a small fraction of the people. You were shaded by huge tree's and the kids pool was more like an oversized, ankle deep bath tub. There was a pool table, shabby table tennis table, dart board, a couple of old arcade games and a daily game of water polo in the 'way too small' pool, really poor day time activites. The snacks, drinks and ice cream bar prices were extortionate and weren't worth half of what you'd pay for them so stay clear of that and nip next door to a small store that sells everything virtually half the price.
The pool area scores a 4 out of 10.
Now onto the noise issues we had. I requested a quiet room and apparently we were given one, which was unquestionably one of the noisiest rooms in the hotel. They situated us in a room which was away from the front road and any noise from the bars etc, which was fine. What they didnt take into consideration was the fact that there was a TV playing on full blast till 1 am every morning right beneath our room where the kids were dumped and would all gather to play until there parents came back from their late night out. The noise was unbearable so we asked nicely to be moved rooms (3 times) and they were incredibly unprofessional and no help at all. We ended up staying in the room the whole 2 weeks due to the staff not co operating and a very poor manager patronising me like there was no noise in that room. Another problem with noise was the stairs weren't sectioned from the rooms so you could hear every flip flop going up and down and every door from the top floor to the bottom floor slamming shut. They had to be slammed or they didnt shut, and to top it off you could even hear your neighbours whispering, the walls were about as soundproof as a board of ply wood. A good nights rest was out of the picture for us on this holiday. Not all rooms were noisy as some people we spoke to said they were dead quiet, others said it was unbearable however, which is how we also felt. Our rep was very unhelpful through out the holiday too.
If it wasn't for the wonderful location of this hotel the place would fail miserably, it's a shame really because we still had a wonderful holiday, we made the most of how good the area was and stayed out of the hotel as much as we could. There are some fantastic hotels in this area but unfortunately this isn't one of them.
On a whole the holiday itself was amazing, but the hotel was unacceptable and I strongly reccomend looking into it as much as you can before booking. It attracts alot of groups of young people going to the BCM and how it has a 3 star rating I will never know. It definitely needs to be reviewed again, 2 stars would be more appropriate. I wont be booking at this hotel again, but will be sure to vstay in palma nova again in the near future as it is a lovely place with plenty to do and excellent weather.
P.S the beds are very uncomfortable.

9 readers found this review helpful

I google earthed this hotel and the 'real thing' was no disappointment location wise. Palma Nova itself is a pretty and busy bay with plenty to watch if you don't want to be in the sea all the time.
I didn't pay an arm and a leg for this holiday so 3* rating didn't create an expectation beyond the cost. I was more than pleased that I'd read previous reviews and worked out that a room away from the lift was a must. I emailed a few weeks prior to departure and sure enough, I had a room furthest away from the lift, on the fifth floor and with a sea view. The rooms are as shown, basic but absolutely fine. The only thing I'd recommend if you're going to stay there is to take a pillow. I mean it, take a pillow!!!!!
We breakfasted early and dined early so never had a problem with queuing to get a seat as later diners had. The hotel cater very much for English visitors so there's full fried breakfast every day. I totally disagree with a couple of other recent reviews I've read, that the breakfast menu is boring. There's cereal, loads of fruit in different combinations, yoghurts, dried fruits, pastries, and sweet biscuits. Lots of fruit juices to choose from and coffee and tea. I'm not convinced there's much else they could offer. Be aware that bacon and eggs don't taste quite like we have them in England but that's not a criticism.
Dinner had at least three main choices plus salads, which i made the most of. There was masses of it and you could stuff yourself silly if you wanted to. One gripe I have, which is nothing to do with the hotel, is the inappropriate dress by some guests. Blokes with bums and tums hanging out of their shorts does not make for pretty viewing while dining. And ladies, please cover yourselves up and save the fashion shows for the beach.
I found the pool absolutely fine and the sun went round it all day. There are loads of sunbeds but I think the hotel managers have given up on their notice that towels on sun beds will be removed if people aren't sitting on them. Lots of 'lounger saving' going on but this doesn't stop you having a good time.
Gail in the little cafe next to the pool, is a mad woman for cleanliness and you're never going to get a tummy bug if she's cooking a snack. Beware the prices though, they are very high but no more than you'd pay at any other hotel cafe.
This place is for the family and the entertainment at night for the kids starts at 7.30ish and it's great. They love it. The 'proper' entertainment seems to start at 10.30ish but I didn't stay for that so can't comment.
There's internet access for those that want it, and Sky telly on all the time for kids, soap addicts and sports fans alike.
Jenny the Thomson rep is great and really down to earth. She's helpful and friendly to everyone.
A real cross section of people were there while I was there. Tats and piercings were common, kids all over the place, couples, teenagers, and oldies (like me). If you're happy with a mixture and haven't got your nose in the air, then you'll be comfortable here.
I want to answer every negative thing that people have recently written but that would take all day so I won't bore you with them. If you've booked a cheap holiday at this hotel, then you'll get value for money. If you're expecting the best 3* hotel on the island, you're going to be disappointed.
Have fun..........

