Globales Bouganvilla

We visited here in 2010 and swore we would never go back as it was run down and badly in need of renovation. Fast forward to 2019 and we were looking for a last minute break and the Bouganvilla ticked enough boxes to give it another try and we were suitably impressed by how the complex has been renovated and refurbished since our previous visit. ROOMS: We were travelling as a family of 5 with 3 kids (17,12 &6) and had booked a one bed apt and a twin room for the eldest. The twin room was fine for our eldest but we found that the one bed apt whilst clean and freshly painted was a little too small for the four of us and that the location of our allotted apartment (number 99) was not really to our liking as it's sat right on the corner with a tiny terrace and everyone walking by looking in the windows, a bit like staying on the corner of Piccadilly Circus!! However, we noticed an offer to upgrade our room to a 2 bed apt for €30 per night which we took advantage of and our new room also on the ground floor was really good and gave us enough space, although the wife and I took the smaller bedroom as it really is only just big enough to take the two singles placed together without a lot of circulation space, bed were comfy and a good nights sleep on them. One gripe about the rooms is the sofa in the living area is rubbish as the main cushion keeps sliding off! Rooms are fitted with a large flat screen TV with a reasonable selection of channels and the small kitchenette (a throw back to the complex's days as a self-catering place) had a fridge, micro, kettle but no crockery other than 4 tea cups, but hey it is an AI complex now so no real need for plates etc.). The room air con is excellent and even though it was very hot during our stay the system had the room like a fridge upon return from being out in the sun, had to turn it off at night or would wake up chittering with the cold!!! POOL AREAS: The main pool we didn't visit much but it looked well kept with a large lagoon style pool which ranged from shallow to 2.25m deep with kids pools near it and a splash park as well. Sunbed Olympics in full effect during our stay (Mid July) at this pool with towels out by 7am and by 8/9am you wouldn't be getting a decent spot near the pool edge. The splash world has really transformed this place and an excellent addition since our last stay, it incorporates the two old pools from our last stay into the design. As it doesn't open until 10 the whole area is fenced off and the 3 access gates not unlocked until opening time and this suited us by avoiding the worst of the sunbed chase.. Just nip down at ten to ten or so and join the que and your guaranteed to get a reasonable spot to suit your needs, although there are still plenty clowns literally running to get the same sunbeds every day and heaven help anyone who tries to get in their way, a little sad as there's load of parasols and loungers for all who arrive at the opening time of 10am. The splashworld is great with 6 decent slides, a good kids splash park the bubble pool which kids seemed to love (no one over 1.35m allowed on and the guards will throw you off) the swimming pool which is not huge and ranges from 1.2 - 2.2m deep and a lovely splash area which is ideal for toddlers with fountains and water guns, this is a great addition for families with young kids as they can play away quite happily with a virtual zero water depth. One thing, the tiles get red hot so watch little ones (and big ones) feet for burning on them! The bars by the pool are ok serving coffee, beer and self service soft drinks, one big complaint is the amount of wasps that congregate at the coke machine hunting the sweet sugar! No real effort in place to try and get them away like fly papers or a honey trap type set up, kids were terrified at time to try and get some juice and often adults would have to get them for them, watch out if you get a coke as frequently your cup may pick up a visitor who's difficult to spot in there (I nearly drunk a wasp). DINING & BARS: Bar service was generally good and ques moved along ok. The pizza restaurant was our favourite but to call it a pizza restaurant when it only ever does two different pizzas is a bit misleading! Food was always well presented but and properly cooked but like most AI places became repetitive. La Tasca grill makes fantastic burgers, well worth a try. The main restaurant was ok. As the complex was getting busier my major gripe about the restaurant is the "school canteen" feel, queuing up (or not as many seem to feel barging in is the way forward) like being in a canteen isn't ideal. KIDS CLUB/ANIMATION: Cant say much about the animation as this was generally run by the main pool area. The kids club however was fantastic and our 6yo loved it. Club staff were all lovely and kept the kids well entertained in a nice little air conditioned club house (ideal in the afternoon to get little ones out of the blistering heat (it was 37deg at 3pm when we stayed). 10/10 to the kids club. CLIENTELLE: On the whole most people are there for their hard earned holiday and try to enjoy it without infringing or upsetting other people. there are of course some loud mouths and those who feel that their enjoyment is all that matters and couldn't care less about anyone else, but you'll get that everywhere. Sadly it seems continental Europeans (French, German, Dutch and Polish) have no concept of what it means to "wait your turn" from barging into the line in the restaurants, trying to jump the water slide que by aiming to barge past you on the stairs and literally just going straight to the front of the bar que. Honestly it's not the Brits who are the problem in this regard it's the Europeans and arguments at times did break out where Brits stood their ground (which we should) and told them to wait their turn. The only major gripe I would have here is that the complex was getting busier as the week went on and it still isn't when all English school's have finished up and day by day the ques were getting worse and the sunbed Olympics ever more hilarious to watch! I have the feeling that by the last week in July the complex will be completely rammed to the rafters and the situation for some will become pretty unbearable in enjoying a little bit of peace. All said though, the place has come on leaps and bounds since 2010, would we go back to it in high season? Probably not but this is not a reflection on the complex's condition as it stands its to do with how over run the place is. Would we consider a visit say in May or September? Very possibly.

