Le Palme

We expected a five star resort, relaxing but with plenty of activities, its expensive but we thought it would be value as we expected a high standard. Wedid not get this. The resort service fell short, activities were not value for money for what is an expensive holiday. (We were 2 adults and 1 teenager, there for a week.) Wish we had gone somewhere else! We had not appreciated that some hotels had their own pools which you cannot use, so at Le Palme you can only use the main pool or acqua pool. You are only allowed to use these two pool areas plus (if your hotel offers it) your hotel pool. There were insufficient sunloungers and shades/parasols at the pools. eg, If you didn't get a sunlounger within seconds of the main pool opening (and people queued and ran), you didn't get one. There is space though to add more - so this is frustrating. Fellow guests disliked having to leave breakfast to queue then run to secure somewhere to sit - not exactly five star. When customer service asked us for feedback and we said this, we were told we could sit at the pool bar all day (who wants to do that?! Plus there are 6 stools); also told, 'what do you expect, we are a large resort' (there must be, say, 30 sun loungers at the main pool for the whole resort of nine hotels) - that is not good enough. When I said other hotel resorts manage it, was met with a shrug. At the beach, there were loads of sun loungers and parasols (at a guess 400) but we didn't know when we booked it on checking in that you had to pre-book a sun lounger. Despite at least 75% being empty of towels or personal belongings when we were there in the afternoons, we were not allowed to sit on any unless we were allocated one (three attendants came up to me one day and asked me to move which felt quite intimidating) - there was v little choice of what sun loungers was available - third row back at the end of the beach, or underneath the kiosk by the entrance. Frustrating given hardly any being used. Staff told us people must be at lunch but given restaurants shut an hour earlier, that was simply not the case. Outside bar area with big TV screen was a great idea - particularly whilst Wimbledon on. However shade for only one sofa so not practical to be used during the daytime, particularly as astro pitch all around you absorbing the heat so particularly hot area. Lots of sports but some better value than others. 40 Euros for 12 minutes go karting seemed ok value as there was a great course, the go-kart equipment, staff etc. Shame they let people book out the whole track though - we waited 1.5 hours one evening whilst one family booked the whole track only to be used by their two sons. Other sports less good value - to play table tennis (free at most hotels), you had to pay 25 euros for 30 mins, 50 euros for an hour - not good value. They need more restaurant choice for lunches - we ended up in the pizza restaurant every day. Nice but a fixed menu so got boring. Also - Half Board, we could in fact only use at limited restaurants, no credit given in other restaurants (which is what hotels normally do) so in practice, we could only eat dinner in one of four restaurants - not in the 20 or so they advertise. Concierge staff did not seem knowledgeable about the resort. When you walk around the resort, remember its nine hotels within one resort so you can't walk around all the resort as you are only allowed in your hotel or the 'public' areas. Feedback to hotel staff - recommend you use duvet covers, not just sheets round a duvet (which easily slip off) - this felt unhygienic - duvet covers are what other hotels use. Also recommend putting in tea/coffee making facilities into the bedrooms - its what other hotels have. Offer some sports free (eg table tennis) - its what other hotels do. Open HB to all restaurants (give credit in higher end restaurants or offer a fixed menu) - its what other hotels do. Need more sun loungers, stop the booking system on the beach, put in more parasols and shaded areas. Create more options for lunch.

We travelled as a family group . There were a few technical problems with various items which were expertly resolved by Giovanni Calledda the Hotel Manager. His staff were immensely helpful under his direction. Our small grandsons had a wonderful time playing football,fencing,swimming with expert tuition. Weather was perfect and beds most comfortable.