So quiet

[sws97sdg]

is that the one that used to be a chinese as well?

 

[MPH133]

is that the one that used to be a chinese as well?

Yes - sushi i think

 

[MPH133]

I have just heard the restaurant next to Manalo's is closing this week

Such lovely friendly people - the food, when they did it, was lovely.
It will be missed

 

[Sparky]

Yes - sushi i think

It was a Chinese called Serenity Coast before that and run by the same people as Pascalino/Luna de Miel.

 

[Rockape]

Just got back from a lovely trip and noticed its got busier since the state schools broke up at the end of last week. Had a few meals out, but also bbq'd at home, which when there are a few of you, saves saves a bundle on going out. Probably more people are doing that a bit more often than in previous years.

 

[Gp1602]

Its all very sad
We will be back as soon as i am fit to fly.

Hope you are soon well again

 

[Tommo]

Its all very sad
The First 2 weeks in June were very Quite. dined at the Indian rest on the square twice
on both occasions only two tables taken at 8.30 in the evening the other eating houses very quite. Myra & Myself wont be out as usual this September due to ill health.
Lets hope thing improve for the rest of the season as i will be a very bleak winter for all the business owners in the Port who don't deserve what the government is inflicting on them by driving the tourist's away.We will be back as soon as i am fit to fly.

Get well soon.

 

[pollensafan]

Now I know this is hardly a scientific study for the resort, but having spent over 30 years going to PP 2-3 times a year and always the same periods with my dear departed better half, we always stayed on the beach showing on the see Mallorca cam.

The one thing I know for a fact is those banks of sunbeds were always nearly full.

Having watched over the weeks, all I'm seeing is rows of empty beds stacked up. You can't even excuse it by saying it's not in season.

Not having been back for 2 years, is it down to lack of people or have they hiked up the bed prices.

 

[scotslizzy]

Lots of factors at play

The very poor exchange rate
Private Apartment situation
PP expensive in relation to mainland Spain
Turkey becoming very popular again

We were in Malaga Old Town on a cruise in June and could not believe how cheap the prices were for very good tapas at lunch time wine prices also vg .

Last year we had a holiday in Turkey in a 5 star hotel which blew us both away in terms of quality of product and price.

Also had a holiday in Tossa de Mar much smaller than PP but had a lovely vibe and that is on our list for another visit.

As a die hard PP fan (been coming for over 30 years ) I will always visit PP each year, but for other people thinking about a holiday in PP they will look at all the factors above and make their mind up according to their budget.

Scotslizzy

 

[bobley]

I just walked into the main square in Pollenca at 7.30pm and got a table at the first restaurant we tried. Sat straight down. Is that normal? It was nice anyway.

The owner of the antique furniture shop in town told us yesterday that her friend who runs a property maintenance company is laying off staff and selling a few of their vans. Not good.

 

[Grandad]

I have no idea how P.Pollenca can charge 3.50 and even 5 in certain spots for a Pint. Even my workers bar El Pozo charges 3.70. Alcudia is a lot cheaper and on mainland spain 2.5 is the normal. Why is this ? Are the rates or licences more expensive in the town ? Also if you take a family of 4 a normal meal can cost in excess of 80 Euro so you can see why people are not eating out as often as they did. Its not the food but the drinks ( small bottle of water at 2.50 ) which add up the bill. ( Cheaper to drink the wine ) .Add to this the exchange rate which is now close to parity and it adds to an expensive holiday. Also noticed TUI advertising strongly for Turkey next year , Less than £300 All inclusive 5 star hotel per person so Spain, watch out.

 

[Bircho]

I have no idea how P.Pollenca can charge 3.50 and even 5 in certain spots for a Pint. Even my workers bar El Pozo charges 3.70. Alcudia is a lot cheaper and on mainland spain 2.5 is the normal. Why is this ? Are the rates or licences more expensive in the town ? Also if you take a family of 4 a normal meal can cost in excess of 80 Euro so you can see why people are not eating out as often as they did. Its not the food but the drinks ( small bottle of water at 2.50 ) which add up the bill. ( Cheaper to drink the wine ) .Add to this the exchange rate which is now close to parity and it adds to an expensive holiday. Also noticed TUI advertising strongly for Turkey next year , Less than £300 All inclusive 5 star hotel per person so Spain, watch out.

Re the exchange rate - €80 a 2/3 years ago was about £58-£60. Its now nearer £75. Multiply that out by a 14 days holiday across everything you spend and it might answer many questions. When you are having to spend best part of £500 MORE, on a two week holiday.....

