BQ Augusta Hotel

A giant and colorfully painted hybrid of a zebra and a bull sits outside the Augusta on an impeccably green lawn. Though certainly a welcoming and eye-catching mascot, its hybrid nature is also almost poetically reflective of the hotel. The Augusta is now somewhat of a hybrid hotel ever since its renovation. Neither a beach resort nor an urban property, it's an odd, minimalist mixture of both. The hotel's freshly painted white facade breathes new life into what in its former incarnation was clearly a run-of-the-mill budget establishment. Though architectural vestiges of the past remain, it has definitely succeeded in modernizing its image, upgrading its offerings, and appealing to an artsy, hip, city- and beach-loving clientele. 

The Augusta is located in the Bonanova area of Mallorca, which is a distinguished part of town on the west side of the city comprising a few upscale hotels and private homes that overlook the Bay of Mallorca. Though the area that surrounds the property is quite hilly, it's a handy base from which to access the beachfront promenade, which offers great views of the Port of Palma. The historic center of Palma can be reached within five minutes by car, and the imposing Bellver Castle and surrounding park are under a five-minute walk away. Tito's -- Palma's famed discotheque -- is a 15-minute walk down the promenade, as is an outpost of the internationally renowned Pacha nightclub. Overall, it's a pleasant part of town with options to rent bikes and ride along the waterfront, linger at cafes, or enjoy a bit of local nightlife.

Like the hotel itself, the rooms at the Augusta are minimalist, hip, and fresh -- if simple. They feel artsy but effortless, and convey a clean, relaxing vibe. Rooms feature a basic color scheme of crisp white with playful orange accents, as if they've come straight out of a spring IKEA catalogue. A variety of room types is available, including studios and apartments with kitchenettes, as well as pool-view rooms with quaint terraces decked out in white patio furniture. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and big bathrooms with glass walk-in showers. 

Shaped like a giant kidney bean, the well-maintained pool is the highlight of the Augusta. It's surrounded by plentiful lounge chairs and a few crisp white cabanas, and its surrounding verdant shrubbery and towering palm trees make it easy to forget that you're in the middle of a city. The hotel also has a restaurant decorated in a contemporary, colorful fashion with an outdoor terrace overlooking the pool. Wi-Fi and parking are free and a small business center and meeting rooms are also available. However, for anything on a grand scale, it's definitely worth checking out the meeting facilities of the nearby five-pearl Gran Meliá Victoria, located just down the street. Rates, however, are definitely higher there.