This apartment hotel has now been added to our database.

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Thanks

Mark

We stayed at the Torremar apartments last July, which is part of the Balansat complex. Both share the same facilities, with the Torremar having more space.

It was about the best holiday we've had. The staff were fantastic, and so was the food.
If Derek is on at the Torremar, I can highly recommend the Full English Breakfast
There's a great chinese just outside, and a couple of decent restaurants close by. Can't remember the name of it, but there's a great place on the same side as the Torremar as you head out of San Miguel at the end of the block that does an amazing Goulash.

Shopping is limited somewhat, but there are 3 or 4 decent supermarkets to use, with the Spar being about the cheapest (about 150-200m up the road).
One of them has fresh bread and baguettes delivered daily, that are fantastic.

You can see my review of the Torremar at http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/spain/balearic-islands/ibiza/port-de-sant-miguel/torremar-i-and-ii-apartments/
Some of the info will apply to the Balansat too.

thanks fatgit(no offence!!!) - really helpful as we didn't realise you could use the other facilities of hotel torremar. as we are self catering just looking for cheap and cheerful food-so your advice right up our street.first time abroad with the kids so we just want to have fun and chill out.
thanks for the approx prices of food/drink etc as it helps us with our budget- as this was a late deal only booked last week (we were fed up so booked the holiday last thursday!!!)

thanks again looby

hi looby you will have a brilliant time.never been to that resort,but ibiza is fantastic,you will love it mo

Have you got the replacement for the E11? If not you can apply online, the address is on the top of this home page - I have just sent for ours, it is wise to have it thats for sure.

Looks like the resort you are going to is just what you requested, the travel agent did well.

See you soon

Mum x

Hi Looby.
San Miguel is a small quiet resort. I've not stayed in your appts, - I go to the San Miguel Hotel just across the road from the Balanzat. This year will be our 3rd year.
The supermarkets are expensive compared to the bigger resorts, but still reasonable. The fish restaurant right on the beach is superb and not too expensive.
Don't know how old your kids are but if they are still in nappies make sure that you take enough with you, otherwise half of your budget will be spent on them. (Last year a packet of pampers was £26)
The mini train is good for a 3 hour trip. Beach shelves away very steeply so watch the kids, but it's great fun feeding the fish about 10 yards out. They will eat bread out of your hand.
There is no cashpoint in the resort, but you can change travellers cheques in any of the hotels or appts..
Need to know anymore about the resort then please don't hesitate to post or PM me.
Enjoy

hi looby, i am an expert on the balansat having stayed there for the past 3 years. this year though we are staying in portinatx (going the same time as you) as i needed a change !!! anyway i will give you as much info as springs to mind. the apartments are basic but clean. we have always found the cleaners to be very good changing the towels, bedding etc. they have a guy on site who seems to be a general handyman..we nicknamed him gianfranco as he looks like the old chelsea footballer zola (look out for him and laugh when you see him). so if anything needs doing he is the man. the hotel has no lifts so your arrival & departure can be a struggle, especially with kids. you go to reception and usually are given the key and left to find your own way. the hotel has a website. i would go on and email them requesting a top floor room (we have been in c205/206 i think) as although it is difficult at first with the cases it is quieter as you don't get people either walking past your room or noise from above. whenever we have requested this they have obliged. tv - never used it as you have to pay for the remote plus think only spanish channels. you will either get a room with a sea view (superb) or a view of the pool (more likely if last minute). there are 2 pools to choose from - we have always used the larger one between the balansat and the torremar (you can use both no worries) both pools have a childrens section and the larger pool also has a kids play area. when we have been there are always activities through the day like archery, football, water polo etc that they ask you to join in but they are not pushy about it.

the resort is very quiet but as you are only going for a week not a problem. as i have said 2 pools in the hotel and the beach is only 50m yes 50 metres away !!! and is great for kids. on it there are pedelos banana boat, speed boat and glass bottom boat. there is also another small beach about 5 minutes walk away to the left on a path which has a bar, but no toilets. as you are going self catering you will need the supermarkets. there are 3 but all are limited. the cheapest (and most friendly one) is the one in the same block as the chinese restaurant. the guy that runs it is nice and sometimes gave my daughter a small lolly. use the other 2 supermarkets if you need to. one thing to remember is that the shops close at 1.00pm on a Sunday so get your stuff in early. I have to say that the choice of where to eat is limited. there is large restaurant near the beach but wasn't really to our taste. then there are 2 in the hotel. the food at the reception bar is probably the bestand the barmen are friendly there, but the choice is a little limited. if you have kids they offer a take away service so you can take it back up to your room. there is an english type pub called the happy friar which is ok but not a great selection for kids - they do sunday dinner though but think you have to order. we have never been to the chinese as there have never been any people in it which i always think is a worry. there is another place that we call the red umbrellas place (for obvious reasons)on the way to the happy friar - used to be good but last year service very slow - seemed they had cut back on the staff. our favourite is the crazy golf place - for obvious reasons again....food ok and staff nice too..plus crazy golf which keeps the kids amused. there is another place called angie's but but not really for kids plus a sports bar in the balansat complex that we have not really used either. also a place in front of the beach but this closes at night.

