Gran Santa Ponsa Apartments

Unfortunately it is with some regret that I have to write this email to complain about our recent holiday. My friends and I booked this for my birthday and, to be quite honest, we couldn’t wait to get home.

The Gran Santa Ponsa Apartments did not live up to the reviews on Low cost Holidays website and we were so disappointed. Ive listed below some of the complaints that my friends and I noted whilst we were there:

The items listed below were not only in one room, my friends and I occupied two rooms, we asked for two rooms near each other, but unfortunately we weren’t even in the same side of the building:

Although the rooms were “fairly” clean on arrival (we didn’t arrive until late evening), the paperwork stated that the cleaners would come into the room every 2 days. This didn’t happen. The cleaner didn’t clean at all. The bins weren’t emptied, the towels weren’t changed, no floors, bathroom, nothing was cleaned at all. We did it all ourselves, which you want to get away from on holiday. There were no sanitary bins provided in the bathroom, which caused a problem. The toilet was disgusting, and hadn’t looked like it had been cleaned for months. The towels in the bathroom were actually stained. We ran out of toilet roll on the 3rd day and more or less had to beg for more.

The sheets on the bed had very nasty marks on them, and the blankets provided actually smelled of sick.

There was only one chair for the balcony, which was supposed to be for 3 people. The radio in the room didn’t work the whole time we were there, even though we asked if someone could look at it. There was no coffee machine in the room, as stated in the review. Plus, there was only 1 mug provided in the room that was for 3 people!

We were all inclusive for the week we were there……….there was NO vegetarian food at all – all week! When we asked if there could be something else for non-meat eaters, we were told we could have salad, which comprised lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Even the desserts were made with gelatine, no good for veggies. The quality of the food in general was awful – none of us are used to eating poor quality food and it was really really bad. The bar snacks consisted of: a plate of chips, a hot dog or cheese sandwich – THAT WAS IT. If you wanted anything else, you had to pay. No ice lollies were included in the All Inclusive, just a very small pot of ice cream that was filled with ice particles. We even had to pay for a BOTTLE OF WATER!

But – to top it all off………..our first day sitting round the pool there were children running around with nothing on, which is fine…….but one decided to “poo” on the floor AND in the pool, which the family of the child thought was hysterical. The lifeguard came over to tell the family (who were sitting at the pool bar with other holiday makers, eating lunch), the father picked it up and began showing it to everyone round the pool. Not one person made any attempt to disinfect the floor or get everyone out the pool. It was disgusting. The same evening – there were a LOT of people still sitting round the pool singing and shouting at the top of their voices till almost 4am – no-one asked them to keep the noise down, even though other people in their rooms were asking them to be quiet. Plus, we were being charged for a parasol round the pool too.

On our last day our rooms had to be vacated by 12 noon. Our flights weren’t until late in the evening. We had no-where to store our luggage, or get changed, except for the one single toilet (the only toilet available for everyone staying at the apartments) that was next to the pool.

We ended up not eating or drinking at the Gran Santa Ponsa, and also ended up going to the beach every day, because we felt the pool area was dirty. We spent over £100 for the week on sun loungers for the beach and we all had to draw more money out of our accounts to pay for food and drink for the week.

We were so disappointed and felt that my birthday and the only holiday ive had for nearly two years has been totally ruined.

Not recommended for families.This hotel is the worst place for a family holiday. Santa Ponsa is great but we would avoid this hotel unless you are an 18-30's group.

Do not consider Gran Santa Ponsa Apartments as an option for your holiday unless your teenagers are alcoholic and you like listening to people sitting on their toilet and your favorite thing in life is playing bingo and you treasure horrible smells and dirt.

We are a family of 4 that stayed at this hotel in July and we have never been so unhappy about any accommodation. Upon our arrival, we were surprised because the hotel is RIGHT in the middle of an industrial road and I have no idea who on earth can describe it as a good location! It is a 10 minutes fast walk to the centre of the town and it is nowhere near the popular areas with restaurants and the attractions. I would be interested to know, who can describe this place as well located, because that is untrue. Once we arrived to the reception we were greeted by a friendly lady receptionist who directed us to our room and the nightmare started. The fridge smelt like a dirty nappy, the microwave had leftover food from last years guests, there was sugar from the previous guests all around the kitchen area, the sofa was unbelievably dirty with actual black corners and cigarette burns all over it and the beds were old and smelly and very uncomfortable. We wanted to start our holiday with no complaints, so we cleaned all the dirt, although the smell of the fridge was very hard to get rid off.

The most disturbing thing about this place was the noise and lack of privacy. The walls were so thin that you could clearly hear your neighbour sitting on the toilet, and also the general noise from the drunk holiday makers that have no respect for others. And this is an ongoing activity that goes on all night, so you actually never ever get the chance to have an hour of solid sleep. At night there was one man at the reception and no security guard on the premises and on the second night when we were getting our key, we mentioned it to him and he shrugged his shoulders and gave us the idea that this was normal and what did we want from him!

