Tuesday 9 August had finally arrived. Had a good flight and transfer from Palma to HVV was fine.
We were all impressed with our apartments very spacious and clean (although our friends not as clean as ours.)

We quickly unpacked as the kids were desparate to get into the pool. We walked round the pool several times trying to find some sunbeds but obviously at 2.30pm this was near impossible. Fortunately we were taken pity on and a couple gave us two of their sunbeds at the bottom pool (near swim kids section)and here we stayed for the whole 2 weeks!

Yes we were the sad ones who got up at 6.45am every morning with our blankets and reserved our sunbeds. Beleive me we did not want to do this but with kids who wanted to be in the pool all day we wanted to be able to see they were safe at all times. The lifeguard seemed to spend all day on his mobile phone. The baby pool was far too small and we were told on first day by other guests to stay clear as not very clean and stank of urine all the time.

Hotel food was fine abit samey but we always found something to eat. Some of the soups looked suspicious and often smelt of meat when should of been fish and vise versa! The kids enjoyed pancakes for breakfast and often wanted the scrambled eggs but nearly everyday they were very undercooked. The pool bar was fine for a quick bite although restaurant was far more healthy and varied. The beer and spirits in all bars was definately watered down. We can all have a good drink but I think if you drank the beer for 24hrs you would still be sober.

The location of HVV wasn't great but not really a problem although resort very rundown and rubbish and dog poo everywhere. Yuck!

Hotel staff were fine, especially reception always very friendly and helpful. Most of the staff in restaurant were miserable and on our last morning we had to have breakfast early due to our pick up time. We were told that we could go in from 7am. When we arrived only toast and coffee was available. Gradually the staff started bringing out various pastries, buns etc and the kids wanted some. One of the staff started waving her finger at them and mumbling about NO not until 7.30! In the end my husband got up and picked up some buns was mumbled at but he just told her we are AI and have paid for our food and got the kids some buns.

Entertainment during day for kids was probably OK but ours didn't join in as they just wanted to be in the pool, and did go to the cinema most days. As for the evening entertainment it was rubbish. We found out that due to the hassles at HVV in Turkey they had sent 2 of their best reps there to help sort out problems. The entertainment reps were far too young had no experience and it was like a second rate Butlins. At least at Butlins they show professional acts. We have seen the same shows time and time again over the past few years at other resorts and all the tour operators just copy each other. The kids disco was boring why cant they play some chart music for them to have a dance to along with the toddler action songs?
The duo Powder Blue tried there best but really is this all First Choice can come up with!?. The one thing I really wanted to do was cut that awful long tail on the back of Andy,s head but I didn't get the chance.

Finally my 8 year old daughter along with several kids and some adults was very poorly on the last couple of days of our holiday. She started complaining of bad headaches and that her eyes were bruised and she could see double. She then spent the whole of the next day being very sick, was very hot and we became worried that she would not be fit to fly home. Another child was taken to hospital and others had the Doctor and were given injections to stop the vomitting. We were told that it wasn't the food as several kids who were SC also had the bug. When we left on Tues 23 the whole of the pool (top and bottom) had been roped off and signs put up saying cleaning in progress, maybe coincidence but is this why the kids were so poorly because of a contaminated pool? We had to fill in a sickness form at First Choce reception because they had had several reports of the bug they were going to get Health and Safety in!!

Despite all the negative comments we had a fab holiday because we made the best of it but we would NEVER visit the HVV again.

Just got back from Holiday Village Viva. Our party consisted of 2 adults and 5 children 9,12,13,15,15.

We found the accomodation to be excellent and could not fault the service/cleanliness in the whole complex.

We stayed all inclusive and found choice of food to be good and varied. Kids felt comfortable helping themselves and often went to restaurant with their friends.

Entertainment was fun! our kids even at their age enjoyed mini disco. Entertainment team gave it their all (varying ability) and always done it with a smile on their face. Dan joined the team as two reps had to go to Turkey, we found him to be very entertaining and funny. We liked Powder Blue and often went to listen to them and have a dance in the sports Bar from 11.00pm to 12.00pm, the bar was not smokey and the air conditioning great!

All the kids had a fantastic holiday and made some great friends.

the only downside is Cana Picafort which is run down in our opinion. But we only ventured out of the complex on a handfull of occasions as didn't need to leave!

