Barceló Illetas Albatros - Adults only

Upon check in we were the 1st to arrive followed by a Spanish couple and then a German couple. We were offered cava and water but our check in took longer as we were the only ones asked to hand over our credit card - in case we ‘ordered anything not included’ the other couples were offered help with their bags and escorted to their rooms - we were pointed in the direction of the lift with a brief run down of where the other facilities were. Upon entering the room it was a huge disappointment, very cramped, dark and dirty. My husband went back to reception to express concern and also that the safe was closed so we couldn’t re-programme it. When he came back he was furious - the male receptionist had said ‘nothing we can do that is the room you booked - follow the instructions on the safe door it will work, we do not have any other rooms’ We again tried the safe but to no avail - by this time we’d looked in the shower it was filthy and covered with mould (we have lots of photographs). Once again at reception my husband said the room was unacceptable and the safe was closed shut. Again the very rude male receptionist said ‘that’s what you have paid for’ to which my husband said I didn’t pay for a dirty, mouldy room!. Having been up since 3am we were pretty tired and hungry - but according to the check in card lunch and finished at 13:00. A guy came to open the safe with a key, obviously this key opens all the security boxes in every room, this made me uncomfortable, however he did show me how to reset the code, which is not the instructions on the safe door - so even if the safe was open the instructions are incorrect on how to reset your code! The housekeeper came to look at the room, sent by the receptionist, she didn’t speak at all, I pointed various dirty spots and she left. We waited for 20 minutes for the phone to ring but nothing. As we had now missed lunch as it had closed according to the card we were given, we set off outside to find a local eatery. Turning right of out the hotel there was a small restaurant on the left hand side but this was closed. we continued for about a mile and found a cafe/bar after the Cala nova marina. Very nice and suitable. As we were walking back into the hotel some 90 minutes later the rude receptionist shouted at us to come over he’d miraculously found us another room, strange he couldn’t find one 90 minutes earlier. My husband questioned him on the fact he had no other rooms but he stated that he had found one for us. Additionally lunch did not close at 1pm but 7pm, this was in the personalised letter handed to use by reception but we didn’t open it until the following day due to the shenanigans caused by the rude receptionist. ROOMS - We moved all our baggage to the new room and were amazed it was even dirtier than the first! Again we have more photographs of the filth and mould, disgusting, run down, smelly and uncared for. The sink didn’t drain and when you run the tap the water gushes out the overflow bringing all sorts of previous occupiers debris with it. Half of the lights in the room didn’t work so on an evening trying to get shaved/put makeup on/ do hair was a chore. The walls were all scraped and scratched and it looked like a doss house. It was clear that previous occupiers had been either chasing and splatting insects across the walls and/or had been scraping football boots across the walls. On top of this there is no privacy - 90% of the rooms have a ‘side sea view’ you’re not told these rooms overlook the busiest local car park ever, containing industrial bins and recycle bins for the whole area. Overlooked by a block of flats and on a very busy road where the noise of the traffic makes it impossible to have a conversation on the balcony or keep the balcony door open at any point of the day or night. the balconies are also not private. Walls are paper thin and the guests were pretty noisy, we even had people knocking on our door in the middle of the night, screaming, fighting couples, constant mobile phone buzzing and ringing. We could not open the curtains due to the 13 storey residential apartment block opposite our room. There is a recycling bin which is used by the local supermarkets, residents and shops. Nice and noisy, just how you like your holiday. NOISE! Unbelievable the bins are emptied every day at 7:00 am, along with numerous delivery wagons ALL day. We have recorded all this on our phones. The area is not great you ,have to walk to find anything open - quite run down and not friendly, we tried the (mo) Rose Mallow - a smile costs nothing - except in this bar, they turned an elderly gentleman away at 21:45 as ‘we close at 22:00’ honestly I couldn’t believe it. There is nothing to do unless you walk for miles and then you’re really in a commuter district and it all closes at 22:00. FOOD - disgusting, cold, no flavour, staff miserable, it’s like you are putting them out just being there, I’ve never had a plate shoved so roughly into my hands by the omelette guy, he must have a miserable life to be so rude, but this reflects in the food miserable. Who makes coconut milk and noodle soup? Ok if you like chips, spaghetti Bolognese, battered squid, pizza?? no fresh veg and chewy stew concoctions, but you’re trapped there’s no where else near. Unless of course you are not British then the staff all all over you. This seems to be a hotel where the Spanish come for weekends or breaks and get specialist treatment. Institutional racism I believe. Not to mention that on the menus there were All Inclusive options, not according to Jet 2 or reception upon arrival but we saw plenty of Spanish people wearing wristbands. DRINKS - the sky bar is closed, the lounge bar is closed and yes the Al a Carte restaurant is closed. Pool bar expect a very very long wait no matter what time it is - one member of staff, serving all drinks including coffees, handing out pool towels and setting up the cabanas, 7 euros for a small bottle of water and a small beer, come on you’re not 5 star!! One evening we went down to the ‘only bar open in the hotel’ there was nobody serving there for 10 minutes (I have video evidence) we could have helped ourselves but decided to walk a mile or two to find another watering hole. That is 60% of the services advertised not open. POOL - dirty never seen anyone wash down the beds or clean the sticky tables once, couldn’t even put anything down as it was covered in the previous day slop. A lot of the beds are covered in bird poo and the beds mostly come in slabs of 4. No privacy at all unless you like other guests covering you with their sunblock sprays. Hotel is also used for corporate overnight groups and boy can they get loud and in your face! This is the only other time you will see the suits arrive and swan around the place. As a final parting shot, we checked out and paid our bill. The bus arrived 20 minutes later, we got up left to find that our luggage was covered in ants from the reception floor. We spent an embarrassing 25 minutes on the bus trying to remove the ants from our hand luggage as the cases were in the bus boot. Arrived at airport, checked in and got through security then checked our bags which were now infested with ants. We had to purchase one new bag and transfer our belongings to the new bag and throw the two originals bags into the bin, along with the ants! Upsetting as my bag was bought as a present from my eldest daughter as she knew I liked hers. I would not recommend this hotel for my dog to stay in. The staff are slow, exceptionally rude and they lie to you, unless of course you are Spanish when the suits from the offices all come out. The food is below any adults only hotel I have ever stayed in (I have stayed in over 20, across the med and the world and we regularly stay in hotels on business.) The photographs are fake and mostly shot with wide angled lenses like an estate agent sells a house. Do not book this hovel hostel. Save your money and book a tent in a muddy field, it will be cleaner, the wildlife will be friendlier and there will at least be some atmosphere and soul.

