Barcelo Ponent Playa, Cala D'Or, Spain

Hotel Information

Recent Price: £85
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User Rating:
8.5 / 10
(40 User Reviews)
Hotel Class: Barcelo Ponent Playa Studios ReviewsBarcelo Ponent Playa Studios ReviewsBarcelo Ponent Playa Studios Reviews

Hotel Description:

Hotel Barcelo Ponent Playa is situated on Cala Ferrera beach, in the beautiful resort of Cala D'or in south-western Majorca. This hotel is in a quiet, peaceful location, but close to a tourist area buzzing with activity round the clock. There is a wide variety of services to choose from along with a program of entertainment.
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Barcelo Ponent Playa Reviews

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" hotel "

a lovly hotel excellent location the entertainment staff were great, but the other staff wer`nt so friendly, the pool area was very noisy with loud music all day a bit annoying when having a siesta , just 2 mins down the road is the carabel pub great night entertainmet, ask for phil he`s a great singer,

Advice: lovly place

Activities: carabel pub, the florida ice cream bar, the hacienda

Good for: Beach 

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  • User Rating:
    8 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:Thomas Cook

" Excellent Holiday! "

My partner and I have just today come back from Cala Dor. We stayed at ponent playa and thought the place was absolutley lovely. The hotel was set in a lovely part of cala dor near many shops and the bus journey from palma air port was only 1 hour. which was a nice suprise.
There were a great variety of activities for all ages. French Boules, Tai Chi, Mini Golf, Darts, Pool, Aqua fit, dancing and singing. There was a mini golf course and a tennis court too. We noticed there were people also doing stuff with the children too. Even though we never stayed at the hotel for the night time entertainment we noticed there was also a god selection. Magic acts, flamenco dancers, violinists etc... in the bar. We felt slightly intimidated a few times by the **Orange** people. The Staff who were running the activities. (They wore orange) They seemed a little cocky at times and may of had their favourites. Though it didnt put us off.
The food was Good. Not excellent. Good selection even for fussy people like *Nikki* only issue we had was one of the chefs didnt cook the turkey steaks or the sausages on two occasions. As soon as we told the staff though they were straight on the cooks tail. We were impressed by this. The dining staff were superb ALWAYS polite and smiling. It took it that one step further to an excellent holiday.
The pool side was lovely although found it difficult to get sunbeds a few times. People were leaving their towels down to go to dinner. We didnt find this very fair. The pool had a few flies in it but was a nice temp once you had a dip ;) The beach was...different. Wasnt what we were expecting but that doesnt make it a bad thing it was a little cove surrounded by rocks and other hotels. We went once but the beach isnt reall our thing.
The reason we didnt go to the night time entertainment was because we love karaoke. a Two minute walk away was the bar CARABEL. After going the first night we fell in love with the place and the staff!! Fellipe and Blackie made our holiday. They were superb and were deffinatly the best part of our stay. We reccom this bar to ANYONE and thoroughly enjoyed the many hours we spent there. Singing, Dancing, Drinking, Talking, Laughing, playing pool, playing poker and doing magic!!!
Overall we really have enjoyed our time away. Its just a shame it had to end so quickly.
nikki and Trev

Advice: beautiful place

Activities: BAR CARABEL

Good for: Beach 

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  • User Rating:
    9 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Jun 2009
  • Board Basis:Full Board
  • Tour Operator:Booked Independently

" trust the reviews "

