Hotel Galaxia

One of the first hotels in the resort town of Ca'n Picafort, Galaxia opened in the mid-sixties as a hostel back when the sea dunes reached right up to its entrance. Nowadays, there's a block between the property and beach, and various updates through the years have given it hotel category status -- albeit a very modest one. A quirky signage welcomes guest past the street-front seating and through its doors and into a small reception area. Rustic touches, fishing-themed objects, and various pieces of original artworks create a homey, unpolished feel. To one side is a dining room and sunny lounge, and the other a pleasant bar/bistro -- renovated in 2016-17, it's fresher and more contemporary than the rest of the otherwise mostly dated property. A wobbly, old-fashioned elevator services the hotel's five upper floors, one of which is a no-frills pool terrace to the side of the main building. This independently owned hotel is clean and well-run with pleasant staff, attracting mostly older, budget-conscious couples from the U.K. and Germany.

The hotel has a prime position in the center of the relatively laid-back resort of Ca'n Picafort, positioned halfway along the huge sweeping Bay of Alcudia. The long sandy beach is just a couple minutes' walk away, together with the buzzy beachfront promenade that is lined with restaurants, bars, boutiques, and tourist shops. The fairly narrow beach can get busy over peak season, though the quieter and more picturesque Playa de Muro is less than 10 minutes away by car. Those looking for a little more nightlife can take a 20-minute cab journey to the Port d'Alcudia, while nature-lovers are a 10-minute drive from the Alcudia Nature Reserve. Those interested in sightseeing also have the lovely Alcudia old town and nearby Roman ruins of Pollentia 20 minutes' drive away. Situated at the opposite end of the island, however, the capital of Palma and its Palma de Mallorca Airport are up to an hour by road.

The property's 60 guest rooms are equally split between those in need of a renovation and those updated in 2016. Older rooms look particularly last century, with dated pine furniture, coordinating patterned fabrics, and sun-faded artworks; there was also touch of mustiness on our visit. Newer rooms, however, feel fresh with a bright contemporary finish you might expect in a higher-caliber hotel. Beds are also more comfortable, with adjustable reading lights, and furnishings are minimalist and modern. All rooms open to balconies or terraces with patio-style seating, around a third of which feature sea views. Others overlook the pool terrace or the street (which can be noisy). Rooms near the elevator are also prone to the sound of its door slamming.

In-room amenities are certainly in short supply, lacking even air-conditioning -- fans are available to hire from reception. Flat-screen TVs, however, are 32- and 40-inch with a good U.K.-based selection of channels. Wi-Fi is free and the signal was more than adequate during our stay. Bathrooms are also split between old and new, with most having walk-in showers, though some older with shower/tub combos. All also come with simple toiletries, wall-mounted hairdryers, and thin towels.

For a budget-level property, the Hotel Galaxia doesn't do too badly in the way of facilities. Although lacking polish, the upper-level terrace is a real sun-trap with a pool that's long enough (33 feet/10 meters) for a few strokes, a fair scattering of loungers, and a ping-pong table. Served in the hotel's dining room and not included as standard, breakfast is a mix of pre-cooked eggs, beans, and bacon, plus various breads and cereals and machine-made coffee and juice. Half- and full-board options also cover buffet lunch and dinner, which typically includes meat and fish dishes, pasta, and salads. Food is generally uninspiring though decent enough for the price. The bar/bistro provides brighter and more pleasant surrounds, with an a la carte menu, comfy sofas, and a street-front patio. A lounge also provides a spot to relax with books and board games, while next door is a space for bicycle storage.