The entrance to the Park Club is unique in its full on Andalucian décor, with typical tiling, terracotta-coloured flooring, stone work and many examples of regional furniture. At the centre of the lobby stands the reception which occupies a gazebo-type structure which can get very busy at times (people here seem to have more queries than guests at other hotels!). Around the welcome desk are several seating areas, each with a little surprise such as an old wooden cart and Andalucian pottery. Also in the hall is a shop selling supplies and souvenirs. But it is the exterior parts of the hotel which set the Park Club apart from the rest. The main pool, around which there reigns a jovial atmosphere, is blessed with heaps of sunbathing space and surrounding greenery and is also the location of the hotel's information point - a place where you can pose questions, seek tourist information and book excursions. Between the main pool and the second pool (which is the only one on the island to be surrounded by sand and which has a couple of slides, great for kids) is one of the two real selling points, in our opinion, of the hotel: lush gardens, bridges over coy-filled ponds, cages with animals such as parrots and rabbits and several mini clubs, as well as quiet places to sit, relax and soak up the sun away from te hubbub of the swimming pools.
The second main pull of the hotel is its animation. There are several different mini clubs, each one in operated by a different tour operator and in theory only for kids on holiday with that company. However in practice all kids are welcome at each of the clubs where they will be looked after superbly be the quite excellent animation team who also entertain grownups during the day, with, for example, paella-making demonstrations by the pool. It's in the evening though when the team really comes into its own and wows the audience with its spectacular shows. Taking place on a professional stage with an impressive sound and lighting setup, the wide variety of shows last up to an hour and include the team's own takes on famous musicals as well as medleys comprising songs from well known artists. The English contingent of the team had all just left professional dancing school which means that the overall quality of the shows as well as the instruction to the rest of the team is of a high quality. The high number of people in the team means not only a greater variety of entertainment but also a better timing between performances and a more spectacular choreography. The stage area is used too for big sporting events such as Formula 1 racing and football matches.
The hotel has a small, basic fitness room with decent machines and a flatscreen television. While there is no spa as such, there are wellness provisions in the form of a sauna, a Turkish bath, several types of shower and a fridgidarium (a cold room which replaces a cold water pool). Other facilities at the hotel include a five-a-side football court, a tennis court, ping pong and giant chess.
Amy Adejokun
Section editor
