Reviews of Picafort Parc Hotel, Can Picafort, Mallorca

I'm giving this hotel 4/10 which...

Overall Rating:

4/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr G Townsend

Comments:

I'm giving this hotel 4/10 which may seem harsh, but when you read on you'll see why, there are things that are important to us that will not affect other people.



We are a couple in our early thirties, which normally in the gold hotels we have stayed in isn't a problem, but the age range at this hotel is more 70+ than the usual 50-65 age range we normally encounter. We met two couples who at 65 and 69 said they felt young!



I must echo the point made by a previous reviewer about this hotel that it seems compulsary to smoke, the bar is non smoking, but don't be fooled, there is an indoor smoking area in reception, which was fully occupied at all times, right outside the bar entrance, which is a large open entrance, no doors, so this defeats the object of a non smoking bar, also the bar has tables outside, which you can smoke, I have no problem here, it is outside after all, but the large floor to ceiling windows are open all of the time so the smoke just blows straight in, for this reason we only went in to watch two shows in the bar area during a seven night stay. The bar staff must be commended for the service and they were always friendly, smiling and helpful. Drinks a bit pricey compared to previous gold hotels, 3 euros 10 cents for 0.5L san miguel.



Evening entertainment - 1st few days: Very Poor, the staff announced upcoming acts, then in the same sentance they said that they didn't know if they were coming or not, sort of wait and see, this happened twice in one week! Two girl singers sounded more like karaoke singers, they seemed to be on most nights, although in fairness they were energetic and did try and could also play instruments.



Evening entertainment - Thomson Gold team: Excellent, they tour the gold hotels on the island, luckily they came to this hotel why we were there, they are new and only been perfoming as a group for a couple of weeks but you couldn't tell, they were fantastic, seen them twice doing two different shows, managed to speak to them after one show and they were really nice people too.



Reception: Helpful and spoke very good english.



Rooms: Basic and cleaned daily, although if I would give 3/5 for this as they were not cleaned to the degree we are used to. Only 3 tv channels CNN, Fox, and SKY, but beware you may not be the one who controls what is on SKY, it seems that there is one remote per block, allocated on a first come first served basis, so someone else has the remote, they choose what you watch, which makes interesting viewing! The weather was bad so we did try to use the tv more than we would normally, but couldn't due to this issue.



Restaurent: there are themed nights where the staff dress up, and very good they looked too, although why I don't know, as the food certainly isn't themed, maybe they forgot? The food options appeared to be repeated twice per week.



My partner is vegetarian, the weather was cold and wet so she was looking forward to a hot evening meal rather than the usual salad offerings, but alas all week not a single hot vegetarian option, which was annoying, salad or bust! The lady in the restaurent asked us to come and see her the next day to 'see what they could do' - we didn't see her again! I don't see why you should have to go and ask them to knock you a meal up, i'm sure the restaurent staff are busy enough catering for everybody else, rather than being given last minute requests for other meals. The way I see it is that non veggies would/could eat veggie food, jacket potatoes, veggie lasagne etc... this was certainly the view of people we spoke to who were also dissapointed by the lacj of selection.



Is has to be said that the food that we did eat in the restaurent, options permitting, was very nice, so i'm not saying it was bad food, it wasn't, just a very limited choice for those with dietry requirements.



Pool Area: Clean and tidy, plenty of loungers available, you can also move loungers to the grassed area if you fancied some space, as the pool area is rather crowded, but nice to have the choice, although parasols are fixed, but plently of trees if you require shade.



Reps: Only seemed interested in selling trips, didn't see them otherwise, first two days I was woken during the late afternoon siesta in my room by phone calls from them! I unplugged phone after that, I am on holiday after all!



Entertainment team: The two entertainment people were good and if you wanted to get involved in activities you could, no pressure to do so, although as weather was bad, very heavy rain, one or two more activities would have been nice, there was no bingo however, although not my cup of tea most seem to enjoy this and it did seem dissapointing by it's absence.



