You are correct, there are plenty of villas and apts with private pools all around, but the bottom line is a lot of people want the facilities these places offer, but are not prepared to pay for it!
Your post got me wondering just how much difference there is between a package and a villa / apartment and from the quick look I have just had I am even more confused re why people would want a crowded hotel type complex
Flora - £700 a room for a week in August ........ family of 4 = 2 rooms ......... you can get plenty of nice 2 bed apartments with pools on this website for less than £1400
Thompson package to Playa Mar .......... 1 bed apartment plus flights for 4 = £2500 in August ( and this is with the whole family crammed into a 1 bedroom apartment - - why would you do that on holiday when you don't do it at home ? )
Even on the outside assumption that you pay £250 each for your flights that leaves you £1500 for a nice 2 bed villa or apartment for the week ......... plenty of them around
Yes I do realise that people want kids entertainment ( though I don't really understand that either - we always found the beach and its infinate opportunities for play and discovery coupled with a pool that you actually had room to swim in to be the only entertainment necessary ) , but from the posts on here I don't think it is people with young kids that are posting - you just don't tend to lie around the pool all day when you have young kids.
So can someone enlighten me - what is the attraction of the "holiday complex" over the smaller apartment block or villa (By the way I do understand why people don't want to be isolated in a villa that means they need to drive everywhere ....... I am talking about a place within walking distance of beach and port - and I also understand the desire to stay in a nice luxury hotel ....... but I am not talking about that type of comparison)
There must be an advantage coz many people stay in them and it clearly isn't just money
Pollensa - if this is too far off thread please move it .......
I think a lot of people have yet to realise that booking your own can get villas for the same price, maybe they cannot be bothered and just want someone to arrange everything for them. It's their choice, obviously. Some families like the complexes so their kids make friends etc, but they're just as likely to meet friends on the beach. I've done the complexes over the years with young kids and my only gripe (apart from the sun-lounger thiefs) is that you could virtualy be anywhere. Some people don't like beaches, fair do's, but to get the full benefit from PP, you really should head for the lovely beaches, most days.
PS: As i said people make their own choices, but not always the right ones, apparently 1.9 million people leave the UK with the WRONG currency, i've also been speaking to 2 friends i know from PP who work in reception, one from the Flora the other from the Elo, both have had people arrive in Palma, instead of their original intended destination Las Palmas