Be Live Collection Son Antem

While there's a distinctive lack of wow-factor upon arrival at this hotel's rather plain entrance, patterned vaulted ceilings and heavy dark-wood furnishings certainly set the tone for this traditional hacienda-style complex. Stepping inside, the Mediterranean country house styling becomes more impressive, with wood-beamed ceilings, elegant archways, and plenty of wrought-iron detailing in the balconied walkways, prim furnishings, and busy chandeliers. A lovely, bright courtyard with terra-cotta tiling and centerpiece fountain completes the hotel's Old-World feel (despite opening as a Marriott hotel in 1999). Principally a golf-oriented hotel, the atmosphere is upscale, secluded, and peaceful, thanks to expansive well-tended landscaped gardens that skirt one of two 18-hole golf courses. As well as golfers, the hotel is popular with families with young kids looking for somewhere away from the typical raucous resort-style property.

The hotel has a genuinely countryside setting as it's surrounded by two golf courses and miles of fields and farmland. Set just five minutes' drive from the nearest highway, however, means easy access to and from the rest of the island. The nearest town of Llucmajor is a 15-minute drive, and it has regular markets and fairs, while around the same time in the opposite direction is the buzzing resort of El Arenal, which has a water park and long sandy bay. Around half an hour by car is Palma, known for its charming Old Town and Gothic Cathedral, and Palma de Mallorca Airport is 20 minutes away.

The hotel's 151 rooms and suites, all of which mix traditional-style carved-wood furniture and gilded artworks with more contemporary patterned carpets, curtains, and seating. They don't quite live up to their advertised five-star rating, but they're certainly elegant and attractive. French doors open either onto spacious balconies or terraces with rattan furniture, half with views of the countryside and golf courses, and half overlooking the gardens and pool; Priority Location rooms have terraces with direct access to the garden. Standard amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs (with a good selection of English channels), minibars (including spirits), and fluffy bathrobes and slippers; suites add Nespresso coffee machines, 40-inch TVs, and iPod docks. Wi-Fi is free of charge and a decent speed. Bathrooms are finished in travertine stone, equipped with shower/tub combos and wall-mounted hairdryers; some suites also have whirlpool tubs. Some guests complain of thin walls between rooms, as well as noisy entertainment into the evening.

Given that the hotel attracts many golfers, it's unsurprising that it features one of the island’s largest golf academies, offering golf lessons and courses. For those not out on the course, the main outdoor swimming pool has zero-entry points, a separate splash pool for kids, and surrounding sun terrace with plentiful loungers. Although set away from the main building, there's also a huge (over-30,000-square-foot) spa featuring an indoor/outdoor pool, plus a sauna, steam room, and a whirlpool tub; a range of beauty and massage treatments are also available. The 24-hour gym has a range of cardio and strength-training equipment, as well as a punching bag and free weights. Activities are put on for children over the summer months, as well as (sometimes noisy) evening entertainment for the adults. Most dining takes places at the El Olivar restaurant, offering buffet service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; an a la carte menu is also available. Breakfast is always included and reports point to the food -- both buffet and a la carte -- being excellent quality. The restaurant opens to a covered patio overlooking the gardens and an alfresco terrace. The Es Trenc pool bar is also open during the summer months, serving light lunches and regular barbecues.