Platja D'Or Hotel

We've recently returned from our holiday to Platja d'or, our first all inclusive with our expectations of all inclusive being based on Benidorm the TV comedy series . We needn't have been concerned as were very pleased with our visit, the accommodation and facilities were good, the staff efficient and friendly with particular mention of the Maitre d' who made guests most welcome. The buffet style food was very good, the only problem was being spoilt for choice which was resolved by us often having some eclectic combinations. We would certainly recommend the Platja d'or and we will return there next year.

Yes I know I have put Location in both Good and Bad points, but bear with me and I'll explain.

Firstly the Plat Ja Dor Hotel in Majorca, is slightly out of the Main Alcudia drag (a benefit in my view), but it is only about 20 minutes walk away, or the BelleVue area is about 10 minutes away. A taxi to the Port area is about €5-6, or the regular bus service is €1.

The Hotel has good sized rooms that have a T.V., a mini-fridge, and air conditioning. A Safe is available at a small cost.

If you can upgrade to the Superior rooms then do it. They have 3 bedrooms (1 Double, 1 Twin and 1 Bunk Bed), 2 Bathrooms, an air conditioned lounge/dining Room, and a very large balcony overlooking the beach (these rooms are literally a couple of metres away from the beach). The only drawback is that you aren't allowed to take food or drink from the bar to them. But you can if you are sneaky, and if you walk from the bar round the back of the entertainment room, and round the gardens.

The bar is free for local and some international spirits, some beers and lagers, and all soft drinks including bottled water (being an all-inclusive hotel), and they are open all day from 11am - 11.45pm. You can get snacks at the bar when the dining room is closed, and it has a side that you can get to, from the pool area. You are only allowed to order 2 drinks at a time from the bar, but the bar staff are pretty efficient, and they keep the queues short, if you can call 3 people a queue!!

The entertainment is kept alive by 2 Dutch guys, and they know the best bars if you crave a change of scenery. There's a regular pattern of entertainment in the daytime and the evenings. The daytime tends to be low-key, in the form of competitions, and then they start the evening with a light-hearted quiz. The hotel, to their credit, get some good tribute bands, singing acts and comedians, and if you get to see the Lord of the Dance tribute, then you are in for a real treat.

The Dining Room is buffet-style, and serves breakfast until 10am (which we missed a few times!!). Lunch is from 12pm - 2.30pm, and Dinner from 6pm until 9.30pm. Whilst the food is excellent there isn't much Spanish choice! They cater very much for the English taste, so don't expect much in the way of traditional Spanish food. On the whole, the chefs keep the food hot and fresh, and there is a 'Show Cooking' section, where the chef cooks Fish and Meat just for you. The selection of Food is first class! Breakfast is everything you would expect i.e. Yoghurt and Fresh Fruit, Cereals, Full English-style, some pastries and toast too. The Lunch and Dinner selection is excellent, and there is always a different Soup, 4 -6 different fresh salads, 3 or 4 meat selections, 2 fish selections and plenty of vegetables. Be prepared to pile on the pounds with the Dessert selections, as I don't think we saw less than 8 different options. The Dining Room has a self-service policy for drinks, for breakfast, and lunch, it is then a waiter service in the evening. If you like paella, try the chefs special on the Spanish night.

The Reception staff are always helpful, and never failed to help out when we requested anything. The maids were fantastic, and didn't bat an eyelid when we asked for a couple of extra towels and bathrobes.

The Location of the hotel, as I said, is away from the main bar, club, and restaurant areas, but they are well within walking distance . There is a Petrol garage just around the corner, and you do get some road noise when in the pool area in the daytime, but this calms down at night, and is well within tolerable limits. I challenge anyone to find a hotel in Majorca with this range of facilities close by, that doesn't have road noise. That said, the windows and shutters keep out 90% of the noise, and as most people know, air conditioning units or fans aren't silent!!!

he range of trips and events that Thomson offer are good, but you can ask the reception, or find any number of local shops that offer just as many if not more. Ask in 'The Sandwich Shop' across the main road if you are in any doubt. Incidentally they have the nearest Pool table for people like me, who just can't live without a game or two a week!!! There is also a Killer Pool competition too.

If you are horse-inclined, then try the Rancho grande evening. They have 3 grades of horse - Automatic (Sit on, and you don't need to know or do anything else), mini-Turbo for those with a little experience of trotting, and rising trot, or Turbo for those who like to canter or gallop as well. Alternatively you can just sit in the wagon and guzzle gallons of the local Sangria!! After returning to the ranch you will have a BBQ meal, (good but not huge), more sangria, and then an intro to Line Dancing, which is great fun.

The best highlight on the whole island has to be Pirates Adventure. If you are an all adult group, then go for the Pirates Adventure Uncut. If you haven't heard about Pirates, then just ask someone who has been to the island. It is a rip-roaring evening of pirates, acrobatics, jokes, food, sangria (as much as you can drink,) and a real good laugh. Look up the pirates adventure website for more info. They raise money for Great Ormond Street, which can't be bad, and in my opinion is the best value show on the island.

The Son Amar show is also highly rated, but we just didn't have time to fit it in.

There are 3 water parks of note... the Hydro Park in Alcudia is small but not. The Western Water Park is excellent value, and has a 30m virtually free-fall slide, and an excellent high-dive show. And, AquaLand is the biggest, and has the most slides and attractions, but can get really busy.

If you can, hire a car and explore Majorca. There are loads of smaller resorts and excellent places to visit, too numerous for me to mention here, but do try to see Soller and Port Soller, Palma (especially the Cathedral), and Cap De Formentor. There are loads of amazing places for views on Majorca, but one of the best is the mountain road from Port Pollenca to Soller! It is Stunning!! Try and get to one of the local markets too, and don't be afraid to haggle. Start off ridiculously low, and traders soon come down to an agreeable price.

A big drawback for us as a young group, was the lack of nightlife close by. The bar closes at 11.45pm, and some nights you just don't want to go to bed. So if you want nightlife that doesn't stop until the sun comes up, then try the BelleVue area. There are plenty of clubs, pubs and restaurants. Bells club is worth a visit for reasonable drinks and music, or go into Alcudia and find one of the many bars or clubs that stay open till late/early!!

In my view, this is one of the best Hotels in Majorca. There are 5* Hotels where the staff look down their noses at you, and then you walk into a 3* Hotel like this, and wonder why it's still only a 3*!! I have stayed in a few 5* Hotels, and have never had such as good a service as I did from the Plat Ja D'Or staff. Granted, it doesn't have a Gym, Sauna, or Steam Room, but why would you go to Majorca and want to stay inside???