Aparthotel Duva

Just returned from a 3 night stay at the Duva. What a fantastic place. We had no problems at all with the hotel - all the staff were very friendly and the apartment was lovely. The food was all really nice with enough choice for all three of us, and the spa was lovely too. Would definitely return and recommend for somewhere a little bit quieter away from the town.

What a shame that these apartments are not maintained and cleaned properly! Our bathroom was not fit for purpose! It had black mould around the bath and between the tiles, the light fitting was hanging down and the pipes to the toilet were coming away from the walls. There was an old rusty curtain hook lying by the basin when we arrived which indicated to me that the bathroom had not been cleaned properly. I decided to leave it just to see if the surfaces were cleaned the next day. It was still there at the end of the week!!! The cleaners were in and out in minutes and only ever made the beds and changed the sheets.We had to do all necessary cleaning ourselves which included keeping the rooms free of ants.It goes without saying that we didn't prepare food in there.
I'd sum up by saying that they are sadly neglected!

just back from a great holiday staying in these apartments. All the staff were smart, very helpful and friendly. The apartments were clean good sized comfortable beds. the food was really good and would suit every taste plenty of fish and salads. The entertainment was not too bad either and plenty of entertainment during the day if you have kids as matt and jen the entertainment crew were really good with them, They had bingo every night and although im not a bingo fan the prize money was great 30 euros for a line and up to 200 euros for a full house so dont knock it. The pool was lovely and clean and never had to fight for a lounger only downside was it is very deep but good for swimming and they had a kids pool if you just wanted to dip your feet in. The tiles surrounding the pool are very slippy though so you really need to watch especially kids who love to run, however I heard that they were going to remedy this over the winter for next season. I liked the location just a 15 - 20 min walk to town so it was nice and quiet and good views of the hills. The beach is lovely and the water has no big waves and is very shallow you can walk in for ages and it never gets past your waist and is very clear and you see the fish. We went all inclusive which was a first but would definately do it again. Seriously thinking of booking again for next year.

16 readers found this review helpful

We booked the Duva based on its location (quiet, safe and amazing views of the surrounding hills), and the reviews. The Duva was booked directly with Biel ([--]) on reception and was offered half board for eleven days for £25.00 more than just self catering booked with Thompson. With the savings we upgraded to a two bed apartment. Our flight was with Thompson who charged £80.00 transfer fee for the four of us to and from the hotel. On arrival the reception looked like a good quality hotel you would see along the Heathrow Airport hotel strip, modern and spacious. The staff where helpful and smart looking, and showed us to our apartment. The apartment had a portable air-con running due the existing system was faulty, as the day turned into night the portable unit was unable to take the heat out of the apartment, so we was transferred to a one bed room for the night until this was sorted the next day. The next day, Karen (Norfolk lass)on reception offered us a one bed apartment on the 2nd floor for the rest of our stay, and checked with us to see if it met our approval, and it did put a very big smile on our faces, the apartment was a large one bed with a full kitchen inc dishwasher, and we opened the sliding door to a very large balcony area with conservatory furniture plus a table and four chairs, but best of all an amazing view of the surrounding hills and mountains in the distance, we where not over looked so we could enjoy total privacy, and unspoiled views, most nights we watched the sun set peacefully over the hills with the only sound of the odd cricket for company.......bliss.
The uniformed cleaners come everyday except Sunday and do the beds, towels and tidy up, very impressive.
The restaurant - The food was displayed buffet style and plenty of it for breakfast and evening meal. You could eat healthy or not, it was easy to do both, and the variety was as impressive as the quality, all the staff where buzzing around the restaurant keeping it clean and always on hand, most important when the complementary lager or sangria needed changing. My wife is very fussy regarding salad foods in restaurants, she gave in after three days, and loved it. We spoke to a family that ate out as they where on self catering, and they spent each night twice what we paid going half board, all you could eat and drink with no waiting.
The facilities - The main pool was with the main part of the hotel, across the small road to the complex, we stayed next to a pool 1.3m and the upper pool was 0.60m deep and was less busy, come late afternoon and before dinner time we often had it to ourselves or with a few others. The indoor pool requires swimming caps and children are only allowed from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, was relaxing and enjoyable.
Entertainment - We only went to the evening sessions, but Matt & Jenny done a very good mini disco for the children and then bingo where you could win 20 euros or more for a line and 80+ for a full house, so by the time bingo was done we felt we had finished another great days holiday and retired to our apartment for the night.
Last but not least the Reception staff - Informative, professional, smart dressed, very happy to help, chat about football (SKY Sports in lounge area), and spoke very good English, even Karen with her Norfolk twang, and I'm sure would be a utter laugh to share a beer with on their night's off.
To sum it up, this was the first holiday in years where we was able to unwind, enjoy good food on our door step and all the staff made sure it was hassle free where nothing was a problem. Its not a resort hotel its better than that.
Like others we saw on reception during our stay, we enquired when we can book for next year.
Jamie C. Devon