Location: Residential, quiet... ish, our room had a sea view, but there is a road between you and the sea, also the bus stops were outside our room, but not a lot of other traffic, people also seem to drive slower here so no loud cars to disturb you. Main shops/bars/ restaurents were a good 15-20 min walk away. In the resort it is 90% german, i didn't think that this would be a problem, but it seems that they don't care if you are eating your food in a bar/restaurent, they will just sit next to you and light up, which is a bit rude, i mean i know you can smoke in bars etc.. but some courtesy around those eating would be nice.



So in summary if you are not bothered by smoking then this not a bad place to go, but if you are then I would choose elsewhere.

Would defo recommend this hotel...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs A Patience

Comments:

Would defo recommend this hotel for couples 35+. First time at Picafort Parc last year and had a gloriously relaxing time.



Am booking again for 2008 just for the relaxation alone. Staff very pleasant and polite, very clean rooms, pool guys a class act in themselves...watch out for the lollypop pool guys...think he is the hotels resident entertainment during the day!



Entertainment team were very good although it was quite obvious that they had their favourites (those who continually joined in)which left the rest of us feeling a bit left out. We paid too guys, it would be nice to be acknowledged! Plenty of activities during the day if you wanted to join in... If not.. No pressure.



Food excellent...for veggies and meat eaters alike. Lots of choice and freshly cooked in front of you (omelettes,pancakes,crepes etc)



All in all... go there ... its grrreat!

The following is not a complaint...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

fisherman1

Comments:

The following is not a complaint merely our own views and comments. The hotel is very, very good!



We (my wife and I ) have been to the Picafort Park Hotel for the last two years. The first year was the second week of a cruise and stay and we thoroughly enjoyed the relaxation after a hectic weeks touring. We were so impressed that we went again last year and were pleasantly surprised to see that the hotel had been refurbished in the bar area. In July 2007 we upgraded to a suite because we were staying there for two weeks. The suite was very comfortable with a lounge and a seperate bed room and bath room. However the air conditioning was just an air blower which was a bit noisy especially through the night when all else was quiet. Nice to have a mini fridge and a kettle with a small supply of tea and coffee provided, but there was no sink for cleaning the cups and saucers and so they had to lay there dirty until the room service came the next morning unless you took them down to the bar.



The restaurant is very well laid out and very clean and although the food is repetitive there is plenty to choose from. The restaurant theme nights which other reviews have mentioned were in our opinion poor and during the two weeks that we stayed there, we do not recollect any gala evening. The only other down side is the selfish people who reserve the sun beds around the pool from dawn onwards and don't use them. I believe this is against the hotel rules but the management appears to turn a blind eye.



The day time entertainment is excellent and you can be as active or as laid back as you wish, and the entire Thomson crew work so hard, they are all excellent and very freindly.



The entertainment tribute artists were as good as you get anywhere else but we felt that five or six evenings watching the Thomson team on stage singing and dancing was a bit too much.



Saying all that we are going again this July 2008 and are looking forward to the whole fortnight just for the pure relaxation.

The hotel is very quiet,...

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr S Garner

Comments:

The hotel is very quiet, basically the clientele are at the top end of the age range, just what we required for a quiet week away in a "gold" hotel.



Neither my wife nor I smoke and were not expecting just how bad the hotel was for a non-smoker. All the oldies smoked, I am 50 so it gives you a clue how old the rest were.



The people below us never left their balcony apart from meals and smoked continuously for seven days and nights. The worst thing was that we had to keep the balcony doors closed but the bathroom had an open vent where the smoke poured in all the time.

If you want a quite but very smoky holiday its just for you.



I will say that staff were good and the food first class, but if you like your health its not for you.

Just returned from a two week...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs S Campbell

Comments:

Just returned from a two week stay at the Picafort Park. Had a relaxing time.



