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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Booked Magaluf holiday for family??

127 replies

saveplanet · 23/12/2023 08:05

I have lived in the UK for the last 10 years, I never heard Magaluf has a bad reputation. I booked an all-inclusive family holiday in a resort in October ,about 500m from the main Magaluf beach.
While I was researching I found that this town has a really bad reputation. Please reassure me, or do I need to get this changed?
I am very stressed out.

I have only paid a deposit at 1 am this morning.

OP posts:
EffortlesslyInelegant · 23/12/2023 08:07

Did you do your research after you booked? Confused

MamaBanana12 · 23/12/2023 08:08

Well it's called shag-a-scruff up north not for its nice beaches al tell you that for free 🤣🤣

TerroristToddler · 23/12/2023 08:10

Magaluf is full of stag nights and hen parties and isn't really a family place.

Nearby (like just up the coast) is Palma Nova and I've stayed there and it was actually quite nice!

Sweep79 · 23/12/2023 08:11

Shag-a-muff here in part of Yorkshire. I've never been to that part of Majorca but hopefully some others can advise on their experiences and there might be some stuff on Trip Advisor. I'm sure families do go.

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 23/12/2023 08:11

Yep I’d be moving that even that time of year. It’s a brilliant part place when you’re young but not at all for families

Peepshowcreepshow · 23/12/2023 08:11

Given that it's out of season you may be ok, but I do not know what possessed you to book a holiday in the middle of the night to an unknown destination without so much as a cursory Google.
If there's any drinking vessels/kitchen equipment in your apartment/room DO NOT USE IT.

Medusaismyhero · 23/12/2023 08:11

It wouldn't be my choice for a family holiday. What ages are the DC? We went to Palma Nova a few years back not realising how close to Shagaluf Magaluf it was (literally a few hundred yards from it so really the same place).

Our hotel was ok and quieter than the main strip but there were a few very loud families (I'm being polite). We also came out one morning to a very drunk guy lying in his own sick just outside the hotel.

rubyslippers · 23/12/2023 08:11

Shag-a-luf
will be full of hen and stag dos
it won’t be family friendly

whirlyhead · 23/12/2023 08:12

I’m somewhat puzzled that you can have lived in the UK for 10 years and not learnt of magaluf’s reputation. It’s renowned for being full of drunken brits! It’s the only place in mallorca I refuse to go to. It has a beautiful beach but that is it.

I guess if you’re in an all inclusive resort you don’t need to leave it, and October will be quieter anyway so you might be ok.

saveplanet · 23/12/2023 08:12

Yes, I have been to Majorca before, Calador. I researched the resort but not the town. I can't get tShagaluf word from my head. That's how it’s described in Wikipedia.

Part of me says party goers season might be quiet in October, so leave as it is.
I really feel uncomfortable as Google is full of stories from 2004 to 2013 with bad behaviours etc but I don't know whether that is changed or even worse?

OP posts:
OhmygodDont · 23/12/2023 08:12

Ah shagaluf. Yeah not really for kids I’d say. I mean during the actual day light hours it’s probably no worse than skeggy beach stags and hens but come nightfall parttyyyyy.

Jacfrost · 23/12/2023 08:13

Shagaluf? Naice, quaint.

rookiemere · 23/12/2023 08:13

Who did you book with ? Is it cancellable or maybe you have a 24 hour cooling off period?

I would change if you can, it's not. family resort.

OhmygodDont · 23/12/2023 08:13

October will still be party season it’s still warmer there than here and even cheap just like why you’ve booked it.

Shouldershoulder · 23/12/2023 08:14

My dd went with her friends last year when she was 24 , and even they said it wasn't great, they had to keep calling reception in the night to make people in nearby rooms turn off loud music, stop running up and down the corridor shouting and generally being a nuisance.

mumonthehill · 23/12/2023 08:15

Ds went at 18 with 20 friends, basically to drink and party. It definitely has a reputation!

Wittyname10 · 23/12/2023 08:15

I wouldn’t dream of going back to Magaluf, even for a stag do. It was carnage the last time I was there.

saveplanet · 23/12/2023 08:16

My children are young, 13, 11 and 5. I booked with jet2, wonder whether they will not refund my deposit.

I was looking at holidays from last one week in Majorca. I never thought too much of it

OP posts:
FettleOfKish · 23/12/2023 08:16

Calm down OP, I work for a Tour Operator selling a handful of destinations (so I know them all pretty well) and Majorca is one of them. I've been multiple times both for work and holiday. Please listen to me rather than people spouting a reputation they've heard but have never actually been.

Yes Magaluf does have a history as a party resort but stay off the strip at night and you will be fine. The local government has made huge efforts in recent years to rebrand the place as 'Calvia Beach' and reduce the problems they've had in the past.

There are some fantastic family hotels in Magaluf and some nice beaches. I have clients stay in the resort with families or as older couples week in week out through the summer and rarely receive any complaints.

Ps.. I went in late September a few year backs (pre-pandemic) spent a lot of time in Magaluf and it was very quiet even then, October will be even more so.

franglais123 · 23/12/2023 08:16

rookiemere · 23/12/2023 08:13

Who did you book with ? Is it cancellable or maybe you have a 24 hour cooling off period?

I would change if you can, it's not. family resort.

Yes @rookiemere might be right - there are often clauses about being able to cancel or change within 24 hours. If not call the company and see if you can charge resort. The flights are trickier to change but if upgrade to a nicer place they’re usually happy to take more money from you.

saveplanet · 23/12/2023 08:17

Jet2 customer service is closed. I can't wait to speak to them.

OP posts:
VioletPickles · 23/12/2023 08:19

I’d change it if I were you. My 18 yr old went last October and even she would never go back.

saveplanet · 23/12/2023 08:19

@FettleOfKish Thank you for putting my mind rest.

OP posts:
Fallenangelofthenorth · 23/12/2023 08:20

I thought the authorities had fairly recently introduced new laws in an attempt to clean up places like Magaluf? It might be a bit better now.

Ohchristmastree23 · 23/12/2023 08:20

Try and change the hotel to one in Palma nova instead. It's next door to magaluf but much quieter. I would take the financial hit of losing a deposit/paying extra. It's not worth having a holiday ruined.
Also, use this as a lesson learnt to always research holidays before you book!