Hi all.
Just back from our first summer week in PP for five years, and thought I would post a quick report.
Accommodation - Stayed at the Las Velas
Apartments. Last time we were there we and the staff were worrying about the disruption that would be caused by the new road. Glad to say there were no problems at all. Perhaps a bit more noise than before, but as against that the area is now better lit allowing a safer feel to walking back at night. The staff were as helpful as ever, and I would like to thank them for accommodating our request, only made by e-mail a couple of weeks prior to arrival, for a ground floor
apartment. The only down-side to Las Velas are the amount of ants in the gardens, but you soon learn to use the spray to keep them away from your loungers.
Ambience - The town felt a good bit quieter than I remember, perhaps more like it did ten or so years ago than five. I did hear some comments that many of the
hotels are well down on bookings, but maybe that will change with the football result last night!
I was pleased to see that some of the problems touted on this forum were not as apparent as I had feared. There didn’t seem to be any more dog mess than before – except on the cycleways adjacent to the ring road were I did notice quite a bit. As they appear to be used as walkways as well, this could be a problem for some. I also did not notice many diseased or damaged pine trees – in fact the majority seemed quite healthy! Finally the graffiti problem seemed no worse than before.
Prices - No worse than I expected, although that was bad enough! Most of our expenditure was on food and drink, and I would think that prices are now more or less on a par with those we would pay here in Glasgow.
Food & drink - Best meal without a doubt was Los Zarzales, followed by Restaurant Llenaire – both of which were a first for us. Simbad was also a first, but wasn’t quite as good as an old favourite, Coral. Both being similar in style I suspect that we would stick with Coral for that type of food. The pizzas at
Laroc were also good – for pizzas, and we would go there again for a break from Mallorquin cuisine. Worst meal by far was at a place we had previously enjoyed, Maxims. Obviously frozen prawns in the ‘garlic prawns’; and an utterly tasteless ‘Monkfish and seafood casserole “a la Marinera”’ that must have come from the Gulf of Mexico, there was that much oil in it. Definatley ‘off the list’ as we say.
Other points - Having previously enquired about the kayaking and parascending, my elder daughter and I hired a couple of kayaks one morning. Floating round the bay, from the Illa D’Or to Tamarells, was a relaxing experience which certainly gives you a different perspective on the Port. I hope the business running the hire thrives, but since I didn’t see anyone else hiring unless they make money off of lessons or guided tours I have my doubts. A pity, since when and if we return I would do that again.
We didn’t get on to the parascending, as my younger daughter seemed to lose her enthusiasm if it meant putting down her books and getting off the sunlounger. But that’s teenagers for you.
Again, elder daughter and I walked to
Cala San Vicente over the Coll de Siller. A pleasant walk, but even in June I would not have liked to do it after (say) 12.00 noon. CSV was quiet, but I did notice some pleasing signs of new developments of apartments, etc. Hopefully reports of its demise are exaggerated.
Going back? - Four years ago we went over in October to look at buying a holiday / retirement apartment in PP. We decided against, and for several reasons I am glad we did. We still like the town as a holiday destination, but do feel that it has lost something. Don’t know what, but it does now seem a bit too commercialised and ‘touristy’, especially compared to what it used to be when we first visited 20-odd years ago. Nowhere near as much so as most of the other resorts on the island, but perhaps a bit more than we look for. We will go back, but would have to say that if it were not for the problems of getting there in a reasonable timeframe we would now prefer St. Giles Croix-de-Vie on the French Vendee coast, which has the feel of a working town which just happens to have excellent beaches and restaurants, rather than a tourist resort.
That is emphatically not a criticism of PP, or the people who live and work there and who provide what is, in the main, an excellent and friendly service. It is just us, I suppose. Like many relationships, over time the parties can change and grow apart.
Having said all that I suspect – no, know – that we will return, but probably at less frequent intervals than previously. After all, its still PP, and once bitten you never really get rid of the bug!
allanglens