Just returned from 2 weeks holiday self catering at the Holiday Village Viva C'an Picafort. Party included 2 adults aged 22.

On arrival at the hotel we were very impressed,the reception area was very clean and modern. The hotel grounds were beautiful,especially by night there were water features which lit up lots of trees and grass areas,all round very impressive.

When we arrived at our room,at first glance we were again impressed.However on closer inspection we were surprised at how run down our apartment actually was considering we were under the impression the complex was fairly new!

The bathroom ceiling was mouldy and the shower curtain was filthy and also mouldy! As we had a ground floor apartment we had ants swarming our terrace which was tolerable until one day they was an army of them crawling up the wall inside our apartment.

As we were self catering when we came to use the provided cutlery and crockery we discovered these too were filthy as the maids dont clean these it is up to whoever has been in before you to make sure they are.

We discovered a newspaper from whoever had been in the apartment before us on top of the televison cabinet, and to top it off we had a blocked toilet! In our opinion the maids cleaned to a poor standard.

However the entertainment team worked very hard and the pool and pool bar were fantastic.

Just returned from the Holiday Village on our first family holiday and we were very nervous to be travelling with a 2 year old. But we soon relaxed when we got to the Holiday Village. It was an ideal holiday for us. Because we went in September we didnt have any of the problems getting sunbeds that have already been mentioned but can imagine in peak times this could be a problem. Agree that the toddler pool is way too small we didnt even try to go in there.

The food was very good and we always found a good selection to choose from. We felt quite comfortable with our toddler if he decided to be a bit noisy the staff didnt mind and as there were so many other toddlers doing the same we didnt feel like people were looking at us when it was our sons turn! The staff were all very polite we couldnt fault them.

Entertainment could have been better but all the reps worked really hard. On our first 2 days the weather wasnt good and there wasnt alot of entertainment for the children. There was a rep playing connect four in the main bar but it got a but rough with children running around everywhere and my son ended up getting hurt, they could have put on more of a variety. The hotel was always very clean. We would definately go here again and would recommend it for families with small children but i think you would be a bit lost if you didnt have any small people with you!

Well what a fantastic place the hotel and grounds were spotless day and night the cleaning staff did"nt stop but always seem to be happy in their work.

The food was good and always a nice choice for both young and old. Lots of fresh fruit throughout the day.

Staff once again fantastic our room was keptd lovely and clean beds changed 3 times in the week we were there and our towels were changed the same so no complaints.

Entertainment was a laugh these guys give their heart and soul into keeping the families entertained they all seem to work so hard all day and still keep happy.

The kids clubs were just brilliant, having two chlidren one 10 and 5 I found these clubs ace. My son enjoyed the wavelength and had great fun with the reps and my daughter enjoyed the bugs bunny club.

Mini disco for the yonger ones was a big hit and so were the reps dancing to the cha.cha. slide.

Soccer school was good for my son and well worth the money he did 4 days and really enjoyed it and made lots of friends thanks to David,Scott.Anthony.Ollie,
so overall this has been one of the best holidays me and my family have had and will be back again next year.

We have just returned from a very good holiday at the Holiday Village Viva, and missing it already.

The transfer only took 55 minutes, not 1 hour 55 as told, so that was a nice surprise.

Our room was very good, ground floor in block 2. Clean and only a couple of ants.

The restaurant was very big and the choice of food was excellent. In fact it was one of the highlights of our holiday. The Spanish night in particular was very good.

The outside pool is big and lots of sunbeds, we actually went on the grass, easier with a little one. However, it was really cold, they only heat it off season. The indoor pool was small but as it was heated it was a very nice change.

The evening entertainment was good, in particular Naughty Nigel was a big hit with children alike. Adult humour but done very cleverly so the children didn't have a clue (it was a puppet show).

The reps tried very hard with their shows but apart from Danny (who is fantastic by the way!) their talent didn't match their enthusasim.

One thing I found though is that there is very little for the under 3's to do unless they go into creche, which is an hour and half and costs 10euros, they do have an outside play area but isn't suitable for the little ones, maybe a soft play area or an outside area with little tikes equipment would be better.

We found the location of the holiday village disappointing, it wasn't a very nice walk down into town and when we did go into town, particuarly by the port it was all geared to the germans and we felt quite uncomfortable being there was we were often stared at if people heard us talking. I think they maybe a little terrortial about can picafort. There are a few English bars but we didn't go in them.