We went to this hotel at the beginning of May and I have to dsay the reviews that were on this site were pretty much spot on. Whilst theres always the odd review that complains that the food wasn't to their taste, or they had crappy neighbours, that can sometimes worry you whether you made the right decision booking it, overall I was quite positive about what to expect from this holiday. The hotel was probably one of the quietest I've ever stayed in. Our party consisted of myself, 38, my 17 year old son and some relatives who were 50'ish. So, a varied age range to try and please. The hotel was full of OAP's so if you're after a lively holiday, forget it. But I have to say, for the R and R that I was after it suited me perfectly. The room facilities could be better, no tea making facilities or hair dryer, but other than that, pretty much everything you would expect. The maids were lovely, both thorough with the cleaning and very courteous. The meals were ok, there was a very varied choice of food and I always found something to eat, although nothing that was amazing, it was adequate. The indoor pool was great and we used it 3/4 times during the week, just for a change. The hotel location is perfect, I had a room with a view overlooking the bay that I just couldn't believe, and the hotel ground floor leads out virtually onto the beach. All in all, I would recommend this hotel, and I would go back again.
Cala dor is a beautiful place, if you've never been you really do have something to look forward to. There's a bus that takes you to the Marina, or it's about a 30 minute walk. We went on an excursion to The Pirates, it was 60 euros, but well worth it, the acrobats and show was excellent and it was a really enjoyable night out. There are plenty of other trips but at the moment they're quite expensive. If you go to this hotel, do walk down the coves to the other beaches. There are 4 within 5/10 mins walk of each other. DOn't be fooled by the length of time it takes the road train to get from one to the other, as it takes the long scenic route, not the shortest one, as we discovered.
The marina is gorgeous by night, but expensive to eat there. Make sure you walk to the square on an evening, the cocktail bars and street entertainment is fab. Definately a brill place to holiday.

Advice: Beautiful place with gorgeous beaches.

Activities: Pirates night out. Walking around the Marina at night.

Good for: Beach 

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  • User Rating:
    9 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:May 2009
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:Thomas Cook

" Not for me "

Saga rep said buffet would be available on arrival at4pm.....but not so. Rooms small and beds very small,low and with poor quality mattresses and linen. Sheets did not stay on bed so ended up sleeping on mattress...not hygienic. Food poor quality and little variety. Do not like braised oxtail or pigs trotters. Salad bar very limited and same every day. Cold meat selection was of cheapest cooked meat and plastic ham. Breakfast was the best meal. Pool area across access road to hotel, no pool towels available, no hairdryers in rooms. Photos give impression of spacious surroundings but are very deceiving. Would not go back there and would not recommend to friends.

Advice: Shops, restaurants and more of the same.

Activities: Saga trips OK

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  • User Rating:
    3 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:May 2009
  • Board Basis:All Inclusive
  • Tour Operator:Saga

" great time "

read other reviews so felt happy to goto this hotel had a great week we took our 8 yr old grandson we thought it should be rated higher then 3 star the food was great everyday lots of choice,for us and im veggie ,hotel very clean rooms done every day staff all very friendly,i would recommend this hotel to anyone and would 100% go back. small little train takes u round resort from bus stop.

Advice: people very nice,and leave u alone when looking in shops,lovely beach part of hotel

Activities: just to lay on beach was great

Good for: Beach 

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  • User Rating:
    10 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Apr 2009
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:Thomas Cook

" My family have just returned from a... "

My family have just returned from a fantastic holiday. I stongly recommened though that if you are staying around the hotel in the day and evening that you upgrade to all inclusive as the cafe and bar prices are very expensive.......more expensive than home !!!!! The kids club was brilliant although the age ranges were not fair as my 13 yr old boy looked out of place with the under 14s and would have been more suited to the more adult orientated games 14 plus as age is only a number but the clubs rules seem to be set in stone unless you are spanish and then the rules change to suit !!!!! the food was very good and there is a wide choice although if you go half board then be prepared to pay for your drinks even water !!! The entertainment was excellent and the entetainers were very friendly and fun. I would not hesitate to take my family there again .

