Barcelo Ponent Playa

After the first day, we found cockroaches in the rooms and one was in my husbands shorts. We were moved (which was so inconvenient having to pack and unpack again) to the 4th floor. The beds while very clean were like camp beds rooms very basic, no hairdryer or iron unless you paid for them. The dinning room was so understaffed- one of the waiters was just plain rude. Difficult to get a table as you waited for a member of staff to get around to preparing one.The food was plentiful but was so tough we had to eat burgers most nights (did not pay for a burger holiday). Entertainment was so poor went out most nights. Having stayed half board there it was not worth the money.The beach was so lovely and the sea so clear. Wish we had got an apartment near and just used the beach. Would not return to hotel again. Oh and you could not get near the pool area as the other guests queued to put their towels on.

3 readers found this review helpful

We arrived at the hotel and the receptionists were very helpful when sorting out our room. We couldnt complain about the overall service as you had the choice to get your room cleaned everyday if you wished. The Balcony served its purpose for drying towels etc, and we definitely couldnt complain about the sea view that we were given. The food was great and you had a huge choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the resteraunt staff were always very polite and wanted to help you. The pool was great and we spend most of our holiday there. We had to get up slightly early to be able to get a sunbed but that wasnt a problem because you then had somewhere to go all day. The pool bar was great and as we were all inclusive we were able to get drinks at any time and snacks in the set periods which we couldnt complain about. The entertainers were great and they always had something on every day like water polo or water aerobics, along with many others. We got to know them well and they were very friendly towards everyone. We would definitely go back as we dont really have anything to complain about.

1 reader found this review helpful

We have stayed in many Barcelo Hotels and to be honest this wasn't the best or up to the Barcelo standards. The hotel staff were very friendly and the bar staff were lovely,efficient and forever smiling. We went all inclusive and were pleasantly surprised with the choice, not always to our liking but we always found something. The hotel is looking a little tired in places and I have to agree with other comments that the beds weren't great and the facilities in the rooms were basic, no hairdryer or fridge, not enough drawers and very pokey.
The main disappointment was the superior room choice, we had a sea view, correct but a huge tree was outside the balcony which hindered the view, warning - the rooms on the end with a sea view are right next door to the evening entertainment so very noisy and the outside bar created noise and the cigarette smoke wafted into our room when the door was open.
Location was perfect, great resort and on the beach.
Sunbed grabbers were awful, never got a sunbed by the pool once - hotel should monitor the towels after 2 hours non occupancy.
Would I recommend - not sure.

1 reader found this review helpful

We were really looking forward to our two weeks all inclusive holiday at this hotel, we had stayed in a Barcelo in Benidorm and found that a lovely place. This hotel was ok but not as nice as expected. The rooms were very basic, a fridge would have been a bonus as would a hair dryer, the beds were like camp beds and not very comfortable. Not having experienced all inclusive before we found the selection very limited and were made to sign for everything we had, even questioned as to how many people were in our party each time we asked for food or drinks.The bar staff made us feel we were asking for something we were not entitled to. The food was very repetitive, ok if you like pork, plenty of that on the menu. The tables in the dining room were too close together and the air conditioning being switched on would have made it more comfortable.The state of the crockery was not very good, chipped and cracked cups and dishes. We found the entertainers very poor and difficult to understand when they spoke English. The cleaners we met were very friendly and the reception staff too, it was just some of the bar staff we found unfriendly and sometimes rude. We did have a nice holiday overall but the hotel left a lot to be desired. We were thinking of booking at the Barcelo hotel in Menorca for next year but have decided against this and also will never go all inclusive again.

2 readers found this review helpful

Have to agree with blood banker on a lot of what has been written. We are not in the Saga bracket but may as well have been! Meals times were like a 'bun fight', we got so fed up with the atmosphere and lack of choice that we ate out at night (and breakfast occasionaly) despite paying for half board. We could never get a sun bed either round the pool as they would be queing up way before opening time so we didn't even try (towel on the sun bed spring to mind?). It did appear very noisy round there anyway so maybe it was a blessing. I do have to say though that the cleaners work their socks off at keeping the rooms clean and tidy! Would I stay there again? No I don't think so.

1 reader found this review helpful

We arrived at the hotel at about 12 o clock and we were directed straight to our hotel room. After unpacking we went straight to the pool and were treated very friendly by the bar staff. Also the hotel reps were very friendly as they got to know you by the activites that are arranged (e.g water polo, tennis, mini golf....) Also great for children as a kids club was put together from 11-1 and 3-5 and a mini disco and the entertainent everynight. The entertainment is very good they change it every day and bring some professionals. it is right next to the beach and shops but the beach is very small. Their is something for everyone at dinner time and you can also order from the bar. My only critisms for the hotel would be the beach and the all inclusive ends for the bar at 1 o clock near when the kids club finishes. Overall a great holiday i would definetly recommend.

3 readers found this review helpful

I arrived at the Hotel with my parnter on the 5th July for a ten day break and was pleasantly surprised! The Beach and surrounding area were superb! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Hotel and thought that the service was excellent! The bar staff were very friendly and always smiling even though they worked morning till night. The food was good although sometimes not to our likeing there was plenty of it. The Hotel is situated on the edge of a beautiful well kept beach and I would sit for ages just looking at the clear water and boats that anchored nearby.
I would recommend this particular Hotel as it is within walking distance of bars, restaraunts and only 15 minute down into the pretty town of Calador.
The entertainment at the Hotel was good and the All Inclusive alcohol was even better!! We ventured out sometimes and always ended up at Daniel's bar across the street where the 2 for 1 drinks were of excellent quality and the bar staff were very entertaining! The one thing that's not to be missed are the Artist impressionists at the nearby Gardens such as the Beatles, Elvis and Freddie Mercury who were brilliant especially the FAB FOUR who were my favourite!!
We loved and enjoyed our stay thoroughly and I certainly hope to return in the next couple of years.
Jane and Mark

Very poor hotel. rooms very basic, the beds are like sleeping on camp beds with the sheets falling off every night. A fridge in the room would have been good there was space for one but i would think they want you to buy their drinks.
Corridors are very noisy. The main bar of the hotel was never open and looking inside was very dated, it needs bring upto date. The other bar was OK.
Be ready to get up early to get a sun bed next to the pool, the gates to the pool open at 8:30am but people start getting there about 7:30 !!!! if you go to the beach two bed and shade will cost you 11 euros per day !!!!
Food very poor, we stayed for 11 nights and during that time the menu did not change much each night. Either get there early or late, about 8:30pm you will be clearing your own table if you can find one!!! very under staffed. Tables very close together

1 reader found this review helpful

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,

2 readers found this review helpful

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