How did you discover PP ?.

[KWUK2]

We've always liked Spain, that's where we went for our first holiday abroad together. We had been to various parts of Spain, and finally we thought we would try the Balearics. Tried Menorca - ok, then Ibiza - good. But we deliberately avoided Mallorca as we knew (well, we thought we did) it was a full-on party-place, burgers & chips, lots of drinking etc etc.

Mallorca was off our agenda until my in-laws said we had completely the wrong impression of it and that we would like a place called Puerto Pollensa. Very bravely, we took the 'risk' to book PP - how right were the in-laws - and how wrong were our preconceptions about Mallorca.

For 30 years we have been back to PP most years, and sometimes more than once a year. Our daughter came with us, and now we also come with our grand-daughters. So three generations together; a slight sadness that the in-laws who started the ball rolling never got to experience four generations together in PP.

And we weren't put off by our 'horrendous' first ever night in PP. Late arrival, cockup by the travel company about keys to the apartment, by 1am we were having to sleep in the rental car. Then a lucky turn of events solved the problem. Our luck continues - three generations will be back again in PP imminently.

 

[JH02JLH]

We were introduced to PP by my parents and we stayed in a Sunworld villa, El Lloquet (apparently now available through booking.com) in 1996 when our daughter was just 9 weeks old.

We had a fantastic holiday and returned again in 1998 and then almost every year until 2008, staying in assorted villas. I discovered the forum one evening while googling Ca'n Costa (now sadly no more) and it became a big part of my life, and I made many friends here, meeting up with some of them in PP (and in the UK) and enjoying meals together.

We will always love PP and the square in Pollensa is our special place. We've visited in December which was really lovely and my dream is to spend a winter in Mallorca. One day! Hopefully, we'll be back next year!

 

[Catwoman]

Our first visit was Hotel Uyal in 1978 suggested by my brother. We quite liked it but didn't return until 2001. Does anyone remember the Eclipse August 2000? With husband and 2 daughters aged 11 and 13 we were sitting wrapped up in warm winter clothes on a beach on the Isle of Wight! That's when I remembered Puerto Pollensa and I declared 'no more holidays for kids'. Next year we are going abroad and I know just the place. After many protests about 'nothing to do there' ( Centre Parcs had been holiday of choice for years)I equipped one daughter with books and another with a portable tape player (with earphones!) and said we would try it for just one year. Well it turned out there was SO much to do and everyone loved it- they even enjoyed just relaxing on the beach. We have revisited almost every year since in self catering apartments in every corner of PP. Now aged 34 and 36 they go off hiking and driving all over the island leaving my husband and I to relax ( and have dinner ready!). I'm so glad I decided to have a 'me' holiday all those years ago

 

[Luckyone]

First Mallorcan holiday was with my parents in 1970 to Paguera in the South followed by Palma Nova and Calla Millor.

My husband I were introduced to Puerto Pollensa in 1985 (brother had been there in 1984, he still returns) staying at the Pollensa Park when you were allocated a table in the restaurant for the period of your stay. Four course dinner consisted of first two courses where you served yourself and then main and dessert served by lovely staff in full black/white uniforms, the food was excellent. Following year we went to the Uyal, food was awful.

From 1987 we went to apartments with Parasol Holidays (Scottish Company) who chartered BA flights from Glasgow every Saturday morning. When they went bust we moved over to the Travel Club of Upminster who purchased seats on flights from Glasgow for us. We also stayed at Las Velas getting to know Sheila and Judy (eventually got to know Jan Dexter daughter of Judy).

In 1999 we started on villa holidays and we never looked back. We love PP and have enjoyed supporting locally run businesses watching their families grow up and take over when their parents have retired (some retired and returned to work!).

We do go to other places but now spend 6 weeks at PP over the summer.
Love this place, the restaurants and the people.

 

[Disorderly]

I’m loving this thread!

Best one for ages, Debz.

 

[bobley]

We needed an emergency holiday back in 2016. I didn't really mind where we went as long as it was pretty, warm, not rowdy etc.

My 14yr old son asked if we could go to Pollença because It was good for cycling ( apparently some guy called Bradley stays there...). We weren't disappointed and 14 months later we bought a house here.

