Playa Cala Mayor

Stayed at the Hotel Playa Cala Major for 4 nights 23-27 May 2007. My friend and I paid £29.15 each for twin rooms with single occupancy on half board. We didn’t have high expectations, especially after reading the previous reviews, but decided to take the risk anyway – what was the worst that could happen?! We travelled Air Berlin from Stansted to Palma. Flights were about the same cost as easyJet but seats are allocated at check in so there is no last minute scrimmages on board and they serve light snacks and drinks too – included in the price. The taxi from Palma to Cala Major was 25 euros and is a 20 minute journey approximately. On arrival at the hotel we were extremely surprised and pleased with what we saw; a marble entrance and a smiling receptionist. After a slight confusion as the hotel had only allocated us one room, we were eventually allocated rooms 603 and 605 on the top floor of the hotel. I understand that most of the rooms have sea views and ours was no exception. The rooms were clean, and our towels were changed daily with fresh, non-holed ones (see previous reviews). The walls are quite thin or at least you can hear everything from the adjoining rooms but at the time we visited the hotel was quite empty therefore we weren’t too disturbed by noise. Breakfast and evening meals are buffet style and were also pleasantly surprising. There were excellent selections during both breakfast and evening meals which were more than adequate. Every night we counted in excess of 30 dessert choices! This is not an exaggeration, there were tray after tray of pastries, cakes, ice creams (3 flavours), fresh fruit, Spanish specialities, crème caramel, cheese & biscuits etc etc. The only negative point of the hotel we found was the air conditioning which didn’t seem to be very adequate. During our stay the weather was 27° during the day but probably just about cool enough at night not to require air conditioning. However, I would imagine that during the hotter months, it would be very uncomfortable in the rooms during the night. The one night I left the balcony door open I was bitten several times by mosquitoes. Our only major gripe was the beach. It is a lovely stretch of white sand which is cleaned and raked daily. We had no problem getting sun beds/sun umbrella each day (cost of 4.40 euros per item). We just found that the local Spanish way out numbered the tourists on the beach and were loud, obnoxious and the teenagers were extremely badly behaved. As the beach was so crowded you just couldn’t escape. Beach boys and police were patrolling the beach daily but it didn’t stop the behaviour of some. I’m not sure if our trip coincided with maybe a Spanish public holiday as other reviewers have commented on the quietness of the beach area? Overall, and in my opinion I do not think that the hotel warrants 4 stars, more likely 3, but at £29.15 per night half board and my own room, I couldn’t have been more satisfied.

We have just returned from a two day break at this well positioned hotel. With our room having the most wonderful view from the balcony over the bay and a light airy room we were more than happy. We paid £142 for two nights half board and although we didn't require the evening meal were impressed with what we saw. Breakfast was of excellent quality although it is very much self-service even down to the coffee but the scrambled eggs were top class! and almost everything you could want to eat available to you. The lifts are abit tired but worked well and the overall feeling in reception was pleasant with very friendly helpful staff. The beach at Cala Major is idealic and very clean. There are many bars a short walk on the main street (we recommend the Picadilli) or a beach bar for lunchtime snacks and although Cala Major is a bit tired nothing that posh (except Nixe Palace the 5* Hotel), a short ride into Palma by taxi 8 euros can give you a most wonderful evening. WE shall return, you get what you pay for - it was cheap, clean, bedrooms and bathrooms very adequate but wonderful views. Taxi from airport approx 22 euros

We arrived for only 4 snatched days between work and yes it was cheap at £25 half board per person per night. We arrived late at night and there was a light snack prepared which was a pleasant surprise. The room was basic but clean,the breakfast the same as other 3 star hotels abroad (so no 4 star there) .The evening meal again 3 star. Evening entertainment poor. But if you can accept the cheapness then it is ok. The hotel is well located for the beach which is nice and bus routes. If you can afford more and are staying around here check out Hotel La Cala which is opposite the beach or spend for the truely 5 star Nixe Palace otherwise accept what you pay for. Best Wishes

Cala Mayor town is undoubtedly past its best but has a lovely, relatively quiet beach which was cleaned every day. The Playa Cala Mayor hotel is also rather shabby but we felt it was reasonable value for money having paid £170 for 4 nights half board for two people. Food not great but adequate, room, beds, shower etc clean with good view over the beach. Lifts unreliable and staff generally friendly and helpful apart from one who asked us for 18E to store luggage for our last day (it turned out there was really no charge). Handy for buses into Palma which we used often. Don't expect 4 star so don't pay 4 star prices

A truly unpleasant experience! While in Mallorica there is undoubtedly little to spoil your vacation, with the expection of Hotel Playa Cala Mayor. The staff members are simply unfriendly, impolite, unhelpful, and consistently rude. The room was dirty, not cleaned on a daily basis, and steaming hot as the air conditioning was entirely broken. The towels were torn, worn, and never fresh. The room was genuinely filthy and uncomfortable. Our water was shot of for the majority of one day of our stay-rather unexceptable at a hotel accomodating some hundreds of sweaty beach-goers. Although the beach was sizeable, the walls were covered with graffiti, and it certainly resembled a town beach on the hottest Sunday in July rather than a quiet resort. In fact, no part of this hotel resembled a resort. The distance from Palma is misleading; a ten minute (at minimun) taxi ride is required to get you into the city. Bottom line- staying at this hotel makes you feel uncomfortable and ripped off. Stay elsewhere!

This hotel is by far one of the worst I have every stayed in, and I have definately stayed in some nicer 2* hotels. Firstly, it is located in a fairly rundown area outside of Palma, so you can't really walk around without taking a 10-15 taxi ride into the city. The beach is nice, but there is graffiti all along the wals surrounding it. As for the room, the was essentially NO air conditioning, so the room was hot at all day and night. The towels they provided were ripped and had holes, and the cleanliness of the bed was questionable. Secondly, and perhaps the worst part, most of the staff was extremely cold and rude at times. One of the front-desk workers (1 of 3) was just plain rude and very unhelpful. When we inquired about train information and times, another front-desk worker gave us a list of train times which was over 1 year old and completely wrong. Additionaly, they made us buy a map of palma for 3 euros. Overall, there is NO reason you should stay in this hotel. There are hundreds of others much nicer, so avoid this at all costs.

It´s a horrible hotel, air conditioning was broken, staff were very unpolite, room was very dirty...

cala mayor is like most holidays,its what you make of them.on my stay in cala mayor i was most pleased with the quality of the beach and the kebab shops also discos and women. i would come back here again. but i cant overstate...if you hate children,just remember you were one yourself one time(probably)and they are required for the existence of the human race. if u cant agree with this go back to your kirk and ask for forgiveness ;) lol lol

Everything about the hotel is 2*. The rooms are small, the food is very plain and non descript. The sun bathing space surrounding the pool accommodates about 3 loungers comfortably. It gets a 2* because the beach is good and the pool is excellent. We've also stayed at the Nixe Palace up the hill and that really is a 4*. If you ever want to see the difference between a cheap and expensive 4* go to the Cala Major and then the Nixe Palace

The rooms are very dirty, towels are riped and was not changed. The staff are unpleasant, the beach is close but the water is dirty. This hotel is not qualified to be a 4 star hotel.