Blue Sea Club Martha's

There's not much to set this basic hotel apart from the area competition when it comes to style and atmosphere. A step inside reveals pleasant and clean interiors, though the utterly plain decor is immediately apparent. This is a clue as to the overall ethos here, and the hotel is readymade for unpretentious holidays within striking distance of Cala d'Or's stunning beaches. The hotel's lobby has a slightly clinical feel that includes claret-colored seating and cherrywood effect paneling; check-in takes place at a translucent marble front desk at the reception's far end. Like many of the region's hotels, though, most guests are here to spend time in the sun outside. The hotel's extensive gardens are particularly well tended and brimming with palms, pine trees, colorful flowers, and cacti of all sizes. Apartments are spread between six three-floor buildings named after the ancient Greek Muses, which are annually whitewashed in the Balearic style and oriented towards the south, with tiered balconies to take advantage of the sun. Overall, the vibe is generally more relaxing and less raucous than many. The majority of guests are families with kids -- largely British and Dutch -- as well as hosting plenty of vacationing couples either self-catering or on the optional all-inclusive plan.

The hotel is located in the tourist district of Cala Egos, just south of the popular resort town of Cala D'or. The neighborhood is almost entirely geared toward the vacationing crowd who descend here every summer, and is practically closed during the winter months. There are plenty of bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops within a short stroll of the hotel, though the atmosphere is quiet and serene, with minimal noisy nightlife. Calo d'es Pou Beach is just a five-minute walk away and is a pleasant but small stretch of sand that can get busy at peak times. Cala Egos beach is a little under 10 minutes away on foot as well. A train-shaped resort bus can be caught a block away and connects to various other parts of the town, including Cala D'Or center and Cala Ferrera. Palma de Mallorca Airport is just under an hour's drive away, while Palma's quaint Old Town is a bit farther.

The hotel has 279 apartments, which include one-bedroom units (sleeping up to four) and studios (sleeping up to two). Decor is simple in the extreme, with coordinating light wooden floors, panels, and furniture, and a simple blue-and-white color scheme. There's no art on the white walls, furthering the spartan effect. Living areas include tiny 21-inch flat-screen TVs with limited English channels and kitchenettes with electric ranges, mini-fridges, and microwaves; kettles and toasters are available on request.A real highlight of the rooms is that they all open to spacious terraces that are tiered so they're all sunny. These are furnished with tables, seating, and loungers, and many of those on the top floor also feature superb sea views. Dark tan marble bathrooms are generally well maintained, mostly with shower/tub combos, spacious granite countertops, and wall-mounted hairdryers; some have step-in shower cubicles which guests complain cause wet, slippery floors. In-room safes and Wi-Fi are available for a fee, and the latter is charged per device. A choice of welcome packages with water, tea, coffee, and other drinks are also available for purchase.

After check-in, guests are invited to an informal welcome tour to get orientated with the extensive complex and its facilities. There's also an app that can be downloaded to phones or tablets with information on offers, services, and even food options. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets are served in the hotel's main restaurant -- a bright dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows and an alfresco terrace -- and the menu rotates every five days. The buffet food has received mixed reviews, though most enjoy the Spanish and Japanese theme nights, plus the hotel also has a popular bar-pizzeria and an a la carte restaurant on-site. As well as all the usual drinks, the Moogie terrace bar serves daily cocktails and ice cream. Most activity is centered around the main swimming pool, which includes poolside animation teams and is surrounded by a sundeck and shaded lawns. Loungers are unlocked in the mornings to avoid early reservations, though this can result in a bit of a scramble, plus many guests complain that there are not enough sunbeds for the size of the resort. There's also a quieter pool, as well as a separate kids' pool and even a shallow one for toddlers. A heated indoor pool is only open during the cooler months. Entertainment for children comes in the form of a supervised kids' club, while in the evenings there are live shows on an outdoor stage. Sports facilities such as tennis and ping-pong are available for a fee, which some feel is unfair; a climbing wall is free of charge.

The optional all-inclusive plan covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the buffet dining room, as well as a limited menu in the a la carte Restaurant Natalie or the pizzeria. Snacks are also served in the bar area, though during specific times in the afternoon. All branded soft drinks and local alcoholic drinks are also included until late (though not cocktails). Any combination of breakfast, dinner, half-board, and full-board packages are also available, with full-board options including water and wine. Plans only cover food and drink, with Wi-Fi, safes, and some of the sports facilities incurring a fee.