This was our second stay at this hotel, so we do like it. But the first stay was in early season before the so called entertainment started up. This time there was an open air "show" every night, from about 21.30 to 23.30. As well as being incredibly amatuer and awful (really just dancing with MIMING to film soundtracks etc!), it was unnecessarily loud. If you like early nights then you must ask for a room on the far side of the hotel (facing Ca Mari), where the din could not be heard. The noise in the rooms or studios facing the pool was so bad we couldn't listen to MP3 or watch TV in our studio whilst it was on.
Unlike other reviewers, we have found the hotel staff very helpful, and the maid service OK. On arrival we were given a studio only a few feet from the entrance to one of the pools, so that everyone getting out of the pool coould look straight into the room. But worse the room was stinking of cigarettes. We asked for another room which reception found for us straight away - very pleased.
A bonus at this hotel on the occasional wet days is the indoor pool, which is small but useful. Unfortunately, the 2 sauna cabins which feature in the brochure and website were both out of order during our entire stay. Enquiries as to when they would be repaired brought a vague response about "it is with the management". So if you are planning to use the saunas during your stay it would be worth checking directly with the hotel first.
Despite the faults, we will return to this hotel, as we love Formentera and this hotel is in a good central position on the island for cycling around.

We stayed here for 2weeks starting 27th May - 10th June 06 and I have to say we had a great holiday.
We had a studio which sleeps 4 right by the pool which was comfortable but once the single beds were out there wasn't much floor space. I wouldn't recommend 4 adults it would be cramped, but for us with our 2 young children it was fine. The bathroom was large with plenty of room for toiletries. The kitchenette was tiny and I wouldn't recommend trying to cook to much as there was no room to prepare food not even to make a sandwich for the children, i had to use the dressing table. Overall the room was comfy. However as the evening entertainment had started outside it was very loud and young children may have problems sleeping if they are in one of the studio's facing the hotel. The maid service was poor really, beds are made and towels changed we had to complain to get the bath cleaned sand and suncream had build up this was our only complaint.The grounds are pretty and clean. The hotel is right on the beach but the water edge was rocky so to play or paddle in the water you had to walk a short distance either to the left or right approx 10min walk.
The pools were clean and staff were friendly. The entertainment team worked hard during the day providing games and activities for adults and children which were fun and we ended up joining in most days. We found the evening entertainment to be fun and enjoyable.
The food was good lots of variety plenty of salads and cheeses and wine and beer and childrens drinks were served whilst you ate your evening meal. However lots of the meat is hardly cooked so we picked thin peaces as we don't like raw meat. We spoke to a few people who wouldn't recommend the all inclusive it was a waste of money. We were half board and when we enquired about all inclusive upgrade it was going to be another £1200 for the 2weeks!!!!! We ate in various resturants during our holiday and hired a car and drank freely and didn't even manage to spend half that a amount! I would definately return again even tho I think at one point we were the only English there. Mainly italians some of which were friendly and spoke some English some of which were very rude and seemed to think they owned the place. I do agree with a previous review that the pool bar at times got grounded with italians and spanish and it was a waste of time trying to get served but that seemed to be mainly late afternoon. We visited lots of beautiful beaches which were heaven to lay and sunbath on and the sea was warm and crystal clear stunning.

If you are after a really quiet holiday with nothing to do I would recommended the Cala Soana in Formentera it is set beautifully the hotel is quite basic but friendly. I would recommend the Formentera Playa for those who want to relax but not in peace and quiet. We really enjoyed here as there was something for everyone to do.

Although we stayed there last summer (panorama), for Uk families this review will warn you as to what to expect. Family of 4 (2 kids 8 & 6) at the time. We booked a studio which was supposed to sleep 4 , Well lets just say you would end up killing each other in there,it is tiny.,having to climb over beds to reach the bathroom and nowhere to store cases.

After complaining we were moved to another building about a 6 minute walk through dust which was much better but the stench from the AC meant we could not have it on. Everytime someone went to the toilet above us you could hear everything. Various trips from maintenance achieved nothing.

The food buffet style was fine, plenty of choice and freshly cooked, the waiters work hard but they are very surly and one is loathed to ask for anything. The free wine is of poor quality, but drinkable, it is worth ordering from the wine list. The bar area around the pool is a nightmare, they are completely overwhelmed and unless you shout and gesticulate like the mostly Italians there do, you can wait for ever, they are also extremely rude. The food here should not be eaten.

The pool area is fine although the cleaning around the area leaves a lot to be desired. The clientelle are 95% Italian, they seemed to enjoy themselves, but we understandably felt a little isolated (we were the only english people there). The children particualry missed speaking to other children.

The entertainment team were fabulous and really made the holiday, although they spoke very little english they tried and were infatiguable, the shows, whilst not the west end, were entertaining and the kids loved the mini disco which was on everynight and popular.

The kids club was very poor quality, a very small building very poorly equipped, but again the staff which double up as the entertainment team were very sweet and tried hard. I would not reccomend that very young children were left in their care.

The beach is small, and very seaweedy, they make no attempt to tidy it a llittle. (cigarette butts litter) Further along, a 15 minute walk, there are some lovely bays and coves which are worth seeing. Be warned quite a few nude bathers so if you are easily offended this is not the place for you.
We went all inclusive which was probably not worth it. The free boat trip is not suitable for young children (be warned) unless they are very proficient swimmers and comfortable very out of their depth, it is a long day for them with cramped conditions.

We made the best of the situation as we were there for 2 weeks, but were annoyed at all the above as it was not a budget holiday by any means and we expected value for money.

At first time, we would expect efforts from a Spanish Hotel, but in Formentera, specially in Insotel, we won't meet a pleasant staff. No kind, no smile, except the animation team composed by Italian guys (they're fabulous and the saved our holidays!). Insotel Formentera Playa has very poor food, and room make up service is really horrible. And, if you go there, prepare yourself because it might be overbooking... and if it happens to you, good luck!