13 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned from a fortnight at the Duva apartments and I promised myself I'd post something up to help others make their holiday decisions.
In summary:
Highs of the Apartments
- The staff were absolutely lovely
- The spa was basic but it was great to go for a swim and use the gym. Also used the tennis courts which are really busy of an evening.
- The cleaning staff were fabulous and kept everything spotless.
Lows of the Apartments
- Desperately need a make-over - looking old and tired and the bathroom in particular was grubby (mould on the shower curtain - pet hate).
- The kitchen (as to be expected really) is very small so anything beyond a simple lunch or breakfast is pretty impossible.
- The old beach towels reserving beds (as early as 7.30 am) was rife.
- The entertainment wasn't our cuppa but we didn't go for that so not a biggie.
- It is a good 15/ 20 min walk to the beach or the main resort and not a particularly inspiring walk either.
Highs of Pollensa itself (Pollensa i.e. The Old Town and Puerto Pollensa the harbour, not to be confused)
- Pollensa old town is beautiful and we spent many nights in the old town which was a 9euro taxi or a very regular & cheap bus ride away.
- The Sunday market in Pollensa Old Town is an absolute must and a lifesaver for those on a self-catering holiday (beautiful cured meats/ cheeses/ olives/ red wine/ oils etc).
- 2 restaurants you have to try if you're going for a slap up meal in the old town are: Latitude & Clivia - both amazing food & service.
- Puerto Pollensa beaches are beautiful and not too packed.
Lows of Pollensa
- Pricey - lunch anywhere esp. near the harbour can easily creep up to 60 euros for 2 pizzas and a glass of beer or wine each.
- If you are going self-catering I'd really advise doing some picnis for lunch - the local food is amazing and it can literally cost 25% of what you'll pay eating in the beach front places.
- Puerto Pollensa is in places disappointingly 'English' with a few unnecessary theme bars that slightly spoilt it for us.
- x 2 Sun beds and an umbrella = 11 euros (good thing is that it's standard everywhere - bad news is that's £10 a day over 14 days = £140 if you can't get a bed round the pool or don't want to).
Overall it was a great holiday and glad we went but not somewhere we'd go back.
Enjoy.

5 readers found this review helpful

We have just come back from the DUVA and super hotel, food was great one of the best, rooms clean and nice.
Pool a bit deep and like all hotels a few more pool beds neede. Both don’t let this put you off as we will go back but not with Thomson’s.
The Biggest let down is Thomson’s location description what utter lies 70mt to beach and 800mts to centre they must be joking!!! Thomas Cook states 1.5km how true that his well done for not giving false information.
Now for the rep (I would name but they wont print) she’s useless and lies like hell we are home and still await her call on the complaint on location!! Also contacted the helpline but you guessed it no answer!!! Also no welcome meeting but Duva is in Pollensa but the rep book says she will tell us all about Alcudia 8km away ok Thomson’s may try to say its only 1.5km away!!!
Go to the Duva but not with Thomson’s.
I dare you to add this to your site!!!

7 readers found this review helpful

Our main concern when booking the holiday was the location of the hotel - there were various reports on how far it was to the resort centre ranging from 500m to 1 Km. The hotel is situated just off a roundabout and it is about 500m to the next roundabout which marks the perimeter of the resort. The road is busy but they have almost completed a proper pedestrain pavement - an improvement over using the cycle lane. It is about another 500m to the promenade passing shops and restaurants. Overall about 15-20 minutes.
The apartment was very comfortable and there was maid service every day except Sunday. The air conditioning was very effective. The pool area is lovely and the water temperature is perfect. Entertainment mainly comprised tribute acts which did not start until about 22.00 following a children's disco and bingo.
If you are self-catering the nearest supermarket is at the next roundabout 500m away. There is a shop just across the main road but it is an absolute rip off.
We were half board and we found the food very acceptable. Credit crunch means that their numbers are down this year so there were no queues but the offerings are more limited. They do a Mallorcan night each week which shows you just how good it could be. A very nice touch is the free beer and sangria with the evening meal.
Overall we had a lovely holiday and neither the hotel or Puerto Pollensa let us down. Congratulations to their bus service. There is a bus every 15 minutes all along the coast to Alcudia and Can Picafort. We would defintely return to the resort and the hotel again.

