Isabel Pollensa Mallorca

We’ve just come back from a stay in August 2024. I’ll try to be fair: there were plenty of good things, but also some areas that could have been updated or better stocked. Some of those changes wouldn’t cost much and would have made the stay easier and more enjoyable. From the photos I’d already guessed this wouldn’t match the spectacularly well-equipped, modern villa in Menorca where we’d stayed for several years with family friends, so I kept my expectations in check. The quiet, completely private setting was lovely, and we had wonderful mountain views. Each bedroom had decent air con. The kitchen was mostly well equipped, the covered outdoor dining area was a great size, and the BBQ was conveniently placed. We also made good use of the table tennis table. Alcudia, Pollenca and Port De Pollenca were all a short drive away. Some basics fell short. There weren’t enough mugs or large glasses, and with six people staying, one shallow pillow each wasn’t enough. The WiFi worked but was weak, didn’t reach properly throughout the property and didn’t reach outside. The sun loungers were well past their best, with three starting to fall apart. I’m not a big guy, but didn’t trust them to hold my weight. The washing machine was old and didn’t work when we tried it. The villa is generally comfortable and pleasant, though clearly dated in places. The pool is a good size but old, with a few cracked tiles, and the badly weathered paving is very rough on bare feet. The ladder was awkward for my parents because its first step sits too low. My 79-year-old mother managed with help from me and the kids, but my 81-year-old dad decided not to risk it, which was a shame. The main bathroom could do with brighter lighting, and I’d replace the shower curtain with a door. The tap water, shower water and pool are all salty. I don’t know why, and it was a bit off-putting at first. Since you don’t drink the tap water in Mallorca anyway, we soon stopped being too bothered by it. There’s also a nightly oddity: on the mountain road from Formentor, the string of headlights returning at night was enjoyable to watch. The broken washing machine took three calls to Solmar Villas to sort out, partly because different agents got their wires crossed. On the third call, villa management sourced and installed a brand-new one that same day, with the owner’s agreement. I can’t praise Solmar Villas enough for dealing with it, and we didn’t have to stay in while they worked because the utility area has a separate entrance. Guests now have a new washing machine. Even with that excellent service, having to handle this during my holiday counts against my rating. It really should have been replaced before it failed for paying guests. We did enjoy the holiday, and the surrounding area is lovely. Alcudia is a great place for dinner at night, with lots of nice shops open late if you like browsing. Pollenca is lovely, and the beach at Port de Pollenca is terrific and very clean. The villa has its flaws, but three stars seems fair based on our stay.