4 readers found this review helpful

This hotel is one in a million it may be small but its still great i went with my grandparents i met some fab people the staff are great especially gail.
The hotel is nicely situated only a minutes walk from beach. Magaluf is only a 10-15 minute walk. The pool may be small but its a nice tempreture and deep. I stayed in room 419 our veiw was over looking most of Palma. Only down side was noisey niaghbours but there only on holiday havning fun just like us. I loved the breakfasts i liked the dinners but i wasnt too keen on them.
I will definatly be staying at the tropico again.!!!!!

4 readers found this review helpful

I was part of a group of girls who stayed in tropico playa and really enjoyed it. We were looking for partying in the magalluf strip but liked the fact the hotel was about 10-15 min walk away from it. Loved the location as the beach is just across the road with nice little cafes and restaurants along the beach. Lots of activities on the beach aswell such as paragliding, peddlos and banana boats. Hotel caters very much for families and has great daytime and evening entertainment for kids, although the organiser did arrange all the teenagers there to have a quick game of water polo which was nice. Staff were great both in reception and the dining room as we werent the easiest of guests as we kept forgetting our key. You can walk in at any time of the morning as long as you dont make a lot of noise which is fair. Overall the holiday was a great first girls holiday. If your looking for non stop partying i would stay in the fiesta jungla but if you want some peace when you get in definately stay here.

5 readers found this review helpful

Not long come back fom a weeks stay in the Tropico Playa. Had a fab time and will definately go back. Rooms were big enough and cleaned every day. We had a beautiful sea view that you would normally have to pay a supplement for. Food was excellent, always plenty of choice and the most beautiful salad bar.All the staff in the dining room were very friendly. The reception staff were also very friendly and helpful. Hotel is situated just across the road from the beach with lots of bars and restuarants near by. We only went to the pool once as people were tending to put towels on loungers early (although there is a sign asking you not to) and the pool was very deep. This wasn't a big problem for us as we love the beach and the loungers and umbrella were only 10 euros 50 for all day.Entertainment most nights in hotel.Kids entertainer was good too. Went to Stadium bar to see westlife tribute band.Shows were good but drinks VERY expensive and show does not start at 10.30 as lady on door tells you. More like 11.30!!!!!!!!!!!!Caan't wait to go there again.

2 readers found this review helpful

Just returned from the Tropico Playa & it was great! Went last year & was just a good this year. Pool is small but the beach is only across the road so doesn,t relly matter. Mini golf is right next door & is fun to play. I, rubbish at mini golf but I really enjoyed it. The Tropico cafe/restaurant next door is lovely with very friendly staff. Food in the hotel is good, always alot of choice. Something for everyone. Staff are friendly & helpful. The Tropico Playa is in a great location near lots of shops & bars. Magaluf is only a 15 minute walk away too. Thare is also a bus to nearby Santa Ponsa & Pama. Thare,s so much to do you can never be bored. Thare is entertainment in the hotel every night except for Saturdays. Overall it is a great hotel to stay in & Palma Nova is a great resort to stay in.

1 reader found this review helpful

hotels ok but dated location fine if you get a pool view or a sea view
nothing works though
lift broke twice no computer for kids the guy installed it a week ago and never came back to turn it on
public phone dosent work most days
half the games have faults
the pool table is older than hitler and i think its seen a few wars
staff are great though and foods ok on some days

1 reader found this review helpful

Hi just back from this hotel.Hotel has a great location staight across from the beach.The food was good and alot to choose from .Dinner room is not very big for the size of the hotel and the same as the pool.We were in room 310 which is great if you want to sit out in the balcony and watch everybody go buy.Location is good for people with walking difficuties as it is all flat outside the hotel.

the powdrill family have been to this hotel five times and we are going again twice this year .its one of the best hotels we have stayed in .it is also ideal for children,being just across the road from the beach,as we have taken our grandchildren four times and they love it.all the rooms we have stopped in have always been clean as the maid service is excellent!as is the food and all the staff who are very welcoming and will do anything for you.everything you need is on the doorstep,bars shops ect.there is also a bus stop a few yards down the road and also the taxirank does a very good service around the resort.we would not stop anywhere else in palma nova .

1 reader found this review helpful

myself and family have just returned from another stay at the tropico playa. This time we were given a front facing room which, although it had lovely views of the sea, it also came with a lot of noise well into the early hours from people sitting outside the hotel on the verandah. This was the first time we had experienced so much noise at this hotel so next time we will definitely request a different room location there. Apart from that, we could not fault anything else at the tropico, the rooms are very clean and adequate, the staff are very friendly and the location is good. We did notice the change in the prices though when browsing the shops, we were last there in july and between then and now the prices have risen quite a bit!