Sadly, the local costs don't reduce so with the exchange rate it can easily become a bun fight to the bottom.

 

[Sparky]

I have said this before, generally bars and restaurants have not increased their prices and they can't be held responsible for the poor exchange rate.

I was talking to the owner of Hibiscus last night and she said this season has been a big disaster (her exact words) due to the private rentals law .

 

[Hanser]

Stiff Upper Lip

I fear the Forum is following the 'End of Times' mood in the UK. It's pretty certain that this season will turn out to have been poor but these things are cyclical. Things will recover.

Mallorca isn't going to compete with destinations with failing economies that will always attract those people who choose holidays on price and weather alone. It should not even try. If you think there's something wrong with the Balearic democracy, get yourself over to Turkey or north Africa and see what wrong really looks like.

I been to Bali and Mauritius and seen rivers flowing full with rubbish, dived over dead coral and seen uncontrolled corrupt development in what are supposed to be brochure paradises. Friends tell me of the same in The Maldives and Seychelles.

Exchange rates must be put in perspective. The euro-sterling rate has stayed within a 5 cent band for the past 12 months and it's not that bad compared to the past 24 months. It's 2 cents above its lowest. If you use a currency card, today you'll get 1.09€ on £100 or more and there are no other charges including at most ATMs. Even for an expensive holiday, the impact of exchange rates is bearable.

There are plenty of really nice places selling beer at below 3.50€. We all need to patronise these places as they are trying hard to please. Worst case, have one drink fewer or try not to spill as much!

 

[JPALCOVER]

I fear the Forum is following the 'End of Times' mood in the UK. It's pretty certain that this season will turn out to have been poor but these things are cyclical. Things will recover.

Mallorca isn't going to compete with destinations with failing economies that will always attract those people who choose holidays on price and weather alone. It should not even try. If you think there's something wrong with the Balearic democracy, get yourself over to Turkey or north Africa and see what wrong really looks like.

I been to Bali and Mauritius and seen rivers flowing full with rubbish, dived over dead coral and seen uncontrolled corrupt development in what are supposed to be brochure paradises. Friends tell me of the same in The Maldives and Seychelles.

Exchange rates must be put in perspective. The euro-sterling rate has stayed within a 5 cent band for the past 12 months and it's not that bad compared to the past 24 months. It's 2 cents above its lowest. If you use a currency card, today you'll get 1.09€ on £100 or more and there are no other charges including at most ATMs. Even for an expensive holiday, the impact of exchange rates is bearable.

There are plenty of really nice places selling beer at below 3.50€. We all need to patronise these places as they are trying hard to please. Worst case, have one drink fewer or try not to spill as much!

Hear Hear!
I'd rather vacation in a resort hosting fewer people spending more each (same total income for the resort) than be in a place where I am overwhelmed with a ubiquitous crowd of tourists who unanimously think that cheap is tantamount to good. Good value, yes; El Cheap'o for the sake of cheap, not really!

 

[alcanadakid]

Port Alcudia is certainly more busy than normal, witnessed by the car parks as well as the queues for the restaurants. We have given up trying to park in the main car park, but fortunately there is a large “rough” car park which is now becoming popular and is about 90% full.

Alcudia is not as affected as PP with the apartment issue, although there is an effect.

Restaurant prices are appreciably cheaper than PP. I haven’t measured it but I would guess about 15%. The quality is similar, if not better than PP.

Alcudia old town is also very busy.

 

[Teacu]

Cyclical it may be, but the problem is, who'll be left (whether by 'accident' or design) at the end of the cycle ?

 

[sws97sdg]

Everyone who holidays in hotels, licensed apartments and the numerous villas available

 

[Sparky]

Everyone who holidays in hotels, licensed apartments and the numerous villas available

But there will only be 30,000 licences up for grabs, that is for beds not buildings, this is for the whole island so will probably not help the Port a great deal.

Of course people will always come but will it be enough for the businesses to survive?, from what i am seeing and hearing many will either scale back or close completely, that is not an "end of times mood" it is fact.

 

[P&C@29]

I have just read an article in MDB that at all inclusive resorts in the Baliarics will only be allowed to serve free acholic drinks at lunch and dinner at all other times guests will have to pay. Is this another way to deter holiday makers ? I am sure Greece And Turkey will be rubbing they hands with glee.
I have been informed by the person who I rent from the next years price will go up from £500 to £750 pw, sorry but can't afford it.