the balansat puts on entertainment every night starting with kids disco at 8.30 then bingo then an act which usually goes on until about 11.30. this is situated near the larger pool. is ok and will keep the kids amused. the hotel has a large tv area with a big screen which will be good for the world cup. you can also wander over to the all incl galleon hotel that puts on entertainment every night.

the beer was 2.5 euros for a pint i think - meals were about 5-6 euros with kids 3-5 euros. one of the shops has fruit shoots but not cheap.

checking out - there is a courtesy room but when busy you only get it for half an hour, so try and book the time you want the day before - you have to be out of your room by 12.00.

there are a couple of buses every day that go to ibiza town and san an plus a late night one that comes back about 1.00am plus a taxi rank outside the hotel. there are details in reception.

there is no chemist or doctors in the resort which proved a nightmare for us last year. My daughter had an ear infection and we had to use the doctor which calls in at the galleon hotel (something to remember) think it cost me 55 euros but he takes credit cards, then had to get a taxi to San Miguel inland to get the prescription.

there is also a couple of car hire places if you get bored. 90 euros for 2/3 days ??? springs to mind. they also change money but think the hotel does that too.

oh and do the mini train that goes to Portinatx - there is a board at the end of the road giving you the times. We intend to do the same trip from Portinatx to Puerto San Miguel...I'm sure my daughter will want to visit the pool and our favourite shop so who knows we might see you !!

We have been this time of the year for the past 3 years and the weather has always been great.

all in all a great peaceful relaxing holiday, but remember before you go that the resort is very quiet so don't expect san antonio. hope you read this and post again if you want to know anything else or just to say you have read it.

bit of a long posting eh !!!

wayne

many thanks micknmill and kimboowl for fantastic advice-just what we needed. kids are age 5 and 9. feeding the fish in the water sounds right up our street for the kids they love anything like that, we quite fancy the glass bottomed boat as well.

thanks for all the tips on places to eat as it makes it a bit easier with just going for 1 week we don't have to do a rekkie!!! we booked with first choice and by luck they told us that we have a family room with limited sea view-i requested top floor from the travel agents so hoefully will get one.

cannot wait to go-especially as it is wet wet wet here in england!

happy holidays to everyone !

hello looby, no worries for the info. the limited sea view will actually be quite good. i reckon that you will be in one of the rooms we have stayed in as like i said we always requested top floor. it's limited as it is at an angle to the sea so you are sort of looking sideways towards it. will be good as you can watch all the goings on in the resort and listen to the music from the all inclusive at the other side of the bay at night. we arrived in the middle of the night the first time we went and hadn't a clue where we was. we woke to an unbelievable view of the sea and the beach with sun and blue sky!!! I forgot to mention the caves which might be worth a visit. they are within walking distance even for the 5 year old. head over to the big hotel and follow the road out of the resort. we have not been but it might pass a couple of hours if you get bored. if you carry on walking past the caves for 20 minutes to half an hour you come to a little resort called Benniras I think it is. nice beach plus a few bars and made famous for where they filmed the kevin and perry film. if you don't feel energetic i'm sure it would not cost much for a taxi. also there is a traditional ibician dance show in San Miguel every Thursday i think. san miguel is a small town (with a chemist) about 4 miles inland from the resort. i think the dancing starts about 6.30 and is held outside in a stone courtyard. not sure how much it is and don't know whether your kids would enjoy it if they are boys, but my daughter loved it. after there are a few stalls selling local items. one more thing...make sure you turn your fridge up fully when you arrive as it will probably be turned off.

Have a great holiday - we will be there round the corner in Portinatx so lets hope the weather is good. had the webcam on from san antonio yesterday - saw loads of shadows and the sun shimmering on the water that's a good sign eh !!!! we have never had bad weather this time of the year - much better than September I think

if any other questions spring into your head then post before 02.06.06

Wayne

hi wayne

how do you get onto the webcam?

probably will visit the caves-as the kids like exploring,we go to flamborough during the summer and explore around there and we don't mind walking at all epecially when the sun is out.

lou

hi there

this is the link for the san an webcam
http://www.zett-records.de/ibiza-sunset/ecard2.php?time=10&mez=MEZ&sun=7:14:18:60

there a conversation going on the ibiza page for the web cam - it's about twelve topics down the ibiza list at the mo

caroline

thanks caroline for quick response.

will catch a look tonight for the sunset!

lou

hi lou, the walk to the caves is about 15-20 minutes I would say, but it's up hill on the way and usually hotter than flamborough !!!! We tend to do whitby !!! don't forget to take some water with you on your walk.

