Playa Garden Selection Hotel & Spa

With its front lawn scattered with soaring palms fronting an equally lofty drive-through portico, arrival at the Playa Garden Selection Hotel & Spa certainly leans towards grand. Guests are welcomed with Cava and juice in the airy reception room, which is flooded with sun from floor-to-ceiling windows and includes a pyramid skylight. Typical of the Garden Hotel chain, there's a real emphasis on plant life, coupled with some of the highest environmental grades of any of the island's hotels. Indoor pine trees, cascading plants, and potted palms decorate the lobby, while ancient olive trees and colorful flowers dot manicured lawns throughout the grounds. Beyond the main building (where spa and dining facilities are housed) the complex is composed of eight identical three-story accommodation blocks, each with an elevator, sunny skylight, and internal garden -- though corridors and some parts of the facade are starting to show signs of age. The elaborate pool complex takes center stage, and was lively with child-friendly animation on our visit. Families with kids make up the vast majority of clientele, and the majority are German, while folks from Spain and Britain make up the rest. 

The Playa Garden is located on a quiet strip lined with other hotels, tourist shops, and restaurants that runs parallel with the main road that skirts Alcudia Bay. As well as having a pleasantly laid-back feel, the setting also means direct access to the beautiful sands and clear waters of Playa de Muro beach. Those looking for a little more life can take a 10-minute cab ride to bustling Port d'Alcudia. Nature-lovers will find themselves within walking distance (15 minutes) of the Alcudia Nature Reserve. Those interested in sightseeing also have the lovely Alcudia old town and the nearby Roman ruins of Pollentia are a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Palma and Palma de Mallorca Airport are up to an hour away by car. 

Accommodation ranges from regular double rooms to roomy suites to various levels of one-bedroom apartments. All units were updated between 2013 and 2016 with bright interiors that combine simple modern furniture, wood-effect floors, and splashes of color that create a breezy, contemporary feel. All rooms open to balconies or terraces, with views ranging from garden to lateral sea views, to the spectacular full-frontal panoramas that stretch along the picturesque coast that features in all suites. Top-level apartments include small gardens with seating areas, loungers, and soaking pools or whirlpool tubs (albeit with little separation between gardens).

Standard amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs (with few English-speaking channels), mini-fridges, and old-style safes (for a fee). Units are air-conditioned or heated depending on the time of year. Apartments also all include kitchenettes with microwaves, burners, and fridges, plus lounges with dining areas. Wi-Fi is free of charge, though the speed could be faster. Bathrooms are clean and modern, most with walk-in showers (though some rooms have tubs), plus wall-mounted hairdryers, and generic toiletries. 

Leisure and relaxation facilities are a real forte at the Playa Garden Selection Hotel. It features one of the largest spa wellness centers in the area, with a heated indoor swimming pool, water-bubble beds, an outdoor thermal pool with waterfalls and jets, a large sauna, and the full range of massage and beauty treatments. There's also a massage cabana on the beach. The main lagoon-style pool also impresses, with zero-entry points, various interconnected sections, and plenty of surrounding loungers and umbrellas -- though poolside activities can get a little noisy for those looking to relax and there's no adult-only area. A pirate-themed splash pool with waterslides is solar heated to take the chill off the water, while three supervised kids' clubs offer programs from ages 4 to 17 years. Just opposite the hotel is a free tennis court and mini-golf, plus pony rides (for a charge). A shaded gazebo provides the setting for outside exercise classes. An indoor gym provides simple cardio equipment in an otherwise bare room. 

Dining options are also good. The huge buffet restaurant features organic and local corners, two live cooking stations (one Italian-inspired with a pizza oven), and themed nights including an impressive display of sushi. A kids' buffet caters to younger tastes. There's also a large poolside bar serving drinks, snacks, and light meals through the day, while other a la carte eating comes in the form of a neighboring Italian restaurant and a steakhouse. Entertainment takes places every evening, though it often doesn't cater for non-German speakers. All sorts of room rates are available, ranging from room-only through to all-inclusive. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.