We had a suite which was very clean and well decorated. We had a kettle and a fridge which was free very unusual, as we have had to pay extra for one before in a gold hotel. No tea and coffee supplied, which we have had supplied before.



Entertainment good. Food good, though a little repetitive, theme nights good we had Spanish, American, a gala night and Chinese, where the restaurant staff have to dress in their costumes.



All staff from housekeeping, bar, restaurant, reception and of course the Thomson reps were very friendly and helpful.



Located in a residential area with a few hotels around. Bus stop outside. Caught the bus to Alcudia a few times but very busy packed on like sardines.



Loads of sunbeds by the pool although told not to a lot of people still reserving sunbeds. It was a British hotel, no Germans and their children, which was refreshing, as a number of gold hotels we have stayed in, although no British children allowed, there were some from other countries, which defeated the object I think.

The hotel rooms were light and...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2004

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Miss L Greenaway

Comments:

The hotel rooms were light and spacious with a large en suite bathroom, plenty of wardrobe space and a small fridge which was really handy and quite uncommon in hotel rooms.



We couldn't have asked for more in terms of the facilities on site, the entertainment was first class and the comedians were hilarious and couldn't be faulted. The pool was huge and we never had any problems getting a sunbed.



The best part was the food though! Huge selections for both meat eaters and veggies, it was always fresh and tasty, just make sure you save room for the puddings as they were quite spectacular!



My one concern was the location, although it was near to the beach, we had to get a bus to nearby Alcudia to do our pressie shopping.



While you're there hire a car and drive to Puerto Pollensa, it's well worth a visit.

We have just returned from a...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr D McClean

Comments:

We have just returned from a 2week holiday at Picafort Park Hotel and were also there last year.



Staff at the hotel are all excellent and customer friendly. Pool is very good and nightly entertainment is varied and generally very good with a variety of acts however to stay at the same hotel for entertainment for say 14 nights requires some dedication and it is worthwhile to visit other hotels in the area where there is more atmosphere-these are generally German orientated however we did not find this a problem.


The dining hall is excellent with a wide range of food.

The only downside is Picafort itself as a resort with poor shops and location about 1 mile from hotel. I would strongly suggest using local bus services or hire a car to visit other locations such as Pollensa. The nearest beach to the hotel is poor and generally overcrowded.


If you are aged late 40s and above and do not wish to move about much then this is the place for you.

Good hotel, the room was clean...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Select C Higson

Comments:

Good hotel, the room was clean and tidy and was cleaned every morning. The large pool was excellent, and there were sun loungers available. The staff at the hotel were very helpful and friendly.



It is about 1km from the busy and very nice resort of Can Picafort, and also there is a very handy bus stop outside the hotel where you can get the bus to all the major towns on the island.



If you are looking for a lively holiday for young people, you would probably find something more suitable elsewhere, as it is aimed at older couples .

Have just returned from the...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2004

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

jackie.tompson

Comments:

Have just returned from the Picafort Parc in Mallorca which is a Thomson Gold Hotel.



The hotel was excellent, rooms were clean and comfortable, staff were friendly, the complex was clean, plenty to do at the hotel, i.e. entertainment every evening and the usual entertainment during the day darts, water volleyball, quizzes, croquet, boules etc but the entertainment team did not push you into anything.




The location is excellent, shops and beach are within easy walking distance. There is a bus stop right outside the hotel which is very reasonable and a very frequent service.




During the first part of our holiday hardly anyone reserved the sunbeds but during the latter part there was the usual towels on sunbed syndrome which was completely unnecessary as there were plenty of beds around. This is always a bone of contention especially when people put their towels on the beds and then disappear for most of the day. Why don’t staff just remove them if they are not used for, say, 2 hours!!




Apart from this usual problem I cannot fault the hotel and would recommend it. It is only used by Thomson Gold therefore children under 16 were not booked so obviously would appeal more possibly to the 45 and overs.