We simply believe that we were ripped off and someone has to look into this hotel very closely.

Disregard all good comments about this place because there is nothing good about noise, dirt, thin walls and drunk aggressive teenagers.

Only home from a fabulous week in Gran santa ponsa appt.s We were a party of 4- 2 adults a 12 year old & 4 year old.Staff friendly & helpful throughout.Great beach & resort.Pool ideal for kids big & small.Activities & entertainment amusing.Restaurants & bars value for money.Weather brill.All in all very enjoyable time & will be returning for a longer visit next year.

Just got back Saturday after 11 nights in the Gran Santa Ponsa apartments. Me and my partner went and thought it was great. The apartments were nice and clean with regular maid service although I don't think they cleaned the floors or changed the bed sheets while we were there but that didn't really bother us as we are not filthy people!!! There was only air con in the living room/kitchen area and I think this will be a problem for those going during the hotter summer months. The temps were roughly 70 + while we were there and although we had some drizzle it was nothing much and didn't last long. It did tend to get rather cloudy around 3 and we came off the beach then. The sea was lovely. All the staff were lovely and they found it nice although funny when I tried to speak to them in my little Spanish! The pool looked lovely although we didn't use it as we are more beach people. The location was great - out of the way but not too far, everything was within walking distance and the whole area is relatively flat. There was a small incline going up towards the Irish/Scottish area and towards the small cove/marina area but they were easy. We don't usually go back to the same place twice but I would go back if my sister was to take the kids there. We did a few excursions booked with our rep - 1. Pirates - FANTASTIC!!! 2. Caves of Drach - wouldn't go again, one of the hottest and sunniest days I felt was wasted on this trip, we were first dropped at the Majorca factory where they make pearls, not the most interesting of places mainly rows of items of jewellery made with the pearls which although I did fancy a few pieces they were too expensive, then next door to the Olive art shop, again not the most interesting it was just a shop more or less selling tat made from olive wood. Then on to the caves which were not as magnificent as expected and we weren't there long, then down to Porto Cristo for lunch which was kind of expensive and there wasn't much to do or see here. Finally we thought we were on our way back to the apartment but we had a final stop in a shop alongside the motorway where we had a taster of some liquors and could purchase more tat and leather goods. We enjoyed the scenery as we were going around the Island but I wouldn't recommend it - too long. 3. Andraix market and port. We were dropped off around 9.30 and were in the market until 12.00. We felt too long was spent here, we had been around the market by 10.30! We then went down to the port for lunch for an hour and a bit but spent most of the time trying to find somewhere with reasonable prices to eat!! The local bus service is good and reasonable (so are the taxis) and I would get around with these rather than book with your rep. All in all a great holiday and it was winding down at this time of year but I don't expect it would have been too busy during the school holidays. Prices were similar everywhere. We didn't eat at Crocodilos which had been recommended to us as it was always too busy but we had three very nice meals at the watering hole just down from Crocodilos and they have a lovely pool and area with sun loungers out the back available to use for a couple of euros. So to end, if you are thinking of going here I would say yes. Enjoy your holiday.

We stayed in the Grand Santa Ponsa for ten nights on the 12th Aug 08. We hard a great time, very friendly.

Overall we enjoyed our stay and would go back.

In my opinion the Gran Santa Ponsa Apartments are great for family holidays. The staff are very experienced, the complex is very clean and tidy. The standard of holiday in this apartment is excellent.

Very safe for children although the swimming pool itself was a little deceiving as there are steps going down at different levels getting in to the pool which you cant see. I lost my footing the first time I got into it as I am not a good swimmer I panicked. The entertainer was a little over powering at times. We would have liked more activities around the pool for teenagers upwards. Overall the accommodation was good, staff very friendly especially the receptionists.

The apartments were very clean, staff very friendly, good atmosphere. More entertainment needed for older children smaller children catered for more, also tv needed in room. Prices were expensive at bar/food area. Enjoyed our stay, close to beach and shops. Air con was a saviour in heat. Would highly recommend the Gran Santa Ponsa Apartments and would return again

Just come back from the Gran Santa, had a ball again if you have kids you have to stay here, the kids entertainer is great she's around all day and also compares the night entertainment shows, she does a kids disco each night from 8.30 to 9.30 and then does bingo till 10.30 till the shows start. Different acts each night ranging from Rod Stewart impersonators to snakes and parrots shows to karaoke and hypnotists. Ask for a room on the right hand side of reception as this is the quiet side away from the main road which is fairly noisy! Rooms cleaned every day and fresh towels as well, will be booking again next year