Peter Bruce Eisenstein
Google
Two years ago, Hotel Es Port was a wonderful place for adults as well as families. The large pool was perfect for youth and young adults, and the attached baby pool kept the smaller ones happy as well. The adult-only spa area was a welcome relief for those who wanted a chance to sun and swim in more relaxed and quiet surroundings.
Times have changed.
First, the hotel has obviously aimed at a lower clientele base as package groups of loud mouthed and inconsiderate Brits and Americans have invaded as if oil had been discovered on the premises. The once adult-only spa area is now open for all— and I mean all. A baby still suckling at its mother’s breast was seen and older brats were both seen and heard, if not constantly, then at an even more disturbing unpredictable schedule.
Hygiene is also a thing of the past. Someone showering before entering the (unsupervised) spa pool is as rare as Donald Trump going to church. The sauna itself is now only heated for a few hours in the afternoon. Of course, one can ask for the sauna to be turned on earlier, but that means one has to forego the spontaneity which is normally a highlight in a (relatively expensive) vacation. The jacuzzi is also barely above room temperature, most probably so as not to boil the young ones still in diapers.
The hotel rooms have not changed. The “superior double” offers one large minimalistic room with a mini-sofa, a mini-fridge, a mini-desk, a closet and large bed. The bathroom is conveniently large. Be careful, however, if you should order a “superior double” and wind up on the first floor. This is a “superior double” with a very inferior veranda, unless you enjoy receiving the remnants of your fellow hotel guests sand and water droppings from various bathing articles hung over their rails. The extra noise from the spa area, the impossibility of any breeze, and lack of any notable view also makes this “superior” veranda feel significantly inferior.
The lunch and dinner restaurant offerings fall between two stools (pun intended). The lunch bar by the pool has no time for “normal” hotel guests, as we were brusquely told, because the package tour groups seem to demand all the time and concern of the hapless wait staff. The hotel dinner option is as bland as a hospice offering and is a poor value, considering other restaurant offerings nearby. The high-priced restaurant by the pool, which boasts of “a menu of fusion cuisine dishes, elaborated by our chef”, was not tested this time around as the previous experience two years ago was an expensive disappointment (and since the menu hadn’t changed, there was really no reason to expect anything else had either).
The only area where the hotel seems to have maintained any level of consistent quality is the breakfast. But while the breakfast offerings are still plentiful, the number of staff employed to keep the guests happy seems to have diminished. Gone is the personal attention as well as the smiles from most of the obviously overworked staff.
As George Harrison sang, Isn’t It a Pity,, but when it comes to the package group tourists and the loss of an adult-only area, one may also sing, All Things Must Pass.
Edit:
Just responding to the bot-answer below. The idea that they did not know about the wedding parties is a patent lie. While we were there, we witnessed future wedding reception plans being made and organized by the hotel staff. Shameful.