Hotel Oleander

With its boxy architecture and dated red signage, there's no hiding the Hotel Oleander's 1970s origins. Passing through its glass-paneled entrance, however, the reception area feels anything but old-fashioned thanks to a 2016 renovation that added plenty of contemporary -- if a little characterless -- polish. In fact, most of the public areas of the property look fresh and updated in tastefully muted tones with modern furniture and some very 21st-century design touches. The resort-style complex is composed of the main seven-floor building connected to a long low-rise block and a spacious pool terrace lined with well-tended flora. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, and relatively quiet. A mix of European guests leans towards Germans and (being not a particularly child-friendly hotel) attracts mostly vacationing couples. 

The hotel is located in a relatively quiet area surrounded by a mix of hotels and residential buildings two blocks -- or a five-minute walk -- from Playa de Palma's three-mile beach and bustling seafront promenade. The surrounding Les Meravelles neighborhood is a pleasant and buzzy resort, filled with restaurants, bars, and tourist shops, largely aimed at the mostly German visitors. Families with kids have the Palma Aquarium 12 minutes' walk away. Aqualand is about a 12-minute drive by car. There's also a leafy park with play areas just a block from the hotel. The location also puts Palma de Mallorca Airport within a 10-minute drive. The capital of Palma is 15 minutes away by road.

The hotel has 273 rooms, all of which -- thanks to 2016 renovations -- were transformed into bright and modern interiors that combine simple modern furnishings, flower motifs, and tile or wood-effect floors. All rooms open to balconies or terraces. The higher-level Superior Rooms feature pool or partial sea views.

In-room amenities are fairly limited. They have 32-inch flat-screen TVs, telephones, and electronic safes for a fee. Minibars and Wi-Fi are available, though these features cost extra in Standard Rooms and are free in Superior Rooms. Rooms are cooled by both air-conditioning and ceiling fans. Many guests enjoy the memory foam mattresses that were added in 2016. Bathrooms are clean and include walk-in showers, wall-mounted hairdryers, and generic toiletries. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows provide plenty of natural light in the hotel's updated and spacious dining room, which is open for buffet breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is a good range of hot and cold dishes, and though it's not included as standard; breakfast and half-board (with dinner) plans are available. The bar offers an a la carte menu of snacks and light meals for lunch which can be enjoyed on the poolside terrace. The hotel's large freeform pool is surrounded by plenty of loungers, parasols, and daybeds. A small indoor pool is heated and has a poolside whirlpool tub and sauna. An evening entertainment program includes live music and flamenco, though there are no poolside activities and nothing specifically for kids. Wi-Fi costs extra.