We would book for next year but price seems to have increase enormously from what we paid this year.

We were self catering although I would recommend going all inclusive unless you like the freedom self catering gives you.

Couldn't fault the cleanliness, always staff cleaning pathways and pool area throughout the day.

The room was clean and maids did a thorough hob of cleaning and tidying...even to the point where we had trouble finding things they had put away!

Can't comment on the food as we were self catering although heard reports from other guests that the food was generally good.

The hotel itself is about a 10 minute walk from the beach which we didn't find to be a problem although we did take a pushchair for our 3 yr old.

Hotel staff were helpful, efficient and polite.
Our 3yr old was sick in the night once and after reporting it to reception they dealt very quickly with the situation and someone was there to change her sheets within 5 minutes

Just returned what a fantastic place. Hotel is first class. Maids and hotel staff do a wonderful job of ensuring the whole hotel is spotless. The food was well prepare and laid out with plenty to choose from.

The Hotel is about 10 minutes walk to beach and centre of Can't Picafort. The hotel staff are extremely family orientated and always make a fuss of the children. Every angle has been throught of here for the children. Plenty for them to do to stop them getting bored.

The evening entertainment was average and finished at 11pm so everyone got a good quiet nights sleep which is a must with young children.

All in all a first class holiday (even though out fligt home was delayed 3 1/2 hours) and I would certainly recommend it to families especially with young children.

Towels for round the pool can be hired for 5 Euros and can be changed 3 times per week. Upon return you get your 5 Euros back. Extras provided in the rooms was nice i.e packs of suntan lotion, sewing kit, tissues and shower and body gel.

After seeing 6 pages in the brochure I expected a lot and was dissapointed. However we did have a good holiday but not the fantastic one I was expecting.

The site is spotless clean, staff very friendly
pool either 1m or 1.5, tiny childrens pool. big pool to deep for young children which is a shame.

Splash park good fun.
Food was good but agree did get a bit boring near home time. All inclusive good not to long to queue for drinks. Only ice cream for children no lollies but no problem just bought them.

The place has kids clubs which you queue up for but my kids found they spent most of the time colouring instead of doing the activity planned for that session so would not go the 2nd week.


Only 1 table tennis table, bats get from reception but someone kept them so nobody else could play on many occasions, no spare bats. 2 pool tables constantly out of order through the amount of usage, need far more for amount of people. 1 tiny tot ride and 2 video games. basically the same as any other apartment block.

Thought they would have more for the size of the village

The high ropes I never saw anybody on, the one trampoline is in a bad state. They would only let you on it if it was part of a booked event.

I had to book my little girl on bouncing bunnies(kids club) we watched her she did 11 bounces in the 1.5 hrs! they spent the rest of the time colouring and going on space hoppers, she came out crying.

The sports bar is good opens at 6pm is is normally empty unless a game is on. But was full sat afternoons! Need to utilise this better such a waste especially when its raining.

Soccer school was excellent my boy did 6 days and loved it. Swim kids also excellent.

The wave lengh reps seem to be really good for the older kids, appear to have well planned things to do as opposed to the up to 8s.

A lot of illness in young children throughout our stay. Some children not being able to leave their room. Had to call dr once. This costs 70 euros plus prescription costs. Did not realise not e111 so will not get refunded as excess on policy is

We recently returned from a fantastic family holiday at this hotel. Rooms were of a good standard and as many others have commented the whole place was kept clean and tidy. The main restaurant had a good variety of food - even the fussiest of eaters should find something to their taste.

We found the location of the hotel no problem. It's quite a pleasant walk into the town and it takes no longer than ten minutes even with little ones and you can always stop at the little play area on the way down the hill.

Hotel staff were very friendly and helpful and some of them seemed to regularly work a 12+ hour day. We stayed at the Holiday Village Costa Del Sol last year and unlike there the bar service at the Viva was excellent. Even during the busiest periods you never had to wait more than a couple of minutes and it's nice to get drinks in proper glasses in the evenings when you're sitting outside.

Our 5 year old daughter went to the kids club quite regularly and seemed to enjoy it. Most evenings we just waited until the queue to sign up for the following days sessions had died down and we mostly managed to get her booked into the session she wanted, the afternoon session being the only one which sometimes got full. Our 2 year old son also went to the creche a couple of times and there was never a problem booking him in on the day.