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  • User Rating:
    7 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:Booked Independently

" We arrived at the hotel at 12.00 on... "

We arrived at the hotel at 12.00 on the night there was a cold supper waiting for us. We had a great holiday the hotel is very clean and friendly we decided to upgrade to All inclusive after the 2nd day as we found that we were sending 10 euro for a round of drinks for three people and it was only 21 euro each a day for All inclusive. We always got a sun bed by the pool there was always spaces and the pool was always clean. The food is very good and lots of different kind’s food to try one day there was beef on the menu I went up to get some and to my surprise the chefs were cutting the meat off a full leg of beef.

Do try the train that takes you all over cala dor we went to the marina it was very nice then got the train and went all round cala dor it was only 3 euros each return.
The beach was nice we use our towls to sit on as we was'nt going to pay 11 euros for a sun bed

The only down point was the rep was no help at all she only wanted to sell you trips and give no advise on where to go that was nice. I asked her if there was any markets around she told me that there were no markets around cala dor my wife went to the reception they give a list of all the markets for every day so we went to one of the markets you can get there by bus or taxi.

I would go to Barcelo Ponent Playa Hotel again all the family really enjoyed a geart week of different activities





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  • User Rating:
    10 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
  • Board Basis:All Inclusive
  • Tour Operator:Thomson

" I really enjoyed this holiday I... "

I really enjoyed this holiday I reccomennd this to anyone who wants to relax and have fun!!! The swimming pool was massive and was very clean, The beach was ok as it was a little bit dirty and smelt! The food was quite nice with mallorcan cuisine aswell as english. The dining room was very spacious with a beautiful sea view. The hotel room was very clean as maid service daily, the entertainment was alright as it can get a little bit noisy, little children get spoilt by the reps! There is also internet access and the staff are very friendly! There is an a la carte restraunt if you prefer to eat outside. So all in all this was a fanrastic holiday and will be returning soon!!!

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  • User Rating:
    8 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
  • Board Basis:All Inclusive
  • Tour Operator:First Choice

" This is the 2nd time i have stayed in... "

This is the 2nd time i have stayed in this hotel, the first being a week in july 2007 and the 2nd time a week in august 2008. I'm also planning my 3rd trip next summer to this hotel but for 2 weeks instead of one!!

I recommend this hotel for people of all ages, its closeby everything. the beach is on the doorstep and the pool is very clean even though you have to get up early to get sunbeds by the pool (pool opens at 8am) its worth it.
cala d'or town is about 15 min walk which we went to a few times.

There is a wide selection of food at both breakfast and dinner we were spoilt for choice, the restuarant is very big we never had to wait for a table and there are plenty of highchairs.

The rooms are very clean and the maids come daily, they are very friendly as all the staff are at the ponent playa hotel.

There is entertainment, games and activities throughout the day which are good fun aswell as the evening entertainment.

I definetly recommend this hotel for everyone and i'm already counting down till i go back next year :)

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  • User Rating:
    10 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:First Choice

" just got back from weeks holiday i... "

just got back from weeks holiday i thought the hotel was nice clean swimming pools clean the food was good and always plenty to choose from this is a nice family hotel everybody friendly made lots of friends went to cala d or town which was lively and nice although about 2o mins walk away i would defiently go there again but for two weeks as one is not enough went with my three daughters and two grandaughters 20 months and three years they loved it

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  • User Rating:
    10 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:First Choice

" I thought that this was deffinatly... "

I thought that this was deffinatly the best holiday we have ever been on! The views were excellent and all the staff were helpful and friendly especially the entertainment team! They were always getting people involved and joining them in! The meals were great and there was lots of choise!

I think that this hotel is good for people of all age groups and I would deffinatly recomend it to anyone!

Thanks for a great holiday!