Covid has actually been great for us now that both the boys are away at uni and I can work remotely so probably going to reach 10 weeks this year and we're seriously considering staying 90 days through winter next year because the electricity is 20c/kwh vs nearly 50c/kwh in the UK!!

 

[roig cat]

2000- went to Cala Bona with our then 6 month old and 2 year old. We hired a car and each afternoon went for a drive so they could have a nap in the AC car, ( and we could have some peace) Hey presto discovered PP. The rest of the holidays we drove up to PP from Cala Bona as it was much nicer. We must have had 20-26 trips to PP since.
22 years later and we have a family holiday booked in October with our 22 and 24 year old and their boyfriends.

 

[Bekki]

Travelling and partying around Greece and America were our holidays until our lovely daughter Maddi arrived. Where could we go now? Mallorca was suggested by my in laws but it was a flat no. They explained that we had completely the wrong impression of it and that we would like a place called Puerto Pollensa where they had been. “Beautiful and perfect for a little family,” they explained. Tentatively, we took the plunge and booked PP for 2003. Arriving in the dead of night, we were welcomed by smiling faces and the glow of garden lights of the Ora Playa. On day one we discovered the beach at Little Italy and quickly made friends with lovely families. We were sold on PP and how right my lovely in laws were. Memories of the first holiday - dinner at the upstairs restaurant (for the life of me can’t remember it’s name) with orange umbrellas just long from Little Italy. It’s now the new apartments. Boude Mar shop was a little restaurant too which had a great little set menu. Happiest of memories and the place our Maddi learnt to walk outside the Miramar gates. PP over the years has brought us a whole extended family who are very important to us and life long friendships. A very special place.

 

[Gommar Goffer]

Travelling and partying around Greece and America were our holidays until our lovely daughter Maddi arrived. Where could we go now? Mallorca was suggested by my in laws but it was a flat no. They explained that we had completely the wrong impression of it and that we would like a place called Puerto Pollensa where they had been. “Beautiful and perfect for a little family,” they explained. Tentatively, we took the plunge and booked PP for 2003. Arriving in the dead of night, we were welcomed by smiling faces and the glow of garden lights of the Ora Playa. On day one we discovered the beach at Little Italy and quickly made friends with lovely families. We were sold on PP and how right my lovely in laws were. Memories of the first holiday - dinner at the upstairs restaurant (for the life of me can’t remember it’s name) with orange umbrellas just long from Little Italy. It’s now the new apartments. Boude Mar shop was a little restaurant too which had a great little set menu. Happiest of memories and the place our Maddi learnt to walk outside the Miramar gates. PP over the years has brought us a whole extended family who are very important to us and life long friendships. A very special place.

Los Pescadores?

 

[Bekki]

That was it. Mr C remembered a fish that was pork with prunes. An all time favourite for him. We
Loved to people watch from that restaurant balcony too.

 

[Bootledodger]

First stayed in Cala Pi about 97 in the south...first time up north 99 staying in Aucanada, when we drove around the little ring road of P Alcudia and seeing the chimney's of the old power station, nearly died. On Sunday went to my first Mallorcan market (Alcudia) - as we walked in I saw a goats leg in a bin and I thought "this is the real Mallorca!" and was hooked. Travelled over to PP during the week and basically fell in love. Been about twice a year ever since.
"Done" Soller/Betlem/PAndtrax/El Pla etc many times and love them all - and my beloved Palma - God knows how many times.
However - the Port is "home" and always will be - it is a special place for me and have since been followed by other family members into the club.
Heaven.

 

[Teacu]

Long story, short. In around 1994, my wife, younger son and I booked to stay in Cala d’Or. My brother said ‘It’s only round the corner (sic), have a look at PP, I’ve heard it’s quite nice’. Well we did and, it was. Probably the following year, we booked with Travel Club of Upminster (we live near there) to stay at Hostal Bahia, then Club Illa D’or, then Maricel Apartments. Then (after the demise of Travel Club of Upminster, and our growing confidence in doing things for ourselves) we ‘graduated’ to private apartments, independent flights, etc. Over the years the whole family have joined in with the venture. Brilliant place..

 

[Carol]

First came in 1985 - drove up from Palma where we were staying for a long weekend for our honeymoon. Have never looked back. First stayed in hotels/ apartments and bought our first place in 1990 and were we are now in 2000. The place has changed a great deal - you could drive around the main square and along the front - some changes for the better some not. We have made many friends who have always made us welcome. We even came - when govt allowed in Covid times.Let’s hope for many more years to come.

