We had a wonderful stay in this apartment. Beautifully clean and decorated, well equipped and in a great location.
We are a family of two adults, a six year old and a six month old baby. We came in the school summer half term holidays (May/June). It was hot!
The apartment has plenty of space and the terrace has absolutely gorgeous views over the sea. You are a few minutes from food shops, tourist shops, cash points, restaurants, pharmacy etc. Cala Fererra beach is about five mins walk and has loungers and parasols you can hire. The sandy beaches are all amazing - they are all fairly small, which I found makes it easier to keep an eye on kids. Cala Esmeralda is also just round the corner.
If you walk towards Cala D’or centre within five mins are two kids play zones with big bouncy castles, trampolines and mini race cars. Five euros for unlimited bouncing, plus they sell beer for parents! Winner!
Ten mins gets you to Cala D’or centre which is full of restaurants and shops. This is next to Cala Gran beach. We also walked to the bigger Eroski supermarket (20 mins easy walk from the apartment) which had a bigger/cheaper selection.
The apartments has a reception open from 10-1 and the lady there helped us a lot with info and advice. She can also book excursions for you. She let us leave our bags in a locked area on the last day as we had a late flight.
We didn’t hire a car. I pre booked airport transfer by taxi with PMI taxis - 170 euros in total and about an hour’s journey. Was worth it with two tired kids! Drivers were on time and friendly.
We did the following days out:
- Starfish boat 3 hour trip. Visit the coves, stop for an hour at Portopetro and then swimming off the boat with slides. Our six year old can only swim with arm bands but staff gave him an extra float jacket and there were staff watching everyone in the water carefully. Think it was 25 euros for adults, less for kids, baby free. Lovely trip and boat.
- Aqualand El Arenal water park. Coach and park tickets were around 50 euros per adult, less for kids, baby free. Sets off early! I was concerned about being stuck there for hours, but we had a great time - plenty to do for all ages, lots of shady bits. You can also get a stamp and go out of the park to El Arenal beach/town. Bring food as expensive to eat in the park.
- we took a taxi to Porto Cristo. I wandered in the town, while dad and six year old went to the Caves of Drach. Lots of restaurants and shops plus a little beach and posh boats in the port. Taxi was approx 30-35 euros each way.
Shops near the apartment sell plenty of baby food in pouches/pots. For formula milk you need to go to the pharmacy (not open on Sundays so bring enough for a few days). Shops have nappies and more choice in Eroski. Less choice/different brands of milk/food/nappies than uk though so if fussy maybe best to bring some! The apartment has a travel cot and ikea high chair. Most restaurants have high chairs and all very family friendly.
The beaches all have steps to get down, so carrying the pushchair was required quite a bit. Would advise a lightweight one. Our koodi pushchair sun shade was a lifesaver to keep baby out of the sun. Note that the apartment is not suitable for crawlers/early walkers as it has an open staircase, with no way to block it off. Also a couple of steps down on the ground floor and floors are tiled.
The apartment showers are great - needed to hose the sand off everyone! There is a small pool for use by those in the apartments, plus you can swim in the sea via steps from the apartments.
All in all a wonderful family holiday with a brilliant apartment and area.