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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Closerandcloser · 23/12/2023 09:14

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.

This sounds a better review.
Truly terrible that UK people behave so badly abroad.

1983Louise · 23/12/2023 09:14

I went to a wedding in Majorca and we all stayed in Palma Nova, I would never have booked to go there out of choice. I was pleasantly surprised with the resort, great crazy golf for the kids, nice beach and only around 40 mins by bus from Palma which is worth a visit. I'd definitely change, we walked into Magaluf and even in the day it looked grubby.

Original poster
saveplanet · 23/12/2023 09:14

Hotel is Fergus style Mallorca - 4 star

OP posts:
Original poster
saveplanet · 23/12/2023 09:17

I have 12hours to change hotel and even flights.

OP posts:
autienotnaughty · 23/12/2023 09:21

I went with friends when I was younger. The strip and surrounding area is not family friendly at all. It's not just the nightlife it's idiots hammered in the hotel pool at lunch time and the litter, vomit etc everywhere. I saw several blokes getting blow jobs in the street. And so much shagging on the beach.

If you are quite close to palma nova you might be ok. And definitely go in that direction for food, beach etc.

The other thing to consider is the aeroplane which might be filled with rowdy blokes.

If you do go the pirate show is amazing.

Moveoverdarlin · 23/12/2023 09:24

Change it. It’s a dump and a shit hole. Fine if you’re an 18 year old spotty lad who wants his first shag but not for a family. It’s been known as ‘Shagaluf’ since the 90s. It’s got a terrible reputation. Your only saving grace may be that in October it might be less busy, but that won’t change the clientele or the number of bars that offer all day English breakfasts for 5 euros or advertising the Man U v Aston Villa game. It just epitomises the Brits abroad stereotype.

Book somewhere in Calador again, it’s much nicer.

RowanMayfair · 23/12/2023 09:25

How did you end up booking a family holiday at 1am to somewhere you hadn't researched without prior discussion with your husband? That's really odd

MaryActsLikeSheDontCare · 23/12/2023 09:29

I hope you get through to someone, OP. They are usually very helpful. Yes you might have to pay a small penalty, but it’s worth it Shock

Original poster
saveplanet · 23/12/2023 09:29

It was meant to be surprise for family as we had really tough couple of years and as a family we haven't been abroad for more than four years. Our budget is only £2500 and that seemed good deal for four star.

I was researching this for weeks but this came up as correct price and also holidays prices seems to be cheaper at midnight I have noticed

OP posts:
lesdeluges · 23/12/2023 09:33

If you can stretch to anything in or near Puerta Pollensa, do it.

Original poster
saveplanet · 23/12/2023 09:33

How is Santa- Ponsa in Majorca?

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 23/12/2023 09:34

Palma nova next door is better for families

stillholly · 23/12/2023 09:34

Don't they restrict the all inclusive in magaluf due to drinking culture I think it's only a drink with a meal or something like that?

Original poster
saveplanet · 23/12/2023 09:36

Palma Nova is not coming up with jet2.

Only options I have are Santa Ponsa- or Playa De Muro

OP posts:
SimilarThread · 23/12/2023 09:37

Maybe Magaluf was not mentioned for a reason 😐

Hope you can change OP.

What a shame that a lovely part of the world has been ruined by dreadful tourists, from our country and presumably some others too. Embarrassing.

Onemorefortheroad · 23/12/2023 09:38

What hotel/accommodation is it?

We were there last year with our twelve year old and another family and we had a great time! We were quite near the strip and BCM but it was fine, as long as you don't actually go down the strip late at night. Palma nova is a short walk away, beaches are lovely.

They have made an effort to clean it up a lot - they are out washing and cleaning the streets each morning so unless you are out and in the middle of it late at night, you will be fine!

Lots of families around as well as younger people.

barbieofswanlake · 23/12/2023 09:39

I went this year, we were walking distance from the main strip but not actually in it, and I didn't find it "carnage" at all. It all seemed fairly contained to that one area of clubs, bars and yes, even walking through it in the day time seemed a bit rough. Research exactly where your hotel is and read the reviews before doing anything drastic

WonderingWanda · 23/12/2023 09:40

Contact jet 2 and see if you can just change your hotel. With tui you can change your hotel, there's a fee but it might be worth it. Magaluf is pretty loud. Lots of bars and nightclubs, not really a family resort.

Onemorefortheroad · 23/12/2023 09:40

I'm wondering if most people commenting on how awful it is have actually been in recent years.... obviously depends on your accommodation but ours was very clearly aimed at families and not young adults!

BooBooBaloo · 23/12/2023 09:43

Palma Nova also has no cap on the drinks for AI.

Not necessarily true, some hotels market themselves as Palma Nova but are just within the boundaries of the new laws

Onemorefortheroad · 23/12/2023 09:44

Our hotel was in Magaluf but was outside the boundary for drinks - best to check individual accommodation.

DirectionToPerfection · 23/12/2023 09:45

It's another Magaluf (but more Irish crowd than Brits), same type of place.

I think you'll have to be willing to pay a but more to go somewhere nicer unfortunately, those places are cheap for a reason.

tennesseewhiskey1 · 23/12/2023 09:45

We went as a family to one of the best family hotels there - I was super skeptical as everything on this thread was exactly what I had heard - but the kids had the best time - we only left the hotel once for the beach - was an all inclusive hotel with a water park. I would go back!

DirectionToPerfection · 23/12/2023 09:46

DirectionToPerfection · 23/12/2023 09:45

It's another Magaluf (but more Irish crowd than Brits), same type of place.

I think you'll have to be willing to pay a but more to go somewhere nicer unfortunately, those places are cheap for a reason.

That was in response to the question about Santa Ponsa.

littlefireseverywhere · 23/12/2023 09:47

@saveplanet we booked a girls weekend in Palma Nova last year in September without realising how close it was to Magaluf. Area is beautiful, lots to do beaches great. You could be nearer palma nova than magaluf.

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