 

[kazzergardner]

We arrived in PP in 1966 when our parents decided to move here and open a shop and bar on Can Singala, I was 6 and my sister was 3, we were among the first occupants of Can Singala at that time, villa 73 was the the bar and we lived in no 72 next door. We lived in PP for 6 years and went to the local school in Puerto and then later on into the old town. As a family we have been sitting at the Illa d' Or terrace for over 50 years now! We have been coming back nearly every year, we both now own apartments here and have introduced our husbands and children to this beautiful Port, the whole family call it 'home'. Amazingly it hasn't changed that much in all this time, yes apartment blocks have gone up behind the town, but generally it has remained as it was all those years ago, beautiful.

 

[Rockape]

I'd always felt an affiliation with Mallorca, having spent my first holiday abroad at Puerto de Soller (as it was called then) in 1972 and falling in love with the place.

We first visited in 2001, when my youngest daughter was 9 months old and stayed at the Pollensa Park Hotel. We'd stayed in Gites in Brittany for the previous 3 years and I fancied something different and after much research, PP seemed to tick all of the boxes.

Having a room on the higher floors gave us the most amazing views, which I would sit in the early evenings, drinking a couple of cold beers, reading my book and taking it all in. We came back twice more, before moving onto AI resorts in Turkey and Dom Rep/Mexico, which were perfect for the whole family.

Never forgot PP though, so we returned in 2017 to buy our place in the sun. Best thing we ever did! Currently don't spend enough time out there, but its special when we do.

 

[Julian Simms]

We arrived in PP in 1966 when our parents decided to move here and open a shop and bar on Can Singala, I was 6 and my sister was 3, we were among the first occupants of Can Singala at that time, villa 73 was the the bar and we lived in no 72 next door. We lived in PP for 6 years and went to the local school in Puerto and then later on into the old town. As a family we have been sitting at the Illa d' Or terrace for over 50 years now! We have been coming back nearly every year, we both now own apartments here and have introduced our husbands and children to this beautiful Port, the whole family call it 'home'. Amazingly it hasn't changed that much in all this time, yes apartment blocks have gone up behind the town, but generally it has remained as it was all those years ago, beautiful.

This was during the dictatorship. I presume it was live and let live and get on with things. Pretty brave of your parents to move abroad with two young children. What did they sell in the shop ?

 

[hoopy]

We arrived in PP in 1966 when our parents decided to move here and open a shop and bar on Can Singala, I was 6 and my sister was 3, we were among the first occupants of Can Singala at that time, villa 73 was the the bar and we lived in no 72 next door. We lived in PP for 6 years and went to the local school in Puerto and then later on into the old town. As a family we have been sitting at the Illa d' Or terrace for over 50 years now! We have been coming back nearly every year, we both now own apartments here and have introduced our husbands and children to this beautiful Port, the whole family call it 'home'. Amazingly it hasn't changed that much in all this time, yes apartment blocks have gone up behind the town, but generally it has remained as it was all those years ago, beautiful.

What a lovely story.

 

[kazzergardner]

It was very brave of them at the time, I remember we arrived fairly late at night in an old Bedford van with all our belongings to find that the house, which they had been told was ready for us (no 73 Can Singala) had no windows or doors on, some things stay the same!!! They started of with a shop next door, (no 72) which was a general store at the time, a little like Store Formentor, they then added a bar and then bar snacks/meals. It was in Franco's time, my sister and I started off in the local nuns school in Puerto - no one spoke a word of English, and as we got older moved on to other schools in Puerto and Old Town. In fact my first classroom in the Old Town was in the Cloisters, we used to run around the pillars during 'playtime' and over to the bakers across the road, we also went to services several mornings to the church in the main square. Our Easter school trip was up to Puig De Maria, how the teachers looked after a bunch of school children on a trip up the Puig gives me nightmares now, but we loved it! Myabca boat builders were across the road from the bar and dad used to set up coffee and cognacs along the bar for 11am ready for the guys to come over! It was a fairly magical childhood, very safe and free for us, I'm sure our parents struggled setting up at that time, but it has given us all in our family the most beautiful place to call 'home'.