We thought the entertainment staff did an excellent job. There were lots of activities during the day and it was nice not to feel pressurised to join in, I personally found the aqua fit sessions a fun way to start the day. In the evening mini-disco was a big hit with the kids. We've been on First Choice holidays before so my daughter loved doing old favourites such as Cartoon Heroes and Cha Cha Slide. The main evening entertainment was quite varied and catered to most tastes. I heard some people complaining that there should be 'professional' entertainment every night, but I know the children, in particular, enjoyed the shows done by the entertainments team as they liked the fact they recognised the people on the stage. We thought Stu, Natalie, KT, Jenny did an excellent job and I know my daughter loved helping out with bingo sales. Special mention for Dan who joined the team when we were there. He was very funny and did a brilliant job with my son, who became very attached to him at the end of our holiday. 'Little James' is still very proud of the certificate he got on the last night.

All in all a great place for a family holiday and thoroughly recommended.

The village was kept very clean, with staff working all day long to keep the complex clean. We thought the food was excellent with plenty of choices to suit most tastes and very well presented. Wasn't keen on the location though, there is enough happening on site to keep you amused throughout much of the day.

The hotel staff were friendly and very helpful, even the Reception staff!!! The entertainment in the evening could have been better with more 'turns' being brought in from outside instead of the First Choice reps singing and dancing.

I would like to mention Hayley, the swimming instructor of Swim Kids who was excellent and very good value for money. We booked a block of 5 lessons for our son and another two private, although he has had lessons at our local pool for nearly two years Hayley brought him on no end teaching how to breathe correctly. In fact if I had got my act together sooner I would have had more private lessons.

All inclusive absolutely fantastic as we did not have to rely on the wife's cooking (sorry heating up)

The hotel was clean and had many sunbeds by the pool. My wife demanded we get up at 5.00 am to put the towels on the sunbeds and then she went back to bed. This does not seem fair as people might not get a sunbed if they do not get up at silly hours. My wife loved lying on the beds by the fantastic pool doing nothing.

The entertainment was great although the company wasn't. I had to get another couple to talk to us so that we did not get bored of each another.

The staff were helpful and ploite although they kept laughing at my wife.

I would visit the hotel again definetley although not with the same company.

Have just returned from a week at the Holiday Via Village.

The rooms and surrounding areas are spotless with spacious apartments.

The Italian restaurant choice of menu is poor we stayed all Inclusive and the rest of the week is all buffet food.

The hotel is a far walk to the beach about a mile you will need a pram with young children.

The staff were very good but what spoilt the holiday was lack of sun beds and brollies and to get a sun bed you have to be up by 7.30am.

The kids clubs are very difficult to get into and you have to queue the night before at 8pm to try and reserve a place for your child we found it difficult to get any club places and to be honest got fed up with queuing. If you have three children you would find it difficult not much for older children apart from a few machines.

Entertainment was mostly rep based and usual holiday shows again this was hampered by not enough seating outside or tables.

To be honest the queuing and lack of organized activities put me and my children off going again as you are also limited to one activity per child per day.

Ok time to clear a few things up, we are what I would like to think of as your average family, we are not loaded and we make the most of our holidays, and if anything are probably a little fussy, so when I read some of the reviews on this site I had to take some time to post.

First and foremost if you are reading this and about to visit the Holiday Viva Village, lucky you!! You have made a fantastic choice and will thoroughly enjoy your holiday!!

I will do my best to give you my thoughts and review on the holiday, and bare in mind we had 3 young children, some middle aged parents and some grandparents in our party so I'd like to think we were in a great position to comment!!

Firstly the room. We have been all inclusive for the last 5 years and in 20 years of holidays never had such a nice room, not only do you get a spotless and spacious room but they also throw in a fully equipped kitchen, satellite TV, bath & shower cubicle, air conditioning and balcony. All rooms are accessed via key cards and they also power the room. Safes are available at a cost of about 35 euros with 5 of that returned after you check out.

The hotel grounds are immaculate, the staff are constantly cleaning and the gardens are well maintained and set out, the hotel has an outside path which means the cleaning staff are rarely seen inside the complex and the swimming pools are well maintained daily.

The pools areas are split into two, one large pool is separated by a bridge and at the top is another pool (slightly deeper) there is a children