I first visited the Bouganvilla over 20 years ago as a child and had a fantastic time and left with so many good memories. This time I took my own children, but after reading some of the reviews I was so worried that I'd be disappointed and that my rose tinted glasses would be smashed! I needn't have worried, and I'm really not sure how this place has some of the negative reviews I've read! We had an absolutely fantastic time. If you have children then you can't go wrong, there is so much for them to do! Check in was quick and efficient, and tourist tax is payable on arrival. We also hired a safety deposit box which cost €32 plus €10 deposit. The rooms are basic but well equipped, accessed via a key card and the door had a turn able latch on the inside. the rooms have adjustable air con (which was amazing as it was very hot) We stayed in Rosa block, in a 1 bed apartment which was ground floor and had a large outside area overlooking the main pool, the second and third floor apartments had a smaller balcony, but room enough for a table and chairs. There was a sofa bed, and a pull down bed in the living area, plus twin beds in the bedroom. There was a small kitchen area with a hob, kettle and toaster, although we never used this. The bathroom had a hairdryer and a small toiletry bag with samples of shampoos, shower gel, teeth cleaning kit, and even a shoe cleaning sponge! We were also provided with 4 beach towels and a reusable carrier bag. The rooms were cleaned and beds made daily and cleaners were around the complex cleaning throughout the day. The main pool is massive, very deep in parts, but with shallow areas along the edges. Next to that there is a mini splash park with slides, and tipping buckets, plus a small pool for younger children. Then around the back of the complex is the Splashworld; with a pool, another pool with a giant inflatable bubble, a fountain splash area, another mini splash park and several huge slides. This part opens from 10 am and also has a snack bar serving burgers, chips etc. I was really impressed with the amount of lifeguards and how attentive they were. The animation team were fantastic and worked really hard to get people involved and enjoying themselves. There was a timetable of activities for each day for younger children, teenagers and adults, followed by a kids disco and an evening show held in the open area under a big top tent. Our rep explained that due to the location of the complex (in a residential area) they are limited with the kind of shows they can do, the 3 we stayed for were gymnastics, acrobatics, and a magic show which weren't bad and the big top area was full both nights. I've been to places where the entertainment is abysmal in comparison. There is also a kids club, but we never used this. In the evening, around the big top area were bouncy castles, mini go carts and trampolines and pool zorbs in the main pool. These weren't provided by the hotel, so they were charges for these. The complex has 3 restaurants, the larger main restaurant, La Tasca grill bar and the Pizzeria. There is simply no way you can go hungry when staying at the Bouganvilla! There was always something even my pickiest of children would eat and the restaurants were always clean with staff clearing tables quickly and efficiently. There could sometimes be queues, and I imagine at peak times it would be busier, but we tended to go for our evening meal as they opened which seemed to be its quietest time. The food was always well presented, with plenty of variety. The pizzeria had a small section that was lower and specifically for children. All the restaurants had self serve wine and beer dispensers, plus soft drinks and water. There are several bars, the Polynesian pool bar which was open during the day, then the Poseidon bar which was open until midnight. The snack bar at the splash park also had a bar, plus 2 bars either side of the big top tent. There were several staff serving and so any queues moved quickly. The bar staff are very generous with measures! There were several cocktails available on all inclusive, though there were also ones that you could pay for. All the drinks are served in plastic cups, but you could buy reusable ones in the onsite shop. There were 3 shops on site, one gift shop, a snack shop and a Super Spar and they weren't overly priced like you often find with shops situated within a complex. Though for a short walk there was a large Carrefour supermarket on the road leading into Sa Coma. The shops sold all manner of floats and pool toys, toiletries, gifts and confectionery. The Super Spar also had a free pump to inflate pool floats. There is a free shuttle bus that takes you to the beach and runs daily, apart from Sunday, it picks up from outside reception every 15 mins until 6pm and drops off right out side Sa Coma beach. All in all we had a fantastic time and would definitely visit again!