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  • User Rating:
    10 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:Thomson

" hotel excellent.more like a 4* plus.... "

hotel excellent.more like a 4* plus. just got back late last night. location is great. our room overlooked the beach which if you're going to stay in a beach front hotel, you've gotta have a sea view! we were half board and the food was lovely with a vast selection that varied day to day. also no queing for food as its all set out in different sections and you make your own way round. hotel and pool areas very well kept. pool was very crowded and you had to be waiting by the gate at 8am to put down your towells, so we only did that twice. the beach was stunning till about 10am then it became sooooo crowded that you couldn't even walk between the towells!! but then again it was peak season. staff friendly and helpful. entertainment every night. from kids disco to mama mia and grease musicals. we went on a 3 hour starfish boat trip round the coves. fantastic. our 5 year old girl loved jumping off the boat into the warm clear waters. it picks you up from the hotel beach. would definitely go back to this hotel but, out of high season!! also best to hire a car as not much choice of restaurants etc within walking distance. beware if parking in hotel carpark they will charge 3.50 euros a day. so we parked on the road outside. another useful tip, the rooms have air con which is controlled by the card they give you that opens the door and works elec when put in slot in room, so we just used a piece of card left in place to keep the air con on whilst we were out so you walk back into a really chilled room!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • User Rating:
    10 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:Thomson

" We (me & boyf) stayed in this... "

We (me & boyf) stayed in this hotel for 10 days in July and we absolutely loved it! The hotel was spotlessly clean, rooms were cleaned every day and the staff were always friendly and helpful. The one and only reason why I haven't rated the hotel as 10/10 is that we found the evening food (even though plentiful) to be a bit odd. There are 5 buffet stations; at breakfast these contain all the different breakfast items you could ask for, and the fried food is cooked fresh. In the evening, the starters were lovely (salad items mainly, but varied) but for main course by the end of the week we were struggling a bit. There is variety but the chefs don't seem to think about the meals when assembling their menus, so as long as you like brussels sprouts with lasagne and if you are vegetarian you are prepared to eat the same fish dish every night then you'll be fine :) Puddings were also plentiful. Really I have nothing to complain about at all. You walk out the back door and you are immediately on the beach (a sheltered cove) and you walk out the front door and you are beside the pool. There are free activities held throughout the day, we played volleyball & water polo but there was much more. On the beach there is a man who sells fresh fruit (watermelon, coconut, pineapples) which was very welcome after a day lying in the 30 degree sun. We went out every night and most nights ended up in the Carabel bar just opposite the hotel, it was fab! Entertainment and dancing for kids, happy hour between 8-10pm, and after about 10.30pm they start karaoke, and even if you hate karaoke, this is a laugh. We would definitely go back, the centre of Cala D'Or is a 5 minute walk and there aren't many cars. The Starfish boat trip is also worth it, especially the one where they take you up the coast past all the coves, you get to have a swim too. All in all, a brilliant resort and excellent hotel, well worth it - in our opinion, having seen other hotels whilst there, it knocks spots off them - location-wise and hospitality-wise.

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  • User Rating:
    9 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:Booked Independently

" We recommend this Hotel excellant !... "

We recommend this Hotel excellant !

We decided to go to the Barcelo Ponent Playa the last two weeks in June for my wife's 60th birthday and also my birthday.
Reception & all staff were very friendly and helpful, we found the Hotel very clean and overall were pleased with the 2 weeks we were there Hot sun everyday.
The food was of good standard sometimes maybe not a lot of choice. We are early rises so we were down for breakfast at 8am and always had an early evening meal at just after 7pm. But did venture out one day and had a later meal at about 8-30pm and must admit the service was not so good.
The small bar underneath the hotel was quite relaxing and some nights there was live music. The second week this bar was closed we never bothered to find out why.
The main bar at the front of the Hotel was very noisy and hot and sweaty due I think to Euro football and entertainment being on at the same time. We found the entertainment very amateurish but we are not all built the same so some of you may enjoy it.
We never used the outside pool which really for the size of the Hotel was not adequate too small. We spent a lot of time on the beach and if you are looking to sit in the shaded area opposite the Hotel make sure you are down there early as towels were being layed out on the beach at 7am !.
If you venture down to the bar's in the evening you will find in the English bars as we found out at Eden Paradise the measure of spirits are the same as the UK unlike the Spanish bars where they never seem to stop pouring. I like my Bacardi coke and felt cheesed off at being charged the same price for Uk measure as the Spanish measure.

