Hi

just got back from our holiday to Paguera, so thought I'd share my thoughts on the holiday overall. Here goes...

Firstly my wife and i both won flights in the jet2.com giveaway earlier in the year, and we were lucky enough to actually find some sensible dates available to us. We were give the 9th - 19th Sept Manchester to PMI. I was quite pleased with this because the flight times were pretty good (06.55 dept, 18.40 rtn).

We travelled up the day before and stopped at the Tabley Travellodge. Greeted by a grumpy person on reception who had no record of our request for a travel cot to be provided. However one reserved for another room with people checking in in the early hours was re-allocated to us and one would be sourced from the airport travel lodge for the other people. Not much more to say, apart from the garage next to the travel lodge is not very well stocked. Didn't try the little chef so can;t comment on that.

We travelled the following morning to Budget Car Parking. A minor slip up in the directions near the airport, but we located the site pretty quickly, checked in efficiently, directed on a space near to recption to park and transferred to the airport.

Jet2.com checkin at Manchester was efficient. Travelling with an infant meant that we had to check in in the traditional method. No problems and pretty quick. Security was a bit slower, as we were carrying baby milk and had to taste each of the sealed bottles that was in our hand luggage (and baby milk is gross!). We only had enough time in departures for a quick loo stop and dash to boots for some baby food.

The plane was quite underbooked, and we had the bank of 3 seats between us, so once we had taken off we re-arranged ourselves so that our daughter could stretch out on the seat between us.

The flight departed early, and as a result arrived early.

Our walk through PMI was shorter than I had remembered on previous trips. Baggage arrived without incident.

We checked in for our transfer with resort hoppa, were told to go through a certain door and go to coach 100 - unfortunately there were 2 coach 100s on the stand we were sent to, and a mightly huffy driver told us we'd gone to the wrong one. Soon rectified and found the correct bus.

Our resort hoppa confirmation suggested the transfer to be 45 mins - Ha! thats a joke. We went to Palma Nova, Magalluf and Santa Ponsa. LEaving Santa Ponsa and we were the only ones on the bus, and eventually arrived in Paguera a little over 2 hours later.

We were stopping at Club Europa on an all inclusive basis, so I could sink a couple of beers to help unwind. The accommodation is very nice. The reception staff were very good, and we got a map to help us locate all the facilities.

We had a 1 bedroom apartment. This was basic, but all that we required for an all incl stay. We did have a bit of an issue with ants, but I bought a local ant spray, which did the job.

The complax has 3 pools, 3 pool bars (only 2 opened while we were there), a saloon bar, snack bar, restaurant and pizzeria ( this was not included in AI). Food in the restaurant and pizzeria were very good, plenty of choice, nice and hot. The snack bar was also a buffet style with a choice of 3 cold plates and 3 hot plates (luke warm at best). Also included was fruit and cake. Both the restaurant and snack bar had self serve beer, wine, pop, coffee etc.

Animation team very good and daughter loved the mini disco. Highlights include the magician show and quiz (don;t expect a normal quiz though). I won diplomas for darts and killer pool, the missus won 2 for darts!!!!! The accommodation population is mainly Spanish, German and French markets but we never felt excluded from what was going on.

I think it is fair to say that Paguera is geared for the German market. The main beach was very nice, plenty of space, a few shops dotted around etc. Most of Paguera's facilities are located along the main boulevard. We did find a 'british' pub - it was very nice in Thomas's Place and relatively cheap. It is just off the boulevard - if you see the 50% off puzzles shop, walk away from he sea on that little road and it is on the left.

We went to Marine land for an outing. If you go on public bus and are not sure where it is get the bus driver to yell - we were sardined into the bus and would never have seen it if the driver hadn't stopped and told us.

We also jumped on the bus for an afternoon in Santa Ponsa. Had a couple of drinks whilst out and about - nice to be around some fellow brits for a while.

Return flight was uneventful - slightly shorter transfer time allowing plenty of time to checkin etc. Checking in was a little more chaos (desks not open when we arrived) but other than that (and my daughter smashing the duty free bacardi that we'd just bought) all was OK.

Flight on time and pick up to parking was prompt and efficient.

Overall a good holiday. I liked the hotel, Paguera was nice, jet2 were good. I was not impressed with resort hoppa.

I thought supermarket down the road from accomm was reasonably priced, but I thought some bars/restaurants and tourist shops were expensive.