Jupiter Hovel (sorry Hotel) (Hotel Jupiter-Saturno-Marte Complex (Alcudia))

Member Name: DC

Product:	Hotel Jupiter-Saturno-Marte Complex (Alcudia)
Date:	31/08/08 (207 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Two exit gates

Disadvantages: Smell, cleanliness, repetitive meals, no authenticity, overcrowded and noisy at night/early morning.

We were in a party of 7. Every one of us was ill and confined to our room for at least a period of 24 hours, the worst being my niece who was ill for 4 days. I believe this was related to the conditions at the complex. A visit to the doctor will initially cost you 75 euros followed by 35 euros for a review consultation not including prescriptions or medication.

The pool was closed for long periods on each of the first 4 days that we were there because people had chosen to defaecate in it rather than the toilets located at the rear of the pool (the smelly buildings next to first aid). It's good that they clean the pool however not all the pool guards follow this routine. We witnessed a parent tell the guard about a kid that had just puked in the pool. The guard tried to catch up with the kid however, when he wasn't able to do so he simply returned to his seat and took no further action while people continued to swim in the pool, completely unaware.

There were open bins complete with flies throughout the food areas, some within 5 foot of food. Food is OK but very repetitive for example the specials were Spanish nachos one night followed by Mexican nachos the next. The 'non special' meals remained the same for the majority of our stay with breakfasts being wide ranging although identical throughout.

The worst point of the holiday was the unavoidable continual smell throughout the complex. A mix of sewerage, the stagnant ponds in the centre of the complex, toilets, bins and fried food. Guests were moved rooms after complaining of smelling methane and sewerage in their rooms. Reception told us about the sewerage treatment plant to the rear of the Jupiter Hotel (a white building nestled at the foot of the hill maybe less than a mile from the hotel). It's uphill from the complex so relies on pumps to operate.

Service is quick however we became frustrated with queue jumpers. In order to get a sun lounger you would need to be at the pool at around 7am. People were actually sitting in seats that spanned the area they wanted their loungers to rest, reading books while they waited for their loungers to be unlocked! The staff should do something (but don't) to discourage this practice especially when some loungers in prime positions were left vacant, but for their towels for the best part of the day.

Reception staff weren't too helpful. If there was a problem they would note it in their book. If you had a problem that couldn't be resolved by writing it in the book they became difficult to communicate with, simply referring you to your rep. Our air conditioning broke and left us with a pool of water on the floor. Although decanted for a while from the room it was fixed quickly. We were given the wrong room type (a regular complaint at the hotel it seems) The reception staff did not want to know and could only refer us to our rep. There were none of the room types we asked for available at all ... oh, unless we paid 650 euros to upgrade. We met 2 families like ourselves who had requested a family room comprising of an adjoining bedroom for their kids. The 2 families of 5 were each given a single room with 2 double beds in it. The alternatives were; to be given another room where mum could sleep with one kid and dad with the other kids in the original room or, to put all the kids in another single room and sign a waver distancing the hotel from any responsibility. Deplorable!

There are plenty of lifts in the buildings however, you could spend a large part of your time waiting on one arriving. In the two weeks we were there we always opted for the stairs due to the length of wait involved (including when moving our luggage).

Directly outside the complex there is little to learn of the country in fact it's like stepping into a bit of England complete with a Spar shop and many British (English) theme pubs advertising English breakfasts, English lunches and English evening meals. The complex staff too seemed to love reminding those not from England how many English people were staying by asking them regularly to shout loud and by handing out free England flags, hats, bags, lounger covers and t-shirts; fine if you're from England I suppose!

Port Alcudia is better although appears quite modern with it's architectural marina and new build shops lining the streets. Our best day was the trip to Pollenca for the Robinson Cruise. A great day out and a chance to see some of authentic Majorca. The Alcudia old town was good too, especially on Tuesday's market day.

All in all easily the worst holiday I have been on to date. If I could, I would of packed up and left long before the end of our two week break.

Summary: Worst hotel I've stayed in throughout Majorca, Menorca, mainland Spain, Bulgaria and the UK.