Now for the appalling start to our holiday. I'll try to keep this short and sweet this is not the " Full Story "

Our tour operator First Choice let us down badly. " They " put us on the wrong BUS at the airport at 11-30am Spanish time we were then taken around on a
" Charabang Coach tour " of the Island arriving back at the airport where they sent their youngest employee, as I would think none of the more experienced Reps or manager had the guts to confront us. We were then put on a Ford Transit bus and arrived at the Hotel " 4HRS " later at 3-30pm.
We were not the only people sent out on the " Wrong Bus " there was also another couple who were celebrating their " 50th Wedding Anniversary ".
The Rep Heather was very helpful and understanding and after the 3rd meeting with her on the Sunday evening It was quite obvious Heather was clearly a company person.
Having spoken to our Travel Agent { who by the way are not connected in anyway with First Choice } could not believe that First Choice did not have a Rep handing out introductory envelopes at the " BUS " with the names of their customers or even a head count !
Apparently they do not do this anymore so the First Choice Rep told us !!!
What got up our noses was they tried to make out we were at fault !
I wont go into the palaver of our departure ??
The complaint from us and the other couple was taken off by Heather on the 22nd June, today is the 8th July we are still awaiting a reply from First Choice management UK.

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  • User Rating:
    9 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:Jun 2008
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:First Choice

" holiday got off to a bad start with... "

holiday got off to a bad start with the thomsonfly flight being delayed nearly 3 hrs! flight was also delayed coming back by 45mins.

however the wait was worth it. the hotel is beautifully located on the beach at cala ferrera. take beach towels with you to avoid paying for sunbeds on the beach. or use a sunbed on the hotels terrace next to the sea.

we had a single room for 3 people and it was abit of a squash but fine for sleeping in. very clean and nice bathroom.

food was good. arrived about 11 and they provided a cold dinner (this is left overs from dinner but nice enough. breakfast had the usual mix of cereal, fruit, beans, bacon, eggs, toast as well as cakes and cold meat and cheese.
dinner was buffet too with soup, salad, pasta, meat, veg and stews etc available. the restaurant did get very busy at 7- 730. i would recommend waitng to go until 8ish.

went to thomson welcome meeting the day after arrival. the rep, sarah, was pretty useless. she didnt know anything about much and couldnt answer most of the questions she got asked. and the directions she gave us were totally wrong!

the sauna was 6E for 1hr and very nice. they also have a turkish bath and indoor swimming pool. make a booking at the reception.

never used the outdoor pool but it looked nice!

they did have some entertainment in the bars at about 9pm but i didnt rate it. we were happy enough trying out the cocktail menu!!

there is a massage tent on the terrace by the sea. the woman only comes when it is good weather, see her to make appointments not the reception. not cheap but she is great! sooo relaxing

they play a film in english everynight at 9. not a very good selection of films but better than nothing!

reception are very helpful. they will answer any questions. they also give out things like extra towels and pillows and you can borrow hairdryer & iron too.

took bus to palma from up the road. 7E 60 cents for a single. took about 1hr and it is in fact a coach so a comfy journey.

all in all it was a great holiday despite the weather not being very good.


cala d'or is actually made up of a series of coves. each with their hotels around them. the beaches are all lovely and there is a main road of tourist shops and restaurants going from one end of cala d'or to the other.
the marina is very nice and has some nice restaurants too. we had a drink at the jolly roger pub on the marina and hada nice time.

cala d'or is a nice area which is family friendly with parks and rides. it also has plenty of pubs and clubs but is not over the top and relatively tame compared to some areas of majorca!

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  • User Rating:
    9 / 10
  • Date of Holiday:May 2008
  • Board Basis:Half Board
  • Tour Operator:Thomson
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