Grupotel Cala Marsal Nature Hotel

I'd read a load negative reviews of this hotel so wasn't sure what to expect, but it was fantastic. Staff, service, rooms and location are all 10/10. There's a lovely beach 200 metres away, with lots of loungers and a beach bar, plus a good Spar supermarket nearby, and lots of restaurants and cafes/bars within walking distance. The hotel offers heaps of activities during the day, making it great for families, and there are two well equipped gyms plus a nice spa with steam room, sauna and three hot tubs. The Breakfast buffet has a huge selection in a bright, light filled and expansive space, and dinner is good value, again with lots of choice. Pool areas are nice too, with lots of loungers around three good sized connected pools (different depths) plus a lengths pool. I've stayed in hundreds of hotels over the years, and can honestly say this is up there with the best of them.

A peaceful and quiet family hotel surrounded by nature. It’s especially ideal for families with children. Although the parking is limited, you can easily find a spot on the street very close to the hotel. Cala Marçal beach is just a 2-minute walk away. The breakfast is varied and consists of delicious items. I chose to dine outside for dinner rather than at the hotel. There are many excellent restaurants in the area. I would definitely love to come back here again.

I have booked 8 nights having super high expectations and amazed by the low price and what can I say after 2 nights - you always get what you paid for, surprise! Very mixed feelings, many pros and cons, ok for the price now, could be amazing next year when they are done with the renovation (and for sure will cost minimum 2 times more). If you decide to book please keep in mind that they are still in the active renovation phase which will last next 2-3 months minimum so many issues are self-explanatory. Long story short - the best part is definitely the price (great value for the money), the location, the beach and fresh beatiful rooms. The mediocre (but okeish) is the staff, the reception area, the food and the bar The worst is the noise, the abscence or disfunctioning of many important facilities and really tired pool area. So the most important consequence of the fact that there is still work-in-progress is that majority of facilities are not completed yet or they exist but in the quality of really-old-3-stars-hotel which was there before. For some reason there is always quite strong urine smell in the reception area, not sure where the source is, maybe it’s a non-renovated toilet rooms… Lobby bar is ok. The brightest side is the location - amazing quiet small beach 3-mins-away, no asian-massage and sunglasses-resellers, very cute and enjoyable, couple of good restraurants on the right side of the beach, umbrella and sunbed cost around 10 Euro. Back to the hotel - please be aware that now there is no pool bar, no spa area, no conference room for remote work, no kids facilities (I don't take the abandoned playground into consideration), no animation, no table tennis or billiard, no usual evening shows. Gym, toilets near the pool, pool area, sunbeds and umbrellas exist but extremely simple and in super tired condition even for 2-3 stars. Pool is really simple and relatively small, it works now with 40-50% of the guests but it won't be enough for sure when they will be fully booked, the saddest part that they are not going to renovate the pools (all-in-all it’s the weakest point from my perspective) What is there: amazingly designed rooms and lobby bar, reception and the buffet restaurant. Design is really stylish, quality of the furniture, bed linen, appliances is good (not stunning but good for 4-stars), I am really enjoying it. Quality of renovation itself is really mediocre, a lot of smells and dust everywhere. A lot of things in rooms are forgotten, hope they will add them later: there are no glasses, cups, ash tray, teapot, trash bin, no towel rack and dryer on the balcony, no even the sign "Don't disturb" so you have to fight for your privacy each morning. Rooms have a significant paint smell, no drama for me but if you are allergic it could be a problem. Quality of the food - standard 4-star-Grupotel, less variety than Grupotel Maritimo (no pancakes at all for example), better quality than Grupotel Los Principles and spa, please don't expect Hilton or Radisson level, it's a simple fresh tasty food from local ingridients for middle class served with smile and heart, quite repetetive. They are really fighting with the financial crisis so the variety is shrinking, portion''s sizes (smoothies, fruits) are getting smaller but can't complain there. Bar - mediocre, staff is friendly but doesn't speak English even ok-ish. They have introduced an extra charge for 75% of drinks in the menu for AI-guests so taking an AI doesn't make any sense anymore (I believe it's valid for all Grupotels these year, let’s blame inflation for that ruined experience). Elevators work 75-80% of the time. Wi-Fi doesn't work at all and seems nobody is planning to fix it so if you have planned to work - forget, mobile internet doesn't work in lobby so if you are lucky you could catch something on the balcony and in the room near the window. On the positive side - smart TV with Netflix works! Could me noisy in the mid of the day in the pool area due to construction Now I am really not sure if I will be back