This is an all round good hotel. The rooms are clean, the beds comfortable and the shower very good. The pool and bar are very good and the staff are friendly and helpful. There are good restaurants in the area. Special mention must go to Illetas Playa and Illetas Boulevard. What more could you ask for?

Spent 5 nights at Barcelo, from the minute we walked through the door we were amazed. On check in we were given a glass of cava, our room was on the 5th floor and had a beautiful side seaview. Our room was a great size, the layout is unique. It was absolutely spotless. They have thought of absolutely everything. All the staff were so friendly especially Jaime in the blue restaurant who was brilliant and very friendly. On our last full day, there was a thunder storm but it didn't dampen our mood as we could use the spa which was fantastic. Breakfast was the best I've ever experienced, there was so much choice and the omelettes were incredible. We always got a seat outside and it really made it for us. The rooftop bar is closed but they set up tables by the pool bar and it's beautiful. The pool area is lovely, we always got a sunbed and a umbrella. We would definitely return.

lovely hotel great staff..Evening meal was very good with lots of choice especially for vegetarians. Meat and fish cooked for you at the grill by very cheerful staff. The pool area is well managed and the pool bar staff very friendly.

My husband and I couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable and relaxing week here. The staff were kind, friendly, and always helpful. The room, views, pool, food, and location were all magnificent. We had half-board which included breakfast and dinner at the buffet restaurant. Everything was delicious and fresh with a great diversity of options. There are also many great restaurants in the nearby vicinity if you want to try out other things. We had a room with a hot tub on the terrace and a beautiful sea-side view. The room was clean, and the bed very comfortable/firm. There were no issues at all with air conditioning. Our room was always cool and and comfortable. In our room the bathroom area was open to the rest of room. This was fine for us a couple but might be something to consider if you need more privacy. We didn't spend a lot of time at the pool, favoring the nearby beaches instead, but it was very nice and there were always available lounge chairs and convenient drinks/food from the bar. The location of the hotel is great. The airport is about a 20-30 minutes drive. And Palma is easy to get to via the bus stop right outside the hotel. There are also plenty of shops, restaurants, beaches, activities, and grocery stores in the nearby vicinity. Thank you Barceló Illetas Albatros for the wonderful stay! We would highly recommend!