We did need the doctor for our son whilst there, and he goes twice a day but you can also call him out 24 hours. He was very nice, but you do have to pay him70 euros and claim it back from your insurance, same with perscriptions which cost us 35 euros.

All the staff seemed very happy, everyone from the gardeners, to the cleaners. We were very impressed with everyone.

All in all, missing being there already and would love to be back!

Two adults, and ten month old twins.

Returned from Holiday Village Viva on 24th September 2005. The accomodation is excellent - clean and well laid out. The rooms are spacious and although the kitchen area is rather small we still managed to cook well every other night of the holiday. The fridge had a freezer compartment, the hob was 2 electric rings (which were actually remarkably quick and efficient), and a good sized microwave. Crockery and cutlery was good.

The open atrium areas within each accomodation are a particularly nice feature and add to privacy and do seem to keep noise down.

The balconies are large and well equipped with 4 chairs and a table and hanging facility for washing that was actually useable and not hanging off the wall (a novelty!).

The bathroom has a bath with shower over, and a separate shower cubicle as well - great for larger families.

The only criticism of the rooms would be the standard of the beds. I have to say that the beds were the most uncomfortable we have ever slept on - very soft and the mattress covered with a plastic sheet - noisy in the night!

We never in fact ate in the restaurants preferring instead to avoid the apparent children's bun fight and dine in the restaurants on the main Jose Trias strip. The Monaco was especially good (lovely fresh pizzas but avoid the disappointing garlic bread!), and the Vinicius was also good value. The German restaurant on the front corner of the avenue (you'll know it from the strawberry tarts it sells - nest to the No 1 Pub) also served great food. Don't be intimidated by the German slant to the menu - the Sole is a must and their steaks are good too.

The restaurants generally were good value - we were pleasantly surprised, and alll had good wine lists and attentive staff.

The shop in the Village Viva is well stocked and worth a visit on the first day for any essentials but don't get carried away - the prices are extortin ompared to the local supermarket which is only an easy 10 min walk away. Go out of the main reception, turn right, cross the playground area to the main road, turn right again and head towards the garage - tucked just behind is a great local supermarket which stocks everything you could possibly need. Had we known we would have avoided the excess baggage charge we incurred on the way out! The fresh fish counter has to be seen to be believed and the prices are great. For babies they have a good range of food jars, "Dodot" are the precise equivalent of Pampers, and they sell baby wipes and nappy sacks which looked just as good as those sold at home. We bought a pack of 6 baby yoghurts in the Viva shop on day one but then paid 1/6th of the price when we visited the supermarket!!!

If you don't feel like buying fruit and veg by the kilo at the supermarket then try the Spar at the top of Ave Jose Trias which sells individual fruit and veg.

So far as the sunbeds were concerned we didn't sit directly by the pool but instead on a grassed area behind it and never had any problem getting 3 sunbeds to share between the 4 of us. There didn't appear generally to be a huge surplus of beds but equally there were enough to go round in September.

We followed the advice of one of the previous reviewers and for the first time ever left our beach towels at home. Result! The hotel towels were fine and you could have as many as you want subject to a 5 euro refundable deposit per towel. You could change the towels 3 times a week so that was no problem either.

Taking into account the price differential between Self Catering and All Inclusive I wouldn't advise anyone to bother with AI. We spent about

Just returned from holiday Viva and had a lovely time and had no problems considering we had a 7 month old baby.

The hotel was very clean and nothing was to much trouble for any of the hotel staff.

The rooms were clean and although the kitchen facilities were basic they were adequate for us as all we used them for was heating baby food/ baby milk- the microwave was a god send.

We enjoyed all the food and thought that they catered well for all appetites and being able to help yourself to drinks was great as you could have a drink when you wanted and did not have to wait for a waiter. Only down side to restaurant was the highchairs did not have any reins and were a bit dangerous as the child could fall out so if you are a parent I would suggest taking something to hold them in.

The location was good it was a 10 min walk to centre and shops and we enjoyed the walk as we went past the park and my son enjoyed stooping off for a go on the swings.

We had no problem with the sunbeds there were plenty of them avaible and did not have to reserve them at 9.00am but this is probably due to the time of year as many others we hired the towels which was great as we did not have to take our own.

