Just back from 2 weeks, with my wife, in the sun in PP (yes - you forget that the sun still shines in these parts this late on in the year - or were we just lucky?) I was back staying in PP after an absence of 40 odd years and, yes things have changed. The upside, unfortunately there is a downside, is that PP is still a very attractive resort, relatively unspoiled by commercialism. Yes it has changed from the sleepy village I remembered - the area between the town and the
Pollentia Hotel has been filled in with buildings as is the area immediately behind (this was just agricultural land then). The locals have obviously spent lots recently improving the infrastructure, The promenade area to both sides of the Marina is very attractive (some of it was being dug up again last week! they must have copied this idea from back home in the UK!) The beach area is clean and the sand looks as though it is cleared of rubbish etc, altho' several dog owners were using the beach for letting their pets run free. OK maybe in early winter but surely not allowed in summer? Access to the town is much improved, with the extension to the motorway speeding up the journey between airport and resort (altho' I'm sure this could be argued as being a downside)
We had a hire car for the two weeks and took advantage of visiting the main tourst spots eg Pollensa, Alcudia (Old Town) LLuc, Deia, Soller/Puerto Soller (and the Tram+Train trips) and Valdemossa, Palma. Arta and Cala Rajada. It really is a beautiful island with so much to do and see. We even did a bit of walking (despite my wife suffering from a cold during the first week-honestly you think she could have taken ill at some other time (only kidding))
Speaking of downsides a few came to mind. Some of these I have read about in other postings - Burger King being the obvious. Another would have to be the amusement arcade towards the Pine Walk - little things at the start have the habit of becoming big - and suddenly you have Blackpool in the sun! (apologies to Blackpool readers). The next complaint, but one probably partially expected, was the amount of business premises. especially restaurants, closed up for winter. We visited several of the restaurants mentioned in the "dining" section and, if the truth were told, we were disappointed in most that we visited. The exceptions were
Stay,(good food well prepared)Tango (to a lesser extent where foil wrapped baked potatoes and veg were heaped on the plate - why not as a side?) and
Ca'n Cuarassa (where the food was good but the Pork en-croute we both had was slightly underdone) In the others we had the distinct impression that the food was left-overs/reheats. The service in all the restaurants we visited was, however, efficient and courteous. I know it must be difficult opening for only a handful of customers but most had a distinct "end of season" feel about them. I would imagine that in the height of summer turnover would be greater and freshness probably not a problem. One other concern is about the new by-pass at Siller. My understanding is that this is to divert tour coaches in summer, away from the town, that are heading for Formentor. Experience at home tends to suggest that the many roundabouts provided on such new roads ultimately provide access to other residential developments. I hope that this will not be the case at the Siller end (and you don't end up with a mini Milton Keynes or East Kilbride!!)
I don't want to give the impression that all is lost for PP, in comparison to some of the other "touristy" areas of the island PP remains a superb resort. The lack of night clubs, British bars, Lager louts etc makes it an appealing destination for families, young (and older) couples. Long may it continue. The proof of the pudding - yes we will be back and, hopefully, the powers that be will restrict the extent of future developments so that Puerto Pollensa retains its' most attractive appearance that sets it above the other sea-side resorts on the Island.