Catalonia Majorica Hotel

There's nothing really wrong with the Catalonia Majorica Hotel, though there's not much about the hotel's style that proves very memorable either. Everything is nominally modern, but utterly simple. Glass doors swoosh open to a hushed reception area that feels entirely functional -- there's a bit of wood-paneling, some patterned bucket chairs, and and abundance of cream and white tones. A black-and-white photograph next to the front desk depicts the hotel and its much sparser surroundings in the '30s when the property was originally built. 

The big draw here, though, is the hotel's lovely outdoor space, including a spacious terrace that offers spectacular views across the Bay of Palma. Set into the hillside, the property extends five floors up (housing most of the rooms) and three down to the restaurant, pool terrace (also featuring views), and toward the hotel's separate concrete and mirrored glass conference center. This property is mostly used as a base for couples looking to explore the city for one or two days in between relaxing around the pool, though many business travelers stay here as well as the hotel offers ample meeting space.

The hotel is located on a hilltop in the largely residential Portopi district that overlooks the southwestern end of Palma's Bay. While its elevated setting affords fabulous views over the nearby cruise port, marina, and practically to the other side of the bay, the steep uphill walk to the hotel would certainly be a struggle for some. The walk downhill to the waterfront, however, is an easy 10-minute stroll, and from there a bus runs regularly into town. It's about a 20-minute trip -- including walking and the bus -- to Palma's Gothic cathedral and picturesque cobbled streets of the Old Town. Most, however, choose to take the trip by taxi, which are plentiful, reasonably priced, and take about 10 minutes from the hotel. Portopi itself has a large commercial center with shops and restaurants, also a 10-minute walk away, while the nearest beach is Cala Major, about a five-minute drive away. The location is particularly convenient for those arriving by cruise ship, as the cruise port is a five-minute cab ride, while Mallorca Airport is around 20 minutes by road.

The hotel has 168 rooms, most of which feel well maintained and mostly modern, if plain. Details include with wood-laminate floors, light wood furniture with clean lines, and splashes of red in the form of striped curtains or accent walls. Some rooms feature Turner-inspired artwork above the bed, though it has the effect of making the rooms look more dated than they actually are, hearkening back to decor trends of the '70s. Most of the rooms open to at least small furnished balconies (some with superb sea views), with some lower and ground-level floors extending to spacious terraces (all of which lack sea views). Fourth floor rooms are bigger, but have smaller balconies, while fifth floor rooms are vice versa. 

Rooms are reasonably spacious by European standards; all start at 215 square feet (20 square meters), though the layout can be narrow in some. Standard amenities include 32- or 40-inch flat-screen TVs (with just a few English-speaking news channels), reasonably-priced minibars, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, though no electric kettles are only available on request and for a hefty deposit in most rooms. Bathrooms include shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hairdryers, and generic toiletries. They look more dated than the rooms themselves, in part due to the dark travertine surfaces. 

The hotel's two junior suites are located on the top two corners of the hotel, and offer the best views, espresso machines, and bathrobes. One features two terraces -- one with a private plunge pool -- and the other a bathroom with a whirlpool tub and huge terrace that includes a daybed. 

The main focus of the hotel is its outdoor terrace, one half of which extends from the bar and provides ample wicker seating taking in the bay views. The other half of the outdoor space is accessible down a flight of stairs and features the pool, which is more for cooling off than swimming. There are more sun loungers here as well as a seasonal poolside bar (without waiter service) -- though it's worth noting that some guests complain that there are not enough loungers. A small fitness room with a cable machine, limited free weights, and a treadmill is available, and the hotel also has a modest-sized heated indoor pool with a whirlpool section.

On the same level as the pool terrace is a large restaurant with sea views, which serves an extensive buffet breakfast that includes a wide range of hot and cold dishes, plus a live cooking station offering fresh pancakes and eggs cooked-to-order. Breakfast is not included in standard rates, and the restaurant isn't open for lunch or dinner (the bar does offer light meals and snacks throughout the day). Room service is available, but it's taken care of through off-site local restaurants. The hotel also caters to business travelers, offering plenty of conference space with 15 meeting rooms. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but some guests complain of a spotty signal.