Entertainment was ok cash bingo would have been great if we won as some nights the prize money was about

Returned from Holiday Village a couple of weeks ago and would definately go back (although landing in rain wasn't the plan). Would re-iterate much the same as others:

Sunbeds/Pool/Garden Areas - excellent, had expected to have to get up early to secure sunbed, but was pleasantly surprised to beable to go and have breakfast and then go to a bed. Small pool yes very small, but didn't really have a problem, my son preferred the heated indoor pool as it was quite cold in the outdoor ones.

Appartments - excellent we were in Block 3, would have liked to have a room with sun a bit more during the day especially as my little boy likes a sleep in the afternoon, but extremely clean and spacious. Maids were very friendly and worked long, long hours

Food/Restaurant - didn't try the speciality ones based on some reviews and it was never fully booked. We were happy with the buffet restaurant and always found something for us all. Highlights - spanish and mexican as well as the pancakes at breakfast

Entertainment - we thought that the team did a great job Grease was excellent and Wizard of oz good too. Bingo and Football card great fun and we won on our first night so really set the holiday off well

Creche - we didn't book before going but wish I had did manage to get my little one in 3 times which gave us all a little break and him out of the sun at 12pm.

Would definately go back and recommend to anyone.

Ok guys dont know what the neg reviews are about Im guessing we must be at different hotels.
We had a blast!

Arrived about 7:30 so had to rush to get bags to room and back to resturaunt but staff was great. Seated us and didnt bat an eye at the 8:15 time. Food was good if basic.. but what do you expect its made to feed masses and largly children !

Was never bored! kids loved the pool.. and baby pool is plenty big enough for the little ones! I mean ok your 5 year old is to big but your 1 and 2's are perfect ! The baby pool is just that a baby pool! for the tiny tots.. and they were several with room to spare and thats with parents! We were not sardines in a can!

Took kids in big pool wearing floaters and boats and they loved it.. wasnt deep at all .. and for the bigger ones gave swim lessons.. tons of clubs for older kiddies! Ours took naps in the afternoon then off we went again.

After dinner went to the entertainment and my guys loved it.. ok so some of the jokes were aimed at teh adults but then think what kids hear in everyday life? This was no where near smutzy..

Anyhow... kids loved the dancing and singing and tended to get up on stage and try to help the reps! Reps sit in audience with kids keeping eyes out .. really realy did their jobs well!

Staff were great! always had a smile and a cuddle for the kids.. never once did my 2 1/2 year old cry or turn shy with the staff they were so friendly!

All in all have to say we had an excellent time!
Oh and for those of you that had sick kids
my 2 1/2 year old started a fever late at night at 5 am was on the phone to reception.. not only did she call the pharmacist and have him open up for me but called a taxi went to the car explained to him what was needed and then when we got back translated the medicines so that I could understand exactly what and how to give the meds to my little one!
A++++++

The village Viva was a great complex and very clean.

The only bad points were that the floor in the main dining room were really slippy.

The entertainment in the daytime was very good. The evening was more towards smaller children.

Could not help the weather, which for most of our ten days was raining. We had a great family holiday.

We went to Viva in September 2005

Me, my husband, our son 2, and our daughter 1

Generally had a good holiday, kids had a fantastic time.

Thought the size of the accommodation was great, and the bathroom included a bath and separate shower. Kitchen area (not used) although the fridge was still of use. Large lounge diner and private large balcony, as we requested a ground floor they is a thick bush around the balcony, so in terms of safety, 1st class. The cleaners had 2 days off a week, which isn't necessary as they work on a rota system. We visited the beach everyday and brought back a lot of sand, which was still there after the cleaners had been in. The reception & swimming areas, however were very clean.

Food was good, although at the end of the week, became a bit boring. You can help yourself to drinks in the restaurant, which is a great idea, although water was not available.

The location was pretty good,nice clean beach about 10 mins away, be prepared for the hill on the way back up!

Reception staff were great, although the restaurant staff were annoyed when my 2 year old not over his drink (they only supply glasses.

Kids entertainment was ok, usually finished between 8.30 -9.00 at which point we went off to bed, so can't comment on other entertainment.

Positive points:

Aqua park ran at 15 minutes past every hour (I think) bit slippy although fun.

Good choice of drinks

Well equipped shop on site

Good choice of swimming facilities (cold pools)

Indoor pool, small but perfect for babies and toddlers


Haven't decided whether I would go there again? Maybe when the kids are older?