"We spent six nights at Hotel Cala del Pi.
The hotel enjoys one of the most beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. The sunbeds are extremely comfortable, there is plenty of space around the pools, and the housekeeping team does an excellent job. The rooms are beautifully designed with high-quality materials, and the twice-daily service was appreciated. The spa is also absolutely outstanding.
The restaurant serves very good food, especially the fresh fish. The sea bass baked in salt was excellent. However, for guests staying a week or longer, the lunch menu would benefit from simpler and fresher options such as Caesar salad, tomato and mozzarella salad, club sandwiches, and other light dishes. Mediterranean specialties are wonderful, but sometimes guests simply want a fresh salad or sandwich by the pool. It would also be nice to be able to order and eat comfortably from the sunbed area.
The biggest issue during our stay was the construction work on the neighboring property. We were not informed before arrival, despite our group of four having booked two rooms for six nights, including the hotel's most exclusive suite, which had been reserved and prepaid well in advance.
As guests making a significant investment in what was marketed as a luxurious, tranquil experience, we believe it was essential that the hotel inform us in advance of the ongoing construction directly next door.
Had we known there would be constant drilling and construction noise throughout much of our stay, we would not have booked the holiday.
Upon arrival, we immediately raised our concerns. The hotel kindly upgraded the second room, which we appreciated. However, the construction noise remained present every day around the pool area and throughout much of the property. For a five-star hotel selling peace, relaxation, and luxury, this should have been communicated before guests arrived.
We were also celebrating my husband's 60th birthday. After arriving at significant construction noise, we found a miniature bottle of cava placed in a large ice bucket. In Spain, where cava is inexpensive, this felt surprisingly ungenerous for such an important occasion. A personal note to the guests, an invitation for a complimentary dinner, or another thoughtful gesture would have felt far more meaningful, particularly considering the disruption caused by the construction.
Pool service requires improvement. On weekdays, waiter service was minimal, if available at all, and guests often had to leave their sunbeds to walk to the restaurant to order drinks. Ordering from the sunbed should be effortless in a five-star hotel.
One particular staff member, Azif, repeatedly came across as focused on enforcing rules rather than helping guests. We were told off for entering a bar area in swimwear to order drinks after being instructed throughout the week to do exactly that because the lower pool bar was closed from Monday to Friday. When the bar finally opened, it did not have what we wanted, so we walked to the other bar and were told off for doing so.
On another occasion, I tried to order a fresh salad to the room and was informed this was not possible because it was only available in the fine dining restaurant. Throughout several interactions, it felt as though the focus was on telling guests what was not allowed rather than finding solutions. In a five-star hotel, service should be about helping guests, not creating obstacles.
There should also be a toilet closer to the lower pool area. When the bar is closed, guests must walk considerable distances either to their rooms or to the restaurant facilities. This could easily be improved by making better use of the existing facilities near the pool area.
The towel system is confusing and appears not to be working effectively, with no clear separation between clean and used towels. Guests are often unsure where to place used towels, while clean towels are not always readily available.
Additionally, the upper pool mattresses are dragged across the ground each evening during storage. Apart from looking inelegant, this will considerably shorten their lifespan. A simple trolley would make the process easier and more professional.
Security is another concern. During our stay, several guests reportedly had expensive watches stolen while walking into town. Guests should be informed of this risk and offered better transport assistance, particularly when taxis are difficult to obtain. Otherwise, guests are encouraged to walk routes where these incidents are occurring without being aware of the risks.
One final disappointment was the Sunday yoga event. After enduring construction noise from Monday through Friday, we were looking forward to a peaceful weekend. Instead, the hotel's prime quiet area was occupied by a paid yoga event open to outside visitors. Hotel guests had to pay extra to participate, while access to one of the property's most attractive and peaceful areas was restricted until early afternoon.
If yoga is offered, it should primarily benefit hotel guests rather than reduce the experience for those already paying premium room rates. The event also left the sunbeds disorganized afterward, forcing guests to sit closer together despite there being ample space available.
If the hotel wishes to increase revenue, there are better opportunities. Improving service at the sunbeds and making it easier for guests to order drinks and food would likely generate far more revenue while also improving the guest experience.
The gym is another area where simple improvements could make a difference. There were no cleaning supplies available for guests to wipe down equipment after use. A spray bottle, paper towels, and a small bin would solve this immediately and improve hygiene standards.
Finally, the beach bag placed in the room with a €25 price tag felt unnecessarily commercial. Small gestures such as gifting a branded beach bag often create goodwill and lasting marketing value. Combined with the miniature cava, it contributed to an impression that the hotel sometimes thinks too small in areas where generosity would create a much stronger guest experience.
Overall, Hotel Cala del Pi is a beautiful property with breathtaking views, excellent housekeeping, lovely service staff, a wonderful spa, and many strengths. However, a five-star experience is defined by details, communication, service, generosity, and how guests are treated when things do not go as planned.
This hotel has the potential to be exceptional. A more guest-focused approach, better communication regarding construction, stronger pool service, and a greater willingness to create memorable experiences would elevate it significantly.
Best regards,
Annette Merrild"
