Aparthotel Playa Mar

1) This Aparthotel is special because it’s the ideal place to get away from it all.
well it certainly is away from it ALL. Don’t even think of walking left out of the Hotel, as there is nothing apart from a Military complex stopping you from continuing along the coast and a busy road that goes up a small mountain. Pretty barren and rugged. Turn right and there is a 25 minute walk into town. This is made somewhat more interesting (but a bit longer) using the Pine Walk, a stone paved path along the side of the sea. More of a Quayside than a beach. Still tedious though after the second time though. All the places to eat and shops are in the town too. So get your walking legs on. (little Italy Pizzeria was nice and only half way into town)
2 )Centred around a large‚ free-form swimming pool and dotted with trees and plants‚
Pool is good, but the water is weird. Not salt, not ozone, not chlorine. Made our silver jewellery go black. The complex is arranged around the pool area with 4 blocks of apartments all facing the pool on the inside like a big courtyard, and nothing much if you get a room on the other side of the blocks. We had a nice view of the Military Base. None of the rooms will have much in the way of a sea view. as they are all at 90 degrees to the sea. The courtyard is also the entertainment area and everything else, so this is an al-fresco holiday. Not that is unpleasant apart from the noise. There is no sophisticated lounge, and apart from the reception, bar and canteen (sorry restaurant) the only place with a roof is your room.
There is an indoor pool down some stairs from the reception but apparently the heater is linked to the main central heating system in some way. So unless the heating is on, then picture a swimming pool in a cold cellar....ideal for Goosebumps.
A small gym is situated in the same area, not really worth mentioning as all the equipment was broken. Maybe this was why it was not mentioned in the brochure!
3 )the complex has been built with relaxing holidays in mind and kids will love the wide sandy stretch of beach nearby.
Would you call playing ‘clingons on the starboard bow’ and other favourites. Relaxing at 11am poolside? At full volume when the speakers can only handle half that. The Thompson Dog Song was another hit with the little ones, and had me reaching for anything that would fit in my ears. We were really glad to have the relative peace and quiet of an air base view to escape the main racket. The evening entertainment or what we saw of it, varies from the professional Abba again which was very good and well done through to embarrassment with reps having to try their best cos Thompson is too tight to get proper acts in. I'm sure it wasn’t supposed to sound like Karaoke. Fortunately these stopped at 11pm ish. I even started to appreciate my Son playing gangster rap in the room as it was a pleasant change from the alternative.
The nearby sandy beach is about the same size as my back garden and there are sharp rocks in the sea here, not for kids really unless they have jelly shoes. The beach here is more of the Puerto bit of Pollensa.
Off to the wide sandy beach ........grab your kit and take a 20 minute stagger down the Pine Walk......shut up and walk kids, who’s carrying the bags?
The main beach is not a patch on Alcudia either.
4)It’s also a great base from which to do a little island exploration.
Well as by now you will probably have booked a car, you might as well get out and see the Island and escape from Butlitz.
Sum Up
Whilst we were in a small Spanish Tapas Bar in the town, we got chatting to another family on the next table, when we told them we were staying at Butlins they knew exactly where we were! They had stayed there a few years previously.
We were unfortunate as this complex did not really suit us at all. Many families are on their 5th or 6th visit, which is as long as it’s been open. Wow, well the family entertainment seems a hit with all the little ones, although it apparently is not as good as it was when the place first opened with professional bands every night. Everyone was very friendly, although the sunbeds were all donned with towels early. (But there were no Germans at the place) We did meet some nice people and I believe this is another reason people wanting to go back.
The only thing 4 star about the place IMHO was the price of the drinks.
I found the Hotel reception staff far more helpful than the Thompson bluecoats too, shame really as I really enjoyed the last Mallorca holiday in Alcudia a couple of years ago with Thompson. Well I wont ever trust them again!
When I asked to move somewhere else they told me it would cost 1000 Euros extra for a 3* place in Cala D’or, and I would have to move myself.
PS. If you want to hire a bike. Check out Marias in Puerto Pollensa and consider hiring a car at the airport where rates are more competitive.