Insotel Cala Mandia Resort & Spa

“Great hotel but practically no food options for vegan guests”

Quick Review: This hotel has everything you need for a fantastic break, pleasant staff, very clean - just not great if you have specific dietary requirements. Long Review: The Insotel Cala Mandia Resort is absolutely huge, packed with things to keep the kids happy and entertained. Very clean com... more

Quick Review: This hotel has everything you need for a fantastic break, pleasant staff, very clean - just not great if you have specific dietary requirements. Long Review: The Insotel Cala Mandia Resort is absolutely huge, packed with things to keep the kids happy and entertained. Very clean communal areas, and it is clear that all staff take pride in their work. Overall, we were very happy with our stay. The rooms were basic, but everything you need - you don't go on holiday to sit in your room. Food was available just about all hours of the day, with small breaks in between for what I assume was cooking and cleaning. Beer on tap was Estrella, which is good if you ask me. Wine was a little questionable, but plenty of soft drink options such as Coke, Coke Zero, Fanta Zero, Sprite Zero, Orange Juice, Apple Juice etc. Our only complaint (but its a big one for us) was that this is not a vegan friendly hotel. Now, we know that we only represent 5% of the population, but it does not seem very progressive to have no options for such a growing segment. At set meal times, efforts were made to label the food items with allergens, but we consistently found around 10% of all food was not labelled each meal, and we unfortunately saw on one occasion that a dish had not been labelled as containing dairy when it quite clearly had cheese on top (no, it wasn't vegan cheese). This type of mistake goes beyond dietary choice and could actually kill someone. My honest and constructive feedback, with the hotels best intention in mind, would be to really focus on getting the labelling right, and introduce at least one or two substantial plant based options (if not mock meats then at very least, chilli, bean burger, curry, pizza) to each meal time. By catering for vegan, you also cater to your vegetarian guests (and the meat eaters too). My visit this time unfortunately consisted of a plate of baked beans every morning and a chip bun for lunch and dinner EVERY SINGLE DAY which was quite a let down. I'm sorry to say other all-inclusive's I've visited have done a much better job in this area.

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“Great for families”

Once we completed the 1 hour coach journey we arrived at Cala Mandia and had to check in. Check in took a long time however it all went smoothly. As we were early they allowed us to go for lunch which was great and the food is great with many different options. Being all inclusive the alcohol is... more

Once we completed the 1 hour coach journey we arrived at Cala Mandia and had to check in. Check in took a long time however it all went smoothly. As we were early they allowed us to go for lunch which was great and the food is great with many different options. Being all inclusive the alcohol is included and you never have to wait long for a drink. The alcohol is top shelf and the beer is great. Loads of pools and areas to hang out and activities on offer to do as much or as little as you want. The staff are amazing and JJ was brilliant in recommending we booked all the specialty restaurants in advance. We are only half way through the trip but would definitely recommend this hotel

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“Not for a relaxing break”

Gosh don’t know where to start so will headline it. ROOMS Very clean, bedding was comfortable and the cleaning staff were really friendly. STAFF Can’t fault them. Really pleasant. Isobel in restaurant was lovely and very attentive. Nothing was too much trouble for all of them. Entertainment sta... more

Gosh don’t know where to start so will headline it. ROOMS Very clean, bedding was comfortable and the cleaning staff were really friendly. STAFF Can’t fault them. Really pleasant. Isobel in restaurant was lovely and very attentive. Nothing was too much trouble for all of them. Entertainment staff were great with my teenage son. EXPERIENCE This is where it completely lacked. Children only have one mode of transport and that is to run full speed from A to B with arms flailing. Parents were not in control of their children and staff were at a loss. In the restaurant every day, yes EVERY day there were toddlers and under 5’s left to run around. It was very very busy and children regularly made contact with me when I had hot drinks/ food in my hands. Parents didn’t care and no where to be seen. The final straw came for me when a child no more than two was throwing a small inflatable ball up and down the marble steps. I had two drinks in my hands so went the opposite end of the stairs. The child rolled the ball my way. I stepped on the ball on the step and thankfully, by the grace of god I managed lift my leg back up in time. Had I not I would have been in hospital. I looked for parents- no parents in sight. Regularly we would hear a child running and then slap as they hit the marble floors. As I type now there is a dad with a child that has been screaming full lungs for the last 20 minutes!!! Mum has arrived, baby stops screaming but she has left her other child standing at my table to pick up the girl and he is now lost and crying. If you want a relaxing break- this is NOT the place! There needs to be some form of control as this is not acceptable. Part two- I have never EVER been on a holiday where the other hotel guests were so rude. The amount of times people pushed in front of the queue at the reception, the food hall and at the bar without a care in the world is beyond me. Yesterday a man walked directly in front of me at the reception desk and insisted he was spoken to first. The staff member just looked at me and shrugged her shoulders. None of these 40 or so encounters were British. I felt so sad yesterday that civilisation has got so bad. Many parents here are screaming at their children or ignoring them completely because they are so stressed. What has the world come to? We have always said please and thank you but rarely heard it from other hotel guests. I feel so sorry for the staff. I am now looking forward to going home. OUTSIDE HOTEL Nearest civilisation is Porto Cristo itself but not much there. Drach caves was good but again very very busy. TIP: Go into the caves last or you will end up being herded along with another 100 people! Local shop across the road- take room card for a discount! FOOD Last night my son had food poisoning from the pasta… Kids are free to grab whatever they want. Go early so you don’t have contaminated food. I saw so many people handling the food with their hands. Plenty of vegetarian options, meat etc. Staff worked very hard. Fifties restaurant- because it’s off peak season this was included in our price. We enjoyed it. Staff were run ragged though and worked really hard. Surf restaurant- don’t pay for this. Very basic and more or less a self serve. Would I come here again? Sadly no. I came here 15 years ago and thought it was great. It’s not the hotel or the staff, it’s the lack of propriety by the guests and the children that spoils it.

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