If you go on the beach you will see an island close by that is actually just attached to Ibiza. It is supposedly owned by Carlsberg the lager man. the man on the glass bottom boat will probably spin you a good yarn about madonna, elton john and puff daddy all staying on it. there are actually gates on it so the riff raff cannot get in. you can actually walk round.. me and my daughter did it one year but it's a bit of a treck. there is a small beach there with a bar. you have to walk out of the resort and past the red umbrellas place then take a right turn. it's a pretty quiet road to get there with only the odd car but the track can be a bit dusty and slippery. we were told there was a beach bar round there....there was, but it was closed, so if you go take plenty of water and sun creams.

the sunset is great at san an I have to say. i think the sunset might be good at benniras too...puerto san miguel just normal. we went to san an for the sunset a couple of years ago when we hired a car and watched it whilst having a drink in the famous cafe del mar. i have to say that san an in general is not as good as it was when i was a lad or am i just getting older !!!! other than the sunset i would steer clear of it now.

the worse thing for us was the flight time. each of the last 3 years we have flown from leeds at about 10.00 at night and have not hit the resort until about 3.00 in the morning..one year the sports bar was actually still open. coming back has been the worst as we have been out of our room for about 10 hours before our pick up. we just try to keep it as a usual day as best we can. have you booked with thomsons/portland ??? if so then the flights have always been on time. if you are with thomsons you will probably drop off a few people at Playa Den Bossa near the airport then shoot straight up to Puerto San Miguel. it's usually about an hour from the airport.

Hope it all goes well on your first trip with the kids...if the weather is ok I'm sure it will. if we vist Puerto San Miguel on the little train we will call in at the balansat and i'll shout out "looby"....if someone answers i'll know it's you !!!!!

happy holidays.....................wayne

hi

we have booked with thomsons-skytours. we managed to get fantastic flight times.

flying 08.40 from humberside so in resort by afternoon and returning flight slightly earlier flying at 06.00 (so hopefully won't have to leave apartment until 2am) and land at humberside at 07.40, time for a nap before the first england match so me and hubby are well pleased. we also go to whitby quite alot-we love all around the north yorkshire coast.

yes, good flight times. you will see puerto san miguel in all it's glory as you arrive. coming back i reckon the sports bar will still be open until that time so you should be ok for a drink until departure.

the world cup starts while we are there......wonder how many games i can get away with watching.

just remember when you are there to drink the local draught lager estrella i think...it's cheaper than the bottled stuff. if your other half is missing the beer some of the supermarkets do cans of boddingtons/john smiths and the happy friar used to do caffreys on draught

must just tell you about 2004. we were talking to someone on our balcony who were in the next room to us who also flew from humberside airport. they then went on to say they were from rotherham ...where we live.....it turned out that they lived on the same road...we live at number 42 and they live at number 32.

small world eh !!!

hi all-arrived back today from puerto san miguel-we had the most fantastic holiday! don't know where to start! balanzat apartments where spot on. the beach was superb-feeding the fish was unbelievable.CLEAR BLUE SEA AND SKY! went on the train to portinaxt-again a beautiful beach. also enjoyed the glass bottom boat trip. the kids and hubby are already planning the next trip next year! weather couldn't have been better-6 days of glorious sun with a very gentle breeze temp was approx 26-30. our last day was overcast but still warm. no mozzies apart from on the thursday evening for some apparent reason! any questions please ask

and thanks to everyone who answered my queries it really did make our holiday more enjoyable

hi looby. glad you enjoyed it. we called in on tuesday 13.06 at the balansat and had a walk around. we wanted to say hello to the guy in the little supermarket near the chinese....saw his wife but he was in ibiza town. it looked really quiet round the big pool....especially compared to where we was staying. hope you did the crazy golf too. it was "mentioned" that we might be back there next year.
happy holidays

hi wayne

it was fairly quiet around the pool the week we were there-but i can understand why when you have the fantastic beach and sea 50 m away!

did you know that the private island (where madonna/elton etc have stayed!!!!-info courtesy of the glass bottom boat guy!) is for sale. ? what price, desperately trying to win the lottery then we will buy it!

we are 99% sure we are going back next year-we cannot decide whether it will be cheaper to book now or get a late deal again we would like to go for 2 wks next year. also how hot can it get in the school holidays ie end of july/august. and is the weather not up to much in may or september/october school hols? we don't like it too hot but also are trying not to take the kids out of school too often!

didn't do the crazy golf-we couldn't get the kids off the beach or out of the sea!

hi looby...yes we walked through the complex and the pool area was very quiet. wonder whether the kids out of school thing is taking it's toll. we had problems this year as we went one day over our 10 day allowance. so as for next year well I'm already looking at it & trying to price flights and accomodation for first 2 weeks in August but booking flight & room separate. Always wanted to go to Santa Eulalia & it's looking promising - found a good deal on a private apartment with pool - but who knows Balansat may well yet happen - my wife and daughter want to go back there - especially to see the man in the shop with the grey hair !!!! As for booking at Balansat we have usually booked Jan/Feb and got it for about £750 for 2 weeks at start of June for 2 adults & 1 child flying from Leeds - but night flights. price doubles in August. saw the island on a postcard in Portinatx. if i win the lottery i'll buy it and let you use it for 2 weeks !!!!