FERGUS Style Cala Blanca Suites

Housed in a striking, all-white, zig-zagging building, Fergus Style Cala Blanca Suites Hotel feels modern and chic even from the outside. An eye-catching glass-enclosed elevator takes guests from the parking area down to the lobby level, where sliding glass doors open onto a sleek space with gleaming white floors, a white pillar with a tree-inspired design, and stone accent walls. Two computers are available for guest use in a corner of the reception area adorned with a huge photo of blossoming almond trees. Floor-to-ceiling windows reveal a playground with fake grass, small goals, and a number of games for kids, and miniature Chesterfield chairs placed alongside regular-size furniture are nods to the hotel’s uber-kid-friendly policy. Renovated in 2013, Cala Blanca can be a good option for those who don’t mind the crowds and are traveling with young children, but the cramped pool area and long lines for meals may be off-putting to many.

The hotel is located in a quiet residential area a little north along the coast of Santa Ponsa. There isn’t much within the immediate vicinity aside from several other hotels and apartment buildings, but the city center is a 15-minute drive or taxi ride away. The small cove just outside the Cala Blanca is nice for snorkeling, but it's rocky and there's only a small area for towels. However, Santa Ponsa’s long, sandy beach is a 10-minute walk away, and there are several other stretches of sand within a 15-minute drive in either direction. Andratx, known for its upmarket restaurants and stores, can be reached in about 15 minutes' drive, and Palma and the airport are each a 25-minute drive away.

The hotel has 175 clean, stylish suites with furnished terraces, most with at least partial ocean views. All-white decor with tan and aquamarine accents in drapes, sofas, and pillows make for stylish spaces with a breezy vibe, and laminate floors in different wood hues are chic and elegant. All units have free Wi-Fi, separate living areas with sofa beds, mini-fridges with water and soft drinks, walk-in closets, flat-screen TVs, coffee/tea facilities, and air-conditioning. Superior Rooms offer extra perks such as Playstations, robes and slippers, free non-alcoholic minibar drinks, and free safes, and Deluxe Suites have larger terraces, each with a whirlpool and a Bali bed. Rooms can sleep at least four guests, but some may be a little tight at full occupancy. Standard bathrooms have elegant tan tiling with aquamarine accents, hotel-brand toiletries, hairdryers, and shower/tub combos. 

The restaurant serves a varied international buffet for all three meals in an average dining room with pool views. The snack bar has poolside seating and a fast food menu, but some of the items offered (including pizza and ice cream) have an extra charge even for all-inclusive guests. Although smallish for a hotel this size, the free-form pool could be a nice spot for a quiet morning in the sun -- but there is a limited number of loungers all crammed together and guests race to secure one when the gates open in the morning. The kiddy pool has several slides and a few loungers around it, and daily entertainment keeps children busy. Additionally, there is a small indoor pool for the colder days. For those in need of some peace and quiet, the adult-only rooftop area, complete with two whirlpools, Bali beds, and sea views, is a pleasant spot. In the evening, the beach bar is a favorite for watching the sunset. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and bike rentals can be arranged at the front desk. The property is pet-friendly. Massage services can be arranged.