2 readers found this review helpful

What can i say about Puerto Pollensa but wow!
The place is pictureseque, has alot of things to see, places to visit, and all round a nice place to go, The resort is a nice calm quiet resort with the most amazing stretch of yachts along the harbour, this proved to be a great long walk on my first morning, admiring the sheer size of the yachts, the end of the harbour leading round to see a good view of the mountains, and the full stretch of water, the beach was indeed very clean, very warm, as was the water, a great place to spend the day snorkelling, just off the beach has a wide range of shops if you have an eye for bargains this would be good for you, i did spend alot in them shops!
The town has a stretch of quiet bars and restuarants all very inviting and i never found one place we didnt enjoy the food or the service, it was very nice, especially dining right on the sea front surrounded by lights, it was fantastic, there was a market in the square with so many stalls i didnt get chance to finish shopping before it closed at dinner time, shame, but hear by is also the famous Inca market, very big and open all day. There is also alot to do around the island all in bus distance from Pollensa, such as in magaluf the house of katmandu, crazy golf, water parks, marineland, the caves of drach and much more, all worth visiting if you have the time, the full holiday was thoroughly enjoyable, i would like to visit the island again and maybe one day i will , excellent place, 10 out of 10

Just returned from a great holiday at Duva, Puerto Pollensa. Our party comprised of 2 adults, plus 14 and 17 year old sons. I would agree with previous reviewers that the age limit on gym was a bit disappointing for our 14 year old who is very sporty, but he thoroughly enjoyed the tennis courts, though there is a fee of around £10 per hour, so bear that in mind. We may as well have booked independently, as didn't see a Thomson rep during our hols - wasted 20 mins waiting for someone to arrive for "Welcome meeting" (didn't show). Staff were all very friendly and spoke very good English. Would also agree re: lack of sunbeds/shade. We would have spent more time around the pool if this were more freely available.
Our apartment was beautiful, overlooking the lily pads on the pond and very peaceful. Didn't experience the evening entertainment, but from what we could hear from our balcony, I thought the Karoke was quite good!
Eating out in Puerto Pollensa can be expensive if you don't look outside the main area. We were spending approx. £50 in total per evening for 3 courses each including 2 rounds of drinks. Eating out can be reasonable if you want it to be.
The walk into Puerto Pollensa can be tiring especially in hot weather, but not too bad in the evening. Would agree that cycle track next to busy main road leaves you feeling vulnerable, and wouldn't have felt safe with younger children.
Hint: Don't use the Spar shop across the road, the prices at the Eroski Centre along the main road are worth the 10 minute walk.
Overall a great holiday, with quality accommodation in a peaceful location. When I asked my 14 year old son whether he would prefer a hotel nearer the centre next time, he said "no, he would rather go back to Duva and walk". From a 14 year old boy, high praise indeed.

The welcome at the Duva was brilliant, the reception staff are very helpful and friendly. The room we were allocated was spacious and clean and we had a pool view. The self catering facilities were limited however, everything worked and was most satisfactory for what we needed. The main pool was good and clean however Duva really should provide more umbrellas as there is no shade around the pool and 9 umbrellas is just not enough!! Thomson do not mention that the stroll into town is along a cycle path which runs down a busy main road. For adults this is ok but I felt extremely vulnerable with the two children, so we started to use taxis which cost approx. 5 euros (but watch out for the rogue taxi drivers who charge more!). We felt disappointed with Thomson as the only rep we saw throughout our two weeks was the chap at the airport when we first arrived therefore we did not book any excursions with Thomson! The entertainment provided by Colin and Amy at the Duva was absolutely rubbish. They really didn't seem to have any idea on how to entertain a group of holidaymakers. They did supply a schedule of daily events however, most of the time these were ignored or changed without any warning what so ever. They obviously like their karaoke very much however being on the receiving end of one of their cabaret nights (which we had two and they sang exactly the same songs) left a lot to be desired. The entertaining part of the evenings was how bad their singing actually was! The professional shows however, were brilliant, Elvis, Caroline and the Kenyan Boys and of course the lunatic pirate show/human flag did make up for the dreadful Colin and Amy (one of the reception staff did mention they would not be invited back next year to do the entertaining as they had received so many complaints)
Overall the Duva is a lovely aparthotel, it is in a quiet area and surrounded by lovely gardens. If you are looking for peace and quiet this would be a good place to stay. Puerto Pollensa itself is beautiful but eating out can be expensive.